Hey there, future achievers! So, you’ve decided to take a partial drop year? That’s awesome! Balancing your preparation for competitive exams like IAT, NEST, NEET or JEE while continuing with your current studies or job is no small feat, but guess what? You’ve got this! Let’s dive into how you can make the most out of this year and ace those exams.
Initial Assessment:
Evaluate Your Current Standing: First things first, know where you stand. Identify your strengths and weaknesses in the exam syllabus. How much time can you realistically dedicate to exam prep each day? Knowing this will help you set clear, achievable goals.
Set Clear Goals: What do you want to achieve this year? Specific scores? Mastery over certain concepts? Write them down and keep them where you can see them daily. Your goals will be your guiding light.
Daily Schedule:
Morning Routine (6:00 AM – 9:00 AM):
- Wake Up Early: Start your day with some light exercise or meditation. Don’t know how to do meditation? That’s why you should join the right course. If you are an IAT or NEST Aspirant, Join the HOMI 2026 Batch. It includes a meditation session for all the enrolled students.
- Review: Spend the first hour revising what you studied the previous day.
- Learn New Concepts: Dedicate two hours to learning new concepts or solving problems in your weakest subject.
Academic Commitment (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM):
- Focus on your ongoing academic with full concentration.
Lunch and Break (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM):
- Have a healthy lunch and take a short break to relax.
Focused Study Session (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM):
- Use this time for intense study sessions on important topics.
- Alternate between subjects to keep your mind fresh.
Evening Routine (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM):
- Take a break for some physical activity, hobbies, or relaxation.
Revision and Practice (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM):
- Spend time revising previously covered topics.
- Solve mock tests or past papers to build exam readiness.
Wind Down (10:00 PM – 11:00 PM):
- Reflect on the day’s learning.
- Plan the next day’s schedule.
Sleep (11:00 PM – 6:00 AM):
- Ensure you get 7-8 hours of sleep for optimal cognitive function.
Weekly Plan:
Monday to Friday:
- Follow the daily schedule with minor adjustments based on your energy levels and commitments.
Saturday:
- Morning: Review the entire week’s work.
- Afternoon: Take a full-length mock test to simulate exam conditions. But wait! Where can you find the best mock tests? SciAstra is again the solution. Check our courses for the best mock tests.
- Evening: Analyze your test performance and identify areas for improvement.
Sunday:
- Morning: Focus on weaker subjects and difficult topics.
- Afternoon: Light revision and leisure activities. Not to mention again and again that SciAstra covers everything, including revisions.
- Evening: Plan the upcoming week’s study schedule.
Monthly Plan:
First Week:
- Focus on building a strong foundation in core subjects.
- Spend extra time on subjects or topics you find most challenging.
Second Week:
- Increase the difficulty level of practice problems.
- Start integrating more past paper questions and timed exercises.
Third Week:
- Aim to cover all remaining syllabus topics.
- Begin comprehensive revisions of what you have learned.
Fourth Week:
- Intensive revision week.
- Focus on mock tests and refining exam strategies.
- Ensure all doubts are clarified and concepts are solidified.
Study Materials and Resources:
Books:
- NCERT textbooks for foundational knowledge.
- Reference books specific to NEET or JEE (e.g., HC Verma for Physics, OP Tandon for Chemistry).
- IAT Preparation books for IAT Aspirants. Where to find it? Download our app: For Android | For IOS
Online Resources:
- SciAstra is a hub for all the resources for IAT and NEST aspirants. We even cover all the necessary updates and news related to these exams. To avoid missing any updates, subscribe to us on YouTube and follow us on Instagram.
- Platforms like Khan Academy, Unacademy, or other online coaching institutes can be useful for NEET and JEE.
- Join online forums or study groups for peer support. And yes, SciAstra Courses provides a private telegram group.
Tips for Success:
Stay Consistent:
- Stick to your schedule as closely as possible. Consistency is key to retaining information and building confidence.
Take Care of Your Health:
- Maintain a balanced diet and exercise regularly. Avoid burnout by taking regular breaks and ensuring proper sleep.
Seek Support:
- Don’t hesitate to ask for help from teachers, mentors, or peers when needed. Consider enrolling in a coaching class if self-study isn’t yielding the desired results.
Stay Positive:
- Keep a positive mindset and stay motivated. Remember that setbacks are part of the learning process.
Conclusion:
Preparing for competitive exams during a partial drop year involves a strategic approach focused on self-assessment, setting clear goals, and following a disciplined daily, weekly, and monthly schedule. Begin your day with morning routines, including exercise and meditation, followed by focused study sessions, breaks, and evening revisions. Utilise weekends for mock tests and revision, and dedicate each week of the month to building foundational knowledge, tackling challenging concepts, and comprehensive revisions. Rely on resources like SciAstra for study material and updates. Success hinges on consistency, maintaining health, seeking support, and staying positive throughout your prep journey. We hope you find this guide useful! Good luck with your preparations, and remember, you’ve got the potential to achieve great things. Stay positive, stay consistent, and keep pushing forward!
FAQs:
1. How do I balance college studies and competitive exam preparation during a partial drop year?
Balancing college and competitive exam prep requires a well-structured schedule. Dedicate specific hours each day to exam preparation, focusing on your weakest subjects in the morning and having intensive study sessions in the afternoon. Make use of breaks and evenings for revision and practice tests. Ensure that you stay consistent with your schedule and seek support if needed.
2. What are the key differences in preparing for IAT/NEST compared to NEET/JEE?
IAT (IISER Aptitude Test) and NEST (National Entrance Screening Test) focus more on conceptual understanding and application in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology, whereas NEET is biology-heavy, and JEE emphasises advanced problem-solving in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Tailor your preparation to the specific exam patterns and syllabi. For IAT and NEST, focus on strengthening core concepts and practice application-based questions.
3. How can SciAstra help me in my preparation for IAT and NEST?
SciAstra offers specialised courses tailored for IAT and NEST aspirants. Their courses include comprehensive study materials, regular mock tests, and personalised mentorship from experienced educators. The structured approach and expert guidance can help you cover all topics thoroughly and improve your exam strategies.
4. How can I stay motivated throughout the partial drop year?
Staying motivated involves setting clear goals and tracking your progress. Celebrate small achievements along the way and maintain a positive mindset. Keep reminding yourself of the larger goal and why you started this journey. Take regular breaks to avoid burnout, and make sure to take care of your physical and mental health. Surround yourself with supportive peers, mentors, and family members who can encourage you during challenging times.
About us:
SciAstra is a team of scientists and research scholars from the top research institutes around the world, like Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, and so on. Our vision is to promote critical thinking and scientific temperament by helping students pursue careers in science.
We offer many free and paid courses where our mentors from the top research institutes like IISER, NISER, IACS, CMI, ISI, IISC Bangalore, etc., teach students in live classes, with study materials, mock tests, books, and everything needed. We have taught more than 10,000 students already since 2021 and achieved over 1000 selections with AIR 1, 7,10, 12, and 13 in IISc Bengaluru, IISERs, NISER, IACS, and so on. If you are looking to prepare for IAT / NEST 2025, you can check out our courses and get access to live classes, recorded lectures, study material, mock tests, doubt-clearing classes, and much more!
To know more about us, click here OR download the SciAstra App from the Play Store and App Store!
