What is JEE Main Exam

What is JEE Main Exam

Posted on : 27 September, 2025 2:27 pm

When it comes to engineering education in India, the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is one of the most important and viral competitive exams. Lakhs of students every year sit for this national-level examination with the aspiration of getting admission into the top institutions such as the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), Government-Funded Technical Institutions (GFTIs), and even as a screening exam for JEE Advanced which paves the way for the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Here is the What is JEE Main Exam.

In this post, we discuss exactly what JEE Main is, why it came into existence, its pattern of examination, eligibility criteria, syllabus, preparation, and all the essential features that an aspirant must know. APPLY NOW

What is JEE Main?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the Joint Entrance Examination-Main (JEE Main), a national-level entrance test, for students who aspire to study undergraduate courses in engineering, architecture, and planning in Indian institutions.”

It is one of the most challenging and competitive exams of India due to its massive syllabus and the immense number of students who appear every year.  APPLY NOW

JEE Main Purpose

  • Admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs B.Tech/B.E. courses.

  • Admission to B.Arch & B.Planning courses in Indian institutes.

  • Serves as an eligibility test for JEE Advanced, which is mandatory to get into the IITs.

  • Used by several state-level institutes and private colleges for their admission process.  APPLY NOW

JEE (joint entrance exam) Main Exam Pattern

There are two papers in the JEE (joint entrance exam) Main exam:

  • Paper 1 – Admission to B.E./B.Tech (bachelor of technology) courses
  • Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
  • Mode criteria: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Paper 2 – Admission to B.Arch and B.Planning courses
  • Paper 2A (B.Arch): Mathematics, Aptitude, Drawing Test
  • Paper 2B (B.Planning): Mathematics, Aptitude, Planning-Based Questions.  APPLY NOW

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Qualification: Should have passed 10+2 or an equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Maths.

  2. Age Limit: There is no age limit; however, candidates must have passed 12th within the last 2–3 years.”

  3. Attempts: JEE Main is conducted twice a year. A candidate can sit for the examination a maximum of six times in his/her three consecutive years since the appearance in the 12th class.

JEE(joint entrance exam) Main Syllabus

JEE Main syllabus is primarily focused on NCERT books of Class 11 and Class 12.

  • Physics subject : Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics, Modern Physics, Electromagnetism, etc.

  • Chemistry subject like: Physical Chemistry (Mole Concept, Thermodynamics), Inorganic Chemistry (Periodic Table, Coordination Compounds), Organic Chemistry (Hydrocarbons, Biomolecules).

  • Mathematics subjects like: Pratice Algebra, Calculus, Trigonometry, Probability, Coordinate Geometry, Vectors, etc.

For B.Arch and B.Planning, some extra sections such as Drawing & Aptitude are added.  APPLY NOW

Exam Pattern criteria (Paper 1 B.Tech)

  • Total Questions: 90 (30 from each of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics)

  • Questions to Attempt: 75 (25 from each subject)

  • Type of Questions: MCQs + Numerical Value Questions

  • Marking Scheme:

    • +4 for correct answer

    • -1 for incorrect answer

    • 0 for unattempted question

  • Total Marks: 300  APPLY NOW

Registration and Exam Sessions

  • Held twice a year – typically in January and April.

  • “Candidates can attempt one or both sessions, and NTA uses the higher score for the final ranking.

  • Applicants must submit the application online through the official NTA website.”  APPLY NOW

Top Engineering Institute

Here is a grouped list of colleges you can target after clearing JEE:

  1. Indian Institutes of Technology Bombay (IITs)
  2. Indian Institutes of Technology Delhi (IITs)
  3. Indian Institutes of Technology Madras(IITs)
  4. National Institutes of Technology Kurukshetra(NITs)
  5. National Institutes of Technology Delhi (NITs)
  6. National Institutes of Technology Warangal(NITs)
  7. Indian Institutes of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIITs)
  8. Indian Institutes of Information Technology Gwalior(IIITs)
  9. Delhi Technological University (DTU), Delhi
  10. Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT), Delhi
  11. Puran Murti Campus, Delhi-NCR

(offers courses in CSE (AI & ML)Computer science & engineering , AME (aircraft maintenance engineering), Civil engineeringMechanical engineering, Electrical engineering, Electrnoic & communication engineering, Aeronautical engineering etc). APPLY NOW

When we discuss contemporary polytechnic education around Delhi, Puran Murti Campus  is one of the most well-known names. It is highly regarded for its quality education, skilled faculty, and state-of-the-art infrastructure.  APPLY NOW

Puran Murti Campus Highlights:

  • Location: Sonipat, Haryana Delhi NCR.
  • Affiliation & Approval: AICTE approved, Govt. of India.
  • Facilities: Smart classes, digital library, hostels, transport, mess, sports facilities, and high-tech laboratories.
  • Placement Cell: Firm connections with top players in IT, manufacturing, aviation, and automotive sectors.
  • Industrial Exposure: Industrial visits, workshops, and practical training of students on a regular basis.
  • Scholarships: Merit-based as well as category-based scholarships offered. APPLY NOW

JEE Main Cut-Off

Cut-off score changes every year based on:

  • Number of students who appear
  • Difficulty of the exam
  • Availability of seats
  • Cut-off is announced for both qualifying JEE Advanced as well as for admission in NITs/IIITs.  APPLY NOW

JEE (joint entrance examination) Main Preparation Tips

  1. Good Foundation: Learn the basic concepts from NCERT textbooks first.

  2. Time Management: Planning the study schedule of all the three subjects.

  3. Mock Tests: These are very useful. Regular practice with online mock tests and last year question papers is advisable.

  4. Revision Strategy: Have short notes of formulas and concepts.

  5. Stay Consistent: Conceptual clarity and daily practice matter more than extensive study sessions.  APPLY NOW

Importance of JEE Main

  • Joining various engineering colleges of India.

  • National-level ranking accepted by several institutions.

  • It is only the JEE Advanced which paves the way towards IITs.

  • Other means for scholarships and private universities.

Conclusion

In other words, JEE Main is not just an exam; rather, it is a stepping stone towards some of India’s most well-known engineering colleges. With good planning, devoted practice, and a positive attitude, students can get good ranks and fulfill their ambition of becoming an engineer.  APPLY NOW

If you are targeting JEE Main, begin early, remain persistent, and keep yourself informed about the latest notification regarding exams.