Major Mistakes to Avoid in JoSAA Counselling 2025: Preparation Tips

Major mistakes to avoid in JoSAA counselling 2025 includes missing the registration deadline, not following the priority method while filling choices, not locking the choices, entry of choices with no interest in the seat etc. JoSAA counselling is conducted for admission to top IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs in India. Candates who have cleared the JEE Main 2025 and JEE Advanced 2025 can register for JoSAA Counselling fro June 03, #year. 

Many candidates miss out the JoSAA admissions every year due to the mistakes they make during the JoSAA Counselling process. To avoid the mistake while participating in JoSAA Counselling, candidates should refer to this article.

Some Major Mistakes to Avoid in JoSAA Counselling 2025

Once the JoSAA 2025 application window opens, students must know the major mistakes to avoid in JoSAA counselling 2025. There are several steps which are involved in the JoSAA counselling 2025 process. 

Students usually make errors regarding choice filling, locking, and reporting, mainly due to a lack of understanding of the admission method. Some common mistakes made in JoSAA counselling which can cost students to lose their seats after cracking a tough exam are mentioned below.

• Not following the ‘Priority’ method while filling in choices
• Lack of clarity for terms like Float, Freeze, Slide
• Entry of choices with no actual interest in the seat
• Adding only a few choice options
• Not analysing past cutoff trends
• Forgetting to lock choices
• Incorrect reporting during dual allotment

Also Check: Documents Required for JoSAA Counselling 2025

Not Following the Priority Method While Filling Choices

One of the major mistakes to avoid in JoSAA counselling 2025 process is not prioritising the order in which the students have to enter their preferred course and college. Students must enter their choices in a descending format, as authorities will offer the seat per their first choice. Candidates must note that allotment, once complete, cannot be changed. Hence, students are advised to compile their priority list and fill out the choices online.

Lack of Clarity for Terms Like Float, Freeze, Slide

After round I of seat allotment in the JoSAA 2025 counselling process, students are asked to freeze, float or slide. Hence, one of the major mistakes to avoid in JoSAA counselling 2025 is not being fully aware of these terms. Therefore to avoid confusion, students can take note of the meaning of these three, and bypass these frequently made JoSAA mistakes.

• Freeze- The term 'freeze' denotes the acceptance of the allotment when the college and course offered, meet the candidate's satisfaction levels. Candidates can select the 'freeze' option to lock the allotted seat and course, declaring they will no longer apply for the next rounds. 
• Slide- The term 'slide' means that students accept the allotted seat and course but keep the option open for upgrades in the same college for a higher course/program.
• Float- Lastly, the 'float' option is similar to the slide option, which allows students to accept the seat but keep the option of upgrading open in higher programs. However, the only difference is that students can opt for upgradation at any institute.

Also Check: JoSAA Opening and Closing Ranks 2025

Entry of Choices with No Actual Interest in the Seat

Another major mistake to avoid in JoSAA counselling 2025 is not researching and exploring the correct college and course per the scores achieved. 

• Mindlessly entering choices without measuring which college and course is the best fit can result in an allotment that does not work out in the candidate’s favour. 
• It is understandable that students may feel confused with so many options and colleges. But it is important to list their preferences in priority before submitting their choices.
•  The list should entail the preferred program and IIT college combinations for entry.

Adding Only a Few Choice Options

To achieve the maximum outcome through the counselling process, it is not to make major mistakes to avoid in JoSAA counselling 2025, which applicants usually make.

• Adding only a couple of choices can be one of the biggest blunders. Students need to understand the determinants behind the allocation of seats, such as reservation, number of students, cutoff etc. These factors affect the allocation provided. 
• Students must enter at least 50 thought-out choices, improving their chances of securing the best seat combination and averting mistakes in the JoSAA counselling stage.

Also Check: JoSAA Seat Matrix 2025

Not Analysing Past Cutoff Trends

One of the major mistakes to avoid in JoSAA counselling 2025 is not analysing past year cutoff trends.

• Evaluating the previous year's opening and closing ranks help students understand which program in which college has high demand and which is stiff.
• Making an informed decision by checking past year cutoff scores will help students gauge their chances for admission. 
• Although the cutoff for each year changes, there is not much difference for premier institutes such as IIT, Bombay. 

Forgetting to Lock Choices

One of the recurrent mistakes in JoSAA Counselling 2025, which candidates must avoid, is forgetting to lock their choices. 

• The portal automatically locks the last changes if candidates do not lock the entries. 
• Students can save their choices and return later to lock them, but if they forget, the system will auto-lock the choices, which may not be in the sequence of preferred choice combinations.

Hence, students must be careful and lock their choices, as such mistakes cannot be reversed.

Also Check: JoSAA Medical Certificate 2025

Incorrect Reporting During Dual Allotment

One of the major mistakes to avoid in JoSAA counselling 2025 is reporting to the wrong college. This often happens when a candidate is offered a seat in round I and later upgraded in future rounds. Here, candidates often report at the first allotted college, not the institute offered in the latter rounds. This sort of blunder can result in losing both seats.

Preparation Tips for JoSAA Counselling 2025

After reading the major mistakes to avoid in JoSAA counselling 2025, students must pave their way to produce the most favourable result for admission. Therefore, here are a few tips to remember to maximise the chance of getting placed at the right institute in the desired course.

• Students must update themselves with all the latest information from JoSAA 2025.
• In case of confusion, candidates can seek help from a mentor/teacher/counsellor.
• Aspirants must get acquainted with all the JoSAA 2025 counselling steps.
• Candidates need to research previous year trends concerning cutoff, programmes and success rates.
• Applicants must draft a priority list of choices.
• JoSAA 2025 applicants must keep all vital documents ready.
• Students must check the official website at regular intervals.
• Candidates need to be clear on the reporting date and location.
• They must look out for future rounds and upgrade options.
• Candidates need to stay informed on the withdrawal and refund process.

Also, Check: JoSAA Participating Institutes 2025