Can Average Students Crack IIT

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Every year, over 1.2 million students appear for IIT JEE — and most of them are not toppers. They are students like you who aspire to enter the gates of an IIT. The first question that comes to the mind of every such student is: Can average students crack IIT JEE? The answer is YES — with the right strategy, consistency and mindset. We have discussed in this complete guide everything that an ordinary student should know for preparing for the IIT JEE, so that he/she can make that dream come true.

Reality Check — What Does 'Average Student' Actually Mean?

However, before we get into tips and strategy, let's define what 'average' means in the context of IIT JEE. An average student is usually a student who performs from 55% to 75% in school exams, knows the concept but has a problem applying it when required, does not go to a premium coaching institute and may not have started preparations from Class 9 or 10.

Let's have a look at the following reality check table, which is a comparative study of the Average Student Profile and the IIT JEE Student Profile:

The difference between school student and IIT student is not talent, it is Habits, Strategy and Time Management. Even those who have average IQs, but study with a proper strategy, have a much better chance of appearing in the IIT JEE than those who study based on raw intelligence.

Average Student vs Topper — What Is the Real Difference in IIT Preparation?

There are many students who think that toppers have some special power in them. There is a much simpler truth to the matter. The difference between an average student and a topper in the IIT JEE preparation is mainly in the approach and not in IQ. First step to closing this gap is understanding the gap.

Make note of the fact that all these differences are NOT based on natural ability. All of the above habits may be practised. This is the reason why, when taken in good faith, the average student's study strategy for IIT JEE is effective.

Key habits average students must build immediately:

• Become an active problem solver, not a passive reader, each day.
• Have a separate revision timetable — revision weekly (essential!!!
• Do full-length mock tests at least twice per week under exam conditions.
• Make a list of all the subjects that you are weak at and tackle them one by one
• Don't leave an unsolved doubt for the next day

Can Average Students Crack IIT JEE Without Coaching?

This is one of the most searched questions: “Is it possible for average students to crack IIT JEE without coaching?” Yes, it is possible — but with the right resources and a bit more self-discipline. Recently, many toppers of IIT were self-taught students who made use of online books, standard books, and free YouTube videos to prepare for the exams. 

Self-study plan essentials for average students cracking IIT JEE without coaching:

• Do NCERTs very literally — it is the foundation of JEE Chemistry.
• Go with the concepts for Physics from HC Verma and then proceed to DC Pandey for problems.
• In Mathematics, first do RD Sharma and then Cengage or Arihant.
• After completing each chapter, attempt to solve at least 50 PYQs.
• Use an error log to record your work on each mock test
• Do 1 hour of work a day in the weakest subject – even if you have no desire to do it!

Step-by-Step IIT JEE Preparation Strategy for Average Students

A structured month-wise preparation strategy is the key to differentiating IIT crackers from non-crackers. Let's see a realistic plan for average students who are beginning the IIT JEE self-study plan:

Daily routine for an average student targeting IIT JEE:

Success Stories — Real Average Students Who Cracked IIT JEE

There are a few things that motivate more than real examples. Here are some Profiles of students who have cracked IIT JEE even though they were not an 'average student' in the sense they were not average:

The examples show that a background in coaching or not, even a background in 60 per cent marks in the IIT JEE is enough to crack IIT JEE, it has been done thousands of times. In all situations, it was essential to have a plan and then follow it daily.

Should Average Students Take a Drop Year for IIT JEE?

Many students who have an average intelligence level find difficulty in answering this IIT JEE drop year question. The following is a straightforward analysis to make this decision: 

We would say that a drop year is only worthwhile when you really have a way of working out what went wrong for you and a plan, which is tangible and structured, for the year. What can be worse than a drop year when there is no plan? All of the average students who dropped and succeeded had three things in common: They made the drop year a 9-5 job that was done without compromise. 

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Conclusion — Yes, Average Students Can Crack IIT JEE

The answer to the question 'Can an Average student crack IIT' is a definite 'Yes'. IIT JEE is not about who you are right now, it's about who you're willing to become if you prepare yourself for it. The marks that you earn now will not affect your IIT JEE result. Next 12 months, your daily habits, preparation approach and consistency will.

Start today. Pick one subject. Solve 10 problems. Build from there. Not all of the students who make it to the IIT are the smartest in the room – they're the ones who've been doing their best work.