The JEE Advanced exam will be held on 17 May 2026 in CBT Mode. The exam pattern is expected to be similar to previous years.
- The exam will be conducted in two mandatory papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2.
- The exam is from 3 subjects: Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, in 120 minutes.
- There are different types of questions, such as MCQs, MSQs, matrix matches, and NAT Questions.
The Official Information Brochure has been released on 31 December 2025 and can be accessed through this link
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Key Summary
- In this article we have discussed about the marking scheme, types of questions, the structure of Paper 1 and 2, & PYQs
- Marking Scheme: Questions carry 3-4 marks, so avoiding negative marking is crucial
- Question Type: Numerical and multi-correct questions test accuracy and clarity.
- Subject-Wise Distribution: All three subjects contribute almost equally to total score
- Syllabus for Weightage: Chapters involving multiple concepts appears frequently
- Official Updates: Section rules are shared close to the exam, so flexibility is important
- Changing Trends: Recent papers focus on reasoning and application than formulas
What is JEE Advanced Exam Pattern?
The JEE Advanced exam pattern includes the structure of the JEE Main question paper, based on which you must prepare for the exams, and will be conducted in 2 papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2.
- Each paper includes questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- Each subject of the question paper carries 17 questions, with 51 questions combined in 3 subjects in one paper.
Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Date | 17 May 2026 |
| Mode | Online (Computer-based Test) |
| Languages | English and Hindi |
| Papers | Paper 1 & Paper 2 |
| Timings | Paper 1: 9am to 12pmPaper 2: 2:30pm to 5:30pm |
| Duration | 3 hours for each paper (total 6 hours) |
| Sections in each paper | 3 sections |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Number of questions in each paper | 51 |
| Total Number of questions in both papers | 102 |
| Total Marks in exam | 360 marks (180 marks for each paper) |
Ques. Can different sections in the same paper have different marking schemes?
Ans. Yes, JEE Advanced 2026 allows section-wise marking variation.
- One section may have negative marking depending upon question type.
- Some sections have no deduction for unattempted or,
- Other sections may have no negative marking.
- Rules are displayed separately per section.
Ques. Does JEE Advanced 2026 follow the same pattern in both shifts?
Ans. Yes, there is only one scheduled attempt.
- Paper 1 and Paper 2 take place on the same day.
- No multiple exam shifts like JEE Main.
- All candidates face identical papers.
- Pattern consistency ensures fair ranking.
JEE Advanced Marking Scheme
Marking scheme in JEE Advanced is different for different types of questions. Each subject of JEE Advanced includes four sections with a different number of questions. Marking scheme is also different for different types of questions.
Exam Pattern for Paper 1
Paper 1 will be conducted on 17 May 2026 and timings are 9am to 12pm
- NAT Questions will not have any negative marking, which gives more scoring opportunities.
- There will be partial marking for Multiple correct MCQs, so the selection should be done carefully.
- Paper 1 will test the conceptual clarity along with accuracy for Mixed MCQs, NATs, and Matching Questions.
Paper 1: Marking Scheme for each subject
| Section | Type of Questions | No. of Questions | Marking Scheme | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Single Correct MCQs | 4 | +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted | 12 |
| 2 | Multiple Correct MCQs | 3 | +4 (all correct), +3 (3 out of 4 correct), +2 (2 correct), +1 (1 correct), 0 (none), -2 (others) | 12 |
| 3 | Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | 6 | +4 for correct, no negative marking | 24 |
| 4 | Matrix Match | 4 (2) | +4 for fully correct, -1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted | 12 |
| Total | 17 | 60 |
Therefore, JEE Advanced 2026 total marks for paper 1 are
Physics + Chemistry + Mathematics = 60 + 60 + 60 = 180 Marks
Exam Pattern for Paper 2
Paper 2 will be conducted on 17 May 2026 and timings are 2:30pm to 5:30pm
- The JEE Advanced Paper 2 will be balanced, including objective-type and numerical solving skills with more NAT Weightage.
- There are more Numerical Answer Questions with an advantage in solving questions.
- Paper 2 is expected to be more lengthy because of complex NATs, so the allocation should be done properly.
Paper 2: Marking Scheme for each subject
| Section | Type of Questions | No. of Questions | Marking Scheme | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Single Correct MCQs | 4 | +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted | 12 |
| 2 | Multiple Correct MCQs | 3 | +4 (all correct), +3 (3 out of 4 correct), +2 (2 correct), +1 (1 correct), 0 (none), -2 (others) | 12 |
| 3 | Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | 6 | +4 for correct, no negative marking | 24 |
| 4 | Paragraphs | 4 (2) | +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted | 12 |
| Total | 17 | 60 |
Therefore, JEE Advanced 2026 total marks for paper 2 are
Physics + Chemistry + Mathematics = 60 + 60 + 60 = 180 Marks
Ques. Can Paper 2 be tougher than Paper 1?
Ans. Yes, difficulty is not uniform in both papers.
- Either of the papers can be more challenging
- Paper 2 often tests concept-based questions.
- Paper 1 may focus on calculations and numerical ability.
- Preparation strategy must be set according to the pattern of both papers.
Ques. Are total marks fixed for JEE Advanced 2026?
Ans. No, total marks are not pre-declared.
- The conducting IIT decides mark distribution internally.
- Total score of the exam varies every year
- Rank is based on relative performance rather than only marks.
- Raw score matters more than your total score.
Types of Questions in JEE Advanced 2026
JEE Advanced uses multiple question formats to test accuracy, logic, and conceptual understanding. Since the weightage and difficulty level differ across subjects, the marks allotted to questions also vary from one section to another in a paper.
Question Formats Used:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Single correct option
- Multiple correct options
- Numerical Value Questions (NAT)
- Answer entered using a numerical keypad
- Match the Following / Matrix-based Questions
- Paragraph-based / Comprehension Questions (subject-specific)
JEE Advanced Exam Pattern: Section-Wise Distribution
According to the previous year's paper pattern trends, the paper is divided into four sections: 4 questions of 3 marks, 3 questions of 4 marks, 6 questions of 4 marks, and 4 questions of 3 marks, respectively.
Each paper of JEE Advanced carries 51 questions, with 17 questions from each subject.
| Section | Paper 1 Number of Questions | Paper 1 Marks | Paper 2 Number of Questions | Paper 2 Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 12 | 4 | 12 |
| 2 | 3 | 12 | 3 | 12 |
| 3 | 6 | 24 | 6 | 24 |
| 4 | 4 | 12 | 4 | 12 |
| Total | 17 | 60 | 17 | 60 |
In this video by @Collegedunia Exams, subject-wise and topic-wise distribution for JEE Advanced 2026 exam is explained for all aspirants.
JEE Advanced 2026 Syllabus
The syllabus of JEE Advanced 2026 exam is divided into Class 11 and 12 topics in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
- The questions are not direct or memory-based; instead, they test how well students understand concepts and apply them to solve problems step by step.
- Strong basics and regular practice are more important than memorizing formulas.
Note: The syllabus for JEE Advanced 2026 remains the same as JEE Advanced 2025.
Expected High-weightage topics for 2026
| Subject | High-Weightage Topics | Approximate Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Mechanics, Electrodynamics (Electricity & Magnetism), Modern Physics, Optics, Thermodynamics | 35–40% (Mechanics & Electrodynamics combined approx. 50–60%) |
| Chemistry |
| 30–35% each branch balanced, Organic often highest |
| Mathematics | Calculus (Differential & Integral), Algebra (Complex Numbers, Matrices), Coordinate Geometry, Vectors & 3D Geometry | 35–40% (Calculus & Algebra approx. 60%) |
Source: For topics check here, Official Syllabus PDF
Ques. Does the syllabus affect question weightage in JEE Advanced?
Ans. Yes, but not all the topics are equally important in weightage.
- Multi-concept chapters appear more often in exams.
- Application-heavy topics dominate the weightage.
- Direct theory-based questions are less frequent.
- Understanding multi-concept links improves scoring and ranks.
Ques. Is there an equal weightage for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics?
Ans. Yes, subject weightage is nearly balanced.
- Each subject contributes to 33% in weightage.
- No subject dominates its total marks.
- Weakness in one subject affects your overall ranks.
- Balanced preparation is essential for high ranking.
JEE Advanced Previous Years’ Papers
To understand the JEE Advanced Exam Pattern and JEE Advanced Syllabus, aspirants must go through the JEE Advanced previous years’ papers.
| Year | Paper | PDF Link |
|---|---|---|
| JEE Advanced 2025 | Paper 1 | Download PDF |
| Paper 2 | Download PDF | |
| JEE Advanced 2024 | Paper 1 | Download PDF |
| Paper 2 | Download PDF | |
| JEE Advanced 2023 | Paper 1 | Download PDF |
| Paper 2 | Download PDF | |
| JEE Advanced 2022 | Paper 1 | Download PDF |
| Paper 2 | Download PDF |
Read More: Detailed Breakdown of Question Paper
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Exam Pattern FAQs
Ques. Does JEE Advanced 2026 focus more on speed or accuracy?
Ans. Accuracy is more important than speed.
- High negative marking increases the risk when you try to attempt everything.
- Multi-correct questions need accuracy over speed.
- Attempting fewer correct answers can make you score better than over-attempting or over-guessing.
- Smart selection of questions matters the most while you start attempting the paper.
Ques. Is JEE Advanced tougher than JEE Main due to its pattern?
Ans. Yes, JEE Advanced is tougher mainly because of pattern complexity.
- Variable marking creates more uncertainty in obtaining higher ranks.
- Questions test deeper understanding than random deep-theoretical questions.
- Over-guessing questions to complete the paper quickly leads to a low score.
- Strategy matters as much as concept knowledge.
Ques. Can students switch languages during the JEE Advanced exam?
Ans. Yes, language switching is allowed.
- Your paper is available in both English and Hindi modes.
- Language mode can be changed during the test.
- Questions remain identical, and the time also does not get affected.
- By changing the language, there is no impact on exam evaluation and total score.
Ques. Are numerical questions safer than MCQs in JEE Advanced?
Ans. Numerical questions often carry less risk.
- Usually no negative marking
- Require exact calculation
- No guessing advantage
- Accuracy matters more than speed
Ques. How should aspirants adapt to changing JEE Advanced patterns?
Ans. Flexibility of preparation plan is the key to success.
- Practice papers, but avoid memorizing fixed formats.
- Practice mixed question sets and mock tests.
- Focus on accuracy and conceptual understanding.
- Read exam guidelines carefully every time you attempt a paper.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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