How to Approach a Question in JEE Main 2026? Subject-wise Time Management Tips

Time management and choosing the right questions are essential to crack JEE Main 2026. The trick is not trying all the questions but only the ones in which you are confident. To achieve high marks in the JEE Mains exam, students must have a subject-wise plan. Aspirants must read this article to know how to attempt a question in JEE Main 2026 with good management of time.

How to Approach a Question/Subject in JEE Main 2026?

How to Approach a Question in JEE Main 2026? - For acing the JEE Mains exam, students need to concentrate on more than just time management techniques. In fact, candidates need to select the right questions to attempt the exam. JEE Main 2026 will have 90 questions in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics to be attempted in three hours. Most well-prepared candidates have ended up losing marks not because of a lack of knowledge but due to a lack of subject management.

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Know Each Subject's Requirements

Before entering the exam hall, students must understand that Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics subjects each require handling in distinct ways. Treating all three subjects with the same mindset often leads to imbalance and wasted minutes.

• Physics demands conceptual understanding and mathematical calculations.
• Chemistry consists of a combination of memory-type and application-type questions.
• Mathematics is usually tough because of its heavy calculations and time-consuming questions.

Decide Your Subject Order

There is no universal rule about which subject to attempt first. Instead, decide your order based on comfort and confidence. Many students prefer starting with Chemistry because it is relatively less time-consuming. Others begin with Mathematics when their mind is fresh. Physics is often kept in the middle. The attempt order should be decided by analysing the mock tests for JEE Main.

Chemistry

Chemistry is usually the most scoring subject in JEE Main. A good strategy to attempt the JEE Main Chemistry section in the exam hall is:

• Attempt NCERT-based questions first, especially from Inorganic Chemistry.
• Quickly solve direct numerical and formula-based questions.
• Skip lengthy Physical Chemistry calculations initially.

Avoid spending more than 35-40 minutes on Chemistry in the first round. If a question is confusing or requires recalling an obscure fact, mark it for review and move ahead.

Physics

Physics problems can appear very simple but have lengthy calculations. For attempting Physics in the JEE Mains examination hall, candidates need to:

• Ensure proper consideration of units and data in order not to repeat calculations.

• Start with theory-based and one-step formula questions.
• For problems involving many calculations, assess if the calculation is worth the effort in the examination hall.

Ideally, 45-50 minutes should be enough for Physics in the first attempt.

Mathematics

Maths is where most students struggle with time management. The questions in this section are often lengthy, and even a small mistake can waste students' time, lead to choosing wrong options or even put the students' morale down. A smart approach for attempting mathematics in the JEE Main exam hall is given below.

• Try to work first on those problems which seem to be familiar and easy to understand.
• Don't spend too much time on a question just because it appears to have a possible solution.
• Approximation and elimination techniques can now be applied to eliminate options.

For the Maths section, candidates must allot 60-65 minutes. Students should not try to solve every question in one go. Select the questions worth solving.

Keep in Mind JEE Main Negative Marking

The JEE Main 2026 exam pattern specifies a negative marking provision in the test. The negative marking in the exam applies to only the attempted questions. A random guess will mean a negative penalty of 1 mark if it turns out to be incorrect. Intelligent elimination can save time and avoid negative marking by careful selection.