JEE Advanced 2019 Topper Interview: Gillella Akash Reddy “Don’t deviate from your goal, be honest to yourself”

JEE Advanced 2019 Topper Interview: Gillella Akash Reddy (AIR 4) - Gillella Akash Reddy defined success in a new way as he secured AIR 4 in JEE Advanced 2019 results. Practical with his approach towards problem-solving and determined to excel, the JEE Advanced 2019 topper proved if you are honest with your preparations and focused on your goal, nothing can deviate you from your path. Akash emerged as the JEE Advanced topper with AIR 4 in the JEE Advanced. Friends and family members of the topper were not surprised with the results as Akash has been consistently topping the ranks of entrance examinations. Gillella Akash Reddy also scored State Rank 3 TS EAMCET 2019 which shows how dedicatedly he was heading with his preparations. JEE Advanced 2019 topper Akash prefers playing his favorite sports badminton and table tennis to de-stress himself from the exam tension. In an exlusive interview with Careers360, Akash shared his preparation strategy, future plans and a lot more. Here are the excerpts of the interview with JEE Advanced 2019 topper - Gillella Akash Reddy:

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Careers360: Congratulations for your outstanding performance in JEE Advanced 2019 What was your reaction upon knowing your rank?

Akash: Thank you. After seeing my response sheet and getting an idea of my marks, I was confident that I would secure a rank in the top 10. So I was not surprised much after seeing my result.

Careers360: Tell us something about yourself. Which board have you studied under? Which school did you studied in?

Akash: I completed my schooling under telangana state board. I studied in Sri Chaitanya Narayanan junior college (CHAINA), Madhapur.

Careers360: What is your score in JEE Advanced 2019? What is your all India rank and category rank? What was your JEE Main rank and marks?

Akash: I scored 333/372 in with Air 4 JEE Advanced 2019 result. In JEE Mains 2019, I scored 330 and 340 respectively in the two rounds. My Air in JEE Mains 2019 was 117.

Careers360: Did you also appear for TS EAMCET 2019, what was your rank in the entrance test? What was your TS EAMCET rank and marks?

Akash: I scored 145/160 marks in TSEAMCET 2019. I secured State rank 3 in TS EAMCET 2019.

Careers360: As you have performed exceptionally well in both JEE Advanced and TS EAMCET, which institutes are you targeting for admissions and why?

Akash: I am thinking of joining IIT BOMBAY. I am very much attracted by its rich culture, and its world class facilities.

Careers360: Why do you want to study engineering? When did you decide to study engineering? Which branch would you be interested in? Any reason?

Akash: I decided to take engineering in my 8th class, since this is one of the leading fields. I am interested in CSE, since this has a promising future and has a opportunity of serving the society.

Careers360: JEE Advanced was conducted as a computer based test. What is your opinion about it? What preparation strategy did you adapt for the computer based exam?

Akash: I was pretty excited when I first heard that the exam was going to be conducted in Computer Based Test mode. I had practiced the CBT model of exams in my school, hence it was not an issue that the exam was CBT. But, I was pretty disappointed when i wrote the actual exam. The exam writing software was very bad and clumsy. There was no scrolling option and I faced some other issues. I hope this will get better over the years.

Careers360: When did you start your JEE Advanced preparation? Tell us something about your preparation strategy and daily routine for JEE Advanced?

Akash: I had subtly planned and started my JEE preparation from my 7th class. I started rigorous preparation from class 11th onwards. In my 11th and 12th class, I studied for almost 12-13 hrs a day. My main concentration was on completing the work assigned by my mentors. This was sufficent enough and I am very happy with the results it brought.

Careers360: How was the preparation for JEE Advanced different from JEE Main and TS EAMCET?

Akash: For JEE Mains and TS EAMCET 2019, I mainly concentrated on improving my speed and accuracy. Talking about my preparations for the chemistry part, I thoroughly studied the NCERT books, along with my friends and wrote down short notes for some chapters like environmental chemistry, chemistry in everyday life etc.

For JEE Advanced 2019, I wanted to develop the habits of patience and concentration. I exercised these during my weekend exams and also in regular life. Regarding the knowledge part, I was pretty confident that I had the knowledge and speed necessary for the exam.

Careers360: Since there was just a month after the JEE Main, elaborate on your preparation strategy?

Akash: The study part was over by the end of JEE mains exam. During this one month, I had regular conservations with my mentors to release off the stress and spent time on revising the concepts where I felt little inconvenient. I spent time thinking about how I would approach the exam paper and tried to simulate the final exam day regularly.

Careers360:Did you take coaching for JEE and if yes from where? What are the benefits of coaching according to you?

Akash: Yes, my school itself provided me coaching for JEE advanced. I had some very experienced mentors who have been guiding students to success from many years. I could learn the essential concepts and clarify my doubts with them on a regular basis.

Careers360: Mock tests and sample papers – how extensively did you practise with the help of these? Do you think practising from the previous year papers help and how?

Akash: I regularly practised mock papers, atleast one mock test per 3 days in the last two weeks. Yes, I believe that practising from previous year papers are helpful. If we attempt these papers with seriousness, we can actually get a real idea of a JEE exam. I was able to imagine the stress that we would face.

Careers360: Are there any special books that you feel have helped with your JEE Advanced preparation?

Akash: I would suggest student to go for H.C.Verma in Physics and NCERTs for all the other parts of the exam. I did not follow any specific books. All the required material was given to me by my mentors. I just solved this material and this was enough for my preparations.

Careers360: Did you face any problem during the JEE Advanced examination? Which subject was the easiest and which was the toughest in JEE Advanced? What do you think is a tough thing to manage during the JEE Advanced exam?

Akash: Yes, I faced few problems during the JEE Advanced exam. The software was far below my expectations. Even though I experienced this during JEE Mains, I was hoping that the JEE Advanced would be different. During the exam, I made up my mind that this was the dire situation for every student and this helped me move on. I felt that chemistry was the easiest part, it was exciting. I felt physics was a bit new and was excited to try it out, even maths was of moderate difficulty level, but a bit lengthy. I feel that during JEE Advanced exam, the toughest thing to manage is our mindset. It is important not to get annoyed by the questions, question your ability, don’t get into tension and stay focussed throughout the 3 hours.

Careers360: Did you face any technical glitches during the exam? What is your opinion on the way the exam was conducted?

Akash: The exam software was not upto mark, the scroll option was unavilable, most of the screen was covered by technical stuff, giving very less space for the question. Despite this, I would like tocredit the system for conducting this exam in a single strech unlike JEE Mains and TS EAMCET.

Careers 360: What do you think are the key factors behind your stupendous success in JEE Advanced?

Akash: I rigorously exercised the qualities of patience and concentration. My concepts were developed gradually through the two years of preparation. I would thank my institution for this.

Careers360: How did you de-stress yourself during the preparation? What are your hobbies? How often could you pursue them?

Akash: I de-stressed myself by talking to my teachers, my dad and my friends. My hobbies are playing badminton, table tennis, and reading mangas. I took out time from my preparations and played daily to relieve the pressure of the entrance test.

Careers360: You know you became an inspiration to thousands of students by becoming JEE Advanced 2019 topper this year. Do you have any message for future aspirants on tackling the JEE Advanced exam?

Akash: I frankly advise the students to be honest in their journey these 2 years and to not deviate much from the course of study. We can excel at anything we want, just like you become better at cricket if you are interested in it. we need to divert our interests into studies so as to perform well. Mind maturity helps in this journey and so do good mentors.