JEE Main Exam Pattern
Mode, duration, sections, question types, marking scheme and available language options.
Paper structure visual
Understand how time, sections, questions and marking work together.
Dates, fees, cutoffs and rules can change between admission cycles. Confirm dynamic details on the conducting authority’s official portal before acting.
Paper 1 pattern for B.E./B.Tech
Paper 1 was a three-hour computer-based examination covering Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry with equal weightage.
| Subject | Section A MCQs | Section B numerical questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 | 5 | 100 |
| Physics | 20 | 5 | 100 |
| Chemistry | 20 | 5 | 100 |
| Total | 60 | 15 | 300 |
A correct response carried +4, an incorrect response carried −1 and an unanswered question carried 0. Negative marking applied to both MCQs and numerical-value questions. Numerical answers were entered with the on-screen keypad and rounded as directed.
Duration and shifts
Paper 1, Paper 2A or Paper 2B alone had a duration of three hours. Candidates taking both Paper 2A and Paper 2B had three hours and thirty minutes. Eligible PwD/PwBD candidates received compensatory time under the bulletin’s rules. The normal three-hour shifts were 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon and 3:00–6:00 p.m. IST, although the admit card is always controlling.
Paper 2A: B.Arch
Paper 2A combined Mathematics (25 questions/100 marks), Aptitude (50 questions/200 marks) and two Drawing Test questions evaluated out of 100 marks, for a total of 400. Mathematics and aptitude were computer based; drawing was completed offline on the supplied sheet.
Paper 2B: B.Planning
Paper 2B combined Mathematics (25 questions/100 marks), Aptitude (50 questions/200 marks) and 25 planning-based questions/100 marks, totalling 400 in CBT mode.
Languages
The 2026 examination was offered in 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Regional-language availability depended on the examination-centre location or address conditions described in the bulletin. The English version prevailed if there was a translation difference.
Normalisation and ties
Raw scores from multi-shift papers are converted to NTA scores. Paper 1 ties are resolved through subject NTA scores—Mathematics, then Physics, then Chemistry—followed by prescribed incorrect-to-correct response proportions. If the tie still remains after all published steps, candidates receive the same rank.
Strategy implications
The −1 penalty means accuracy matters. Build a two-pass attempt plan: solve direct and familiar questions first, then use remaining time for longer calculations. Do not enter speculative answers merely to increase attempts. Practise using an on-screen calculator-free environment, virtual keypad and timed subject transitions with official or previous papers.
Exam at a Glance
- Admission LevelUndergraduate engineering, architecture and planning admissions
- Conducting AuthorityNational Testing Agency
- Exam CategoryUndergraduate Engineering