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

Counselling - 27 Mar '26 - 15 Apr '26

Updated on Feb 16, 2026 09:33 IST

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

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
Section A	20	Difficult
Section B	10	Moderate to Difficult
Section C	10	Moderate to Difficult
Section C	10	Moderate to Difficult
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

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

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
A	20 MCQs	2 marks each
B	10 MSQs	2 marks each
C	10 NAT Questions	1 mark each
C	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.

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

IIT JAM 2026 Analysis FAQs

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

Q: What is IIT JAM Shift 2 exam difficulty level?

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?

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?

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?

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

Subject	Cut-Off Marks
Subject	GEN	OBC-NCL / EWS	SC / ST / PwD
Biotechnology (BT)	44.46	40.01	22.23
Chemistry (CY)	25.38	22.84	12.69
Economics (EN)	24.64	22.17	12.32
Mathematics (MA)	11.22	10.09	5.61
Mathematical Statistics (MS)	23.03	20.72	11.51
Geology (GG)	33.09	29.78	16.54
Physics (PH)	19.63	17.66	9.81