IIT JAM is an examination that is conducted on a national level. The examination aims to shortlist candidates for MSc or integrated MSc programs. Institutes accept candidates into their courses through the IIT JAM examination. The test is conducted jointly by IITs and IISC. The examination is conducted by colleges that take rotational turns.
Candidates who take the IIT JAM examination can secure a seat at IISC, IITs, NITs, or CFITs. Qualifying this examination helps a student to get admission to postgraduate courses.
After completing the program successfully, candidates can get any job they aspire to in their respective specialization areas.
Students who want to pursue their post-graduation in Chemistry must be well-versed with the subject’s syllabus. Along with that, candidates must know how to prepare and not burn themselves out in the process.
In this article, we discuss IIT JAM Chemistry Syllabus. Apart from it, we discuss preparation tips as well as books that you might want for reference.
IIT JAM Chemistry Syllabus
1. Basic Mathematical Concepts
This topic includes functions; maxima and minima; integrals; ordinary differential equations; vectors and matrices; determinants; elementary statistics; and probability theory.
2. Atomic and Molecular Structure
This topic includes Fundamental particles, Bohr’s theory of hydrogen-like atoms; wave-particle duality; uncertainty principle; Schrödinger’s wave equation.
Along with the ones mentioned, you also have quantum numbers; shapes of orbitals; exclusion principle of Hund’s rule and Pauli’s; details of the electronic configuration of simple homonuclear diatomic molecules, etc.
3. Theory of Gases
The topic includes the following- Equation of state for ideal and nonideal gases; Kinetic theory of gases; distribution law of Maxwell-Boltzmann and concept of equipartition of energy.
4. Solid State
The topic includes the following- Crystals and crystal systems; X-rays; the structures of NaCl and KCl; close packing; the concept of atomic and ionic radii; radius ratio rules as well as lattice energy; Born-Haber cycle; isomorphism and heat capacity of solids.
5. Chemical Thermodynamics
The topic includes the following subtopics- Reversible and irreversible processes, the concept of first law and its application to ideal and nonideal gases, thermochemistry, the second law is in detail, Entropy and free energy, and criteria for spontaneity.
6. Chemical and Phase Equilibria
The topic includes the following- Law of mass action; Kp, Kc, Kx and Kn; effect of temperature on K; ionic equilibria in solutions; pH and buffer solutions to hydrolysis; solubility product; phase equilibria–phase rule.
Also, its application to one-component and two-component systems; colligative properties, etc. all are included here.
IIT JAM Organic Chemistry Syllabus
1. Basic concept and Stereochemistry
This topic includes electronic effects that cover resonance, inductive, and hyperconjugation. Apart from the mentioned ones, you have got optical isomerism in compounds with and without any stereocenters such as allenes, biphenyls, etc.; the conformation of acyclic systems includes substituted ethane or n-propane or n-butane as well as cyclic systems containing mono- and di-substituted cyclohexanes, etc.
2. Organic Reaction Mechanism and Synthetic Applications
This topic includes the following- Chemistry of reactive intermediates covering carbocations, carbanions, free radicals, carbenes, nitrenes, benzynes, etc.; Hofmann-Curtius-Lossen rearrangement Wolff rearrangement, Simmons-Smith reaction.
It also includes Reimer-Tiemann reaction, Michael reaction, Darzens reaction, Wittig reaction, and McMurry reaction; Pinacol-pinacolone, Favorskii, benzilic acid rearrangement, dienone-phenol rearrangement, Baeyer-Villeger reaction, and many more.
3. Qualitative Organic Analysis
This topic includes the following- Different functional groups by chemical tests along with elementary UV, IR, and 1H NMR spectroscopic techniques as tools for structural elucidation.
Syllabus for IIT JAM Inorganic Chemistry
1. The Periodic Table
This topic includes the following- Element’s periodic classification and periodicity in all the properties along with general methods of isolation and the process of purification of elements. Everything related to the periodic table is essential. You must remember all the elements by heart.
2. Chemical Bonding and Shapes of Compounds
This topic includes different types of bonding, details of VSEPR theory and shapes of molecules, hybridization, and dipole moment. It also defines ionic solids and the structure of NaCl and CsCl, diamond and graphite, lattice energy, etc.
3. Main Group Elements, especially for s and p blocks
This topic includes the following- Basic concepts on group relationships and gradation in properties; formation of electron-deficient compounds containing some elements from the primary group.
Some preparation tips for IIT JAM
Before you start preparing for your IIT JAM Chemistry paper, why don’t you go through some of the preparation tips?
1. You can start with the syllabus and exam pattern
Before beginning with the IIT JAM Chemistry preparation, you should know the complete syllabus. Knowing all the topics will help you to plan accordingly. The more clarity you have about the IIT JAM Chemistry Syllabus, the more precise you will be about proceeding with the preparation plan
2. Go through the previous year question papers
To have a grasp on your content, practicing questions is very important. So you must refer to the previous year’s question papers. Doing a lot of it can help you understand the question pattern, assess the difficulty levels, and the like.
Moreover, you will be able to identify both your weak and strong points. And this, in turn, will help you to improve a lot!
You can sign up for any coaching center that provides good guidance. It is a good idea to join some coaching institutes.
These institutes make sure to keep you in a proper drill. Such coaching centers are excellent, from conducting regular tests to updating students with all the latest news and changes.
These mock tests are helpful as you can evaluate yourself with respect to others as well as understand where you stand.
3. While studying, make sure to make notes for later reference
Making notes while you study is always recommended by teachers. You make notes that can come in handy for later use. If it is in your own language you can understand better. Also, you can highlight certain important portions which can be useful for later reference.
4. Do not jump from one chapter to the other without finishing the first one. Be systematic
You must have a systematic approach to your preparation. Make sure to complete a topic before going on to the next. Be sure what you want to start with. It is important that you plan and proceed.
5. Revise before you move on to the next the topic
Revision plays quite an important part in preparing for the IIT JAM examination. Once you are done with a topic or a chapter, revise it or practice active recall.
It is necessary to boost your confidence as well as to test your preparation and memory.
6. Last but not least, do not forget to take some time off and rest one a while. Remember, health is wealth!
Make sure you take adequate rest. You do need to have dedicated preparation for your entrance examination, but you must take some time off. Otherwise, you might have burn-out symptoms.
You might feel anxious, lethargic, nervous, on the edge, irritated, etc. And all these are likely to affect your health as well as your academics. So, it is better that you take good care of both your mental and physical health.