JEE Main vs JEE Advanced: Difference in Exam Pattern 2026 Session
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 vs JEE Advanced: In this page, we check the key differences between the JEE Main paper 1 exam held for BE/BTech admission and the JEE Advanced paper 1 exam. 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 2026 and JEE Advanced 2026 can read this article below to know the major differences between the exam patterns of both exams.
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- JEE Main vs JEE Advanced: Key Differences Explained
- JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Pattern
- JEE Main 2026 Paper Pattern: Key Details
- JEE Advanced 2026 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:
- JEE Main is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
- JEE Advanced is held by one of the IITs rotationally.
Read: JEE Advanced Organising Institute: Know Which IIT will Conduct JEE Advanced 2026, 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 2024, 2025 or are appearing in 2026, irrespective of their age, can appear in JEE Main 2026 examination. Check the detailed JEE Main eligibility.
- JEE Advanced has 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 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:
No, NTA has not announced any change in JEE Main 2026 exam pattern. However, NTA made changes in JEE Main exam pattern in 2025. As per the current JEE exam pattern, the total number of questions in JEE Main Paper 1 (BE/BTech) are 75, 25 each from Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Also, there are no optional question in section B in any subject. Students will need to answer all 5 questions in section B from all three subjects. The marking scheme and total marks remain the same.
The exam pattern of JEE Main 2026 has not been announced yet. As per the current exam pattern, the Paper 1 exam has 75 questions, 25 each from Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. In Paper 2A and 2B, the total number of questions are 77 and 100, respectively. The total marks of JEE Main Paper 1 is 300, for Paper 2A and 2B its 400.
| 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 |
|
Varies every year | Varies every year |
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JEE Main 2026 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 90 multiple-choice questions (30 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.
- In Section B, candidates have to attempt any five questions out of 10. There will be no negative marking for Section B.
- 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 |
10 |
|
| Physics |
20 |
10 |
|
| Chemistry |
20 |
10 |
|
| Total |
105 |
||
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JEE Advanced 2026 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 2026 is yet to be released. The details below are as per last year.
- JEE Advanced 2026 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 2026 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 2025 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 −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 2025 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 −2 In all other cases |
| 3 | 8 Numerical Answer Type | +4 for correct answer, no negative marking. |
JEE Main 2026 exam pattern will be released soon by the NTA. As per the previous year 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.
JEE Main numerical value questions have the following marking scheme
- Correct Answer: +4 Marks
- Incorrect Answer: -1 Marks
- Not attempted: 0 Marks
Numerical value questions are the questions for which the answer is a numerical value (integer).
There has been no update on any changes in the JEE Advanced 2026 attempt limits. If any changes are to be made in the attempt limit, the same will be officially notified at jeeadv.ac.in. Currently, the JEE Advanced attempt limit is twice in two consecutive years.
Yes, JEE Main exam has negative marking provision. As per the current exam pattern of JEE Main, 4 marks is awarded for every correct answer, while 1 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer.