IIT JAM Physics study plan

Derive and reproduce from memory the standard results of electrostatics: Gauss's law in integral and differential form, field and potential of a uniformly charged sphere, shell, cylinder and infinite plane, and the method of images for a grounded plane.

Solve boundary-value problems in Cartesian and spherical symmetry using separation of variables, and state the boundary conditions used at dielectric interfaces.

Compute capacitance, energy density and force for parallel-plate, spherical and cylindrical capacitors, including cases with a dielectric slab inserted partially.

Work through 20 short-answer problems on electrostatics under timed conditions (about 2 minutes each) and log every error with its cause.

Apply Biot-Savart and Ampere's law to straight wires, loops, solenoids and toroids, and compute the magnetic field on the axis of a circular loop.

Derive the force between current-carrying conductors and the torque on a current loop, and relate magnetic moment to angular momentum.

Solve Faraday's law and Lenz's law problems, including motional emf, rotating coils and mutual/self-inductance of solenoids.

State and use Maxwell's displacement current to write the full set of Maxwell's equations in vacuum and in matter.

Complete 25 mixed electrostatics and magnetostatics multiple-choice questions in 50 minutes and review each wrong option.

Derive and apply the wave equation for E and B in vacuum, and compute the speed, impedance and energy flux of a plane electromagnetic wave.

Analyse reflection and refraction at a dielectric interface using Fresnel relations, including Brewster's angle and total internal reflection.

Solve problems on polarisation, Malus's law, double refraction and the behaviour of wave plates.

Treat thin-film interference and single-slit and grating diffraction quantitatively, locating maxima and minima.

Finish 20 optics problems covering interference, diffraction and polarisation, and record the method used for each.

Derive the time-independent Schrodinger equation and solve it for the infinite square well, finite well, step potential and rectangular barrier, giving normalised wavefunctions and energies.

Compute expectation values, uncertainties and commutators for the harmonic oscillator using raising and lowering operators.

Solve the hydrogen atom for the radial and angular parts, listing quantum numbers, degeneracy and the shape of the lowest orbitals.

Apply the uncertainty principle and the postulates of quantum mechanics to qualitative and quantitative questions, including spin and the Stern-Gerlach result.

Attempt a full-length mock paper under exam timing and score it strictly against the marking scheme.

Solve first-order and second-order linear differential equations that arise in physics, including damped and forced harmonic motion, and write the general solution with initial conditions.

Compute gradients, divergence, curl and Laplacian in Cartesian, cylindrical and spherical coordinates, and apply the divergence and Stokes theorems to evaluate integrals.

Evaluate line, surface and volume integrals for vector fields, and use them to compute flux and circulation in physical settings.

Apply matrices to solve coupled linear equations and to find eigenvalues and eigenvectors, including normal modes of coupled oscillators.

Complete 25 mathematical-physics problems in 60 minutes and redo every incorrect one from scratch.

Derive the partition function for two-level systems, harmonic oscillators and ideal gases, and from it compute internal energy, entropy, free energy and heat capacity.

Distinguish Maxwell-Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics, and compute occupation numbers at given temperature and chemical potential.

Analyse thermodynamic cycles (Carnot, Otto, refrigerator) and compute efficiency and coefficient of performance.

Apply the first and second laws to entropy changes in reversible and irreversible processes, including mixing and phase change.

Solve 20 thermodynamics and statistical mechanics problems and tabulate the key formula used in each.

Apply Newtonian mechanics to constrained systems, pulleys, inclined planes and circular motion, and use conservation of energy and momentum confidently.

Solve rigid-body problems using moment of inertia, torque, angular momentum and rolling without slipping.

Derive and use Lagrangian mechanics for simple systems, including the pendulum and bead on a rotating hoop, and identify conserved quantities.

Treat special relativity kinematics: Lorentz transformations, time dilation, length contraction, relativistic momentum and energy, and the Doppler effect.

Attempt 30 rapid-fire numerical questions across mechanics and relativity in 60 minutes.

Consolidate all weak areas flagged in earlier error logs by re-solving every missed question without notes.

Complete two full-length mock papers under strict timing and mark them against the official pattern of 30 multiple-choice, 10 multiple-select and 20 numerical-answer questions.

Practise numerical-answer questions to the required precision and practise eliminating options on multiple-select items where partial credit is not given.

Review the personal formula sheet end to end and verify recall of every listed result by deriving it once more.

Set a final revision schedule for the last week before the exam, prioritising the three lowest-scoring topics.