After Class 12 (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)
JEE Main
JEE Main is the national entrance exam for engineering and architecture. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Your score decides admission to the NITs, IIITs and other centrally funded technical institutions, and it also decides whether you can sit JEE Advanced for the IITs.
Last reviewed October 2026
At a glance
- Conducted by
- National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Mode
- Computer-based test (the drawing test for B.Arch is on paper)
- Papers
- Paper 1: B.E. / B.Tech. Paper 2A: B.Arch. Paper 2B: B.Planning
- Paper 1 pattern
- 75 questions, 300 marks: 25 each in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics
- Question types
- Multiple choice (Section A) and numerical-value answers (Section B) in every subject
- Marking
- +4 for a correct answer, -1 for a wrong multiple-choice answer, 0 if left blank
- Sessions
- Held in two sessions a year (January and April in recent years); your better score counts
- Leads to
- NITs, IIITs and other institutes through JoSAA counselling, and JEE Advanced for the IITs
Who can appear
- There is no age limit.
- You should have passed Class 12 (or an equivalent exam) in the previous two years or be appearing in the current year. The official bulletin gives the exact years.
- You can attempt the exam in up to three consecutive years, and each year has two sessions.
- Some colleges set their own minimum marks in Class 12 for admission, so your board result also matters.
Rules change from year to year. Always confirm dates, fees and eligibility in the official notice before you apply.
Paper 1 (B.E. / B.Tech.) at a glance
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 25 (20 multiple choice, 5 numerical) | 100 |
| Chemistry | 25 (20 multiple choice, 5 numerical) | 100 |
| Mathematics | 25 (20 multiple choice, 5 numerical) | 100 |
| Total | 75 | 300 |
Check the current bulletin for how numerical-value questions are marked, because this detail has changed between years.
Syllabus
The syllabus follows the Class 11 and Class 12 science curriculum. NTA publishes the topic list every year.
- Physics: mechanics, heat and thermodynamics, waves, electricity and magnetism, optics, modern physics.
- Chemistry: physical, organic and inorganic chemistry. Inorganic and much of organic chemistry rest on NCERT.
- Mathematics: algebra, calculus, coordinate geometry, trigonometry, vectors, probability and statistics.
JEE Main and JEE Advanced
JEE Main is the first step. Only a fixed number of the top rankers in the B.E. / B.Tech. paper are allowed to sit JEE Advanced (2,50,000 candidates in 2026). Students who prepare for both together find it easier, because the syllabus overlaps.
How to prepare
- 1
Build the concepts in Class 11
Spend the first year understanding each chapter, with examples and graded practice, instead of racing through the syllabus.
- 2
Use NCERT first
Read NCERT line by line, especially for Chemistry, then practise from a good problem book.
- 3
Practise by topic, then by paper
Move from chapter tests to full-length mock tests in the real pattern as the exam gets closer.
- 4
Analyse every test
Sort your lost marks into concept gaps, calculation errors and time problems, and fix them each week.
- 5
Protect your board marks
The syllabus overlaps with Class 12, so steady work pays off twice.
How Gyan Sanchar can help
Our IIT JEE courses take students from basic concepts to advanced problem solving, then a JEE Main test series with mentoring. Every test comes with a report that shows strong and weak subjects.
Frequently asked questions
How many times can I take JEE Main?
Each year has two sessions, and you can attempt the exam in up to three consecutive years. The better of your scores is used.
Is JEE Main enough for the IITs?
No. JEE Main is the qualifier. To get into an IIT you must rank high enough in JEE Main to be allowed to sit JEE Advanced, and then clear it.
Does my Class 12 board result matter?
Yes. Some institutes ask for minimum marks in Class 12, so keep your board preparation on track.
Official sources
Dates, fees and eligibility are announced here. Always check the latest notice before you apply.
Gyan Sanchar is an independent coaching institute. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the National Testing Agency, UPSC, the IITs or any other exam body. Exam names are used only to describe the exams.