IIT-JEE aspirants walk to their the examination venue in Patna on Sunday. Picture by Jai Prakash

Patna, April 10: Aspiring techies of the state today turned up in full strength for the Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE), 2011. Sources said around 35,000 students took the examination at 68 centres across Patna. Some state students took the exam in Bhagalpur, Gaya, Katihar and Muzaffarpur also.

After spending several sleepless nights, it was the time for the aspiring engineers to prove their mettle. Prepared they came. A few were confident about their success. The rest kept their fingers crossed after the exam.

Dhiraj Kumar, an intermediate student of Goenka College, Sitamarhi, was convinced he would make it to the merit list. “I left my home at Sitamarhi at 5am and reached my examination centre at JD Women’s College at 8am. For the past few months, I have been working hard. I have revised all the topics covered under the IIT-JEE syllabus. I am sure of my success,” he said.

Anjali Kumar, a Class XII student of DAV School, Valmi, was a tad nervous despite preparing well. “I have spent countless sleepless nights preparing for IIT. I am very nervous right now. I think I have forgotten some chemistry and math formulae,” said Anjali, who has also taken her boards recently.

Students had to answer two papers, the first of which started at 9am and the other 2pm. This year, the IIT-Kanpur is conducting the entrance exam.

The chairman of IIT-Guwahati zone, A. Parumal, said: “Since the IIT-JEE syllabus is vast, the papers are divided into two halves to cover all aspects like mechanics, kinetics, organic chemistry, arithmetic and others.”

Bihar is in IIT-Guwahati zone.

The first paper had 69 questions in four sections carrying 240 marks. When it got over at noon, the examinees had a quick grab and revised for the next paper. Some also meditated on what they had written.

“I attempted only 40 questions. Perhaps, my preparation was not up to the mark,” said Shivani Priya, a Class XII student of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Danapur. “I am keeping my fingers crossed for the next paper,” she added.

While most of the students were first-timers, there were some repeaters.

“The questions in the first paper were easy compared to those last year,” said Satyam, an examinee at Hartman Girls’ High School. He added: “While most of the questions were conceptual, the math section was difficult and lengthy. Chemistry was easier to tackle.”

The second paper also carried 240 marks and had 60 questions divided into four sections. “It was tougher than the first paper. Math was the most difficult. Chemistry was still manageable,” said Ravi Bhaskar, an examinee at the Notre Dame Academy centre.

The exam was a trying time for parents too, many of whom waited outside the centres. “Although I don’t stay far, I waited here for my daughter. I hope she cracks the entrance,” said Ashiana Nagar resident Sunil Singh, the father of Riya Singh. Sunil had braved the scorching heat through the day.