Top Mistakes Students Make While Preparing for Multiple Entrance Exam
Posted on: 25 July 2025, By : Sourav Dey

In today’s competitive academic landscape, it’s common for students to prepare for more than one entrance exam simultaneously — CUET, JEE, IPMAT, CLAT, and various private university tests. While this opens multiple career doors, it also leads to confusion, burnout, and poor performance if not managed smartly.

Let’s dive into the most common mistakes students make while juggling multiple entrance exams — and how you can avoid them.

Why Students Prepare for Multiple Entrance Exams?
 

Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Not Understanding the Exam Patterns Clearly

Each entrance exam has its own format, subjects, marking scheme, and level of difficulty. Many students assume all exams are similar and prepare in the same way.

Solution:

Create a comparative table of all your target exams and study their unique patterns and subjects individually.

2. Poor Time Management

Trying to prepare for different syllabi without a clear schedule leads to chaos.

Solution:

Design a weekly planner that allocates time to each exam based on its level of importance and date. Use smart techniques like time-blocking.

3. Ignoring Board Exams While Focusing on Entrances

Many students completely neglect board exam preparation, thinking entrance scores matter more.

Reality Check:

The majority of universities, particularly CUET, use a combination of entry scores and board marks.

Solution:

Balance your focus. Allocate at least 2 hours daily for board revision.

4. No Subject-Wise Priority

Students frequently focus on every subject equally without evaluating their strengths and shortcomings.

Solution:

Use a priority matrix:
 

5. Too Many Mock Tests Without Analysis

Mock tests are useful only when followed by proper analysis and improvement. Many students take 5+ mocks weekly but never review their mistakes.

Solution:

After every mock test, spend 1-2 hours reviewing errors, timing, and accuracy. Maintain a mistake tracker.

6. Neglecting Mental & Physical Health

Burnout is real. Long study hours, poor sleep, and stress lead to reduced retention and focus.

Solution:

Follow a realistic routine. Include breaks, light exercise, and 7+ hours of sleep in your schedule.

7. Overdependence on Coaching Without Self-Study

Many students rely completely on coaching classes and never revise topics on their own.

Solution:

Use the 50-30-20 rule:

• 50% Time = Self-study

• 30% Time = Coaching

• 20% Time = Revision & Tests

8. Using the Same Preparation Strategy for All Exams

You cannot use a one-size-fits-all strategy for exams with different patterns.

Example:

• CUET needs NCERT revision + mock drills

• JEE requires in-depth numerical practice

• IPMAT requires strong verbal & quant aptitude

Solution:

Tailor strategies for each exam. Maintain separate preparation folders or notebooks.

Final Takeaways: How to Prepare Smarter, Not Harder

Conclusion

Preparing for multiple entrance exams is definitely challenging — but not impossible. Success lies in clarity, structure, and self-discipline. Avoiding the above mistakes can help you stay ahead of the competition without burning out.

Need personalised help?

At Ecollege Admission, we guide students to choose the right entrance exams, prepare with the right resources, and secure admissions into their dream colleges — stress-free.