If you are preparing for the upcoming JEE Mains 2026 exam, then the negative marking stands in your way of obtaining high marks on the test. Four incorrect attempts cancel out one correctly answered question. Learn how to avoid negative marking in JEE Mains 2026 below.
How to Avoid Negative Marking in JEE Mains: Preparing for the JEE Mains exam requires strategic preparation. Because there is negative marking the exam, attempting questions correctly becomes of great importance. To get high scores in the JEE Mains exam 2026, students have to solve the most number of questions accurately. In this article, we provide expert tips, strategies and common mistakes to avoid negative marking in JEE Mains 2026. Check out a few tips on how to avoid negative marking in JEE Main.
- Negative Markings in JEE Main 2026
- Why Avoiding Negative Marking is Important in JEE Mains?
- Tips to Avoid Negative Marking in JEE Mains Exam
- How to Avoid Negative Marking in JEE Mains Exam Hall
Negative Markings in JEE Main 2026
As we have already mentioned, there is a provision of negative marking in the JEE Main exam. Candidates appearing for the JEE Mains exam can check the negative marks for both papers 1 and 2 from the following table. The marking scheme for both MCQs and NAT questions is the same
| Option Selected |
Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct answer |
(+4) |
| Incorrect answer |
(-1) |
| Unanswered / Marked for Review |
No mark (0) |
Commonly asked questions
Clearing the JEE Main exam in first attempt is not a difficult task. Several students clear JEE Main while in class 12. One thing that makes it easy to clear JEE Main with class 12 is that students are in regular touch of most JEE syllabus. To score good marks in JEE Main in the first attempt, it is advised that you study class 11 and 12 topics thoroughly, clear all the concepts and solve mock test papers. Also, NCERT books which you study in class 11 and 12 are the best books for JEE Main preparation. Students must study NCERT properly and solve all the questions in the book and do not memorize the concepts as some students do rather understand the concepts.
Students who are in class 12 and would also be appearing in JEE Mains 2026 exam mostly find it difficult to manage both their class/school and JEE studies. However, all these students have an advantage over others/droppers aspirants as there are many common topics in class 12 and JEE.
To benefit, they must identify all the topics that are common and study those first. Secondly, cover the topics that have more weightage in class 12 and complete them. Before a few days of JEE Mains, study specifically for JEE. This way, they can manage both class 12 and JEE efficiently.
Why Avoiding Negative Marking is Important in JEE Mains?
For every wrong answer in JEE mains (-1) mark will be deducted. This means after four wrong attempts a student loses the marks he/she obtained for attempting one question correctly. Even a slight percentile difference will bring a big change in the rank list.
Negative marking is not the only challenge in this exam. It is also a time-bound exam, meaning candidates have to attempt 75 questions across three subjects within 3 hours. Students do not have time for guesswork and weighing in their chances while attempting the JEE question paper. Merely attempting the question will do more harm if the candidate is not sure about the accuracy. Thus, the right strategy is focusing on accuracy>attempts.
Tips to Avoid Negative Marking in JEE Mains Exam
Till now we have covered what negative marking in JEE Mains 2026 is and its impact on rankings and percentile. Let's look at how we can minimise negative marking in JEE Mains.
Read the Question Carefully
Be relaxed and read the complete question in detail. Understand what the question is asking before looking at the options.
Elimination Method
After understanding the question, move to the options. Check the options given and use logic and common sense to eliminate the incorrect options.
Avoid Guesswork
To avoid negative marking in JEE Mains, one must avoid guesswork. Answer the question with surety. In case of any doubts mark the question for review. Be sure of the answer before marking it.
Time Management is the Key
The JEE Mains 2026 exam will be a 3-hour paper. Students will have to attempt 75 questions from Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. There will be both MCQs and numerical answer type questions. A candidate must balance time between all the sections. If you see a question is taking too much of your time, it is better to skip that one and move ahead. You can always come back to it if you have extra time left after completion of the test. But do not mark an answer you are not sure of.
Give Mock Tests
Practising the JEE Mains mock tests cannot be emphasised enough. It is a simulation of the actual test. Candidates must take multiple JEE Main 2026 mock tests after covering a majority of the syllabus. This will help in learning time management and improving accuracy.
Solve Previous Year Papers
A time-tested way is practising the JEE Main last 10 years' question papers. Candidates must practice the actual JEE Mains question paper PDFs. The past year papers will help understand the difficulty level and the high-weightage JEE Main topics. Candidates can use this information to comprehend the frequently occurring types of questions and develop accuracy.
👉Last 5 years Question Paper of JEE Main With Solutions
Commonly asked questions
The time period required to complete the JEE Main preparation depends mainly on the students. Every student has their own pace of study. Ideally, 6-month time is good enough to complete the JEE Main preparation. Students who have started preparing from class 11 or 12 can easily prepare for JEE Main in 6 months considering the topics of JEE syllabus have already been studied in classes 11 and 12.
JEE Main preparation is most effective with classes 11 and 12 as almost 90-95 percent of topics are similar in both exams. This way students can easily complete the entire JEE Main syllabus as well as the syllabus of classes 11 and 12. After the board exams, students get 1-2 months' time where they can focus entirely on JEE Main. Students who have started late for the JEE Main exam can make a 6-month plan where in the first three months they have to focus on revising the syllabus studied in classes 11 and 12. In the next two months focus on solving questions of JEE Main and analyzing the mistakes being made, if any. The last month should be focused on solving mock tests and JEE Main previous year question papers.
The candidates should master time management and accuracy to be able to score well in the JEE Main exam. Use a strategic approach while solving the questions to be able to score good marks.
A score of 70 marks in JEE Mains is considered average to below-average for General category students. This corresponds to a percentile around 88 to 91.
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How to Avoid Negative Marking in JEE Mains Exam Hall
Till now, we have discussed how to avoid negative marking in JEE Mains during preparation and in the exam. Now we will decode how to attempt the JEE Mains 2026 exam to minimise negative marking in JEE Mains. These methods have been suggested by several JEE Main toppers and coaching experts. To avoid negative marking in the JEE Mains exam, candidates should attempt their exam paper as per the following division:
First 30 Minutes -
- Start with your strongest subject.
- Solve easy and direct questions first to secure sure-shot marks.
- This will help build confidence in solving the questions.
Next 120 Minutes -
- Move to the remaining two subjects.
- Attempt moderate-level questions where you have 70-90% confidence.
- Use elimination techniques if required.
Last 30 Minutes -
- Attempt the tougher/marked-for-review questions.
- Recheck the answer marked.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Guru Nanak Institute of Technology accepts JEE Main scores for admission in BTech programme. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants with WBJEE or CE-AMPAI scores can also get admission in BTech provided they also meet the eligibility criteria.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 days ago
Students who gave the JEE Main session 2 exam and want to take admission at IITs should start preparing for the JEE Advanced exam. Students with a more than 98th percentile should start to study for the JEE Advanced exam.
Those who have secured a percentile between 95th and 98th should focus more on
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
With a JEE Main percentile of 90.94 and CRL rank ~1.4 Lacs (female, general category), you have realistic chances in mid-tier NITs (later rounds), state government colleges, and strong private universities in Tamil Nadu and Bangalore for ECE/EEE. Top NITs/IIITs are unlikely, but good regional option
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
With a JEE Main 2026 rank of 400,510 (≈ 70 percentile), admission to NITs, IIITs, or top GFTIs through JoSAA counseling is not possible.
Why?
- NITs/IIITs/GFTIs Cutoffs:
- Even for lower-demand branches (Civil, Mechanical, Metallurgy), closing ranks are usually within 2–2.5 Lacs (General category).
- Your r
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
| Branch | General Category Closing Rank | OBC/SC/ST Closing Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science (CSE) | ~12,000–15,000 | Up to ~25,000–30,000 | Most competitive branch |
| Information Technology (IT) | ~15,000 | ~28,000–32,000 | Slightly easier than CSE |
| Electronics & Communication (ECE) | ~18,000–20,000 | ~35,000–40,000 | Balanced demand |
| Electrical Engineering | ~20,000–25,000 | ~40,000–50,000 | Moderate demand |
| Mechanical Engineering | ~25,000–30,000 | ~50,000–60,000 | Higher closing ranks |
| Civil Engineering | ~30,000–35,000 | ~60,000–70,000 | Lower demand |
| Other Core (Textile, Metallurgy, Bio-Tech) | ~35,000–40,000 | ~70,000–80,000 | Easier admission |
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
With a JEE Main CRL rank of ~79,364 and an EWS category rank of ~11,884, you have a realistic chance of securing CSE in several mid-tier NITs, newer IIITs, and some GFTIs. Top NITs (Trichy, Surathkal, Warangal, Allahabad) are out of reach, but options like NIT Jalandhar, NIT Hamirpur, IIIT Kota, III
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 (April attempt) result has already been declared by NTA on April 20, 2026. You can download your scorecard from the official portal using your application number and password/date of birth.
Result Date: April 20, 2026 (Session 2).
Official Websites to Check:
jeemain.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
With 90 percentile in JEE Main (OBC-NCL, Female, Home State MP), your chances for B.Tech CSE are quite realistic in MBM Engineering College, Jodhpur (Rajasthan) and other state/NIT options. Let’s break it down:
MBM Engineering College (Jodhpur)
- Admission Route: Rajasthan REAP counseling (based on JEE
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
| NIT | CSE Closing Rank Range | Chance at 98.15 Percentile (~Rank 18,000–22,000) |
|---|---|---|
| NIT Trichy | ~2,000–3,500 | ❌ Not possible |
| NIT Warangal | ~2,500–4,000 | ❌ Not possible |
| NIT Surathkal | ~3,000–5,000 | ❌ Not possible |
| NIT Calicut | ~3,500–5,500 | ❌ Not possible |
| MNIT Jaipur | ~4,000–7,000 | ❌ Not possible (but check Home State quota) |
| VNIT Nagpur | ~5,000–8,000 | ❌ Not possible |
| NIT Rourkela | ~4,500–7,500 | ❌ Not possible |
| MNNIT Allahabad | ~5,500–9,000 | ❌ Not possible |
| NIT Kurukshetra | ~7,000–12,000 | ⚠️ Borderline |
| NIT Jalandhar | ~9,000–15,000 | ✅ Possible |
| NIT Silchar | ~12,000–20,000 | ✅ Strong chance |
| NIT Agartala / Mizoram / Sikkim / Manipur / Srinagar | ~18,000–30,000 | ✅ Very strong chance |
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
LPU JEE Main cutoff for BTech typically sits around 80 percentile for general category, based on recent trends for high-demand branches like CSE. This opens doors to innovative curriculum with strong industry ties, hands-on projects, and solid placement outcomes the highest packages crossing 50 LPA
S
Beginner-Level 1