JEE Main

JEE Main is a computer-based online test conducted by National Testing Agency for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate courses in top engineering institutes in India. JEE Main is the first phase of the IIT Joint Entrance Exam. The entrance examination till 2020 was conducted in two sessions and candidates could take the exam either in the month of January or in April. The candidates could further opt to appear for one exam or both the exams. The better of two NTA scores was considered by the exam conducting authority in preparing the ranks/merit list. More significantly, students are granted admission to IITs, CFITs, NITs, and other Government funded technical institutes based on the marks obtained in JEE Main. Also, the top 2,50,000 students from JEE Main will qualify to appear for JEE Advanced.

However, as per the latest update from the officials, JEE Main 2021 exam is being held four times a year. It will start from February 2021 and go on until May 2021 (New exam schedule has been updated below).

JEE Main Latest Updates

JEE Main 2021 Overview

JEE Main

 JEE Main will consist of three papers. Paper 1 will be for students who are planning to take B.Tech courses, whereas Paper 2A will be for B.Arch programs and Paper 2B will be for B.Planning courses. NTA has introduced a new exam pattern for the upcoming 2021 exam. Meanwhile, the registration and application process for the February session started in December. This time JEE Main (Paper 1) will be conducted in four sessions namely February, March, April and May sessions. However, B. Arch and B. Planning papers (papers 2A and 2B) will be held only twice a year in the months of February and May 2021. Further details are provided below.

Students appearing for class 12 board exams with Physics and Maths as their compulsory subjects are eligible to appear for JEE Main 2021. 2019-20 pass-outs are also eligible to appear for this exam. However, before applying for the exam candidates should fulfil the JEE Main eligibility criteria. Failing to do so will result in the rejection of the application.

In JEE Main, the difficulty level of the exam lies between moderate to tough. If we look at the previous year papers and break them down subject-wise, the Chemistry section is usually the easiest while Physics is found to be on a moderate level. Mathematics can be considered to be the toughest. In comparison to JEE Advanced, most of the questions in JEE Main are straightforward and NCERT based. However, a few tricky questions are also present and they are designed to test each candidate’s understanding of the concepts as well as their analytical skills. Meanwhile, NTA has set up several practice centres to familiarise students with the JEE Main examination.

Brief Advisory regarding COVID-19 Pandemic:

Candidates are advised to carry only the following with them into the examination venue:

a) Admit card along with Self Declaration (Undertaking) downloaded from the NTA Website (a clear printout on A4 size paper) duly filled in.

b) A simple transparent Ballpoint Pen.

c) Additional photographs to be pasted on the attendance sheet.

d) Personal hand sanitizer (50 ml).

e) Personal transparent water bottle.

f) Sugar tablets/fruits (like banana/apple/orange) in case the candidate is diabetic.

Important Conditions and Latest Changes in JEE Main 2021

• The candidates are required to note that (postponed) April Session (Session-3) will be conducted only for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech.).
• The candidates interested to appear in Paper 2A (B.Arch.) and/or Paper 2B (B. Planning) need to apply for the same papers only for (postponed) May Session (Session-4).
• The candidates who have applied earlier for April/May Session can modify their particulars (Session, Category, Subject, etc.) during the period from 6 to 8 July 2021 for (postponed) April Session and 9 to 12 July 2021 for (postponed) May Session.
• A candidate can also withdraw from (postponed) April/May sessions by following the procedure detailed in the Application Form.
• The number of exam centres has also been increased from 660 to 828.
• The number of cities has also been increased from 232 to 334.

JEE Main 2021 Exam Schedule

The exam schedule for JEE Main 2021 is released by NTA. As per the examination notification, the first session of JEE Main exam will be conducted in February 2021. Below we have provided the exam dates for all the four JEE Main sessions:

What is JEE Main and Why You Should Take it?

JEE Main is a standardized test that is conducted across different states in India. The exam is held at an undergraduate level for offering admissions in some of the best engineering and technical institutions that are Government funded or privately owned. The top reasons for taking the exam are:

• It is the only platform for engineering aspirants to land a seat in some of the premier technical institutes.
• JEE Main is the first step for IIT aspirants to get admission in top IITs and other colleges across the country.

JEE Main Registration

The exam authority usually opens the registration process for JEE Main quite early before the final exam. For 2021, the registration dates have been announced. Candidates can register for JEE Main 2021 via online mode only by visiting the official website. They also have to pay the application fees. Candidates are suggested to check all the academic and personal details thoroughly before submitting the JEE Main application form.

NTA has also announced the dates for the February session and it is as follows.

Learn everything about JEE Main application form and steps to complete the registration by following the given link.

JEE Main Eligibility Criteria

The JEE Main eligibility criteria describe all the terms and conditions that aspirants should satisfy in order to be eligible for the exam. Hence, to avoid rejection in later stages, the students go through and understand the eligibility criteria before registering for the exam. We have highlighted some of the important ones below.

Age Limit: There is no age limit for candidates who wish to appear for JEE Main exams. However, candidates must note that the IITs can set age criteria for admissions. The details are usually published in the JEE Main 2021 Information Brochure.

Qualifying Exam: Irrespective of the age the applicant can qualify if they have cleared their class 12th or any equivalent exam such as a two-year Pre-University exam, Joint Services Wing of the National Defense Academy exam, senior secondary school examination, Higher Secondary Certificate Vocational Examination, Intermediate or two-year Pre-University examination, a diploma recognized by AICTE or a State board, General Certificate Education (GCE) examination (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level, High School Certificate Examination of the Cambridge University or International Baccalaureate Diploma of the International Baccalaureate Office, Geneva.

Year: Students should have appeared for the exam in 2019 or 2020.  Those who are appearing in their class 12th examination in 2021 are eligible to appear in January JEE Main 2021 examination.

Criteria For admissions in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs: The candidate must secure 75% Marks in their class 12 board exams or should be within the top 20 percentile of their respective boards. For reserved category candidates, the minimum percentage required for admissions in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs is 65%.

Qualifying Marks: There is no minimum pass percentage for appearing in JEE Main exam. However, the applicants must pass their class 12 board or other equivalent examinations.

Subjects Pursued in the Qualifying Exam:

Eligibility Criteria for JEE Main Paper 2 and 3

Total Attempts: The candidates can appear for JEE Main for three consecutive years.

• The candidate must have secured 50% marks in Maths, Physics, and Chemistry along with 50% aggregate marks in the qualifying examination.
• Mathematics is compulsory for candidates applying for B.Arch./B.Planning courses.

⇒ Click here to know the complete JEE Main eligibility criteria

JEE Main Reservation Criteria

The examination authority follows the reservation criteria laid by the government of India for granting admissions through JEE Main. All India ranks will be provided based on the categorical reservation policy. The percentage reservations of categories for admissions through JEE Main are as follows:

This reservation applies to institutes run by the Central Government. For reservation details regarding a participating institute, candidates can check in the details with that particular institute.

JEE Main Exam Pattern

Knowing the JEE Main exam pattern is vital for candidates who want to have a smooth preparation for JEE. It helps students develop a clear idea of the marking scheme, distribution of questions, sectional weightage and exam duration. There is a new pattern for JEE Main exam. There are three papers instead of two. Paper 1 is for students aspiring for B.E./B.Tech courses in NITs, IIITs, DTU, and other GFTIs whereas Paper 2A is for B.Arch. Paper 2B is for B.Planning courses offered by these institutes.

Understanding the exam pattern enables candidates to gain a valuable opinion about the whole exam structure. Therefore, for better results, students are advised to get a complete overview of the paper pattern and devise a suitable study plan or strategy.

JEE Main Paper 1 comprises Maths, Physics, and Chemistry whereas Paper 2A has Maths, Aptitude, and Drawing Test. Paper 2B will consist of Mathematics, Aptitude and Planning based questions. The candidates can opt for either one or both papers. NTA has also again increased the number of questions in Paper 1. Now there will be 90 questions but candidates can attempt any 75 questions and the total marks allotted is also 300.

All the papers are entirely computer-based online tests whereas the Paper-2 drawing section is conducted offline in a pen and paper-based mode. The exam duration for all the Papers is 3 hours.

JEE Main Paper 1 (B.E or B.Tech Courses)

• Exam Mode: Computer-based offline exam. The students will have to mark their responses on already downloaded answer sheets.
• Exam Duration: 3 hours
• The Questions will be from topics covered in Physics, Chemistry, and Maths.
• Nature of Questions: Objective-type multiple-choice questions as well as numerical-based questions.
• The paper will have a total of 90 questions with 20 questions in section a and 10 in section b. Candidates can attempt 75 questions (300 marks) with 20 questions in section a and 5 questions in section b for each subject – Physics, Chemistry, and Maths.

JEE Main Paper 1 Marking Scheme

• For MCQs, every correct answer will be awarded 4 marks while 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer. No marks are given for questions left unattempted.
• The marking scheme for numerical-based questions includes 4 marks for the correct answer. There is no negative marking even for incorrect answers.
• No marks are given for unanswered questions.

JEE Main Paper 2A (B.Arch Courses)

• Exam Mode: Offline Exam
• Exam Duration: 3 hours
• The questions will be from topics covered in Maths, General Aptitude, and Drawing Skills.
• Mathematics will consist of MCQs and questions for which the answer will be a numerical value. Aptitude will also have MCQs.
• The drawing test will evaluate the sketching and drawing skills.
• Total questions that will be asked in the paper will be 82 out of which students can attempt 77 questions (Mathematics- 25; Aptitude- 50; Drawing- 2).
• Candidates can choose to answer any 5 out of the 10 numerical value-based questions asked in the Mathematics section.

JEE Main Paper 2A Marking Scheme

• For every correct answer in the Maths and Aptitude section, 4 marks will be awarded while 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
• There is no negative marking for Drawing questions.
• For the Drawing test, marks will be allotted on the basis of the candidate’s drawing skills.
• Numeric Value questions will contain 4 marks for every correct response. There is no negative marking in case of an incorrect answer or unattempted question.

JEE Main Paper 2B (B.Planning Courses)

• Exam Mode: Computer-based test mode.
• Exam Duration: 3 hours
• The Questions will be from topics covered in Maths, General Aptitude, and Planning skills.
• Mathematics and Aptitude will have single correct objective type multiple-choice questions. Planning-based questions will also be MCQ type.
• Total questions that will be asked in the paper will be 105 out of which students can attempt 100 questions.
• In this paper also, candidates can choose to answer any 5 out of the 10 numerical value-based questions asked in the Mathematics section.

JEE Main Paper 2B Marking Scheme

• For every correct answer, 4 marks will be awarded while 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
• 4 marks will be awarded for the correct answer in numerical-based questions. No negative marking is given.

Note: All the calculations/writing work should be done only in the Rough Sheet provided at the Test

Centre or the examination Room/Hall. Once the exam is over candidates should hand over the rough sheets to the invigilator.

JEE Main Syllabus

While the JEE Main syllabus is mainly mapped according to the NCERT textbooks, NTA does prescribe a separate syllabus for JEE. It comprises topics that are covered in class 11th and 12th standard including subjects such as Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

Note: As per the announcement made by the Union Minister for Education, Ramesh Pokhriyal, the syllabus will remain the same as the previous years. There will be no reduction.

Students can also refer to the subject-wise detailed syllabus of JEE Main from the links given below.

• JEE Main Physics Syllabus
• JEE Main Chemistry Syllabus
• JEE Main Maths Syllabus

The questions asked in the JEE Main exam are easy but require a lot of smart work, practice and effective preparation. One of the major challenges generally faced by students is the time constraint. To overcome this, students need to develop adept problem-solving skills as well as time management skills to ensure the successful completion of the examination. Moreover, before starting their preparations students should acquire an in-depth and clear understanding of each and every topic covered in the syllabus of JEE Main. 

Therefore, candidates should read the syllabus at least once before studying. This exercise will help them gain insight into all the important chapters or topics that they should focus on. Additionally, they can formulate a proper study plan accordingly.

Having said that, here is the subject-wise breakdown of important chapters for JEE Main 2021. Students need to pay proper attention to these chapters to ace the examination.

Important Chapters for JEE Main

Maths

 Physics

 Chemistry

Students can also check our JEE Main study material which covers all the important topics included in the syllabus with a detailed explanation of the concepts, solved examples and frequently asked questions.

JEE Main Study Material

JEE Main Mock Test

Since the JEE Main exam can be taken only in the computer-based online test, therefore, the conducting authority has set up several practice centres to help the engineering aspirants get acquainted with the exam format.

Students can access the mock test for JEE Main online by visiting the link ( www.nta.ac.in) for hands-on practice. Earlier, students could also visit the practice centres set up by the National Testing Agency and take the test. This facility might now be available this time. We will keep this space updated when we get the information.

They can train themselves for the “Computer Based Test (CBT)” mode of examinations. Experienced and professional Nodal officers and staff are said to be available at the TPC. Candidates could take their help and clear their doubts regarding the exam.

The benefit of taking the mock test is that the pattern of the test is similar or exact to the real JEE Main exam. Therefore, it will have a good impact on the preparation as well as the performance of the candidates.

Click Here to Practice JEE Main Sample Papers

Importance of JEE Main Mock Test

• Practising mock tests will help candidates get familiar with the type of questions, marks distribution, difficulty level and the topics relevant to the examination.
• It helps to evaluate the performance before the final examination. From an in-depth evaluation of the section-wise performance report, a suitable JEE Main preparation strategy can be planned.
• Regular practice of mock tests increases the speed and accuracy of students in completing the exam. It familiarizes them with the real exam scenario and drives away any nervousness for the test.

JEE Main Answer Keys

Soon after the examination, National Testing Agency also releases or publishes the set wise answer keys representing the correct options of all the questions asked in JEE Main.

With the help of these answer keys, students can calculate their expected scores before the results are announced. After successful completion of the exam, the official link for answer keys will be made available on the website using which the applicants can download and access the documents.

How to download JEE Main Answer Keys?

To download the answer keys, open the official link published by the conducting authority. Submit your application number and password followed by the selection of your date and slot of JEE Main examination. The answer keys will be displayed. The students can also download it for future references.

Challenging JEE Main Answer Keys: Initially, the provisional answer keys are released. After comparing the results applicants can raise their objections. This should be done within a certain time frame. After considering all the valid objections, the final answer keys of JEE Main are announced.

JEE Main Previous Year Question Paper with Solutions and Answer keys

Along with the mock tests, students are also advised to practice previous year’s JEE Main question papers to boost their success rate in such a highly competitive entrance exam.

JEE Main 2021 4th Session Memory-based Paper Discussion

JEE Main August 26 Paper Solutions

JEE Main August 27 Paper Solutions

JEE Main August 31 Paper Solutions

JEE Main 2021 July Session Memory-based Paper Discussion

July 20 Shift 1 Paper Solutions

July 22 Shift 2 Paper Solutions

JEE Main Question Papers With Solutions PDFs

JEE Main 2021 Paper with Solutions – July (3rd) Session

⇒ For a Complete Set of JEE Main Question Papers With Solutions Please Visit Here: JEE Main Question Papers

JEE Main 2021 Paper with Solutions – August 26

JEE Main 2021 Paper with Solutions – August 27

JEE Main Marks vs Ranks

We have prepared a predicted range of JEE Main Marks vs Ranks from the previous year’s trend. Engineering aspirants can check marks vs expected ranks from the table provided below.

They can also check out the JEE Main Rank Predictor page for further details.

JEE Main Results

The results of JEE Main is declared by NTA. For the 2021 exam, we are awaiting announcements from the exam authority. For students appearing in all the phases of JEE Main, the best result will be taken into consideration while preparing the final rank.

How to Check JEE Main Results?

• Open JEE Main result portal
• Enter your roll number and date of birth
• Click the Submit button

The results will be displayed on the screen. Students are advised to download the scorecard for future references, especially for the counselling and admission process.

Details Mentioned in JEE Main Scorecard

• Name of the Candidate
• Nationality and Category of Candidate
• Marks obtained in Maths, Physics, and Chemistry
• Total marks obtained
• All India Rank and Category Rank
• JEE Advanced Qualifying Status

JEE Main Cutoff Marks

Soon after the exam, National Testing Agency also declares the JEE Main cut off marks along with the detailed results consisting of subject wise marks secured, All India Rank, category rank and the qualifying status for JEE Advanced.

However, based on the cutoff marks, candidates are shortlisted for counselling. The cutoff marks for JEE Main will be determined by the following factors.

• Total candidates appeared
• The difficulty level of questions
• The overall performance of the students
• The cutoff trends of previous years

Previous Year’s JEE Main Cutoff Trends

JEE Main 2020 Cutoff

JEE Main 2019 Cutoff

JEE Main 2018 Cutoff

JEE Main 2017 Cutoff

Number of Candidates that Appeared for JEE Main 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017

JEE Main Counselling Procedure

Joint Seat Allocation Authority is set by the HRD Ministry to regulate the admission process for IITs, IIITs, NITs, and government-funded technical institutes. The students qualifying JEE Main will be able to apply for NITs, IIITs and CFTIs through JoSAA counselling.

The seat allocation in the preferred technical institute is done based on merit, eligibility, preferences and seat availability. The qualifying students are required to register for JoSAA counselling whose registrations will commence after the declaration of the results.

JoSAA Participating Institutes

A total of 97 engineering institutes comprising 23 IITs, 31NITs, 23 IIITs and 20 GFTIs participate in the seat allocation procedure through JoSAA.

Top 10 NIT Colleges

Admission in a top NIT college is a dream for every JEE Main aspirant. However, to grab a seat in NIT colleges demands a meritorious rank. The leading NIT institutes include NIT Warangal, NIT Trichy, NIT Surathkal, NIT Rourkela, and MNNIT Allahabad.

Apart from IIITs, NITs and GFTIs several private engineering institutes like BIT Mesra, HBTI Kanpur, Thapar University, Assam University, Tezpur University, JAYPEE Institute, and LNMIIT Jaipur offer admission based on the marks in JEE Main exam. Other technical institutes like DTU (Delhi Technical University), NSIT Delhi, IIIT Delhi are excluded from JoSAA counselling. However, these institutes offer admissions based on JEE Main scorecard and the students are required to apply separately.

JEE Main 2021 Paper Analysis by IIT JEE Experts Available here!

How To Prepare For JEE Main 2021?

For most of the students, coaching classes are considered to be one of the main solutions to secure a good ranking. However, an aspirant can achieve their desired result without coaching provided they put in a fair amount of effort and develop an effective preparation strategy.

Candidates need to devise a well-organized study plan. Furthermore, they need to have a smart approach to everything. They need to learn what the exam is all about, read the syllabus, use the right study materials, practice solving questions, etc. They should also be mentally and physically fit to write the exam. In any case, we have listed some of the key tips that will help each candidate to boost their JEE Main preparation.

JEE Main Preparation Tips

• Begin from scratch – Fundamentals play a vital role in JEE Main. Always concentrate on structuring and understanding the basics of all the subjects. When the basics are strong, learning becomes easier.
• Prepare a timetable – JEE Main preparation curriculum is extensive. Hence, it should be scheduled to gain the best results. Split the syllabus into different parts according to your benefit. It can be limited to a chapter or a unit. Follow the timetable and avoid distractions in between.
• Know the syllabus and pattern – For better preparations, the most significant factor is to keep oneself updated with the complete syllabus along with the paper pattern.
• Befriend books – For JEE Main preparations, NCERT textbooks are a must, no matter which subject it is. Therefore solve NCERT textbooks before moving to other references. Also, remember to choose the right study resources which will help you study productively.

Best books for JEE Main Preparation

Here is a list of all the relevant textbooks that students can follow to boost their JEE Main preparation.

• Read, Revise and Rehearse – Revise each and every topic that is learned. Do not keep it pending. Be a smart learner. Revision helps the candidates to recall everything that is studied.

• Take up the Mock tests – Another important key to succeed in JEE Main is to take mock tests. Attend the tests that are released by the official websites. This indeed provides you with an actual feel of writing the online exams.
• On a final note, do not compromise on hard work and perseverance. Choose the best books for JEE preparation and follow the preparation tips mentioned earlier to secure a meritorious position in the exam.

Importance of NCERT Books for JEE Main 2021

NCERT textbooks are essential as far as cracking JEE Main is concerned. These textbooks allow candidates to have a firm grasp of the fundamental concepts discussed in all three subjects. Let us go through the importance of the NCERT curriculum for cracking JEE Main 2021.

JEE Main Chemistry:

NCERT Chemistry textbook is the most helpful resource for JEE Main Preparation. Some of the questions from organic and inorganic chemistry are taken directly from the textbook. So, make sure to study these textbooks thoroughly and get enough practice from solving exercises, question papers and mock tests.

JEE Main Maths:

Math is the toughest paper in the exam. Candidates will need more study material to fully master the concepts. However, they can start with this textbook first. The explanation and exercises given in this book will help students improve their analytical and problem-solving skills.

JEE Main Physics:

Physics paper is a bit tricky and the NCERT textbook is of minimal help here. However, the best place to start is still the CBSE curriculum which is based on the NCERT syllabus. Make sure to go through the points to ponder section in the textbook thoroughly.

⇒ Check: Important Physics Formulas for JEE Main

For the latest updates on JEE Main eligibility criteria, application form, previous years question papers, important questions, exam pattern, sample papers and more keep visiting BYJU’S.