JEE Main 2020 Preparation Tips: A Complete Guide

Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) Main 2026 ( JEE Main )

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22 Jul '26 - 18 Aug '26

Updated on Aug 24, 2020 17:33 IST
Read this article to know about the preparation tips and strategy for the JEE Main 2020 April attempt which includes exam pattern, syllabus, take mock test and practice of previous year JEE Main question papers.

Here is all you need to know about JEE Main 2020 preparation tips for the April attempt which includes JEE Main 2020 pattern, syllabus, best books, preparation tips and previous year JEE Main questions papers.

JEE MAIN IMAGE

While preparing for the JEE Main 2020 April attempt, candidates must prepare a smart plan or strategy for a fruitful outcome. The basic plan to prepare for the JEE Main exam includes a proper strategy, hours an aspirant devote while studying, accurate study material, quality mock tests and previous year JEE Main question papers.

National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the JEE Main exam in two sessions i.e in January and April. While the JEE Main 2020 January session was held from January 6-11 and for the same admit card has been released by the exam conducting body. The JEE Main 2020 April session was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak and nationwide lockdown in the country. It will now be conducted on September 1-6.

JEE Main 2020 Latest News & Updates

  • August 21: JEE Main 2020 to be held as per scheduled dates, confirmed NTA. Read more.
  • August 17: JEE Main 2020 admit card has been released on the official website. Read more
  • August 17: Supreme Court rejects the petition seeking postponement of JEE Main 2020. Read more
  • August 16: JEE Main admit card 2020 delayed, NTA likely to release JEE Main 2020 admit card on August 17. Read more

National Testing Agency (NTA) has released JEE Main 2020 admit card on August 17 on the official website. The JEE Main admit card 2020 has been released 15 days prior to the exam.

Candidates planning to appear in the JEE Main 2020 April session must start preparing from now on for better results. To start with candidates should first complete their JEE Main syllabus suggested by the NTA and then they can move on to the revision part. For the revision, candidates can solve and practice previous year papers and taking JEE Main mock tests.  Read the article below to know the preparation strategy for the JEE Main exam:

In the article below, we will help you know various aspects of JEE Main 2020 preparation tips for BTech exam and covering the following related topics:

  • The right time to start preparing for JEE Main 2020
  • JEE Main exam pattern & syllabus
  • Sections wise JEE Main preparation strategy
  • Best books for JEE Main preparation
  • Importance of JEE Main mock test
  • Tips to prepare in lockdown for JEE Main 2020
  • JEE Main prep-tips, plan & strategies
Table of contents
  • The right time to start preparing for JEE Main 2020
  • JEE Main 2020 exam pattern
  • JEE Main 2020 syllabus
  • Sections wise JEE Main preparation strategy
  • Best books for JEE Main Preparation 2020
  • Tips to prepare for JEE Main 2020
  • JEE Main 2020 Preparation tips & strategies
  • FAQs regarding JEE Main Preparation
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The right time to start preparing for JEE Main 2020

According to the experts, candidates appearing for the JEE Main entrance examination should start preparing for their exam as early as possible and also they can do it along with their board exams. This will be considered as an ideal choice as preparing along with the boards will help the candidates to understand topics and concepts in a better way. However, many students prefer to start preparing for the exam right after their pre-boards. So, it always depends on the individual's ability, dedication and how sound is their preparation plan.

For all the JEE Main aspirants, it is very important to know - how long to study for or how much to study? But the other important aspect that they must know is how to study. Each candidate needs to understand and develop a clear concept before they begin their preparation for the JEE Main entrance exam. Once they know how to study, the next step would be to focus on how much of the syllabus can they cover in a given time frame. Aspirants must devote their last three months to mock tests and solving previous year papers. This way, they will have a good hand of speed and accuracy required to solve the JEE Main questions.

JEE Main 2020 exam pattern

The exam pattern for the JEE Main is objective type and there will be negative marking in case of wrong answers. So, candidates need to be 100 percent correct while selecting the options or marking answers. All the candidates, therefore, are advised to avoid guesswork as it might not work when solving JEE Main question paper. Read the table to know about the JEE Main exam pattern:

JEE Main 2019 Exam Pattern Highlights

Particulars

Paper 1

Paper 2

Exam mode

Online

·         Online (Mathematics and Aptitude)

·         Offline (Drawing test)

Number of sections

Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics

Drawing, Mathematics and Aptitude

Duration of exam

3 hours (180 minutes); 60 minutes per section

3 hours (180 minutes); 60 minutes per section

Number of questions

70

77 questions

Type of questions

MCQs

Mathematics and Aptitude: MCQ

Drawing: Questions to test drawing and sketching skills

Total Marks

300 marks

400 marks

Language of paper

English, Hindi and Gujarati (Aspirant’s from Gujarat, Daman & Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli can opt for Gujarati as well)

 

English, Hindi and Gujarati (Aspirant’s from Gujarat, Daman & Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli can opt for Gujarati as well)

 

JEE Main Marking scheme

+4 marks for the correct answer; -1 mark for the incorrect answer

+4 marks for the correct answer; -1 mark for an incorrect answer

Check the JEE Main 2020 exam pattern in detail

JEE Main 2020 syllabus

National Testing Agency released the syllabus for the JEE Main April 2020 exam last year. Questions asked in the entrance exam are from the prescribed syllabus released by the exam authorities. Questions will have categories as some intelligence and the ability to apply concepts. They might seem out of JEE Main syllabus but surely they are not. Students are advised not to go beyond the exam syllabus as the JEE Main syllabus itself is very exhaustive and covers almost all the aspects of the exam. 

Once the candidate has covered the entire exam syllabus, he/she needs to focus on some of the important topics that have heavy weightage in the JEE Main question paper. Keep the focus on the important topics that will surely increase your chances of scoring high. Take a look at the enlisted important topics for JEE Main April 2020 exam:

Subjects

Important topics

Physics

Electromagnetism, Rotation, Magnetism, SHM, Modern Physics, Current electricity, Newton’s laws of motion, Oscillation and sound, Heat and Thermodynamics

Chemistry

Gaseous state, Chemical kinetics, General organic chemistry, Reactions of benzene, Ores and metallurgy, Qualitative analysis

Mathematics

Algebra, Trigonometry, Analytical geometry, Differential calculus, Integral calculus, Vectors

Sections wise JEE Main preparation strategy

The question paper of the JEE Main entrance exam comprises three sections – Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. All the sections in the questions paper have their own importance and are equally important and therefore, all the candidates must cover the syllabus for all the sections. Given below are some tips on section-wise JEE Main preparation 2020:

JEE Main Physics Preparation Tips

Questions based on physics are all about concepts and logic and these sections become tougher especially when the questions start getting more conceptual. Physics is also feared by a lot of candidates of the JEE Main entrance exam and most of them give up on this section very soon. So due to this reason, candidates must know the difficulty level and weightage of various topics. 

Also Read: Physics for JEE Main

JEE Main Chemistry Preparation Tips

Questions based on chemistry subject is generally ignored by a lot of aspirants because it involves a lot of memorization. However, if it is studied in the right manner, concepts in chemistry are quite intuitive and logical. Solving queries of this subject require a balance of analytical and memorization skills. 

Chemistry is also divided into three units – Physical chemistry, Organic chemistry and Inorganic chemistry. Questions in physical chemistry are purely analytical, inorganic chemistry has questions that require memorization while organic chemistry has questions that often form a balance between the two.

Also Read: Chemistry for JEE

JEE Main Mathematics Preparation Tips

To prepare for this section requires a lot of practice and mathematics for JEE is said to have an exhaustive syllabus as it has a countless number of topics. Also, mathematics syllabus differs for JEE Main, Advanced and board exams and it becomes extremely difficult for the aspirants to manage the subject altogether. So, play smart and try to focus more on most scoring topics. 

Also Read: Mathematics for JEE Main

Best books for JEE Main Preparation 2020

An exam preparation depends upon the kind of books you study from, so take a look at the list of best books for JEE Main:

Best books for JEE Main Physics

Book

Author

Mechanics Part 1 & 2

 

D.C. Pandey

 

Understanding Physics for JEE Main & JEE Advanced Waves & Thermodynamics

Understanding Physics Electricity Magnetism

Best books for JEE Main chemistry

Book

Author

Organic Chemistry

Morrison & Boyd/ Solomon and Fryhle

A Guide to Mechanism in Organic Chemistry

Peter Sykes

Concise Inorganic Chemistry

J.D. Lee

Text Books for Inorganic Chemistry for Competitions

O.P. Tondon

Best books for JEE Main mathematics

Book

Author

Differential Calculus for IIT-JEE

Amit Agarwal

Integral Calculus for IIT-JEE

Calculus and Analytical Geometry

Thomas and Finney

Problems in Calculus of One Variable

I.A. Maron

Tips to prepare for JEE Main 2020

Now that HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank announced the fresh schedule for JEE Main entrance exam, candidates can start their preparation at a fast pace. But as we all know our country is facing a lockdown due to the Coronavirus then what's next in the plate? Students need to continue preparing for the JEE Main Entrance Test 2020. Candidates can study through online classes and they must not miss any of the live sessions by the experts.

They can also watch JEE Main videos online but attending a live class will have the expertise to answer their on the spot queries and its fun at the same time. Taking online classes is an engaging task if done with concentration. Try not to distract yourself in between the class and be attentive. Candidates can raise queries and ask questions/doubts as this is the only way to score a good rank.

JEE Main 2020 Preparation tips & strategies

Have a look at some of the on JEE Main preparation strategy shared by JEE Main 2019 toppers. The articles will have details such as their study plan, time table, approach to the question paper, and exam day tips.

JEE Main 2020 Topper Interview: Know how Chagari Koushal Kumar Reddy scored 100 percentile JEE Main topper 2020; Divyanshu Agarwal from Hisar secured 100 percentile (Exclusive)
JEE Main topper 2020; Nishant Agarwal from Delhi secured 100 percentile JEE Main 2020 Topper: Know how Landa Jitendra scored 100 percentile

JEE Main 2019 Topper Interview (January Exam): Dhruv Arora from Indore secures 100 percentile

JEE Main 2019 Prep: 100 percentiler Himanshu Singh shares success mantra

JEE Main 2019 Topper Interview: Parvik Dave emerges Gujarat state topper

FAQs regarding JEE Main Preparation

Q. Can I crack JEE in 10 days?

A. 10 days are sufficient enough to revise the entire syllabus only. One can't expect to crack the exam like JEE Main with a preparation of 10 days only.

Q. Can an average student crack IIT?

A. Yes, an average student can absolutely crack IIT JEE provided he/she is ready to work hard with consistency.

Q. How many hours should a JEE aspirant study?

A. Most experts recommend that students study for at least six hours a day or 42 hours a week or so (excluding the time they spend on coaching classes) to prepare adequately for the JEE.

Q. Is one year sufficient for IIT preparation?

A. One year is enough to crack IIT JEE if you study consistently and effectively. Determine an effective study goal and put 100% efforts on it to achieve the dream of cracking IIT JEE.

Q. What is a good rank in JEE?

A. In order to secure admission in IIITs through JEE Main, the good score for the same can around 70-80 percentile.

Q. Is 96 percentile in JEE Mains good?

A. Yes, 96 percentile is good enough to get a good college or branch through JEE Main.

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Answered 23 hours ago

Sorry, but even under the SC category, securing a seat in an NIT with a JEE Main CRL rank of 632000 is not possible.

A

Akanksha Yadav

Contributor-Level 8

Answered Yesterday

The rank needed for admission to the BTech course would depend on the course, round and branch you are applying for. For the General HS category, the Round 2 cutoff was 770798 for the BTech CSE course. So, this category students need a rank of at least 770798 to be considered eligible for admission.

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Yes, several colleges convert a good JEE Main percentile directly into a fee waiver. Graphic Era's GECET-linked scholarships and UPES's merit scholarships can cut your fees by up to 50%. This makes originally expensive private colleges much more affordable for high scorers, so it's worth applying ev

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

No, JEE Main is not required to get admission in BTech at Rajalakshmi Engineering College. Admissions under the government quota rely primarily on Class 12 marks through TNEA counseling. However, JEE Main scores may be considered for admission.

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

Yes, most Coimbatore colleges, including PSG Tech, Karunya, and Kumaraguru, primarily admit students through TNEA counselling, which is based on Class 12 merit rather than JEE Main. JEE Main is mainly relevant if you're targeting government institutes like NITs. So a strong Class 12 score alone can

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

No, I don't think you can get into B.Tech EEE at Ajay Kumar Garg Engineering College, Ghaziabad with JEE Main rank of 5,30,000 as General, non-UP domicile candidate. Typically, closing rank for EEE close much earlier around 3,00,00.

A

Akanksha Yadav

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 3 days ago

Absolutely. Unlike government colleges with very tight cutoffs, most private engineering colleges in UP admit students across a wide score range, and several also accept students without a JEE Main score at all. Your branch choice and college reputation still matter, but private colleges generally o

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

No, JEE Main is not mandatory for BTech admission to SVSU Meerut. While JEE Main scores are accepted for BTech application, students can qualify directly through the university's SNET examination or Class 12 merit.

A

Al Kashaf

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a week ago

No, JEE Main has not been mentioned as an accepted entrance exam for BTech at GLA University.

Candidates who want to apply for BTech at this institute must appear in their own entrance exam called GLAET. 

Admissions are based solely on scores obtained in this exam along with performance in PI rounds.

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Yes, along with the CUET UG score, DIT Dehradun also select students based on JEE Main and on the merit of Class 12. On-campus admission counselling is conducted by the university, for which 25% of seats are reserved for Uttarakhand candidates who have scored 95% or above in Class 12. Direct admissi

...Read more

R

Rashmi Sinha

Contributor-Level 10