JEE Main and JEE Advanced Exam Pattern Difference

JEE Main and JEE Advanced Exam Pattern Difference

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Updated on Aug 14, 2026 18:25 IST
If you are preparing for the two exams, then you must know the difference between these two exams. In this article, we are going to discuss the difference between the question paper pattern of JEE Main and JEE Advanced. The article will highlight some of the key differences between the two exams.

JEE Main and JEE Advanced are two different exams with different purposes. Candidates aspiring to appear for the two exams in the ucpoming session can check here JEE Main vs JEE Advanced to know the difference between the two exams.

JEE Main exam pattern vs JEE Advanced exam pattern

JEE Main exam pattern vs JEE Advanced exam pattern

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Exam Pattern 2027: In this page, we check the key differences between the JEE Main paper 1 exam held for BE/BTech admission and the JEE Advanced exam for both paper 1 and 2. By knowing the key differences between the JEE Main and the JEE Advanced pattern, candidates will have a better understanding of what to expect and how to prepare effectively. JEE Main is the level 1 of the IIT admission, and as usual, the level 1 is easier than the level 2, which is the JEE Advanced exam. Although the goal of both exams is the same, that is IIT admission, their nature and difficulty level vary a lot. The aspirants of the upcoming JEE Main 2027 and JEE Advanced 2027 can read this article below to know the major differences between the exam patterns of both exams.

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Table of contents
  • JEE Main vs JEE Advanced: Key Differences Explained
  • JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Pattern
  • JEE Main 2027 Paper Pattern: Key Details
  • JEE Advanced 2027 Exam Pattern: Key Details

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced: Key Differences Explained

Before we check the JEE Main vs JEE Advanced exam pattern, let us check the key differences between the two exams:

Exam conducting body:

Read: JEE Advanced Organising Institute: Know Which IIT will Conduct JEE Advanced 2027, 2028

Purpose of the exams:

  • JEE Main is held at the national level for admission to the NITs, IIITs and the GFTIs. It is also the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced for IIT admissions. The top 2.5 lakh JEE Main candidates get to appear for JEE Advanced for IIT admissions.
  • JEE Advanced is only held for IIT admissions.

Difficulty level:

  • JEE Main focuses on the NCERT syllabus of classes 11 and 12.
  • JEE Advanced also focuses on topics that the students learn in classes 11 and 12; however, it focuses more on applications of the concepts and advanced problem-solving skills.

Eligibility:

  • JEE Main can be taken by class 12 pass or appearing candidates. The candidates who have passed the class XII / equivalent examination in 2025, 2026 or are appearing in 2027, irrespective of their age, can appear in JEE Main 2026 examination. Check the detailed JEE Main eligibility.
  • JEE Advanced 2027 will have an age limit for applying. Additionally, only the top 2.5 lakh candidates from JEE Main become eligible for JEE Advanced. Check the detailed JEE Advanced eligibility.
JEE Advanced Physics Preparation Plan JEE Advanced Maths Preparation Plan
JEE Advanced Topicwise Weightage Last 10 Year  JEE Advanced Chapterwise PYQ PDF Download

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Pattern

Candidates can check the difference between the exam patterns of JEE Main and JEE Advanced in the table below to get a clear picture of how the exam patterns of both exams compare.

Check JEE Main vs JEE Advanced pattern below:

Specifications JEE Main Pattern for Paper 1 (BE/BTech) JEE Advanced Pattern for Paper 1 (BE/BTech) JEE Advanced Pattern for Paper 2 (BE/BTech)
Exam Mode CBT CBT CBT
Subjects Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics
Type of Questions 60 (MCQs having 4 options each with 1 correct option) + 15 (Questions for which the answer is a Numerical Value) MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) and Numerical type Questions MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) and Numerical type Questions
Medium of Exam 13 regional languages along with English & Hindi English and Hindi English and Hindi
Duration of Exam 3 Hours 3 Hours 3 Hours
Total Marks 300 Varies every year Varies every year
Marking Scheme
  • For MCQs: +4 for each correct response; -1 for each incorrect response; Unattempted questions will not be marked.
  • For Non-MCQs: +4 for each correct response, no negative marking for incorrect answers or unattempted questions.
Varies every year Varies every year

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JEE Main 2027 Paper Pattern: Key Details

Key points related to the exam pattern of JEE Main are below:

  • JEE Main (Paper-1) is a three-hour computer-based (online) test which will be conducted in four sessions this year.
  • There will be 75 multiple-choice questions (25 questions each in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics) in the exam. Each question has four options, and only one option is correct.
  • Each subject will have two sections: Section A and Section B. Section A will have Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs), and Section B will contain questions whose answers are to be filled in as a numerical value.
  • Candidates will be awarded four marks for every correct answer, and one mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer. Zero marks will be awarded for unattempted questions.

Subjects in Paper-1 (BTech)

Section-A

Section-B

Question Paper Design

Mathematics

20

5

  • Each subject will have two sections.
  • Section A will be of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs), and Section B will contain Questions whose answers are to be filled in as a numerical value

Physics

20

5

Chemistry

20

5

Total

75

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JEE Advanced 2027 Exam Pattern: Key Details

Key points related to the exam pattern of JEE Advanced are below. Candidates must note that the exam pattern of JEE Advanced 2027 is yet to be released. The details below are as per last year.

  • JEE Advanced 2027 will be held in computer-based mode only. There will be two compulsory papers: Paper-1 and Paper-2.
  • As per the JEE Advanced exam pattern, questions will be of objective type (multiple choice and/or numerical answer type). Questions will be designed to test the academic, comprehensive, reasoning and analytical ability of candidates.
  • According to the JEE Advanced pattern, each question paper will consist of three separate sections, viz., Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
  • Negative marks will be awarded for incorrect answers to some of the questions. Details of the JEE Advanced marking scheme will be provided in the “Instructions to Candidates” section at the time of examination. Candidates can check the negative marking for different types of questions in the table below.
  • As per the JEE Advanced 2027 pattern, the question papers will be in English and Hindi. The candidates will have the option to choose (and also switch between) the preferred language anytime during the examination.

JEE Advanced marking scheme, number of questions and the types of questions asked change every year. These details are made available to the candidates on the exam day itself. Until then, candidates can check below the latest JEE Advanced pattern:

JEE Advanced Paper 1 Exam Pattern

Section Number of questions and Type of questions Marking scheme
1 4 Single Correct MCQs +3 for correct answer, -1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted.
2 3 Multiple Correct MCQs

+4 ONLY if (all) the correct option(s) is(are) chosen

+3 If all the four options are correct but ONLY three options are chosen

+2 If three or more options are correct but ONLY two options are chosen, both of which are correct

+1 If two or more options are correct but ONLY one option is chosen and it is a correct option
0 If none of the options is chosen

−2 In all other cases

3 6 Numerical Answer Type +4 for correct answer, no negative marking.
4 3 Match the Following +4 for fully correct matches, -1 for any incorrect, 0 for unattempted

JEE Advanced Paper 2 Exam Pattern

Section Number of questions and Type of questions Marking scheme
1 4 Single Correct MCQs +3 for correct answer, -1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted.
2 4 Multiple Correct MCQs

+4 ONLY if (all) the correct option(s) is(are) chosen

+3 If all the four options are correct but ONLY three options are chosen

+2 If three or more options are correct but ONLY two options are chosen, both of which are correct

+1 If two or more options are correct but ONLY one option is chosen and it is a correct option
0 If none of the options is chosen

−2 In all other cases

3 8 Numerical Answer Type +4 for correct answer, no negative marking.

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Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is there negative marking in JEE Main?
A: 

Yes, JEE Main exam has negative marking. 1 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer.

Q:   What is the exam pattern of JEE Mains?
A: 

JEE Main 2026 exam pattern has been released by the NTA. As per exam pattern, the JEE Main Paper 1 (BE/B.Tech) exam will consist of 75 questions, 25 each from Physics Chemistry and Mathematics. Out of 25 questions, 20 will be MCQs and 5 will be NAV. Students need to answer all 75 questions. JEE Main paper 2A for B.Arch consists of 77 questions of which 25 are from Mathematics, 50 from General Aptitude and 2 from Drawing. In Paper 2B for BPlan total questions are 100 of which 25 are from Mathematics, 50 from General Aptitude and 25 from Planning.

The question paper will have no internal choices within questions and total duration of exam is 3 hours. 

Q:   What type of questions are asked in JEE Main?
A: 

There are two question types in JEE Main exam. Multiple choice questions and numerical ability questions. In MCQ, every question has 4 options with only 1 correct answer. Select the correct option. In numerical ability question type, no options are there. Solve them and write answer using keyword and mouse.

Q:   Where can I get previous year JEE Main question papers?
A: 

Students can download JEE Main previous year question paper from Shiksha page. Candidates are provided JEE Main previous year question papers from the year 2014 to 2026. The papers can be downloaded as PDF and can be practised to prepare for the exam.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How many questions are asked in JEE Main exam?
A: 

Paper 1 has 75 questions where Physics Chemistry and Mathematics, each section has 25 questions. Out of 25 questions, 20 are MCQs and five are numerical value questions. You must answer all 5 numerical value-type questions. All 20 multiple-choice questions are compulsory. Complete all 75 questions in 3 hours.

Q:   Which mock tests are best for JEE Mains?
A: 

Best free mock tests for JEE Mains are previous year question papers. You can also practice NTA mock tests online at nta.ac.in. All mock tests are designed as per JEE Main syllabus and exam pattern.

Q:   Can I change the language of the question paper during the exam?
A: 

JEE Main question paper is in English, Hindi and language selected when you filled application form. In total, JEE Main is in 13 languages and you can select any language out of available options. You cannot switch language of question paper during exam.

Q:   What subjects are asked in JEE Advanced exam?
A: 

In JEE Advanced exam, questions are asked from:

  1. Maths
  2. Physics
  3. Chemistry

There are two papers in the exam and each paper has questions from these three subjects.

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