In a country where engineering and medicine are often seen as the two most viable career paths, Class 12 student Ahmad Shayan has proven that with dedication and the right guidance, one can excel in the highly competitive Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main. Shayan, a student of Delhi Public School, Eldeco, Lucknow, has secured an impressive 99.9649 percentile in the JEE Main 2025 January session, with a perfect 100 percentile in Physics. His achievement is a testament to his hard work, but he humbly credits his mother’s advice for helping him choose the right path.
A Difficult Choice: JEE or NEET
Shayan’s journey to success began in Class 10 when his mother presented him with a choice: prepare for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to medical colleges, or the JEE for engineering. “My mother told me to decide between NEET and JEE,” Shayan recalls. “She said, ‘You have to choose one, and you have to stick with it.'”
This advice proved crucial in helping Shayan focus his efforts and channel his energy in the right direction. After careful consideration, he chose engineering, driven by his fascination with technology and problem-solving. His father, a cancer specialist working abroad, fully supported his decision.
Balancing School and Coaching
Shayan’s success story is particularly inspiring because he achieved this feat without opting for the increasingly common trend of “dummy schools.” These schools allow students to focus solely on entrance exam preparation, often at the expense of regular academics. Shayan, however, believes in the importance of a well-rounded education.
“I think my decision to not choose dummy schools was good,” he says. “It helped me with time management, and I was able to manage both school homework and coaching studies.”
Shayan attended regular school, diligently completing his assignments and participating in classroom activities. After school hours, he dedicated his time to coaching at Allen Online, a renowned coaching institute for engineering aspirants. He credits his school teachers for their cooperation and support in his journey, as they reduced his homework load and provided flexibility with assignment deadlines.
A Structured Approach to Success
Shayan followed a structured study routine, dedicating 2-3 hours to JEE preparation on weekdays and extending it to 7-8 hours on holidays. He emphasized the importance of following mentors’ guidance and practicing previous years’ question papers and mock tests.
“I would mainly listen to my mentors and teachers, not straying from their guidance,” he says. “As the exam approached, I started practicing multiple PYQs and JEE Main sample papers. I believe it significantly boosted my performance in the JEE Main January session exam.”
Overcoming Challenges
The JEE Main exam is conducted entirely in computer-based mode, which can be challenging for some students. However, Shayan did not face any difficulties in this regard. He attributes this to the extensive practice provided by Allen Online, which conducted numerous mock tests in the same format.
“Personally, I did not face any difficulty from the exam being online,” he says. “A big reason is the incredible practice that Allen had to offer, right from the first week of my joining their institute, so I had had thousands of mock tests; it all felt familiar.
The Role of Coaching
Shayan acknowledges the crucial role of coaching in his success. He admits that he was initially hesitant to join a coaching institute, but his parents’ insistence proved beneficial.
“I feel that this journey of nearly two years becomes far more treacherous without coaching,” he says. “I would likely have not done as great without my coaching’s guidance and support.”
Looking Ahead
With his impressive performance in the JEE Main January session, Shayan is now aiming for the JEE Advanced, the gateway to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). He is yet to decide on a specific IIT or branch of engineering, but he is inclined towards electrical and electronics engineering.
“I don’t have any preferred institute as of now,” he says, “but I am sure about pursuing electrical engineering.”
Shayan’s success story is an inspiration to all JEE aspirants. His journey highlights the importance of parental guidance, focused preparation, time management, and the right mentorship. He has proven that with hard work and dedication, one can achieve their goals, even in the face of stiff competition.
