Last Verified: 2026-03-01 from official conducting body notifications.
Official Overview & Examination Scope
Purpose, Scope & Academic Impact
The largest engineering entrance exam in India with over 14 lakh candidates annually. Serves as the single gateway for admission into 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, and ~38 GFTIs, and serves as the qualifying screening test for the top ~2.5 lakh candidates to appear in JEE Advanced for the 23 IITs.
Eligibility Criteria & Academic Qualifications
Exam Pattern & Test Structure
Total: 300 Marks| Section / Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 20 MCQs + 5 Numerical (Out of 5 compulsory) | 100 Marks | 60 Mins (Integrated) |
| Chemistry | 20 MCQs + 5 Numerical (Out of 5 compulsory) | 100 Marks | 60 Mins (Integrated) |
| Mathematics | 20 MCQs + 5 Numerical (Out of 5 compulsory) | 100 Marks | 60 Mins (Integrated) |
+4 for Correct Answer, -1 for Incorrect Answer, 0 for Unattempted (Both MCQs & Numerical questions).
Negative Marking Rule: -1 mark for incorrect answers in both Section A (MCQs) and Section B (Numerical value)
Recommended Preparation Roadmap & Strategy
Cutoff Trends & Score Benchmark
General Category cutoff to qualify for JEE Advanced hovers around 90-93.5 percentile. Top 5 NITs Computer Science requires 99.4+ percentile (~210+ marks out of 300).
Participating Institutes / Career Pathways
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 75% in Class 12 Boards mandatory for JEE Main?
Yes, for final admission into NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs through JoSAA counseling, candidates must score at least 75% aggregate in Class 12 boards (65% for SC/ST) or be in the top 20 percentile of their board.
Can I appear in both Session 1 and Session 2?
Yes, students can appear in both sessions. The best score of the two sessions is considered for merit ranking and JEE Advanced qualification.
Related Examinations & Pathways
Explore other national, state-level, or professional examinations in this discipline.
JEE Advanced (IIT Entrance)
Widely considered one of the most intellectually demanding undergraduate entrance examinations in the world. Tests deep conceptual physics, multi-concept mathematical calculus, and intricate reaction mechanisms. The sole gateway to all 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
BITSAT (BITS Pilani Admission Test)
Speed and accuracy based entrance exam for admission into B.E., B.Pharm, and M.Sc Integrated degrees across BITS Pilani (Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses). Features 130 core questions plus 12 unique bonus questions for candidates who finish early.
VITEEE (VIT Engineering Entrance Exam)
Entrance examination for admission to B.Tech programs across VIT Vellore, VIT Chennai, VIT AP (Amaravati), and VIT Bhopal campuses, known for massive multinational IT placements and flexible credit course frameworks.