Just PYQ: A Web App for IIT JEE and NEET Aspirants
Mar 2024 - Apr 2024
Platform
Web-based application
Role
Sole Designer
Introduction
Just PYQ is a Web-based application designed to streamline the preparation process for competitive exams like IIT JEE and NEET. Built from the ground up, the platform addresses two key challenges faced by students: the difficulty of finding reliable past year question papers (PYQs) and the lack of detailed solutions for complex problems. By centralizing these resources into a single, easy-to-use platform, Just PYQ empowers students to prepare efficiently, track their progress, and focus on their learning goals without distractions or safety concerns.
Problem Statement
Scattered Resources:
Students struggled to find reliable sources for PYQs. Many existing websites were cluttered, disorganized, and even posed risks (e.g., malware).
Lack of Solutions:
While question papers were occasionally available, detailed solutions for difficult problems were hard to find, creating frustration during self-study.
Goals
Business Goals
Centralize question papers and their solutions into a single, reliable platform.
Increase student engagement through clean UI and useful features like progress tracking.
User Goals
Provide a safe, convenient repository for past year papers and step-by-step solutions.
Optimize study preparation with features to track and evaluate progress.
Impact
Projected Outcomes
Initial Engagement: Expected 500–1,000 users within the first three months.
Positive Feedback: Early testers appreciated the clean UI, centralized resources, and easy access to solutions.
Behavioral Changes
Students likely to be most active during evenings and weekends.
High engagement anticipated for solved solutions and search/filter functionality.
Design Process
Discover (Sprint 1)
Conducted surveys and secondary research (Reddit) to define user needs.
Methodology
Conducted a survey with 19 participants using Maze to identify pain points and gather insights.
Analyzed student discussions on Reddit to understand additional needs and frustrations.
Key Insights
Students prioritize reliability and ease of access for resources.
High-quality solutions were critical to help students understand tricky concepts.
Users preferred intuitive, clutter-free interfaces that allowed quick navigation.
Define (Sprint 2)
Synthesized findings into problem statements and user personas.
Mapped out user flows to ensure seamless navigation.
User flow diagram
Our users
Rahul Tiwari (JEE-aspirant)
Age: 17 | Location: Jaipur, India
Goals: High rank in JEE, identify weak areas, save time by accessing resources in one place.
Pain Points: Struggles with finding reliable PYQs and balancing practice with study schedules.
Gaurav Gupta (Drop-Year Student)
Age: 19 | Location: Delhi, India
Goals: Improve scores in Physics and Maths, access step-by-step solutions, stay motivated.
Pain Points: Overwhelmed by scattered resources and needs clear, organized content.
Develop Phase (Sprint 3)
Started with rough wireframes provided by the client and iterated on them.
Created high-fidelity designs
Deliver Phase (Sprint 4)
Delivered developer handoff files with all design assets and detailed documentation.
The Dashboard
A weekly progress chart and gamification metrics keep students motivated.
Progress insights include:
• PYQs Answered: Tracks overall effort.
• Best Day Performance: Encourages breaking personal records.
• Today’s Questions Answered: Focuses on daily goals.
The Exams Section
Students start by selecting their exam. A left-hand nav bar ensures easy navigation across features.
Subject Pills: Compact pills display subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Maths.
Chapter List: Tapping on a subject reveals its chapters, organizing content logically.
Question Display: Clicking a chapter lists all questions, ready for the student to start solving.
Mock Test Screen
Collapsed Nav Bar: Reduces distractions during tests by showing only icons, maximizing space for the question interface.
• Question Display: Presents questions with clear navigation controls (Previous/Next buttons) for intuitive test-taking.
• Submit Button: Allows users to check answers immediately, providing instant feedback (correct or wrong).
• Solution Access: Users can view detailed solutions after submission, supporting real-time learning and understanding.
Learnings
Deep Understanding of User Needs:
Students didn’t just need question papers—they needed structured, accurate solutions to maximize their study efficiency.
Navigation Efficiency:
Creating a flow where users could access resources in under three clicks was pivotal for usability.
Collaboration with Experts:
Validating content with subject-matter experts was vital to ensuring platform reliability.
