5 things to do after JEE Mains 2016 results are declared

In a matter of a few hours, the JEE Mains 2016 results will finally be declared. Along with it comes the nerve-wrecking feeling!

'What now?'

The response to that depends on your performance in the JEE Mains 2016 and the All India Rank (AIR) list.

Two scenarios occur after the results are declared: You're either shortlisted for the JEE Advanced or not.

Here's how to go about things once your scenario is clear:

1. JEE Advanced!

If you are one of top 1.5 lakh candidates, congratulations! You've been shortlisted for JEE Advanced. Once the All India Rank list is released by CBSE, you'll know the status.

Now, you have to start preparing for the JEE Advanced, scheduled to be held on 22 May, 2016. Speak to your teachers, subject experts and mentors on how to prepare for this exam. Cracking the JEE Advanced should be your only focus now. A total of 18 IITs and one ISM Dhanbad is set to offer more than 10,000 undergraduate engineering seats.

2. CSAB Counselling

If you haven't made it to the JEE Advanced shortlist cutoff, don't be disheartened. You can still get in to good engineering colleges such as National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and centrally funded institutes.

The admission for the next best engineering colleges is conducted by the Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB). This is centralised admission -cum- counselling. Also, JEE scores are used by several other regional and state colleges.

3. Other engineering exams

JEE Mains and Advanced is not the end of all exams. There are several other engineering exams that you can focus on. Some of the other top engineering exams are Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT) (for BITS Pilani), VIT Engineering Entrance Exam (VITEEE), Manipal University Online Entrance Test (MUOET), SRM Joint Engineering Entrance Exam (SRMJEEE), Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Examination (UPSEE), Consortium of Medical Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMED K) West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) and many more. There are also many good private engineering colleges.

So many avenues for good colleges are still left. Start preparing for these exams.

4. Selecting a good college

If you make it to the top IITs/NITs, life is relatively simpler for you. However, it can be difficult to choose between two engineering colleges. Keep the following factors in mind while selecting an engineering college:

- Infrastructure

- Faculty

- Tuition Fees

- Average Placement package

- Alumni

- Course syllabus

- Accreditation

5. Back-up options

If things don't work out for you this year, don't lose heart. You can always appear for the JEE exams 2017. Or, you can choose to select a different field of study - such as advanced science, commerce, arts and so on. Think through your decision.