Sir/Madam,

I used to think a few months ago that if a question is asked pertaining to logarithms, and if I know all the formulae from JPNP of the chapter, then I should be able to solve the question. Of course, this opinion was shattered not only because questions are rarely from only one chapter, and also because mere brute-force does not work when you are out there in the exam hall trying to figure out the best way to solve a question.

Thus I would wish to ask: what is at the heart of JEE? Is it a long history of having practised all sorts of questions (from Irodov etc.)? Or is it sheer analytical skills? Or is it your agility? Or is it any sort of "luck" (i.e., there are many students who are well prepared but those who can answer the questions on the exact date and time of the JEE win the competition)?

Thank you once again.

Arjun