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Engineering entrance exam

JEE Main

Joint Entrance Examination (Main)The gateway to B.Tech at NITs, IIITs and other centrally funded institutes, and the qualifying step for JEE Advanced.

Get exam guidanceOfficial website
Conducted by
National Testing Agency (NTA)
Level
Undergraduate
Frequency
Twice a year (two sessions)
Typically held
January and April sessions
Mode
Computer-based test
Duration
3 hours

Who it's for

Class 12 students (or recent pass-outs) with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics who want to study engineering at a national-level institute.

  • B.Tech / B.E. at NITs, IIITs and GFTIs
  • B.Arch / B.Planning (Paper 2)
  • Eligibility for JEE Advanced

Typical eligibility

  • Class 12 or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics, plus Chemistry / Biology / Biotechnology / a technical vocational subject
  • Attempts are typically limited to the year of passing Class 12 and the two years after
  • For NIT/IIIT admission, usually 75% in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST) or a top-20-percentile board score

Exam pattern

Duration

3 hours

Marking

+4 for a correct answer, −1 for an incorrect one (check current rules for numerical questions)

SectionDetails
PhysicsMultiple-choice and numerical-value questions
ChemistryMultiple-choice and numerical-value questions
MathematicsMultiple-choice and numerical-value questions

Patterns are revised from time to time. Confirm the current pattern in the official information bulletin.

Subjects

  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Mathematics

How to prepare

  1. 01

    Build NCERT-level clarity first, especially in Chemistry, before moving to advanced problem sets

  2. 02

    Alternate chapter tests with full-length mocks from about six months before the exam

  3. 03

    Maintain an error log and revisit weak chapters every week rather than only before mocks

  4. 04

    Use both sessions strategically — the first attempt is also diagnostic

Typical preparation timeline

  1. Class 11

    Foundation

    Concepts, NCERT depth, daily problem practice

  2. Class 12 (Apr–Oct)

    Consolidation

    Full syllabus coverage, chapter tests, board alignment

  3. Nov–Jan

    Test phase

    Full-length mocks, time management, error analysis

  4. Feb–Apr

    Second session

    Targeted revision on weak areas, board exams in parallel

Colleges that accept JEE Main

From our directory. Cut-offs vary by year, category and programme.

  • GovernmentFeatured

    Institute of National Importance · Est. 1958

    IIT Bombay

    Mumbai, Maharashtra

    Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

    Indicative fee / yr
    ₹2.2L – ₹2.6L
    Entrance
    JEE Advanced, JEE Main +3
    • Engineering
    • Science
    • Design
    • +1
    View detailsGet guidance
  • GovernmentFeatured

    Institute of National Importance · Est. 1961

    IIT Delhi

    New Delhi, Delhi

    Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

    Indicative fee / yr
    ₹2.2L – ₹2.6L
    Entrance
    JEE Advanced, JEE Main +3
    • Engineering
    • Science
    • Design
    • +1
    View detailsGet guidance
  • GovernmentFeatured

    Institute of National Importance · Est. 1959

    IIT Madras

    Chennai, Tamil Nadu

    Indian Institute of Technology Madras

    Indicative fee / yr
    ₹2.2L – ₹2.6L
    Entrance
    JEE Advanced, JEE Main +2
    • Engineering
    • Science
    • Management
    • +1
    View detailsGet guidance
  • Government

    Institute of National Importance · Est. 1951

    IIT Kharagpur

    Kharagpur, West Bengal

    Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

    Indicative fee / yr
    ₹2.2L – ₹2.6L
    Entrance
    JEE Advanced, JEE Main +2
    • Engineering
    • Science
    • Management
    • +2
    View detailsGet guidance
  • Government

    Deemed University · Est. 1909

    IISc Bengaluru

    Bengaluru, Karnataka

    Indian Institute of Science

    Indicative fee / yr
    ₹30K – ₹2.5L
    Entrance
    JEE Main, JEE Advanced +3
    • Science
    • Engineering
    View detailsGet guidance
  • Government

    Institute of National Importance · Est. 1964

    NIT Trichy

    Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

    National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli

    Indicative fee / yr
    ₹1.5L – ₹1.9L
    Entrance
    JEE Main, GATE
    • Engineering
    • Management
    • Science
    View detailsGet guidance

JEE Main guidance

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