When you look online at exam preparation strategies, there is always one thing that is common in all guides: Solving previous year question papers, and honestly, it is the best piece of advice anyone can give you. This is because solving previous years’ questions means you’re not stepping into uncharted territory anymore; you know what kind of questions generally are asked, and it’s also said that if you solve the last 10 years of questions for any paper, you’ve practically aced it.
And then comes the most difficult exam of any engineer aspirant’s life, the JEE Mains. This exam causes a lot of commotion among students, and like every exam, solving PYQs is a no-brainer. But how do you do that to maximise your scores? In this article, we’ll do just that.
Why Solving JEE Main Previous Year Question Papers Matters
But first, let us understand why solving PYQs matters so much in JEE Mains. Well, there are a couple of reasons why that is the case.
Here we shall explain why PYQs are as important as the syllabus.
- Gives a preview of the main exams: Just as there are rehearsals before a dance programme or a singing performance, PYQs give you a preview of things that can come on the exam.
- Best revision strategy for any exam: The best way to revise is by actually attempting the previous year’s questions. These questions help you prepare better for your paper.
- Gives an insight into frequently asked questions: The type of questions that are frequently asked is a mystery to you unless you solve the PYQs, as solving them gives a glimpse into the type of questions, numericals, etc., that are frequently asked.
- Helps in the self-evaluation of the performance: Helps you understand the places you’re lacking. JEE Mains isn’t a simple test, and you need to work on your weak spots, which PYQs helps you to understand.
How to Start Solving JEE Main PYQs
So, how do you start solving the PYQs? Well, there are a couple of ways you can do that. 99% of the students solve them without having a proper strategy in mind, which can hamper their chances. If you want to solve PYQs correctly, then follow these tips.
- Before you even consider looking at the answer, try each question on your own for at least five minutes.
- If you get stuck, go back and look over the idea in your notes instead of going directly to the answer.
- If you have to look, only glance at the first step or a suggestion, then go back and try to solve it yourself again.
- Don’t get in the habit of instantly seeing the whole solution, because that makes it hard to solve problems.
- Before giving up and fully opening the solution, try each difficulty 3–4 times.
- To get used to the strain of a real test, do PYQs in timed sets of around two minutes each question.
- Mark or circle all the questions you couldn’t answer in time and come back to them later.
- After trying, use the solution to learn how to do it, not to copy the answer.
- Watch problem-solving sessions, learn how they work, and then do it yourself.
- Keep going back to the questions you got wrong until you can answer them without looking at the answers.
- Keep a list or notebook of questions you often have trouble with and go over them often.
These methods have been tried and tested by top students, and they have worked like a miracle for them.
Step-by-Step Method to Solve PYQs Effectively
Now that you have an idea of what the top students do to solve the PYQs, here’s a step-by-step guide on getting started. The table below explains it even better.
| Stage | What To Do | Why It Helps |
| Before Solving | • Set a timer (≈2 min per question)
• Keep only the allowed exam items nearby • Remove distractions (phone/notifications off) • Decide how many questions you’ll attempt |
Builds an exam-like environment and helps in time management. |
| During Solving | • Start with easy questions first
• Skip anything that’s dragging too long • Use elimination when unsure • Mark confusing or incomplete questions |
Keeps momentum high and reduces unnecessary time loss. |
| After Solving | • Check answers honestly
• Identify mistake types (careless vs. concept) • Add tricky questions to a “weak list” • Re-attempt wrong questions without looking at solutions |
Exposes weak areas and prevents repeating the same mistakes. |
Common Mistakes Students Make While Solving PYQs
Now, believe it or not, there are some common mistakes that students make while solving PYQs. These mistakes can significantly hamper your productivity and put a dent in your progress. The mistakes are:
- Memorising answers
- Solving without time tracking
- Ignoring tough or unfamiliar PYQs
- Not analysing mistakes
Conclusion
Hopefully, now you understand how important solving PYQs are, and how you can solve them. Hopefully, it will become easier for you. With a combination of PYQs and Answer keys to refer to, you’ll get an idea of what is to come and be prepared for it.
FAQs
- How many years of JEE Main PYQs should I solve?
Solving the last 10 years of JEE Main PYQs is enough to understand patterns, difficulty, and the most repeated concepts.
- Should I solve PYQs chapter-wise or as full papers?
Start with chapter-wise PYQs when learning concepts and switch to full-paper practice as the exam gets closer.
- Are previous year papers enough to score well in JEE Main?
PYQs can boost your score significantly, but pairing them with proper revision and mock tests gives the best results.
