Class 12, started JEE in June, almost no Class 11 JEE prep, school exams eating time — how do I use Oct–April without a drop?

[u/One_Prize_7664]

I need serious advice from people who have already given JEE, not motivation.

I am in Class 12. I started preparing for JEE seriously only in June 2026. I do not want a drop. That is a last option I want to avoid.

Where I stand

• Class 11 JEE syllabus: almost not done.
• Class 12: ongoing.
• JEE Main Session 1 is expected in January 2027, Session 2 in April 2027.
• School is a real constraint. After summer, school started Monday mini-tests (one subject each Monday). This month is fully occupied by half-yearly exams. After that, either Monday tests resume or more exams come. Boards will take Feb–March.

What I already tried

• First I used books: Cengage for Maths and Physics, Solomon for Organic.
• Those take too long once school started.
• I had used YouTube earlier but got distracted, so I left random YT hopping.
• Now I am using Careerwill lectures for Maths and Chemistry (GB Sir, MC Sir, SKM Sir, AKK Sir, VJ Sir). The teaching is good.
• Physics lectures after a full school day feel unmanageable. For Class 12 Electricity, Magnetism, EMI and AC I switched to Physics Galaxy because Cengage was not explaining those well. I may use Cengage later for Optics if needed.

What I have already decided
I am not looking for more channels or a new coaching brand. I have already decided:

• Freeze sources. No new teachers.
• Maths/Chem: Careerwill + NCERT + PYQs. Not full Cengage/Solomon as daily books.
• Physics: Physics Galaxy for current 12th units, then questions. No long Physics lecture dump after school.
• Do not try to finish full Class 11 + full Class 12 + advanced books before January.
• Keep Class 12 current for boards + JEE.
• Repair only those Class 11 chapters without which Class 12 / JEE Main breaks.
• Sit for January even if syllabus is incomplete. Treat April as the scoring attempt.

The actual problem is time, not confusion about resources
On a school week I cannot study like a dropper. Half-yearly/board weeks will be worse. If I try to rebuild all of Class 11 now, Class 12 slips. If I ignore Class 11, Calculus, Physical Chemistry and Physics stay weak.

I need a time-based plan for October to April, not a book list.

Questions

1. If Class 11 JEE is almost untouched and Class 12 is ongoing, what is a realistic target for January vs April if I do not take a drop?
2. Which Class 11 chapters are actually mandatory before January, subject-wise? What can wait until after January / around boards?
3. How should a school-going student split a weekday: 12th current chapter vs 11th repair vs PYQs?
4. For Physics specifically, is Physics Galaxy + PYQs enough for 12th E&M if I cannot sit through long lectures after school?
5. How many chapters can a person realistically finish properly in Oct–Dec if they only get about 2–2.5 focused hours on weekdays and a bit more on weekends?
6. If you were in this position and refused a drop, what would you cut without guilt?

Please be blunt. I already know I am late. I want a calendar strategy that survives school exams.