Worth it to drop a year for JEE if planning to study abroad later?

I am planning to take a drop year for JEE prep… but I’m also considering going abroad for Undergrad or maybe masters later. Would this drop affect anything? Like will it be a red flag in my applications abroad or something??

Also btw how many attempts for JEE mains are actually allowed?

Nah it’s not a red flag, if u use that year well (like prep, projects, etc) then universities abroad actually like that u took initiative. Most people usually do 2 attempts for JEE mains, one in Jan and one in April in the same year.

Dropping a year for JEE can be worth it, but if you’re planning to study abroad later, the decision depends on your specific goals. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you decided..
When Dropping a Year Makes Sense (Even if You Plan to Go Abroad Later):*

  1. You Want to Build a Strong Academic Foundation:
  • JEE prep strengthens problem-solving skills in physics, chemistry, and math, which helps in foreign STEM courses.
  • Some top foreign universities value Indian competitive exam rigor.
  1. Backup Plan for Indian Colleges:
  • If studying abroad depends on factors like scholarships, visas, or finances, cracking JEE gives you strong backup options like IITs or NITs.

:cross_mark: When It’s NOT Worth Dropping a Year:

  1. You Are Sure About Going Abroad and Have Resources:
  • Most foreign universities don’t care about JEE ranks.
  • You might be better off focusing on SAT/ACT, AP exams, personal essays, projects, and English proficiency tests like TOEFL/IELTS.
  1. Wasted Time on Irrelevant Exams:
  • Time spent on JEE could be invested in research, internships, or profile building — things that matter more for admissions abroad.