What is JEE Main?
The Joint Entrance Examination – Main (JEE Main) is India's national-level engineering entrance exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It's the gateway to admission at the NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs — and top scorers earn the right to attempt JEE Advanced for a shot at the IITs.
JEE Main is held twice a year, and NTA considers a candidate's best score across both attempts. It's a computer-based test covering Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from the Class 11–12 NCERT curriculum.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics and Maths, plus Chemistry/Biology/Technical Vocational subject
- Eligible for 3 consecutive years from the year of passing Class 12 (up to 6 total attempts, 2 sessions × 3 years)
- No upper age limit
- 75% aggregate in Class 12 needed for NIT/IIIT/GFTI admission (65% for SC/ST/PwD) — not required to appear in the exam itself
- Can appear in Session 1, Session 2, or both — best score is considered
Quick Facts
| Conducted by | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT), in India & abroad |
| Sessions | Session 1: January · Session 2: April |
| Registration | Online at jeemain.nta.nic.in |
| Leads to | NITs, IIITs, GFTIs; top scorers → JEE Advanced |
Exam Pattern and Scoring
- Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech): 75 questions, 25 each in Physics, Chemistry, Maths
- Each subject: 20 MCQs + 5 Numerical Value Questions (NVQs)
- Duration: 3 hours (extra time for eligible PwD candidates)
- Paper 2A (B.Arch) and 2B (B.Planning) have separate patterns with Aptitude/Drawing/Planning sections
- Correct MCQ: +4 marks · Wrong MCQ: −1 mark
- Correct NVQ: +4 marks · Wrong/blank NVQ: 0 (no negative marking)
- Maximum marks: 300
- Scores reported as an NTA percentile, normalized across shifts
Where JEE Main Leads
JEE Main is the gateway stage of India's premier engineering admission pipeline:
| 1. JEE Main | National exam — Session 1 (Jan) + Session 2 (Apr), best score counts |
| 2. JoSAA Counselling | Seat allocation at NITs, IIITs, GFTIs based on JEE Main rank |
| 3. JEE Advanced | Top ~2,50,000 JEE Main rankers become eligible to attempt |
| 4. IIT Admission | JEE Advanced rank determines IIT seat allocation |
JEE Main Syllabus / Topics Covered
Based entirely on the NCERT Class 11 & 12 curriculum for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics:
Physics
- Mechanics, thermodynamics, waves
- Electrostatics, current electricity
- Magnetism & electromagnetic induction
- Optics & modern physics
Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry (mole concept, thermodynamics, equilibrium)
- Inorganic Chemistry (periodic table, bonding, coordination compounds)
- Organic Chemistry (hydrocarbons, functional groups, reactions)
Mathematics
- Algebra, sequences & series
- Coordinate geometry & vectors
- Calculus (limits, differentiation, integration)
- Trigonometry, probability & statistics
Exam Dates & Registration
- Session 1 is held in January; Session 2 in April
- Session 1 registration typically opens in October–November
- Session 2 registration opens separately, around February
- Each session needs its own application and fee — you can register for one or both
How to Register
Why JEE Main Matters
🏅 Gateway to NITs, IIITs & GFTIs
Direct admission route to some of India's most respected engineering institutes.
📈 Only Path to JEE Advanced
A top ~2.5 lakh JEE Main rank is mandatory to even attempt JEE Advanced and compete for an IIT seat.
🎓 Two Chances Per Year
Session 1 and Session 2 give students a second shot to improve their percentile within the same year.
🧠 Builds Deep PCM Mastery
Rigorous preparation strengthens core Physics, Chemistry, and Maths skills valuable well beyond the exam itself.
Join Our JEE Main Preparation Program
Complete Class 11–12 JEE Main coaching led by our specialist faculty — full PCM syllabus, regular mock tests, and JEE Advanced-track support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I appear in both sessions?
Yes — Session 1 (January) and Session 2 (April) are independent attempts, and NTA considers your best score across both for the final merit list.
Is there negative marking?
Yes for MCQs (−1 for wrong), but Numerical Value Questions have no penalty for wrong or blank answers.
Do I need 75% in Class 12 to appear for JEE Main?
No — the 75% criterion (65% for SC/ST/PwD) only applies for admission to NITs/IIITs/GFTIs, not for appearing in the exam itself.
How many times can I attempt JEE Main?
Up to 3 consecutive years from when you pass Class 12, with 2 sessions per year — a maximum of 6 total attempts.
How can Scholars Foundation help me prepare?
We offer full JEE Main batches covering the complete PCM syllabus with regular mock tests and doubt support — message us for current batch timings.