Knowing the JEE Main exam pattern is crucial for candidates and students appearing for the IIT JEE exam. Candidates who closely observe and follow the JEE Main exam pattern will not only be able to prepare a successful study plan but will ultimately perform well and achieve a better result in the entrance exam.
From 2019 onwards, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has been granted the authority to design and develop the JEE Main syllabus and set the exam pattern. While there were a few modifications made to the exam pattern in 2019, for the 2024 exam, NTA has more or less kept the exam pattern similar to last year. However, some of the expected changes in 2024 are as follows:
- Two sessions of the exam instead of four. The first session of the exam will be held in January and the second session in April.
- There will be a negative marking for both Section A and Section B.
In essence, aspirants will find all the important information about the exam, including the mode of the JEE Main 2024, type of questions, different sections, allotment of marks and duration of the exam, on this page. Let us look at the details below.
Highlights of JEE Main 2024 Exam Pattern
Below is the expected exam pattern for JEE Main 2024.
JEE Main consists of three papers and will be conducted in two shifts – morning and evening. The general layout of the exam pattern for JEE Main is given below:
| Paper 1: B.E/B.Tech | |||||
| Subject | Section A (Marking Scheme: Correct +4 , Incorrect -1, Unanswered : 0) Question Type: MCQs | Section B (Marking Scheme: Correct +4, Incorrect -1, Unanswered : 0) Question Type: Numerical Value | Marks | ||
| Number of Questions in paper | Number of questions can be attempted | Number of Questions in paper | Number of questions can be attempted | ||
| Physics | 20 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 100 |
| Chemistry | 20 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 100 |
| Maths | 20 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 100 |
| Total | 90 Question | 75 Questions can be attempted | 300 | |||
| Paper 2A: B.Arch | |||||
| Subject | Section A (Marking Scheme: Correct +4 , Incorrect -1, Unanswered : 0) Question Type: MCQs | Section B (Marking Scheme: Correct +4, Incorrect -1, Unanswered : 0) Question Type: Numerical Value | Marks | ||
| Number of Questions in paper | Number of questions can be attempted | Number of Questions in paper | Number of questions can be attempted | ||
| Maths | 30 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 100 |
| Aptitude | 50 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 200 |
| Drawing | 2 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| Total | 82 Question | 77 Questions can be attempted | 400 | |||
| Paper 2B: B.Planning | |||||
| Subject | Section A (Marking Scheme: Correct +4 , Incorrect -1, Unanswered : 0) Question Type: MCQs | Section B (Marking Scheme: Correct +4, Incorrect -1, Unanswered : 0) Question Type: Numerical Value | Marks | ||
| Number of Questions in paper | Number of questions to be attempted | Number of Questions in paper | Number of questions to be attempted | ||
| Maths | 30 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 100 |
| Aptitude | 50 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 200 |
| Planning Based | 25 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| Total | 105 Question | 100 Questions can be attempted | 400 | |||
JEE Main Exam Pattern Detailed Description
The JEE Main exam pattern indicates how the exam will be conducted and how the JEE Main question paper will be set. Previously, JEE Main was held in four sessions, but in 2022, JEE Main was conducted in two sessions.
Notifications and circulars about the exam are usually released on the official website. Candidates should keep a close eye on the updates and refer them to know the latest details about the exam. The exam conducting authority may introduce new changes at certain intervals. Nonetheless, we will look at the exam pattern for JEE Main 2024 below.
JEE Main Paper IExam Pattern
| Course | B. E/B. Tech |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry and Maths |
| Type of Questions | MCQs and Numerical-based questions |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Medium | Medium of the Question Papers: Drawing from the National Education Policy (NEP), the JEE (Main) – 2024 will be conducted in English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Marking Scheme | 4 for the correct answer, -1 for the wrong answer and 0 for the unanswered question. |
In paper I, each subject will contain two sections. Section A will be of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs), and Section B will contain questions whose answers will be filled in as a numerical value. In Section B, candidates must attempt five questions out of 10. There will be a negative marking for Section B as well.
JEE Main Paper 2A Exam Pattern
| Course | B.Arch |
| Exam Mode | Both online and offline |
| Subjects | Maths with Aptitude and Drawing test |
| Type Of Questions | Objective-type questions for maths and aptitude while drawing test is also conducted |
| Duration | 3 hours. 4 hours for people with disability |
| Total Marks | 400 |
| Marking Scheme | 4 for the correct answer, -1 for the wrong answer. |
In paper 2A, 20 questions will be MCQs, and 5 questions will have answers to be filled in as a numerical value out of 10. There will be a negative marking for numerical value.
JEE Main Paper 2B Exam Pattern
| Course | B.Planning |
| Exam Mode | Computer-based test |
| Subjects | Maths with Aptitude and Planning-based test |
| Type Of Questions | Multiple-choice questions and answers as a numerical value for maths |
| Duration | 3 hours. 4 hours for people with disability |
| Total Marks | 400 |
| Marking Scheme | 4 for the correct answer and -1 for wrong or multiple answers. Unanswered questions will contain 0 marks. |
*20 questions will be MCQs, and 5 questions will have answers to be filled in as a numerical value out of 10. There will be a negative marking for numerical value.
On a side note, it is also very important for candidates to carefully read all the instructions that are given in the question paper. Understand it clearly and then move on to solving the questions. It is important to follow the right procedure for the exams because gaining a negative marking or losing points may cost candidates a higher rank in the exams.
JEE Main Paper Medium
From 2021 onwards, as per the National Education Policy (NEP), JEE Main paper will be set in 13 languages. They are as follows:
| S. No. | Language | Examination Centres |
| 1 | English | All Examination Centres |
| 2 | Hindi | All Examination Centres in India |
| 3 | English and Assamese | Examination Centres in Assam |
| 4 | English and Bengali | Examination Centres in West Bengal, Tripura and Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
| 5 | English and Gujarati | Examination Centres in Gujarat, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli |
| 6 | English and Kannada | Examination Centres in Karnataka |
| 7 | English and Marathi | Examination Centres in Maharashtra |
| 8 | English and Malayalam | Examination Centres in Kerala and Lakshadweep |
| 9 | English and Odia | Examination Centres in Odisha |
| 10 | English and Punjabi | Examination Centres in Punjab, Chandigarh and Delhi |
| 11 | English and Tamil | Examination Centres in Tamil Nadu, Puduch*erry and Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
| 12 | English and Telugu | Examination Centres in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana |
| 13 | English and Urdu | All Examination Centres in India |
Candidates have to note the option of choosing a language for the question paper should be exercised while filling out the application form online. NTA has mentioned that it cannot be changed at a later stage. Additionally, for the correctness of the questions in all the JEE Main question papers, the English version will be taken as the final.
Benefits of the New Exam Pattern
According to NTA, students will reap the following benefits from the new pattern.
- This will give two opportunities to the candidates to improve their scores in the examination if they cannot give their best in one attempt.
- On the first attempt, the students will get a first-hand experience of taking an examination and will know their mistakes which they can improve while attempting for the second time.
- This will reduce the chances of dropping a year, and droppers would not have to waste an entire year.
- If anyone misses the examination for reasons beyond control (such as the Board examination), they will not have to wait for one entire year.
- A candidate need not appear in both sessions. However, if a candidate appears in one session, their JEE Main 2024 NTA Scores will be considered for the merit list/ranking.
JEE Main Paper Analysis and Syllabus
Candidates can also check or go through the JEE Main question paper analysis of each year to get a better idea of the exam pattern, types of questions, difficulty level, important topics and more. This will further help candidates to develop a proper strategy for preparing effectively and clearing the entrance exam. Additionally, candidates can take JEE mock tests to understand the examination mode and question types and analyse their preparation level.
Alternatively, candidates should also get their hands on the JEE Main syllabus and go through it to better understand the exam pattern, marking scheme, course objectives and more.All these study exercises will help aspirants to perform excellently in the final exam.
JEE Main Exam Schedule
The exam schedule for JEE Main 2024 has been released by the NTA. The JEE Main exam dates are as follows.
| Date of Examination | (Session 1): Between 24th January and 1st February, 2024 (Session 2): Between 1st April, 2024 and 15th April, 2024 | ||||
The JEE Main exam is conducted in two shifts. The timing details are given below.
| Timing of Examination | First Shift | Second Shift |
| For B.E./B.Tech | 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. | 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. |
| For B.Arch | 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. | 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. |
| For B.Planning | 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. | 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. |
| For both B.Arch and B.Planning | 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. | 3.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. |
While the JEE exams require smart and productive work, candidates can significantly boost their preparation by taking some JEE Crash course. Learn more about it by clicking on the given link.
JEE Main Merit List Determination
How is the JEE Main merit list determined? Let us find out below.
| Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Paper 3 |
| The raw scores in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry are converted into total NTA scores. | The raw scores obtained in Mathematics, Aptitude Test, Drawing Test, and total are converted into NTA scores. | The raw score in Mathematics, Aptitude Test, Planning-Based Test and total is converted to NTA scores. |
| Overall merit is determined by combining NTA scores of the first and second shifts, including all the days. | ||
Method of Resolving Ties
Tie between candidates obtaining equal total NTA scores in Paper 1: B.E./B. Tech will be resolved in the following descending order:
▪ NTA score in Mathematics, followed by
▪ NTA score in Physics, followed by
▪ NTA score in Chemistry, followed by
▪ Candidates having a lesser ratio of negative to positive responses
Tie between candidates obtaining equal total NTA scores in Paper 2A: B.Arch will be resolved in the following manner:
▪ NTA score in Mathematics, followed by
▪ NTA score in Aptitude Test, followed by
▪ NTA score in Drawing Test, followed by
▪ Candidates having a lesser ratio of negative to positive responses
Tie between candidates obtaining equal total NTA scores in 2B: B. Planning will be resolved in the following manner:
▪ NTA score in Mathematics, followed by
▪ NTA score in Aptitude Test, followed by
▪ NTA score in Planning-Based Questions, followed by
▪ Candidates having a lesser ratio of negative to positive responses
Important Guidelines for JEE Main Exam Day
Here are some useful tips that candidates can follow to avoid confusion during exam day.
- Candidates should reach the examination hall early. Normally, the gates are opened two hours in advance. There will be strict checking, and candidates should have proper time management. They should be on time for the exam.
- Aspirants should remember to carry their ID proofs, and JEE Main admit card. These are important documents without which they will not be allowed to enter the exam hall.
- No electronic devices, including watches, calculators or phones, as well as books and notebooks, will be allowed in the exam hall.
All You Need to Know about JEE
Stay tuned to BYJU’S to get the latest updates on IIT JEE 2024, important notifications, dates, eligibility, syllabus, preparation tips and more.
Frequently Asked Questions on JEE Main Exam Pattern
Q1
What is the mode of JEE Main Paper 1 and Paper 2?
JEE Main Paper 1 is conducted solely through a computer-based mode. Likewise, Paper 2, Part-I and II (Mathematics and Aptitude Test) is conducted via computer-based mode and Part-III, which includes the drawing test, will be held in a pen and paper mode. It is both online and offline. Candidates cannot choose between online or offline exams.
Q2
Is it mandatory for candidates to write both JEE Main exam papers?
No, it is not mandatory for candidates to write both JEE Main exam papers. It is optional. However, candidates can appear for both the JEE Main exam sessions, which will be held in January and April.
Q3
Is the exam conducted in any other language apart from Hindi and English?
Yes, but only for selected areas. For instance, the Gujarati language is used only for exam centres in Gujarat, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Rest will take the exam in either English or Hindi. Candidates can change the language settings at any point during the examination.
Q4
Is it mandatory to attempt all the questions from each section in the JEE Main?
No, it is not mandatory or necessary for candidates to attempt all the questions. However, it is always better to attempt more questions as you will be able to score higher marks, ultimately leading to a higher rank.
Q5
Is it possible to change the answers during the examination?
Yes, candidates can easily change their answers at any point during the examination.
