Atharva Kulkarni, a 17-year-old engineering aspirant, has emerged as one of the top scorers in JEE Main 2025 Session 1 with an impressive 99.71 percentile. Hailing from Nashik, Atharva is currently preparing for JEE Advanced 2025 and a career in Computer Engineering, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering. In this exclusive interview with Moneycontrol.com, Atharva shares insights into his JEE Main exam preparation, time management, challenges, and future goals.
Q: Congratulations, Atharva, on your outstanding JEE Main score! How does it feel to achieve such a remarkable feat?
Atharva: It feels incredibly rewarding to see all the hard work and dedication pay off. The journey was full of challenges, but also a lot of learning and growth. I’m grateful for the support from my teachers, friends, and family. This result motivates me to continue working hard for the next steps in my academic journey.
Q: When did you start your JEE preparation, and what was your initial strategy?
Atharva: I started preparing right after my 10th grade. My initial strategy was to focus on understanding the basics before moving to advanced topics. I followed a structured study schedule, balancing schoolwork with JEE preparation. I consistently worked on both theory and practice and took regular mock tests to assess my progress.
Q: Can you share your study timetable? How many hours did you dedicate to each subject daily?
Atharva: My study schedule was well-structured—I dedicated around 12 hours daily, with about 4 hours per subject (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics). I studied in 2 to 3-hour blocks, followed by short breaks to recharge. Regular revision sessions and mock tests were also a key part of my schedule.
Q: How did you manage school studies, board exams, and JEE preparation?
Atharva: Balancing everything was a challenge, but I managed by staying organized. I finished most of my schoolwork during recess and free periods, allowing me to dedicate evenings to JEE preparation. My priority was to clear JEE Main in January, so I could later focus on board exams.
Q. Which books and study materials did you use for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics?
Atharva: These are the books I use as study material for exam preparation:
- Physics: Disha 47 Years Chapter-wise PYQs + Coaching Material
- Chemistry: N. Awasthi (Physical), M. S. Chouhan (Organic), V. K. Jaiswal (Inorganic)
- Mathematics: Disha 47 Years Chapter-wise PYQs + Sameer Bansal
Atharva: I focused on practicing the last 4 years' question papers and took multiple mock tests to improve my speed. For Chemistry, I relied on NCERT short notes and key concepts, ensuring my revision was effective.
Q: What were your strongest and weakest subjects? How did you improve your weak areas?
Atharva: My strongest subject was Mathematics, while Physics was my weakest. To improve, I strengthened theoretical concepts, solved higher-order questions, and revised difficult topics regularly to build confidence.
Q: How did you manage time during the JEE Main exam?
Atharva: I followed a strategic approach—
- Started with easy questions in Physics & Chemistry to build momentum.
- Left tougher questions for later, ensuring I didn’t waste time.
- Solved Mathematics last, as I was most confident in it.
- Focused on accuracy and avoiding negative marking.
Atharva: I studied at FIITJEE South Delhi, which provided structured guidance and expert teachers. However, self-study and consistent revision played a huge role in reinforcing concepts.
Q: How important were mock tests in your preparation?
Atharva: Mock tests were crucial! They simulated real exam conditions, improved time management, and helped me fine-tune my approach. Regular practice under timed conditions made me confident on exam day.
Q: Who has been your biggest source of motivation?
Atharva: My family and teachers were my biggest motivators. My family created a peaceful study environment, and my teachers helped me navigate difficult concepts. Their encouragement was invaluable.
Q: How did you refresh your mind during intense preparation?
Atharva: I enjoy watching tech documentaries, solving puzzles, and traveling. These activities helped me de-stress and stay mentally refreshed. I also ensured physical activity, like jogging or stretching, to avoid burnout.
Q: What’s your strategy for JEE Main April 2025?
Atharva: I plan to refine my concepts, practice more HOTS (High Order Thinking Skills) questions, and improve accuracy in weak areas. Regular mock tests will continue to be my focus.
Q: How are you transitioning from JEE Main to JEE Advanced preparation?
Atharva: JEE Advanced requires in-depth conceptual understanding. I’m revisiting fundamentals, solving advanced-level problems, and focusing on high-order application-based questions.
Q: What’s your advice to JEE aspirants preparing for Main & Advanced?
Atharva: I would advice engineering aspiration to:
- Stay consistent and focused.
- Practice mock tests regularly.
- Focus on accuracy over speed.
- Don’t get discouraged by setbacks—learn from them!
- Most importantly, believe in yourself and trust your preparation.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
