Joint Entrance Examination · NTA

JEE Main

The all-India entrance test for undergraduate engineering — and the qualifier for JEE Advanced and admission to NITs, IIITs and GFTIs.

What's tested

Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The CBSE Class 11 + 12 syllabus is the canonical reference; questions reward conceptual depth more than memorisation.

Pattern

75 compulsory questions — 20 MCQs + 5 numerical per subject — over 3 hours, for 300 marks. +4 for every correct answer, −1 for every wrong one (numericals included).

Mode

Computer-based test conducted by NTA in two sessions (typically January and April). The better of two attempts is considered for ranking.

Frequently asked questions

What is the JEE Main exam pattern?

JEE Main Paper 1 has 75 compulsory questions — 20 MCQs plus 5 numerical-value questions per subject across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics — in 3 hours, for a total of 300 marks.

Is there negative marking in JEE Main?

Yes, on every question. A correct answer earns +4 and a wrong one costs −1 — and since 2026 that applies to numerical-value questions as well as MCQs, so guess only after eliminating options.

How many times can I attempt JEE Main in a year?

The NTA conducts JEE Main in two sessions, typically January and April. You can appear in both — the better of your two scores is considered for ranking.

What does a JEE Main score get me?

JEE Main is the gateway to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs across India, and qualifying it is the prerequisite for JEE Advanced — the IIT entrance.

Which syllabus does JEE Main follow?

The CBSE Class 11 + 12 syllabus is the canonical reference. Questions reward conceptual depth more than memorisation.