Joint Entrance Exam (JEE Mains)
- Purpose: UG Engineering admissions (IITs/NITs/IIITs)
- Syllabus: Physics, Chemistry, Math (11th & 12th NCERT)
- Frequency: Twice/year
- Languages: Hindi, English + 11 regional languages
JEE Main Exam: Comprehensive Overview
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is one of India's most prestigious and competitive exams for undergraduate engineering and architecture admissions. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and serves as a gateway for admissions to NITs, IIITs, CFTIs, and as a qualifying exam for JEE Advanced, which leads to admission in the IITs.
Exam Structure and Marking Scheme
JEE Main is divided into two papers:
- Paper 1: For B.E./B.Tech courses.
- Paper 2: For B.Arch/B.Planning courses.
Paper 1: B.E./B.Tech
| Subject |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
Marking Scheme |
| Physics |
20 MCQs + 10 NATs* |
100 |
+4 for correct, -1 for wrong (MCQs only) |
| Chemistry |
20 MCQs + 10 NATs* |
100 |
+4 for correct, -1 for wrong (MCQs only) |
| Mathematics |
20 MCQs + 10 NATs* |
100 |
+4 for correct, -1 for wrong (MCQs only) |
- Total Questions: 90 (75 to be attempted).
- Total Marks: 300.
- NAT: Numerical Answer Type questions (no negative marking).
Paper 2A: B.Arch
| Subject |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
Marking Scheme |
| Mathematics |
20 MCQs + 10 NATs* |
100 |
+4 for correct, -1 for wrong (MCQs only) |
| Aptitude Test |
50 |
200 |
+4 for correct, -1 for wrong |
| Drawing Test |
2 Questions |
100 |
Subjective evaluation |
Paper 2B: B.Planning
| Subject |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
Marking Scheme |
| Mathematics |
20 MCQs + 10 NATs* |
100 |
+4 for correct, -1 for wrong (MCQs only) |
| Aptitude Test |
50 |
200 |
+4 for correct, -1 for wrong |
| Planning-Based Test |
25 |
100 |
+4 for correct, -1 for wrong |
Exam Mode and Duration
- Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test) except for the Drawing Test in Paper 2A, which is conducted offline.
- Duration: 3 Hours (4 Hours for PwD candidates).
Cutoff Trends
JEE Main cutoffs vary each year based on:
- Exam difficulty level.
- Number of candidates appearing.
- Available seats.
Recent General Cutoff Scores (Percentile-Based)
| Year |
General Category |
EWS |
OBC-NCL |
SC |
ST |
PwD |
| 2023 |
90.778951 |
75.622902 |
73.611422 |
51.977602 |
37.234877 |
0.001352 |
| 2022 |
88.412138 |
63.111414 |
67.009029 |
43.082095 |
26.777132 |
0.003102 |
- Candidates scoring above these percentiles qualify for JEE Advanced.
Ranking System
- Normalization: Since JEE Main is conducted in multiple sessions, scores are normalized using percentile scores to ensure fairness.
- AIR (All India Rank): Based on the percentile score, NTA prepares a consolidated rank list.
- Tie-Breaking Criteria:
- Higher percentile in Mathematics.
- Higher percentile in Physics.
- Higher percentile in Chemistry.
- Age preference (older candidates ranked higher).
Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- Age Limit: No age limit, but the candidate should have passed 12th within the last three years.
- Number of Attempts: Candidates can attempt the exam for three consecutive years. JEE Main is conducted twice a year, and candidates can appear for both attempts.
Reservation Policy
| Category |
Percentage Reservation |
| General-EWS |
10% |
| OBC-NCL |
27% |
| SC |
15% |
| ST |
7.5% |
| PwD |
5% |
Participating Institutes
- NITs: 31 Institutes.
- IIITs: 25 Institutes.
- CFTIs: Various institutions like IIEST, IIFPT, etc.
- State Colleges: Some state engineering colleges use JEE Main scores for admissions.
Key Statistics
- Registrations (2023): ~9.4 million candidates.
- Selection Ratio: Approximately 10% qualify for JEE Advanced.
- Top Scorer Percentile: Close to 100 (multiple candidates often achieve it).
Preparation Strategy
- Focus Areas:
- Physics: Mechanics, Electrodynamics, and Thermodynamics.
- Chemistry: Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry concepts.
- Mathematics: Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, and Algebra.
- Mock Tests: Regular practice through NTA-provided mock tests.
- Time Management: Prioritize accuracy over speed to minimize negative marking.
Important Dates (2024 Expected)
- Session 1 Registration: November 2023.
- Session 1 Exam: January 2024.
- Session 2 Registration: February 2024.
- Session 2 Exam: April 2024.
