Last minute preparation tips for IIT JAM 2024

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

DeskCalelnderCounselling - 27 Mar '26 - 15 Apr '26

Manisha
Manisha Kumari
Associate Senior Executive
Updated on Feb 2, 2025 01:30 IST
IIT JAM is a highly competitive entrance exam and aspirants need to have an action plan in place to score well in this science entrance exam. Some key points that aspirants need to keep in mind while formulating the IIT JAM preparation strategy include knowing the exam pattern and syllabus, referring to the right books and study materials.

With a couple of days remaining for IIT JAM 2024 exam, give your exam preparation a major boost with these last-minute preparation tips for IIT JAM 2024.

Last minute preparation tips for IIT JAM 2020

After a long preparation for IIT JAM, the time has come when you put your knowledge to test. During these last few days, before the exam, time management and revision are two key factors that can take you notches up in the Joint Admission Test. You must have had sleepless nights, missed family time, skipped meals, etc. to ensure that you perform well in the exam. To convert all your hard work into a success story, you must consider following last minute preparation tips for IIT JAM:

Also Read: IIT JAM 2024 Answer Key Analysis Live: Check Subject Wise Answer Key, Exam Analysis, Result Date

IIT JAM 2024 Question Paper Analysis & Expected Cut off for All Subjects

This year IIT JAM exam can be considered as comparatively Moderate to Difficult. The IIT JAM 2024 questions from sections A & B were easy and difficult for section C. The cutoff might be less in comparison to last year.  

This year, the exam will be conducted in 100 cities across India in two slots. Around six lakh candidates are expected to take the test. The competition level would be high and you need to be completely prepared for the exam day and not lose out in the last minute preparation. Here we bring the last-minute preparation tips for IIT JAM.

IIT JAM 2024 Last-Minute Preparation Tips

The section below brings a list of tips that are not just related to studies, but practical aspects as well. 

1. Revision: Isn’t it annoying when you learn something by heart and end up forgetting the concept on the day of the exam? It usually happens when you do not revise your subjects, especially a few days before the exam. The best way to revise any topic is to solve as many questions as possible related to it.

2. Attempt sample papers and previous year question papers of IIT JAM: Solving a question paper of the previous year will not only boost your confidence level but also help you know the frequently asked questions. With a couple of days still to go, you can easily attempt at least two to three question papers. Devote the remaining time to work on your areas.

Also Read: IIT JAM Previous Years' Question Papers

3. Find out your areas of improvement: As you revise your notes and solve IIT JAM sample papers, you may come across a few areas where you still lack consistency or clarity. To remove your weak points, go through the notes again and try solving questions of various difficulty levels.

4. Do not start fresh topics: New topics can be read when you started the preparation. Now, during the last time of preparation, if you will start a fresh topic it will add more confusion. The smarter way is to focus on the important topics to score better. Also, solve questions related to these topics.

Also Read: IIT JAM 2024 Chapter Wise Weightage; Know Important Topics 

5. Do exam rehearsal with a timer set: To practice well and increase your speed and accuracy, practice rehearsal test. Find a peaceful place and start attempting sample paper questions or mock test questions. Set the timer of 3 hours and try to answer all the questions in this limit.

6. If you can manage your time well, you will get enough time to work on your weak areas. Do not waste time in watching TV or plan a day out with friends as every minute counts from here onward. Students should prepare a small pocket notebook and note down important formulas, definitions, graphs, diagrams, etc. and carry it along wherever you go.

7. Stay ready with IIT JAM Admit card along with necessary documents: Take out the hard copy of the admit card of IIT JAM on an A4 size sheet. Along with the admit card, you also need to carry the following documents:

  • Two passport size photographs
  • An original copy of photo identity proof (preferably Aadhar card/ PAN card/ Driving License/ Voter ID)
  • Travel pass issued by IIT Guwahati

8. It is often said that ‘A healthy mind resides in a healthy body, which in fact is possibly the most crucial factor that helps you maximise your performance. Students must meditate and do light exercises to stay in good shape. They should also avoid eating junk food any health problem during exam time can prevent you from performing your best in the exam.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How to select IIT JAM exam city?
A: 

Candidates had to select the IIT JAM exam centre city while filling out the application form. They had to enter as many as two exam cities in preferred order. The final decision is made by the exam authorities.

Candidates have to follow the steps given below to select the exam city of JAM 2026:

 1. Visit the JAM 2026 website.

2. In the Exam City Preference section of the JAM 2026 application form, select three cities in preferential order.

3. Complete the application process by paying the requisite application fee. The exam city preference can be changed during the application correction window.

Q:   What are the IIT JAM 2025 Scorecard Tie Breaking Rules?
A: 

The tie-breaking criteria for awarding the ranks to candidates scoring the same aggregate marks in a Test Paper will be as follows:
Lower negative marks, followed by NAT marks, then MSQ marks, then score in 2 marks questions, and then score in 2 marks NAT. Subsequently, if there is a tie, then DOB would be used, where, the older candidate gets better rank.
For each Test Paper, an All India Merit List will be prepared based on AIR. The number of candidates included in the All India Merit List will depend on the total number of seats available in each category (GEN/ OBC-NCL/ EWS/ SC/ ST/ PwD) in a given subject. These candidates (henceforth called Qualified Candidates) are eligible to apply for admission to any of the corresponding academic programmes.

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About IIT JAM 2024

The Joint Admission Test was concluded on February 2, 2025, in multiple shifts for admissions to MSc and Integrated PhD programmes offered at IITs and other participating institutes. The exam was conducted in computer-based mode (CBT) for seven subjects which are Biotechnology (BT), Chemistry (CY), Economics (EN), Geology (GG), Mathematics (MA), Mathematical Statistics (MS) and Physics (PH).

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Manisha Kumari
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Being a post-graduate and BEd degree holder, I'm an innovative, task-driven and immensely motivated science enthusiast, making me a passionate content writer. I love providing meaningful and constructive articles in Read Full Bio
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Answered 4 hours ago

Yes, BSc students are eligible for IIT JAM 2026. They have to complete their graduation or must be in the final year of graduation while applying for JAM. Admisison is offered to M.Sc., M.Sc. (Tech.), MS (Research), M.Sc. - M.Tech. Dual Degree, Joint M.Sc. - Ph.D., M.Sc. - Ph.D. Dual Degree, and Int

...Read more

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Students who have a score above the JAM qualifying cutoff and are mentioned in the merit list can apply for the counselling process. The counselling will be held online. JAM counselling schedules are available online.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

IIT JAM 2026 counselling will be held in four rounds, followed by an additional round. Students need to fill the form at the JOAPS portal to participate in the JAM counselling process.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

The authority has released the JAM qualifying marks online. Candidates can check cutoff to know the minimum passing marks in each paper. IIT JAM qualifying marks for Economics are mentioned below.

  • GEN -40.63
  • OBC-NCl / EWs -36.56
  • SC/ST/PwD - 20.31

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

IIT JAM 2026 cutoff was released on March 21, 2026. Candidates can check the cutoff at official website. This is the qualifying cutoff. Candidates who score above the IIT JAM qualifying cutoff can participate in the counselling process.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

IIT JAM 2026 qualifying cutoff for GEN category vary category wise. Check the table for the JAM qualifying cutoff subject-wise.

Subject Name

GEN Cutoff

Biotechnology

42.3

Chemistry

18.65

Economics

40.63

Geology

25.98

Mathematics

12.65

Mathematics Statistics

13.33

Physics

12.04

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Below is the qualifying cutoff for IIT JAM OBC category.

Subject Name

OBC (NCL) / EWS

Biotechnology

38.07

Chemistry

16.78

Economics

36.56

Geology

23.38

Mathematics

11.38

Mathematics Statistics

11.99

Physics

10.83

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

Based on past years exam analysis, IIT JAM is moderately difficult. The questions in the JAM exam are conceptually based. Candidates need to keep their concepts clear and practice JAM question papers regularly for better performance in the exam.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

IIT JAM counselling process is mentioned below.

  • Go to IIT JAM 20266 website
  • Click on the JOAPS portal
  • Click on counselling link
  • Fill the form, choose the preference order
  • Pay the fees
  • Submit the form

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

IIT JAM merit list is based on AIR. The authority will consider the total number of seats available in each category, to include the number of candidates in the All India Merit List. Candidates who are included in the merit list will be eligible to apply for admisison.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10