JEE Exam Guide
Main and Advanced
JEE is two exams. JEE Main leads to NITs and many other colleges. JEE Advanced, for those who clear Main, leads to IITs.
Start here
Two Exams, One After the Other
JEE Main is run by the National Testing Agency. It is held twice a year, on a computer. Its score is used for NITs, IIITs and many other engineering colleges.
The top students in JEE Main can sit JEE Advanced. It is run by one of the IITs and is held once a year. It is the only way into the IITs.
We last checked this page in October 2026. Exam rules can change. Read the official notice on jeemain.nta.nic.in and jeeadv.ac.in before you apply.
Exam pattern
JEE Main and JEE Advanced at a glance
| JEE Main | JEE Advanced | |
|---|---|---|
| Leads to | NITs, IIITs and other colleges | IITs |
| Run by | National Testing Agency | One of the IITs, in turn |
| Times a year | Two sessions. Your better score counts | Once |
| Paper | 75 questions, 300 marks, 3 hours | Two papers of 3 hours each |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Maths: 25 questions each | Physics, Chemistry, Maths |
| Marking | 4 marks for a right answer, 1 taken away for a wrong one | Changes with the question type |
| Who can sit | Class 12 students with Physics, Chemistry and Maths, and those who passed in the last two years | About the top 2.5 lakh of JEE Main |
| Language | Hindi, English and 11 other languages | Hindi and English |
This is the 2026 pattern. The NTA calendar keeps two sessions for 2027, but the 2027 bulletin had not been published when we checked. JEE Advanced has allowed two attempts, in two years in a row.
How to prepare
Four Habits for JEE Preparation
JEE tests understanding and speed. You build both by solving problems every day.
Start in Class 11
About half the paper is from Class 11. A student who starts in Class 12 has two years of work to do in one.
Solve hard problems daily
JEE asks multi-step problems. Solve them every day in all three subjects, and check each step.
Keep Maths strong
Weak Maths pulls down Physics as well. Fix algebra and trigonometry early.
Take mock tests on a computer
The exam is on a screen. Practise there, in the full three hours, and study your mistakes.
JEE questions
Questions Students Ask About JEE
How many questions are there in JEE Main?
In the 2026 pattern, JEE Main Paper 1 has 75 questions for 300 marks. Physics, Chemistry and Maths have 25 questions each. All are compulsory. The paper is 3 hours long.
Is there negative marking in JEE Main?
Yes. A right answer gives 4 marks. A wrong answer takes away 1 mark. A question you leave gets zero.
What is the difference between JEE Main and JEE Advanced?
JEE Main is the first exam. Its score is used for NITs and many other colleges. Only the top students of JEE Main can sit JEE Advanced, which is the exam for the IITs. Advanced is harder.
Who can appear for JEE Advanced?
About the top 2.5 lakh students of JEE Main, counting all categories. In recent years a student could sit Advanced twice, in two years in a row. Check jeeadv.ac.in for the current rule.
Can a Bihar Board student appear for JEE?
Yes. A Bihar Board student with Physics, Chemistry and Maths in Class 12 can apply. The JEE syllabus follows NCERT, which the Bihar Board also follows closely.
Can I write JEE in Hindi?
Yes. JEE Main has been offered in 13 languages, including Hindi and English. JEE Advanced is offered in Hindi and English.
Admissions Open 2026–27
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