JEE Main is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and covers Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. This page summarises the JEE Main exam pattern, marking scheme and syllabus as a study snapshot for previous year question practice. Confirm eligibility, dates and marking in the latest official notification on jeemain.nta.nic.in.
Official brochure wins
Pattern and syllabus notes below are a study snapshot for PYQ practice. Always cross-check the latest notification and information bulletin on jeemain.nta.nic.in before you finalise eligibility, fees, or marking assumptions.
Pattern snapshot
CBT with three subjects. Exact Section A/B counts and numerical options can change - verify the information bulletin for your session.
| Section | Duration | Questions (typical) | Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | Shared paper timer | As notified (MCQ + numerical) | +4 / −1 typical on MCQs; numerical rules as notified |
| Chemistry | Shared paper timer | As notified | Same family of rules - confirm brochure |
| Mathematics | Shared paper timer | As notified | Often the time sink - practise selection on PYQs |
Multiple sessions mean normalised scores. Use PYQs to build skill; use official NTA metrics for rank interpretation.
Marking scheme (study snapshot)
| Question type | Correct | Wrong | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ (typical) | +4 | −1 | Confirm live brochure |
| Numerical value | +4 | Often 0 negative | Attempt rules/options vary by year |
| Unattempted | 0 | 0 | Skipping is strategic |
Numbers above are typical of recent cycles. Confirm exact marks, negatives, and sectional rules in the current brochure.
Detailed syllabus bullets (for mapping PYQ misses)
Physics
- Mechanics and properties of matter
- Thermodynamics and kinetic theory
- Electromagnetism and current electricity
- Optics and waves
- Modern physics and semiconductors as listed
Chemistry
- Physical chemistry numericals and equilibrium
- Organic reaction mechanisms and named reactions as in syllabus
- Inorganic periodic properties, bonding, coordination (as listed)
- Environmental/chemistry in everyday life topics if in syllabus
Mathematics
- Algebra: quadratic, sequences, complex numbers, matrices (as listed)
- Calculus: limits, derivatives, integrals, differential equations
- Coordinate geometry and conics
- Trigonometry and inverse trig
- Vectors, 3D geometry, probability/statistics as listed
Eligibility snapshot
- Class 12 (or equivalent) with required subjects as per NTA brochure
- Year of passing / attempt rules as notified
- Age and qualifying exam criteria per information bulletin
Eligibility can change by year (age, attempts, degree, category rules). Treat this as orientation only.
Who runs it and how often
- Exam: Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main)
- Conducted by: NTA
- Typical frequency: Multiple sessions per year
- Category: Engineering & Tech
- Official site: jeemain.nta.nic.in
Link PYQs to syllabus
- Take one recent full paper under realistic timing.
- Map every miss to a syllabus bullet above.
- Study that bullet from your primary resource (notes/textbook).
- Re-solve only those PYQs before the next full paper.
- Update your error log with the syllabus tag so weak areas compound correctly.
Brochure caution
Do not rely on undated coaching PDFs for duration, number of questions, or negative marking. Screenshot or bookmark the current information bulletin. If a PYQ set disagrees with the latest pattern, still use it for skill practice, but do not treat its structure as the live exam.