Mumbai Toppers Parth Vartak (AIR 4) And Sahil Deo (AIR 7) Shares Their Success Mantra To Crack JEE Advanced

JEE Advanced 2025 Toppers: Parth Mandar Vartak and Sahil Deo from Mumbai have made the city proud by securing All India Ranks 4 and 7 respectively in the highly competitive JEE Advanced 2025 examination. Both are students of Narayana Institute, Marol Campus, Mumbai. In a conversation with The Free Press Journal, the duo shared their preparation strategies, study routines, and valuable tips that helped them crack one of the toughest entrance exams in the country.

Staying the Course: Strategy and Focus

Parth Vartak, AIR 4, attributed his success to a simple yet effective approach: “My preparation strategy was just to study hard, stay focused, and follow the advice of my teachers.” Parth credits the institute’s systematic planning and the sheer volume of mock tests over 250 tests in two years for conditioning him to handle the real exam confidently.

On the other hand, Sahil Deo, AIR 7, took a similarly straightforward but intense route. “I didn’t stop a single day to think of changing my goal. I was set on it and worked as hard as I could for the last two years,” he said.

School vs. JEE – A Delicate Balance?

For most top JEE aspirants, school board exams often take a back seat, and both Parth and Sahil confirmed this.

“School studies weren’t really in the picture during 11th and 12th,” Sahil admitted. “We only prepared for boards for about two weeks, and even that was enough because JEE preparation is on a much higher level.” Parth echoed this view, explaining, “If you are preparing for JEE Advanced properly, school studies get covered automatically. You don’t need to separately study for school.”

Subject-wise Planning: Physics, Chemistry, and Math

While both toppers agreed that balancing all three subjects equally is essential, they had personal approaches for each.

Sahil emphasised tailored strategies:

Physics: “Focus on understanding concepts and the logic behind them.”

Chemistry: “Memorization is crucial—especially in Inorganic Chemistry. Physical Chemistry should be treated like Physics, with conceptual understanding.”

Mathematics: “It’s very logical and also the toughest. You need to work a lot on it. My teacher, Sidhesh Sir, was a huge help.”

Parth relied on a daily planner in addition to weekly schedules provided by the Institute. “Each week there was a set plan for every subject. I also maintained my personal planner to track what I’d cover each day,” he explained. He, too, stressed the importance of intuition in subjects like Physics and Maths while adopting memorization for Chemistry.

The Mock Test Mindset

Both Sahil and Parth treated mock tests as a cornerstone of their preparation.

Parth revealed that students at Narayana took weekly mock tests, summing up to over 250 throughout their two-year journey. “Regular testing really helps you stay sharp,” he said. “Towards the end, we solved previous years’ papers like actual exams. They’re the most important resource and should be taken seriously.”

Sahil had a similar routine: “We had at least two full mock tests every week and mini tests along the way. I solved JEE Advanced previous year questions from 2007 to 2024. They helped me understand the exam's expectations and identify my weaknesses.”

Common Pitfalls: What Aspirants Should Avoid

When asked about common mistakes JEE aspirants should steer clear of, both toppers had valuable insights.

Sahil warned against ignoring weak subjects: “You can’t say you don’t like a subject and then avoid it. That’s exactly what you should work on more. Also, never hesitate to ask doubts. Some students feel shy or fear being judged by teachers, but clearing your doubts immediately is critical.”

Parth’s advice aligned closely. “Don’t get distracted. Stay focused on your goals. Also, never prioritize just one or two subjects. All three have equal weightage, and your weaker subjects deserve more time.”

Top 3 Tips for JEE Advanced Aspirants

Both toppers were crystal clear when asked to distill their experience into three crucial tips.

Sahil Deo’s Top 3 Tips:

1. Solve Previous Year Papers: “They are the closest simulation of the actual exam. They’ll teach you time management, expected question patterns, and even new formulas.”

2. Balance All Subjects: “Don’t overfocus on your favorite subject. Spend more time on the one you fear. That’s how you grow.”

3. Understand, Don’t Rote-Learn: “Don’t try to memorize Physics or Maths. They require logical thinking and intuition. Save memorization for Chemistry—it saves time in both preparation and the exam.”

Parth Vartak’s Top 3 Tips:

1. Treat Past Year Papers as Mock Tests: “Simulate actual exam conditions. These papers show how well you understand concepts.”

2. Develop Subject-Specific Intuition: “Every subject has its own nature—build intuition for Maths and Physics, and rely on memorization for Chemistry where required.”

3. Stay Curious and Motivated: “Enjoy the topics you like, and just push through the ones you don’t. Staying motivated is key.”