JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026
JEE Main Exam Pattern
Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main exam is conducted every year by the NTA (National Testing Agency) for admission in B.E, B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning courses. The candidates can get admission to the top institutes across the country. Itis also the qualifying exam for JEE (Advanced) exam, which is taken for admission to the prestigious IITs. The JEE Main 2026 exam consists of papers – Paper 1 is for admission to B.Tech/B.E courses, and Paper 2 is for admission in B.Arch/B.Plan courses. The second paper of the JEE Main 2026 will further have two parts – 2A is for B.Arch courses, and 2B is for B.Plan courses.
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Best Study Material for JEE Main 2026 – Complete Subject-Wise Preparation
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Best Companion for JEE MAIN 2026 Aspirants: Download PDF
1. JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern
Understanding the JEE examination pattern is important, which is why we have given a detailed account of the JEE Mains pattern 2026.
JEE Main Exam Pattern for Paper-1 (B.Tech/B.E.)
The duration of JEE Main exam Paper 1 is 3 hours (4 hours for the PwD candidates). This paper is held online. There are two sections for each subject – MCQs (Section A) and numerical (Section B). Starting this year, there is a minor change in the paper pattern for each subject (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics): Section A will have 20 questions, and Section B will have 5 questions, with all 75 questions being compulsory. (based on previous year details)
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Mode | Computer-Based Examination (CBT) |
| Sections-wise Number of Questions |
Physics – 25 Questions Chemistry – 25 Questions Mathematics – 25 Questions |
| Type of Questions |
Section A: MCQs – 20 questions per subject Section B: Numerical value-based – 5 questions per subject |
| Marking System |
+4 marks for each correct answer −1 mark for each wrong answer 0 mark for unattempted questions |
| Total Questions | 75 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Language of Examination | English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Gujarati |
The exam is conducted to judge the theoretical and practical knowledge of the students. Let us now discuss the marking scheme of the exam.
JEE Main Exam Pattern for Paper-2 (B.Arch and B.Plan.)
JEE Main exam paper pattern for Paper 2 is different for B.Arch and B.Planning. However, candidates get 3 hours for both these papers.
For B.Arch (Paper 2A):- The exam for B.Arch is held in online and offline mode. The Aptitude and Mathematics testis conducted in online mode, and the Art or Structure Drawing testis held in pen and paper or offline mode.
- Only 2 questions are asked from the drawing section, which assesses the drawing skills of the candidates.
- 20 MCQs (in Section -A) and 5 numerical questions (in Section-B) are asked in the Mathematics section. All questions are compulsory.
- 50 questions are asked in the Aptitude section.
- Total Number of Questions: 77
For B.Plan (Paper 2B):- The exam forB.Arch is conducted in online mode. Questions are asked from 3 subjects, namely Planning, Mathematics, and
Aptitude.
- 25 questions are asked in the planning section.
- 20 MCQs and 5 numerical questions are asked in the Mathematics section.
- 50 questions are asked in the Aptitude section.
Here is the table for a better understanding of the Paper-2 Pattern:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Mode of Examination |
Paper 2A: Online & Offline Paper 2B: Online |
| Number of Sections |
Paper 2A: 1. Mathematics 2. Aptitude Test 3. Drawing Test Paper 2B: 1. Mathematics 2. Aptitude Test 3. Planning Test |
| Total Number of Questions |
Paper 2A: 77 Questions Paper 2B: 100 Questions |
| Type of Questions |
Paper 2A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Numerical-based Questions, Drawing Aptitude Paper 2B: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Numerical-based Questions |
| Marking System |
Paper 2A: +4 marks for each correct answer −1 mark for each wrong answer 0 marks for unattempted questions Drawing Test: 50 marks for each of the 2 questions |
| Languages of Examination | English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Gujarati |
2. JEE Paper Pattern with Marking Scheme
Candidates can find the marking scheme for allthe papers ofthe JEE Main below.
Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)
- The total marks for JEE Main exam Paper1 are 300. For every correct response, 4 marks are rewarded.
- For every wrong response,1 mark is deducted. No marks are deducted for unattempt questions.
- In the Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry sections, a maximum of100 marks are rewarded for all 25 questions. There are a total of 75 questions to be
attempted, which equals 75*4 = 300 marks.
Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning)
- The total marks for JEE Main exam Paper 2 are 800, which means 400 marks each for B.Arch (2A) and B.Plan (2B).
- For every correct response, 4 marks are rewarded. For every wrong response,1 mark is deducted. No marks are deducted for unattempt questions.
Paper 2A (B.Arch)
- In the drawing section, a maximum of 50 marks are awarded for each of the 2 drawing questions- which equals 100 marks.
- In the Mathematics section, a maximum of 4 marks are awarded for each of the 25 questions to be attempted, which equals 100 marks.
- In the Aptitude section, 4 marks are awarded for each of the 50 questions – a maximum of 200 marks.
Paper 2B (B.Plan)
- In the planning-based section, 4 marks are awarded for each of the 25 questions – which equals 100 marks.
- In the Mathematics section, a maximum of 4 marks are rewarded for each of the 25 questions – which equals 100 marks.
- In the Aptitude section, 4 marks are rewarded for each of the 50 questions- a maximum of 200 marks.
3. Important Topics for JEE Main 2026
The subject-wise important topics for JEE main 2026, according to the previous years’ exams, are listed below.
| Mathematics | Physics | Chemistry |
|---|---|---|
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|
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4. JEE Main Mock Tests 2026
Candidates should attempt as many mock tests as possible to identify their weak areas and st#rengthen them before the exam. It will also help them to acquire the required speed for the exam. Candidates can attempt the JEE Main mock tests from the official website – nta.ac.in/Quiz. They can experience the real exam by registering and taking the exam on this website. It has a timer and all the restrictions as the real JEE exam pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions:
No, it is not mandatory to appear for both sessions of JEE Main. Candidates may choose to appear in one or both sessions. If a candidate appears in both sessions, the best of the two scores is considered while preparing the final merit list.
JEE Main is conducted in 13 languages. Candidates can choose the language of the question paper from the following options:
English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and Gujarati.
JEE Main Paper 2 is conducted in different modes depending on the course:
- Paper 2B (B.Planning): Conducted entirely online.
- Paper 2A (B.Arch): Conducted in blended mode, where Mathematics and Aptitude Test are online, and the Drawing Test is conducted offline.