My tryst with the Indian Institute of Technlogy : Chapter 1

IIT JEE Mains Examination 2004

I was one of the several thousands of dreamy young students appearing for the IIT JEE Mains Examination 2004. Having cleared the IIT JEE Screening Examination 2004 was an achievement in itself. To be a part of those few thousands eligible to appear the Mains was a matter of great pride. Nervousness as well! I had no apparent expectations but yes within, there was a desire to be a part of the elite group of institutions – the top most engineering schools of India, the most revered of the Indian institutions world wide – The Indian Institutes of Technology, better known by their acronym IITs. Why? Well, probably a matter of prestige more than anything else.

Mains Paper 1: Chemistry

Chemistry was never my stronghold. I was however, more comfortable with organic chemistry than physical chemistry. Inorganic was kind of okay! The paper was not as difficult as it was hyped to be. Or perhaps we were lucky! I did quite a few sums, and was fairly satisfied at the end of the two hours.

Mains Paper 2: Physics

I loved Physics. It was a subject that provided a chance to learn about the science behind real life observations. Physics paper was a cakewalk! Pretty easy, by IIT standards. I attempted most of the sums. Problems were simple, but very fundamental by nature. I loved the questions! Oh I wish I hadn’t made some (read quite a few) stupid calculation errors, which I realized later only when I checked my solutions on the FIITJEE site!

Mains Paper 3: Mathematics

The Mains paper was passing by like a dream. Two papers down and I was so satisfied with my performance! I was wondering, what the questions would be like in the Mathematics paper. The Mathematics paper opened my eyes. For the first few minutes, all I could do is turn the pages of the question booklet over and over again in search of a suitable problem to lay my hands on. Even the 2 marks questions were monstrous! As time passed by my search continued, solving a problem here and there. I could just attempt 22 marks out of 60.