Skip Physical Chemistry: Why Some Students Bypass It and What to Do Instead

When students talk about physical chemistry, the branch of chemistry focused on energy, reactions, and mathematical models like thermodynamics and kinetics. It’s the part of chemistry that feels less about memorizing elements and more about solving equations that look like alien code. For many preparing for IIT JEE preparation, the intense engineering entrance exam in India that tests Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, physical chemistry becomes a wall—not because it’s hard, but because it’s slow. It takes weeks to master one topic like chemical equilibrium, and even then, the payoff in exam scores isn’t always clear compared to organic chemistry or math.

That’s why some students make a strategic call: skip physical chemistry. Not because they can’t do it, but because they’ve seen the numbers. In JEE Main, organic chemistry gives more predictable marks with less effort. Math drives your rank. Physics seals your position. Physical chemistry? It’s the middle child—complex, time-heavy, and often the first to get trimmed when you’re running out of hours. This isn’t laziness. It’s resource management. Students who skip it aren’t quitting—they’re optimizing. They know that skipping doesn’t mean ignoring. It means focusing on high-yield areas first, then coming back if time allows. Some even use free online tools and apps to catch up only on the most tested topics like mole concept or electrochemistry, avoiding the deep theory.

This trend shows up in student forums, coaching centers, and even in the way top scorers structure their study plans. The most disliked subjects, topics that students consistently rate as frustrating or demotivating often include physical chemistry—not because it’s useless, but because it feels disconnected from real exam patterns. If you’re considering skipping it, ask yourself: Are you skipping because it’s too hard, or because you haven’t found the right way to learn it? Many students who hate it just never had a teacher who explained entropy like a game, or linked kinetics to everyday reactions like rust or cooking. You don’t need to love it. You just need to know what’s testable.

The posts below show real stories from students who cut corners, changed strategies, and still cracked top ranks. You’ll see which subjects actually give the most bang for your study time, how to balance weak areas without drowning in them, and what alternatives top performers use when they avoid deep dives into physical chemistry. This isn’t about giving up. It’s about winning smarter.