The IIT JAM Economics exam is one of the most competitive gateways to prestigious postgraduate programs in India. To succeed, many aspirants enroll in structured coaching programs or online courses. While taking an IIT JAM Economics Course can significantly boost your chances of clearing the exam, how you use the course matters just as much as which one you choose.
In this blog, we’ll explore the most common mistakes students make while taking an IIT JAM Economics Course—and how to avoid them for maximum success.
1. Relying Only on Recorded Lectures Without Active Participation
Many courses today offer the convenience of recorded video lectures, which can be a great way to revise concepts. However, over-reliance on recordings often means missing out on real-time interactions and doubt resolution.
Why this is a problem:
Live classes provide a chance to ask questions, participate in discussions, and get instant feedback. Ignoring them can lead to shallow understanding and missed learning opportunities.
What to do instead:
Attend live sessions whenever possible, and use recordings only for revision or catching up on missed classes.
2. Ignoring the Syllabus and Exam Pattern
A common mistake students make is not aligning their preparation with the official IIT JAM Economics syllabus and exam pattern. They either go too broad or skip important topics.
Why this is a problem:
Time is limited, and covering irrelevant material can distract you from scoring topics.
What to do instead:
Keep the latest IIT JAM syllabus and weightage chart handy. Before starting any new topic in your course, make sure it’s relevant to the exam.
3. Not Practicing Past Year Papers and Mock Tests
Passive learning—just watching videos and reading notes—won’t help if you don’t apply what you’ve learned. Many students underestimate the value of solving past year papers and mock tests.
Why this is a problem:
Without practice, you won’t build the speed or accuracy needed for the actual exam.
What to do instead:
Take regular mock tests and simulate exam conditions. Analyze your performance and focus on improving weak areas.
4. Skipping Doubt Sessions or Not Asking Questions
Some students feel shy or hesitant to ask questions during classes or doubt-clearing sessions. Others may ignore these sessions altogether.
Why this is a problem:
Unresolved doubts pile up and lead to confusion in later topics.
What to do instead:
Take full advantage of doubt-clearing sessions. Maintain a running list of doubts and get them resolved regularly.
5. Overloading with Multiple Courses or Resources
In an attempt to be thorough, students often sign up for multiple courses, YouTube channels, and Telegram groups. This scattered approach leads to information overload.
Why this is a problem:
Too many resources lead to confusion, inconsistency, and poor time management.
What to do instead:
Stick to one reliable and structured IIT JAM Economics Course. Focus on mastering one set of materials thoroughly before considering any supplements.
6. Procrastinating Revision Until the Last Month
Students often keep learning new material and postpone revision for the final weeks before the exam.
Why this is a problem:
Without regular revision, even well-understood concepts are forgotten under exam pressure.
What to do instead:
Build revision into your weekly routine. Create a timetable that allows you to revisit older topics regularly.
7. Ignoring Quantitative Subjects (Maths Stats)
Economics students sometimes overlook the quantitative section of the IIT JAM paper, assuming their core economics knowledge will be enough.
Why this is a problem:
Mathematics and statistics form a significant portion of the JAM paper and often determine your rank.
What to do instead:
Dedicate time each week to practicing math and stats problems. Use topic-wise tests to track your progress.
Conclusion
Taking an IIT JAM Economics Course is a crucial step toward cracking one of the most competitive postgraduate entrance exams in India. However, simply enrolling in a course is not enough. To truly make the most of it, students must avoid common mistakes such as neglecting live sessions, ignoring the syllabus, skipping mock tests, or procrastinating on revision. Equally important is staying consistent, actively engaging with the material, and giving due attention to quantitative subjects like mathematics and statistics.
