Last minute preparation tips for IIT JAM 2024

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

DeskCalelnderResult - 20 Mar '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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BHU MSc cutoff 2025 was published for various All India categories for admission to the MSc in Chemistry and Physics branches. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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