The Joint Entrance Examination - main and advanced exam pattern

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is a two-tiered examination system conducted in India for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate programs in engineering, architecture, and related fields at prestigious institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and other top engineering colleges. The JEE comprises two main components: JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Let's explore the exam patterns for both stages

JEE Main

1. Examination Frequency: JEE Main is conducted twice a year, typically in January and April.

2. Eligibility: Candidates who have completed or are in the final year of their 10+2 (or equivalent) examination are eligible to appear for JEE Main. There are no specific age limits, but candidates must meet the eligibility criteria regarding the number of attempts.

3. Examination Mode: JEE Main is Computer-Based Test (CBT)

4. Question Pattern:

   • For B.E./B.Tech courses: The JEE Main paper for B.E./B.Tech programs includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with four options each, where candidates must choose the correct answer.
   • For B.Arch programs: The paper for B.Arch includes a Mathematics section with MCQs and a Drawing section with a separate paper to assess drawing skills.
   • For B.Planning programs: The paper for B.Planning includes a Mathematics section, a general planning section, and an aptitude test.

5. Marking Scheme: Candidates receive +4 marks for each correct answer, and there is a negative marking of -1 for each incorrect answer.

6. Paper Options: Candidates can choose to appear for either Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), Paper 2 (B.Arch), or Paper 3 (B.Planning) based on their desired courses.

7. Rank Calculation: The JEE Main rank is calculated based on the candidate's NTA (National Testing Agency) score, which is the percentile score relative to other test-takers. The All India Rank (AIR) is used for admissions to NITs, IIITs, and other participating institutes.

JEE Advanced

1. Examination Frequency: JEE Advanced is conducted once a year, usually in May or June.

2. Eligibility: Only candidates who have successfully cleared the JEE Main and rank among the top performers are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced. There is also an age limit for JEE Advanced.

3. Examination Mode: JEE Advanced is conducted in online mode (Computer-Based Test).

4. Question Pattern:

   • The JEE Advanced exam includes two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2.
   • Both papers consist of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) as well as numerical answer-type questions (NAT).
   • The questions are designed to test a candidate's analytical and problem-solving skills in physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

5. Marking Scheme: The marking scheme varies for different questions. MCQs have negative marking, while NAT questions do not. The detailed marking scheme is provided in the question paper.

6. Rank Calculation: The final JEE Advanced rank is based on the aggregate marks obtained in both Paper 1 and Paper 2. The rank determines admission to the IITs and certain other premier engineering institutions.