The night before the exam was a restless one. Despite all the preparation and mock tests, the thought of the actual JEE Mains kept me on edge. I reviewed my notes one last time, particularly focusing on key formulas and concepts, and then set my materials aside to ensure I got a good night’s sleep. Ensuring I was well-rested was crucial, so I made an effort to sleep early, despite the swirling thoughts. I woke up early to give myself ample time to get ready without any rush. A quick meditation session helped calm my nerves, followed by a nutritious breakfast to fuel my brain for the long day ahead.

I reached the exam centre well ahead of the reporting time. Arriving early was a strategic decision to avoid any unforeseen delays and to acclimate myself to the environment. The area around the centre was bustling with students and parents, creating a charged yet supportive atmosphere. The entrance involved thorough security checks. My admit card and ID were scrutinized, and we were instructed to leave any electronic devices and personal belongings outside the exam hall. The process was systematic and well-organized, albeit a bit time-consuming. After the checks, I was directed to my designated seat. The exam hall was a large room filled with rows of computers, each assigned to a candidate. The invigilators were helpful and guided us through logging into our systems and checking our details. As I sat down and logged into my system, the initial nerves kicked in. The computer screen displayed the countdown timer, and we were instructed to start only once the exam began. I took deep breaths, reminding myself of all the preparation and practice I had done.

The JEE Mains exam is divided into three sections: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. I had a clear strategy in mind:

• Start with Chemistry, as it is my strongest subject.
• Move on to Physics, maintaining a steady pace.
• Tackle Mathematics last, ensuring enough time for complex problems.

With 180 minutes to tackle 90 questions, time management was crucial. I allocated roughly an hour to each section, with some buffer time to review tricky questions. I began with Chemistry, which helped build my confidence. Most questions were straightforward, but a few required deeper thinking. I marked the tougher ones to revisit later. Physics was a mix of conceptual and numerical problems. I encountered a few challenging questions but stuck to my strategy of not spending too much time on any single problem. Mathematics was the most time-consuming section. Some problems required intricate calculations, and I had to be cautious about silly mistakes. The practice of solving numerous mock tests paid off here, as I was familiar with the types of questions asked. As the timer ran out and the exam ended, I felt a wave of mixed emotions. Relief from having completed the exam, curiosity about my performance, and a bit of lingering anxiety about the results.

The entire experience of preparing for and taking the JEE Mains taught me valuable lessons in time management, stress handling, and perseverance. Regardless of the outcome, the journey itself was a significant period of personal and academic growth.