IIT JAM Exam Analysis 2026 (OUT): Check Subject-wise JAM Paper Analysis (Slot 1 & 2), Difficulty Level, Weightage

Indian Institute of Technology Joint Admission Test for MSc 2026 ( IIT JAM )

DeskCalelnderResult - 20 Mar '26

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma
Updated on Feb 16, 2026 09:33 IST

By Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

IIT JAM 2026 exam analysis is available now. IIT JAM 2026 exam analysis is based on students' and experts' reactions. This analysis covers the JAM exam 2026 overall difficulty level, distributions of questions, and high-weightage topics. IIT JAM exam analysis 2026 also helps in understanding the expected cutoff based on paper difficulty.

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay conducted the Joint Admission Test for Masters (JAM) on February 15, 2026, in two sessions for three hours. IIT JAM 2026 was moderate to difficult level. Check the page for details analysis of IIT JAM 2026 exam.

 

Table of contents
  • IIT JAM Exam 2026 Analysis
  • IIT JAM 2026 Exam Pattern
  • IIT JAM 2026 Marking Scheme
  • IIT JAM 2026: Highlights
  • IIT JAM 2026 Analysis FAQs
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IIT JAM Exam 2026 Analysis

As IIT Bombay is the examination conducting body of the JAM 2026 exam, candidates go through the following analysis on the overall exam difficulty level is on a moderate level. Conceptual questions were asked in the exam where the candidate's analytical and abstract thinking of the applied subject was put to the test.

IIT JAM Chemistry Subject Analysis

The chemistry paper was conducted in the morning shift from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Based on students' reaction the overall difficulty level was easy to moderate. The paper was lengthy, according to a few students. Questions were mostly direct but time-consuming. MCQs were doable. The topics wise dificulty level is provided below.

Physical Chemistry difficulty level

This section of chemistry was difficult and lengthy. Calculative question, but formulas-based. Questions were based on first order kinetics, quantum chemistry LMCT energy.

Inorganic Chemistry difficulty level

This section was easy to moderate. Questions were easy to moderate. Questions were based on Coordination chemistry, Diborane reaction, and bond angle questions.

Inorganic Chemistry difficulty level

This part was of moderate to tough level. Also, less scoring compared to organic. 

 IIT JAM 2026 Chemistry: Subject Weightage

The IIT JAM chemistry subject-wise weightage and difficulty level are as follows:

Topics Weightage Difficulty Level
Physical Chemistry 35 Moderate
Organic Chemistry 35 Moderate to Tough
Inorganic Chemistry 30 Tough
Overall 100 Moderate to Tough

IIT JAM 2026 Mathematics Subject Weightage and Difficulty Level

According to the students' reactions Maths paper was calculative and difficult. 2 question were based on binomial and 2 on permutation. 4 questions were of a moderately difficult level in MSQs. The cutoff for IIT JAM Maths is expected to be between 12 and 14.5.

Sections

Number of Questions

Difficulty level

Section A

10

Difficult

20

Section B

10

Moderate to Difficult

Section C

10

Moderate to Difficult

 

10

Overall 

 

 

IIT JAM 2026 Physics Analysis

  • According to the students, Physics was tough compared to other subjects. Questions were based on conceptual depth and numerical intensity. 
  • NAT section was tough. It required calculations and conceptual understanding.
  • Physics question were based on Modern Physics, Quantum Physics, LCR circuits, Thermodynamics, Optics, Polarisation, DC, Co-ordination system, vector analysis and spatial reasoning, transistor, electronics, zener diode, and opaque.
  • Students with basic concepts, strong preparation, and time management can score good marks.

IIT JAM 2026 Exam Analysis: Geology Subject Difficulty Level

The IIT JAM 2026 Geology section-wise difficulty is as follows:

Section

Difficulty Level

Section A

Easy to moderate

Section B

Easy to moderate

Section C

Easy to moderate

Overall 

Moderate

 

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IIT JAM 2026 Exam Pattern

The table below brings the structure of the IIT JAM 2026 exam.

Section

Type of Questions

No of Question

A

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Each question has four choices with one correct answer.

30

B

Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)

Each question has four choices with one or more correct answers.

10

C

Numerical Answer Type (NAT)

The answer for each question is a signed real number that needs to be entered using the virtual numeric keypad on the monitor. No choices will be shown for these questions.

20

Total

60

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IIT JAM 2026 Marking Scheme

Number of questions and the corresponding marks allotted to them are as listed in the table below: 

Section

No. of Questions

Marks for Each Correct Answer

A

10 MCQs

1 mark each

20 MCQs

2 marks each

B

10 MSQs

2 marks each

C

10 NAT Questions

1 mark each

10 NAT Questions

2 marks each

The negative marking scheme is as follows:

Section A: For each wrong answer to a one-mark question, 1/3 mark is deducted. On the other hand, for each wrong answer to two-mark questions, 2/3 marks will be deducted. There is no negative marking for any questions left unanswered.

Section B: There is no negative marking in this section. Also, there is no partial marking provision in this section.

Section C: There is no negative marking in this section, as well.

It is expected that the pattern and difficulty level of the exam will be similar to last year. IIT JAM 2026 analysis for subjects and student reactions will be provided on this page after each session. Till then, candidates can go through last year IIT JAM analysis to get an overview of the exam.

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IIT JAM 2026: Highlights

Below are the important details about the exam.

Particulars

Details

Mode of Exam

Online (Computer-based mode)

Duration

3 Hours

Language of Paper

English

Subjects

Biotechnology (BL), Chemistry (CY), Economics (EN), Geology (GG), Mathematics (MA), Mathematical Statistics (MS), and Physics (PH)

Type of Questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT)

Number of Questions

60

Total Marks

100

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IIT JAM 2026 Analysis FAQs

Here are some frequenlty asked questions on IIT JAM 2026 exam analysis:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is IIT JAM Shift 2 exam difficulty level?
A: 

Students can check the experience of previous year students who gave IIT JAM exam:

Khushi: IIT JAM Biotechnology exam difficulty level was moderate. In Biology questions from Immunology, Genetics, Recombinant DNA Technology topics were asked. In sections, i.e., NAT, both from physics and mathematics questions were asked. Section A and B was comparatively easy than Section C.

Sudarshan: IIT JAM Economics subject exam difficulty level was easier than last year. Some direct questions were asked from liquidity preference money supply and few were asked from consumer and supplier chain product.

Q:   What is IIT JAM Biotechnology Exam difficulty level?
A: 

As of previous year, the Biotechnology paper was also of moderate to tough difficulty level. A few questions were direct and easy to answer. Molecular Biology and Cell Biology had the maximum number of questions. A few questions were really easy to answer while some required theoretical knowledge. Molecular Biology and Cell Biology had the maximum number of questions.

Q:   What is IIT JAM Economics Exam Difficulty level?
A: 

The exam difficulty level as compared from previous year was easy, however, the questions came this year were quite lengthy. NAT type questions took longer time to solve. In macroeconomics, ISLM had the maximum weightage and many questions were there on matrices. The IIT JAM Economics cut off will be higher than last year cut off.

Q:   What is IIT JAM subject wise cut off?
A: 

Caniddates can go through the JAM subject wise cut off from here:

SubjectCut-Off Marks
GENOBC-NCL / EWSSC / ST / PwD
Biotechnology (BT)44.4640.0122.23
Chemistry (CY)25.3822.8412.69
Economics (EN)24.6422.1712.32
Mathematics (MA)11.2210.095.61
Mathematical Statistics (MS)23.0320.7211.51
Geology (GG)33.0929.7816.54
Physics (PH)19.6317.669.81

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IIT JAM Exam

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Answered a week ago

The authority will announce the IT JAM counselling date 2026 online. Candidates with a valid JAM score can participate in the counselling process. IIT JAM counselling process comprises registration, choice filling, seat allotment, seat acceptance and reporting to the allotted institutes.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

The authority will release the IIT JAM opening and closing ranks 2026 online at jam2026.iitb.ac.in. Candidates whose rank in IIT JAM is within the opening and closing ranks are eligible for admission to the participating institutes.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

The authority will announce the IIT JAM 2026 counselling dates online. Candidates can check the counselling dates to know the schedule for registration, choice filling, seat allotment, and reporting to college.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

IIT JAM 2026 cutoff for Chemistry is expected to be 

  • GEN: 27
  • OBC (NCL) / EWS:25
  • SC/ ST/PwD:24

The final cutoff for IIT JAM 2026 will be released along with result.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

A score above 75 is considered a good score.  75 marks will help to obtain a rank between 1 and 80. This mark will help to get admission to IIT JAM participating institutes.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

IIT Bombay will release the IIT JAM 2026 cutoff online. JAM cutoff is the minimum qualifying marks. Candidates can check the score card of IIT JAM to know the qualifying marks for each category.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

IIT JAM question paper comprises 60 questions for 100 marks. The question paper has three sections. Section A has 30 multiple-choice questions. There are 10 multiple select questions in Section B. Section C has 20 numerical answer-type questions.  Negative marking is done for Section A.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Joint Admission Test for Master is conducted for admission to the MSc / MSc (Tech) /M.S (Research) / M.Sc. - M.Tech. Dual Degree /  Joint M.Sc. - Ph.D / M.Sc. - Ph.D. Dual Degree and Integrated Ph.D programmes in the top institutes. Students who qualify the IIT JAM exam can get admission to IITs, II

...Read more

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Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

IIT Bombay released the response sheet for IIT JAM 2026 on February 18, 2026. Students have to access the JOAPS portal to download IIT JAM 2026 response sheet.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

IIT Bombay has released the answer key for all seven papers. Students who appeared for IIT JAM exam must download the answer key for their respective test paper.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

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