JEE Main 2022 Topper Interview : Dheeraj Kurukunda (AIR 4) - “NCERT is the Key”

JEE Main 2022 Topper Interview- NTA has announced the JEE Main 2022 topper list. Dheeraj Kurukunda from Telangana achieved a perfect 100 percentile in JEE Main session 1 and 2 exam. He got the All India Rank 4, and believes that NCERT is the key to ace the JEE Main exam. With an aim to pursue computer science engineering from IIT-Bombay, Dheeraj studied 8 hours each day during preparation. Now, Dheeraj has started preparing to crack the JEE Advanced exam.

By solving the JEE Main mock test regularly, Dheeraj increased his speed and accuracy. In an interview with Careers360, Dheeraj Kurukunda shared his journey from a JEE Main aspirant to now named in the JEE Mains toppers list. Read Dheeraj's advice to JEE Main aspirants, his challenges and how he secured fourth rank in Joint Entrance Examination 2022.

Please give us an intro about yourself in 100 to 150 words….

Hello, I am Dheeraj Kurukunda. My father is a Serviceman and mother is a homemaker. I have secured 100 percentile in both sessions of JEE Mains 2022. I now aim to do Computer Science Engineering from IIT Bombay. I have taken coaching in Narayana since class 8. I got a 10 GPA in class 10. I studied 8 hours everyday during my preparation for the Joint Entrance Examination. I never thought that I would receive a 100 percentile in JEE Main. But now I feel happy and proud of myself.

Q1: Congratulations on your performance in the JEE Main 2022 exam! What was your reaction upon knowing your score?

Dheeraj: I am very happy that I got fourth rank in JEE Main 2022. I owe my success to my parents and teachers. I was overjoyed when I got to know that I secured 100 percentile in my first attempt of JEE Main. It really meant alot to me after putting a lot of hard work into it.

Q2: Tell us something about yourself. Which board have you studied under? Which school have you studied in?

Dheeraj: I have studied in MDB school from class 8 to 10 and then studied in Narayana Junior College in class 11 and 12.

Q3: Why do you want to study engineering? When did you decide to study engineering? Which branch would you be interested in? Any reason?

Dheeraj: My goal is to study in IIT Bombay for Computer Science Engineering.

Q4: When did you start your JEE Main preparation? Tell us something about your preparation strategy and daily routine for JEE Main?

Dheeraj: I have studied in the TS Board during my Inter. I started studying for JEE Main from class 8. The strategy was to study the basics of each concept.

Q5: Did you face any difficulties since the examination was conducted completely in computer-based mode?

Dheeraj: I did not find it difficult to adapt to the online mode of examination. By appearing for 3-4 exams, one can easily adapt to the CBT mode.

Q6: Was there a difference in the preparation strategy in the last months of JEE Main considering that the board exams were also ongoing? How did you manage preparation for both?
Dheeraj: I appeared for both sessions of JEE Mains. But, I appeared for the second session as a mock test for JEE Advanced. During the last months of JEE Main preparation, I focused mainly on revising the already studied topics rather than studying for new topics.

Q7: Did you take coaching for JEE Main and if yes from where? What are the benefits of coaching according to you?

Dheeraj: Yes, I joined the Narayana Institute to take the coaching, and it helped me alot. Teachers knew the JEE Main important topics and I mainly focused on them. Whatsapp helped me during my online classes by providing me a platform to contact my teachers and to share my problems with them.

Q8: Mock tests and sample papers – how extensively did you practise with the help of these? Do you think practising from the previous year’s papers helps and how?

Dheeraj: The JEE Main mock tests provided by Narayana Institute have the same level as the JEE Main exam. It helped me to manage time and increase accuracy during jee main exam.

Q9: Are there any special books that you feel have helped with your JEE Main preparation? Are the school textbooks adequate for preparing for JEE Main and Class XII?

Dheeraj: I did not use any special book for JEE Main. According to me, NCERT is the best book for JEE Main exam.
Q10: Did you face any problems during the JEE Main examination? Which subject was the easiest and which was the toughest in JEE Main? What do you think is a tough thing to manage during the JEE Main exam?

Dheeraj: I find Chemistry a bit difficult to crack so I had to give one hour extra to cover chemistry everyday. Chemistry for me was more complex in comparison to maths and physics.

Q11: What do you think are the key factors behind your stupendous success in JEE Main?

Dheeraj: I did not reach the examination centre with an aim to achieve 100 percentile. However, I wanted to give my best. I am pretty satisfied with my fourth rank in JEE Mains and I am very proud of myself. Studying from NCERT, continuous revision is the key to score good marks in the exam.

Q12: How did you de-stress yourself during the preparation? What are your hobbies? How often could you pursue them?

Dheeraj: I have many hobbies, especially carrom and table tennis with friends and family. To destress myself, I like to read novels.

Q13: Who is your ideal or biggest inspiration in life and why?

Dheeraj: I feel my family and teachers are the biggest source of inspiration for me without them it would be difficult to crack JEE Mains

Q14: 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 Main exam?

Dheeraj: For the future aspirants, I advise to start studying from the first day one and not to postpone it to the next day. Complete all the topics from NCERT to score good marks in the entrance exam. Thank you !