JEE Advanced 2020 Topper Interview: Vedang Asgaonkar (AIR 7) “Do your best with perfection"

IIT Delhi has released the JEE Advanced 2020 results along with the list of toppers. Careers360 team conducted an exclusive interview with Vedang Asgaonkar who secured AIR 7 in JEE Advanced 2020. Vedang is also the Maharashtra state topper of JEE Main 2020 January. Vedang who had interest in Science and Mathematics from an early age aims to get Computer Science in IIT Bombay. Vedang says that a perfect combination of focus, planning and hard work helped him achieve this success in the exam. He further says that there is no replacement for hard work. Vedang also joined FIITJEE Punjabi Bagh coaching institute for his preparation. Read the complete JEE Advanced topper interview with Vedang Asgaonkar to know about his study plan, important books and tips.

Careers360: Congratulations for your outstanding performance in JEE Advanced 2020. What was your reaction upon knowing your rank?

Vedang: I was overjoyed. Although I knew I had done well but still it felt great and I was also surprised.

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

Vedang: I am a student of DAV Public School, Pune and I am from CBSE Board. My father is an Engineer and my mother is an Organic Chemistry Professor.

Careers360: What is your overall and subject wise score in JEE Advanced 2020? What is your all India rank and category rank?

Vedang: My score and rank are-

Overall score - 326

Physics-110

Chemistry- 99

Maths -117

AIR- 7

Careers360: What are your JEE Main 2020 marks and rank?

Vedang: I secured a percentile score of 99.9972435 percentile in JEE Main January 2020. I was the topper from the Maharashtra state. My JEE Main 2020 rank was 52.

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

Vedang: I had an interest in Science and Mathematics from the very beginning. My interest drove me towards engineering and that is the reason why I started at an early age. I started foundation courses in Class 8th.

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?

Vedang: JEE Advanced became an online exam in 2018, so I was well prepared for the computer-based test. I attempted mock tests to have a better understanding of the online platform.

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

Vedang: I started foundation courses in Class 8th but started my formal preparation from Class 11th. In Class 11th, I gave 6 hours a day to my studies while in Class 12th, I devoted 14 hours a day for my studies. I attended my coaching classes at FIITJEE Punjabi Bagh. I studied two subjects in a day because I found studying only one subject the entire day monotonous.

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

Vedang: JEE Main actually has textbook oriented questions while JEE Advanced has new type of questions. The questions in the exam have some challenging aspects. I participated in Physics and Mathematics Olympiads to prepare myself for JEE Advanced 2020.

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

Vedang: I didn’t appear for the JEE Main 2020 April/September session, so I had a good amount of time for my JEE Advanced 2020 preparation.

Careers360: How was your preparation during the pandemic? Did you face any problems during your preparation? Give us an insight on how your day used to be during quarantine.

Vedang: The only problem that I faced during the pandemic was that I got bored sometimes, however, I kept myself motivated. My teachers kept me entertained and did not let me lose focus.

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

Vedang: I attempted JEE Advanced mock tests from my coaching- FIITJEE. All the material like sample papers, previous year papers was also made available by my coaching.

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

Vedang: After completing the basic books that everyone follows, I studied with some Olympiad books. Some of the books I studied for my preparation were- I E Irodov for Physics, Pathfinder for Olympiad Mathematics.

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?

Vedang: The Physics section was lengthy while Mathematics was a bit tough. I think if you lose your patience while attempting the exam; it will become difficult for you.

Careers360: What is the main difference between both the two papers in JEE Advanced?

Vedang: Paper 1 was easier as compared to Paper 2. Also, I got tired while attempting Paper 2 and wanted it to end soon.

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

Vedang: No, I did not face any technical glitches and the exam was conducted smoothly.

Careers360: What do you think are the key factors behind your stupendous success in JEE Advanced?

Vedang: If I have to jot down some factors of my success then it would be - Focus, Planning and Hard work. A perfect combination of these helped me ace the exam.

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

Vedang: I like Reading so I read books to de-stress myself. One major thing is that I kept myself away from social media completely. When I felt really bored, I spoke to my friends.

Careers360: Who is your ideal or biggest inspiration in life and why?

Vedang: My inspiration in life is- “Do your best with perfection”.

Careers360: You know you are an inspiration to thousands of students across the country. Do you have any message for future aspirants on tackling the JEE Advanced exam?

Vedang: I would like to suggest to the future aspirants to remain cool, calm and perform their best. When you will be calm and composed, you will be able to give your 100%.

Also, Read

JEE Advanced 2020 Topper Interview: Harshvardhan Agarwal (AIR 9)