JEE Main 2026 Physics Last-Minute Time Management Hacks

Rule of Thumb

What to do?

Strength areas

Reinforce & practice speed

Weaknesses

Selective targeted work

Task

Ideal Time

What To Do?

Concept Review (Revision)

30–45 minutes

Don’t try anything new. Consolidate your learning through:

• Flash revision notes

• Focus on formulae + applicability

• Know when and why an equation is used

Topic-Wise Problem Practice

60–90 minutes

• Try 10- 15 questions per topic

• Time yourself

• Don’t scatter randomly

• Mark problems that take too much of your time

• Revisit the concepts

Mixed Timed Practice

60–90 minutes

• Mix questions from mechanics, E&M, thermodynamics, optics, modern physics, etc.

• Time yourself strictly

• Start with 60–75 min sets, increase to 90 min as the exam nears.

• Build your adaptability, the skill to switch between conceptual areas within one sitting.

Mock Test/Section Test (alternate days)

90–120 minutes

• Schedule 3–4 mocks/week in the last 14 days

• Analyse your timing per section

• Track your physics stage-wise speed

• You’ll know if your time per question is realistic.

Error Analysis (critical!)

30–45 minutes

• Most critical step that’s often ignored

• Note each error and categorise your conceptual knowledge, calculation mistakes, and time-pressure attempts.

• Find patterns and fix the reasons behind your mistakes.

Particulars

Description

1. A Two-Tier Approach in the Exam

When you sit for JEE Main Physics,

• Answer straight MCQs first in the first 15 minutes. These might be direct problems and formulaic questions.

• Dedicate the next 15- 30 minutes to medium difficulty questions. These include conceptual links, energy, magnetism, and optics.

• The 30-45+ minutes should be for time-consuming or tricky integrative problems.

1. Skip & Return Strategy

• Skip the time-intensive problems by marking them and moving on

• Avoid spending over 2 minutes on a question initially

• Spend saved time at the end on tougher problems

• Don’t lose easy marks while struggling with a tricky one.

1. Solving & Understanding Difficulty Patterns

Know the weightage patterns in JEE physics

• Mechanics, E&M, Thermals: high weightage

• Optics & Modern: moderate but conceptually demanding

• Wave/SHM/GR: lower frequency but often tricky

1. Timing to Follow in the Exam

• 90 minutes time for this section

• Answer easy and high-confidence questions in the first 15 minutes.

• Avoid deep calculations, just medium-level questions in 15-30 minutes.

• Attempt 70-80% of questions comfortably in 40-60 minutes.

• Focus on the high-reward problem you flagged in the last 20-30 minutes.