How to Apply the 80/20 Rule to Ace JEE Main 2026?

We have always heard that: “there is no substitute for hard work.” And sure, one needs to work hard. But in the race for the JEE Main Exam, hard work without strategy is just running on a treadmill. You’re sweating, but you aren’t going anywhere.

This is where the 80/20 Rule comes in. Simply put: 80% of your marks will come from 20% of your efforts.

I’ve seen students and my own batchmates burn out trying to master everything. Today, I’m going to share how I used this rule to prioritise, survive backlogs and eventually crack the exam.

Here is how to apply the 80/20 rule effectively.

The “Time-Sink” Trap (Don’t do a PhD!)

Let’s be real. We all have that one friend who wants to “show off” by solving the toughest Irodov problems in Rotational Motion.

I had batchmates who wasted weeks on Rotational Motion. They wanted to master it. But here’s the reality: tough topics like Rotational or Indefinite Integration are unpredictable. In the exam, the question might be so weird that no one can solve it. All that effort for zero return.

My advice: Don’t do a PhD in these topics. Stick to your class notes, module examples and PYQs for concept clarity.

Instead, take that time and put it into Modern Physics. It is the most ignored topic, yet it is of high weightage and is easily doable. That is smart studying.

The “High-ROI” Subjects (Chemistry is King)

If you want to know the biggest secret of my preparation, it’s this quote from my teacher: “Chemistry makes you an IITian; Physics and Maths decide your rank.”

For students who are struggling, make Chemistry your weapon. It requires the least effort for the highest marks.

• Inorganic: NCERT is the Bible. Read it line by line.
• Organic: Master the named reactions from NCERT.
• Physical: Even if you just know the formulas, you can score.

I personally worked hardest on Physics and least on Chemistry, yet I scored highest in Chemistry in JEE Advanced. That’s the power of ROI (Return on Investment).

For Maths, topics like Vector and 3D Geometry, Conic Sections and Algebra are your best friends. They are high scoring and logic-based.

Also Read: Is 99%ile Possible in JEE Main

The Strategy Table: Divide and Conquer

Don’t treat every chapter the same. I recommend making a table for your syllabus with “Effort” in the rows and “Weightage” in the columns.

• High Weightage / Low Effort: (e.g., Modern Physics, Semiconductors, Chemistry). DO THESE FIRST. This is your gold mine.
• High Weightage / High Effort: (e.g., Electromagnetism, Calculus). Do these next.
• Low Weightage / High Effort: (e.g., Properties of Triangles). Leave these for the end.

Handling the “Other 80%” (Backlogs)

So, what do you do with the rest? If you have a backlog and the JEE Main Exam is getting close, do not skip chapters completely.

For Mains, coverage is key. You need to know the bare minimum formulas for every chapter.

• Use Cheat Sheets: Watch “formula revision” or “checklist” videos online.
• Analyze Patterns: Especially in Maths, PYQ patterns repeat. You don’t need to know the whole chapter, just the specific technique for that one repeating question type.
• PYQs are a Must: Even for your weak topics, solving the last few years of PYQs can save you.

The JEE Advanced Perspective

The game changes when you look at the JEE Advanced syllabus.

For Advanced, you don’t need to be perfect with the syllabus; a solid 40-50% marks gets you into a good IIT. The 80/20 rule here means focusing on Depth over Breadth.

• Play to Your Strengths: For me, Maths was difficult. So, I picked my favourite topics and practiced them to an extreme level. I didn’t try to fix my weak topics a week before the exam.
• Start PYQs Early: Don’t wait for a chapter to end to start PYQs. Do them alongside your prep. Mark the good questions with a special symbol so you only review those questions later.

The Final Word: Create your own strategy. Look at the syllabus, look at the weightage, and be honest about your strengths. Hard work gets you to the exam hall; smart work gets you into the IIT.

Also Read: Prime IIT-JEE Course Led By Founders

Sheryl Shaunaik Saraf

I’m an IIT (ISM) Dhanbad undergraduate with an analytical mindset and passion for consulting, strategy, and sustainability. I enjoy solving problems through data-driven insights and collaborative thinking. With a focus on impactful, sustainable solutions, I aim to grow at the intersection of business, technology, and purpose-led innovation.