JEE Main 2026 vs JEE Advanced 2026 Preparation
Aiming to crack both JEE Main and JEE Advanced? Wondering what it takes to crack these national level engineering exams. Then the answer lies in knowing the difference between preparing for JEE Main and JEE Advanced. The key is the approach. Know more here.
JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation
JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: JEE Main and JEE Advanced are the most important exams for the aspirants aiming to start their journey as an engineer. Candidates who qualify in JEE Main can only appear for JEE Advanced. In 2026, the top 2,50,000 candidates in JEE Main 2026 will be able to register for JEE Advanced. JEE Main leads to admission in NITs, IIITs, CFTIs and many reputed colleges of the nation. While the JEE Advanced qualified candidates can take admission to the IITs.
While comparing the preparation for JEE Advanced and JEE Main, the major difference will lie in these aspects:
- Study material
- Exam nature
- Approach
- Strategy
- Level of dedication
We will look at these points and analyse the differences. This will help you understand how to set your agenda when preparing to crack these exams.
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- JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: The study materials
- JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: Exam nature
- JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: Approach
- JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: Strategy
- JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: Level of dedication
- JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: To Summarise
JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: The study materials
Well, 90% of the study material for JEE Advanced and JEE Main is the same. NCERT is enough to cover the entire syllabus of JEE Main. However, in JEE Advanced, the difficulty level rises. In subjects like physics and mathematics, the questions asked are difficult. Thus, the study materials must be beyond the NCERT.
For JEE Main preparation, study materials must include:
- NCERT books
- Mock tests
- Previous year question papers
- One reference book each for Maths, Physics and Chemistry
For JEE Advanced preparation, study materials must include:
- NCERT books.
- More than one reference book per subject to have access to various types of questions.
- Previous year question papers
- Mock tests
- Study materials of various coaching centres (if accessible)
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JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: Exam nature
The nature of JEE Advanced and JEE Main is very different. JEE Main is a simpler exam that has MCQs and NATs. While JEE Advanced is actually an exam of an advanced level that has a mixture of MCQs, match the following, paragraph-type questions, etc. Also, the negative markings are more in Advanced as compared to JEE Main.
Therefore, the approach to both exams becomes very different while preparing. Candidates must prepare according to the pattern of the exam. Challenge yourself more while preparing for JEE Advanced. Also, keep in mind that the design of the JEE Advanced question paper varies each year.
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JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: Approach
The thought process of a candidate must be different when it comes to solving JEE main level questions and JEE Advanced level questions. This is the game-changer.
| JEE Main |
JEE Advanced |
|---|---|
| In JEE Main, more than 75% of questions in JEE Main are direct questions, as per the experts. Direct questions are memory-based questions and formula-based questions. |
However, in JEE Advanced, the questions are application-based or concept attraction based. Roughly 15% to 20% of questions are direct. |
| Gaining confidence in solving JEE Main-level questions is easy. This can be gained by practice. |
However, gaining confidence to solve the JEE Advanced-level question is not easy. It can be achieved if candidates practice a lot of previous years' question papers and mock tests right from the start of their preparation. |
| JEE Main questions are easy to solve and can be solved quickly. |
JEE Advanced level questions require patience and a cool state of mind. |
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JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: Strategy
Strategy to prepare for JEE Main: It is simple, to prepare for Mains, candidates have to revise their 10+2 syllabus, cover the entire NCERT chapters and questions, solve past year's question papers and take a lot of mock tests to acquire speed and accuracy.
Strategy to prepare for JEE Advanced: It is not as simple as the JEE Main preparation strategy. There are some additional steps to follow. This includes solving various kinds of questions. This means candidates must solve as many questions from various books, mock tests and of course, past year question papers. ‘Various kinds of questions’ here indicates solving questions where the same concept is applicable but the approach is different.
Note the following points:
- Focus on the preparation of JEE Advanced while you prepare for JEE Main. If you can solve the JEE Advanced level questions, then the preparation of JEE Main can be easily cracked.
- Focusing on JEE Advanced preparation from the start will fetch you a good rank in JEE Main for sure, even if the rank is not up to the mark in the Advanced exam. This will ensure that you land in either NIT, IIIT, or any CFTI for sure.
JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: Level of dedication
Finally, the level of dedication in the candidates aiming to crack JEE Advanced is much higher than candidates who only want to crack JEE Main. JEE Advanced level of preparation requires commitment from the candidates. To crack JEE Advanced, a regimen is to be followed dedicatedly.
JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: To Summarise
Now, to have an overview of the differences between JEE Advanced and JEE Main preparation, check the table below.
| JEE Main Preparation |
JEE Advanced Preparation |
|---|---|
| A direct approach is needed to solve the question. |
The approach to solving questions is conceptual and application-based. |
| NCERT is enough to score well in JEE Main. |
Candidates have to go beyond just NCERT to crack this exam. |
| The preparation level needed is moderate, as the exam pattern is quite simple. Candidates have to solve the familiar type of questions like the MCQs and NATs. |
In Advanced, candidates have to increase their level of preparation and have to be ready to solve questions that are MCQs, NATs, Match the following, paragraph-based, etc. |
| The confidence level must be good to solve JEE Main level questions. |
Confidence-building is difficult while solving the JEE Advanced-level questions. However, it can be achieved by regular preparation over a period of time. |
| Study materials can be limited to NCERT, mock tests, and previous year question papers |
Study materials must include NCERT, mock tests, previous year question papers, sample papers, and reference books. |
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The syllabus of JEE Main is similar to class 11 and 12. However, some topics may be extra in JEE Main syllabus which are not covered in class 11 or 12. Students preparing for the JEE Main exam need to study as per the official syllabus which is released by the NTA. Also, students can follow NCERT textbooks as the base for studying the syllabus of JEE Main.