JEE Main 2026 Preparation Guide: Study Plan, Strategy, Tips & Resources

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Shivam Yadav

Updated on - Nov 23, 2025

Preparing for the JEE Main 2026 requires a focused, data-driven strategy, especially when only 2 months are left for the January session. You should shift from completing the whole syllabus to focusing on the high-weightage topics, mock tests, and error reduction.

Every year, around 11-12 lakh students appear for the exam, and almost 70% of the questions come from only 20-25 important chapters.

According to the experts, students who take 20-30 full mock tests and revise high-return chapters improve their percentile by 12-20% in the last 60 days.

As one JEE Main 2024 aspirant (97.2 percentile) said: “When I focused only on high-weightage topics in the last two months, my score increased from 110 to 158 in three weeks.”

In this article, we have provided a simple 60-day study plan, a chapter-wise strategy, a daily routine, and recommended resources to help you score 95–99+ percentile in JEE Main 2026.

JEE Main Preparation Tips 2026

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What is the best way to prepare for JEE Mains?

To prepare for the JEE Main 2026, you must understand the JEE Main 2026 Syllabus and Exam Pattern thoroughly. With just 2 months left for the JEE Main 2026 January attempt, the preparation strategy must shift from chapter-by-chapter learning to a high-weight, exam-focused, error-reduction mode. At this stage, every study hour should directly impact percentile improvement.

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“With two months left, I shifted to only high-weightage topics. My mock test score jumped from 110 → 158 in 3 weeks.” — JEE 2024 Aspirant (97.2 percentile)

JEE Main Preparation 2026

Check: JEE Main Chapter Wise Weightage 2026

JEE Main Subject-wise High Weightage Topics

The JEE Main Subject-wise high-weightage topics help in scoring more in the exam with a small set of the core chapters, which perfectly align with the 80–20 rule, where 20% of the syllabus drives nearly 80% of scoring potential.

Physics

In Physics, topics like Current Electricity, Electrostatics, Magnetism, Optics, and Oscillations together form around 40% of the paper.

  • Current Electricity (~9.9%, ~3 Q): Ohm’s law, KCL/KVL, series–parallel resistances, Wheatstone/meter bridge, basic RC charging–discharging.
  • Electrostatics (~8.8%, ~2–3 Q): Electric field/flux, Gauss’s law, potential, capacitors, conductors/insulators in fields.
  • Waves & Oscillations (~8.5%, ~2–3 Q): SHM equations, energy plots, beats, superposition, resonance.
  • Magnetism & Moving Charges (~8–9%, ~2–3 Q): Biot–Savart, Ampere’s law, Lorentz force, motion of charged particles, fields of wire/loop/solenoid.
  • Ray Optics (~7.5%, ~2 Q): Lens/mirror formula, TIR, prism deviation, optical instruments, lens combinations.

Mathematics

In Mathematics topics like Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, and Vector–3D, contribute over 55% of the total questions.

  • Coordinate Geometry (~15–17%, ~4–5 Q): Straight line, circle, parabola, ellipse, hyperbola, family of curves.
  • Calculus (~30–32%, ~7–8 Q): Limits, continuity, derivatives & AOD, indefinite/definite integrals, area under curve.
  • Vector & 3D Geometry (~11–12%, ~3 Q): Dot/cross product, direction ratios, line & plane equations, distances & angles.
  • Probability & Statistics (~7%, ~2 Q): Conditional probability, Bayes theorem, mean/variance/SD.
  • Matrices & Determinants (~6–7%, ~2 Q): Determinants, inverse, rank, linear equation solutions.

Chemistry

Chemistry follows the same pattern, where key topics like GOC & Hydrocarbons, Solutions & Thermodynamics, and Chemical Bonding account for 10–12 questions alone.

  • GOC + Hydrocarbons (~15–18%, ~4–5 Q): Inductive/resonance effects, stability, isomerism, reaction intermediates, alkanes/alkenes/alkynes mechanisms.
  • Solutions + Thermodynamics (~12–14%, ~3–4 Q): Raoult’s law, colligative properties, enthalpy, Gibbs free energy, spontaneity.
  • Chemical Bonding (~10–12%, ~3 Q): VSEPR, hybridization, MOT basics, bond order, dipole moment.
  • Electrochemistry (~7–9%, ~2–3 Q): Nernst equation, conductance, galvanic/electrolytic cells, EMF, Faraday laws.
  • Coordination Compounds (~6–7%, ~2 Q): Ligands, coordination number, IUPAC naming, CFT basics, magnetism.

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JEE Main Phase-wise Preparation Strategy

To prepare well for JEE Main 2026, you should divide the preparation into multiple phases. We have created the 3-phase JEE Main strategy to improve performance, which aligns with the 95+ percentile scorer.

  • In Phase 1, target high-weightage chapters and 50–70 daily questions, helping finish 80% of the scoring syllabus, which covers about 60% of the exam.
  • In Phase 2, practice up to 100 questions per subject, timed PYQs, and 2 mocks per week, which will boost scores by 12–18% and help reach 150+ marks.
  • In Phase 3, focus only on mocks, PYQs, and revision, with 3-4 mocks weekly, often increasing scores by 20–35 marks and pushing students into the 200+ score (98–99.5 percentile) range.
Phase Target Focus Milestones
Phase 1: Quick Syllabus Coverage + Basics High-weightage topics only (8-10 chapters/subject) NCERT revision + basic problems. Solve 50-70 Qs/subject/day. Complete 80% syllabus. 1 mini-mock (50 Qs) every 3 days. Accuracy: 70%.
Phase 2: Intensive Practice Application + weak areas Modules/PYQs timed. 100 Qs/subject/day. Error analysis mandatory. 2 full mocks/week. Target 150+ marks. Revise errors daily.
Phase 3: Revision + Simulation Mocks + targeted revision Only PYQs, notes, and mocks. No books—simulate exam conditions. 3-4 mocks/week, ramped to daily last week. 200+ marks goal. Relax Day 59.

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Daily Routine Structure

Time Activity (Daily Fixed Routine) Notes / What to Do Exactly
5:30 – 6:00 am Wake up + Freshen up + 5-min light stretch / deep breathing No phone, no snooze
6:00 – 9:15 am Session-1 → Subject 1 (Physics or Math – whichever is weaker) 1 chapter theory (fast reading) + all formulasSolve 80–100 previous year + coaching module questions of that chapter
9:15 – 9:45 am Breakfast + 10-min walk/outside air Eat heavy (oats, eggs, fruits, etc.)
9:45 – 1:15 pm Session-2 → Subject 2 (Chemistry – fastest scoring) Inorganic/Organic/Physical – 1–2 chapters NCERT lines + 100–120 questions (N Awasthi/MS Chauhan level 1-2)
1:15 – 2:00 pm Lunch + 15-min power nap
2:00 – 5:30 pm Session-3 → Subject 3 (the remaining one – Math or Physics) Same pattern: theory revision + 100+ questions of 1–2 chapters
5:30 – 6:15 pm Break → Tea + light exercise / walk + talk to family/friend (mandatory for mental health) No study, no phone scrolling
6:15 – 9:30 pm Session-4 → FULL MOCK or Weak Topic Revision + PYQs Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun - Full 3-hour mock (exact NTA pattern) Tue/Thu/Sat - 2 weakest chapters (solve 200 questions each)
9:30 – 10:15 pm Dinner
10:15 – 11:30/12:00 pm Mock Analysis (only on mock days) OR Formula/Short Notes Revision (on non-mock days) Mark silly mistakes in a separate notebook Revise all formulas of the day’s chapters
12:00 – 12:30 am Quick NCERT Chemistry one-liner revision (only last 30 days)
12:30 am Sleep (7–7.5 hours compulsory) No all-nighters — marks drop after 3–4 days of less sleep

Mock Test Strategy & Performance Analysis for JEE Main 2026

Students scoring 98+ percentile typically take 25–35 quality mock tests in the final 60 days.

The given schedule will gradually build stamina by starting with 2 mock tests per week to identify the weaknesses, moving to 3 mocks for time management, and then 4 mocks for real exam-like practice that typically boosts scores by 12–18 marks.

Week Range Target Tests Purpose
Weeks 1–2 2 full mocks/week Build exam stamina & identify weak areas
Weeks 3–4 3 full mocks/week Time management + accuracy optimization
Weeks 5–6 4 full mocks/week Real-time testing & percentile boosting
Final 2 Weeks (Jan 2026) 5–6 mocks/week Maximize speed, pattern familiarity

JEE Main Subject-wise Mock Test

JEE Main Physics Mock Test Take Test
JEE Main Chemistry Mock Test Take Test
JEE Main Maths Mock Test Take Test

NCERT Books for JEE Mains

You are always advised to start your JEE Mains preparation with class 11 and 12 NCERT Books. This will help you understand the basic concepts. Provided below are the links to download NCERT books for Physics, Chemistry, and Maths.

JEE Main Preparation Books 2026

The Books are the best recourse for preparing for the JEE Main 2026; the toppers have recommended some subject-wise books, like in Physics, HC Verma builds a core understanding, while DC Pandey helps score directly in JEE-level questions.

  • In Chemistry, NCERT remains the most scoring book, responsible for major jumps in marks, supported by N. Awasthi, MS Chauhan, and VK Jaiswal for targeted practice.
  • For Maths, Arihant’s Skills in Mathematics offers the best balance for JEE Main, while Cengage and Black Book are used selectively for strengthening tougher areas.

JEE Main Physics Best Books

Book Name Actual User Quotes When to Use / Rating
HC Verma (Vol 1 & 2) “HC Verma solved examples = 60–70 % JEE Main questions” “Did only examples + PYQs → 90/100 in Physics” Must for concept building - 9.8/10
DC Pandey (Understanding Physics – 5 books) “Level 2 = exact Main level. Did only 3 books → 88–94 marks Physics” “Better practice than HCV” Main practice book - 9.5/10
Cengage Physics (BM Sharma) “Too tough & lengthy for Main, wasted time” “Use only after DC Pandey if aiming for Advanced” Optional, Advanced-focused - 7/10

JEE Main Chemistry Best Books

Book Name Actual User Quotes (Verbatim) When to Use / Rating
NCERT (Class 11 & 12) “95+ in Chemistry impossible without NCERT” “Last 45 days only NCERT fingering → 72 → 98 marks” Non-negotiable - 11/10
N Awasthi (Physical Chemistry) “Level 1 & 2 enough for 90+ in Physical” “Did 3 times → never below 92 in Chem” God book for Physical - 10/10
MS Chauhan (Organic – Balaji) “Level 1 = Main, Level 2 = Adv. Did till Aromatic → 85–90 marks Organic guaranteed” Bible for Organic - 10/10
VK Jaiswal (Inorganic – Balaji) “Not needed if NCERT + coaching sheets done properly.” “Only p-block problems helped.” Optional - 7.5/10

JEE Main Mathematics Best Books

Book Name Actual User Quotes (Verbatim) When to Use / Rating
Arihant Skills in Mathematics (7 books) “Best value. Coordinate & Calculus books are pure gold” “Only Arihant + PYQs → 92–96 marks Math” Best for Main - 9.7/10
Cengage Maths (G. Tewani series) “Theory is amazing, questions slightly harder. Calculus & Algebra best” Great theory + practice - 9.3/10
Sameer Bansal (Black Book) “Selected chapters in last 45 days → 99 → 99.97 jump” “Don’t start with this.” Last 2-month weapon - 9/10
RD Sharma Objective “Old edition enough for Algebra & Coordinate” “New edition has too many easy questions – time waste” Only if extra time - 7/10

Check Here the JEE Main Best Books

Most Repeated Combinations That Gave 99.9+ Percentile (Real Confessions)

Combo Name Books Used Percentile/Score Achieved Student Quote
Minimalist God Combo NCERT + HC Verma + N Awasthi + MS Chauhan + Arihant Math + PYQs 99.92 – 99.99 %ile “Did nothing else. Sold all Cengage/Bansal”
PW Online Combo PW Modules + Alakh Sir YouTube + N Awasthi + MS Chauhan + Arihant PYQs 99.95+ (multiple 2025 students) “₹3000 batch se 99.97 aaya, ghar baithe”
Allen Classic Combo Allen Modules + DC Pandey + N Awasthi + MS Chauhan + Cengage Math 99.8 – 99.99 “Modules hi kaafi the, books extra the”
Dropper 60-Day Combo Only PYQs (2019–2025) + Sameer Bansal (selected) + NCERT Chem + short notes 99.34 → 99.98 jump (Jan attempt) “Last 60 days sirf PYQ + Bansal kiya”

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JEE Main Previous Year Question Papers

How to Prepare for JEE Mains from Class 11

Preparing for JEE Main from Class 11 gives students a major advantage, as per the toppers, over 70% of 99+ percentile scorers begin serious preparation in Class 11, and nearly 85% of AIR < 500 finish at least 45–50% of the syllabus by the end of the year.

Toppers like Harshul Suthar (AIR-1) and Aditya (AIR-2) stress starting from Day 1 and following a steady 6–8 hour study routine with same-day revision, which boosts retention by 50–60%. - Reddit

JEE Main preparation tips from toppers

Category Topper Tip (Short & Direct) Who Said / Source
Start & Mindset Start Day 1 of Class 11. Finish 45–50% syllabus by year-end. Focus on consistency, not rank. Harshul Suthar (AIR-1), Aditya (AIR-2)
Daily Routine 6–8 hrs study + 8 hrs sleep. School → Self-study → Same-day revision. ALLEN, PW toppers
Core Resources NCERT 100% + One reference book per subject (HCV, Cengage Math, OP Tandon/MS Chauhan) Every 100%iler
Priority Topics Mechanics, Electrostatics, Thermodynamics, Organic + Inorganic reactions, Calculus, Coordinate 60–70% weightage from Class 11
Practice Strategy Daily 30–50 problems → Weekly PYQs → One full mock every 15 days + full analysis Parth Dwivedi, Siddhant Mukherjee
Revision Rule Revise the Class 11 syllabus 3 times before the Class 12 boards. Keep short formula/notes copy All recent AIR < 100
Health & Balance 8 hrs sleep, 30-minute walk/exercise, one weekly off-day, no phone during study blocks Common advice from 99.9+ %ilers
Biggest Mistake to Avoid Collecting 20 books, skipping NCERT, ignoring sleep, not analysing mocks Universal topper regret

How to prepare for JEE Mains by self-study

The data shows that JEE Main self-study toppers consistently relied on disciplined routines and smart resource use rather than just coaching.

The majority of high scorers (99.93–99.99 percentile) have dedicated 10–14 hours daily for JEE Main preparation and increased mock test frequency in the last 60 days, and heavily used free YouTube lectures + PYQs + coaching sheets instead of paid programs.

Percentile / Rank (Year) Daily/Weekly Timetable They Followed Most Important Tips (Exact Quotes) Final Score / Proof
99.99 %ile (2025 Jan) 6 am – 10 pm (12–14 hrs) → 4 hrs Physics, 3 hrs Chem, 4 hrs Math, 2 hrs mock/revisions. 1 mock every 2 days in last 60 days “Never joined any paid coaching. Just watched Alakh sir 2–3 times speed + solved every question he solved on screen” 287/300 (Jan 2025)
99.97 %ile (2024) 5:30 am – 11 pm, Sunday full mock day “Allen modules second-hand ₹4000 mein mile + YouTube free = total cost under 5k, rank better than 90 % offline students” 276 marks
99.94 %ile (2025) – left coaching after 3 months 10–12 hrs daily after quitting “Coaching mein time waste ho raha tha travel + bakchodi. Ghar aake sirf sheets + Bansal + PYQ → 99.78 → 99.94 jump in 4 months” 268 marks
99.93 %ile (2025 April) 6 am – 1 am (16–18 hrs in last 100 days) “Ashish sir ke illustrations + MT sir competition videos = best free combo. Paid coaching walo se better rank laya” 272 marks
AIR 134 (JEE Main 2025) – no coaching ever 12 hrs daily for 2 years straight “Never stepped into any coaching. Just solved every question in Allen sheets + PYQs 4 times → AIR 134” Score 294/300

JEE Main preparation online for free

Thread Title Key User Advice
Free YouTube Channels for JEE 2026 (No Coaching) PW Alakh Pandey for Physics/Chem (free full course + doubt sessions). Unacademy's free PYQ playlist (2019-25). For Maths: MathonGo free series, better than Cengage paid. Daily: 1 video + 50 Qs. Got 98ile drop year." – u/JEEdropper2025
Best Free Apps for JEE Mains Prep (Budget Zero) NTA Abhyas: Free official mocks. Doubtnut app: Scan doubts, get video solutions free.Embibe: AI analytics on free tests. From 60ile to 92 in 3 months.
SATHEE IIT Course: Worth It for Jan '26? IITK's free SATHEE- live classes on Zoom, recorded too. Covered 70% syllabus in 1 month. Pair with Khan Academy, free for basics. Rural kids' savior—no internet lag issues.
Eklavya AI Tutor: Game-Changer or Hype? Free AI at eklavya. io-asks your level, custom Qs. Used for Organic Chem reactions. 1000+ free questions. Better than paid bots. Hit 99 in Chem mocks.
Daily Routine with Free Resources Only 6 AM: PW video (1hr/subject). 10AM: Allen free PYQs (100 Qs). Evening: Doubtnut doubts. Weekly NTA mock. Sleep 7hrs. Possible for 95ile sans coaching.

JEE Main 2026 Preparation FAQs

Ques. Is it easy to score 99 in JEE Mains?

Ans. Yes, scoring 99 percentile in JEE Main is achievable, but it requires consistent practice with strong conceptual clarity. This percentile can be achieved with a score range of 180–200 marks (out of 300), depending on the difficulty level of the session.

Scoring 99 percentile is not “easy”, but it becomes highly attainable if you:

  • Master high-weightage chapters
  • Take 20–30 full-length mock tests
  • Maintain accuracy above 80%
  • Avoid negative marking through selective attempts

Ques. Is 70% good in JEE Mains?

Ans. 70% is considered average in JEE Mains; this percentile can be achieved with the expected marks range is between 41 and 61 out of 300, and it will place you in the rank range of approximately 326,000 to 173,000, depending on the total number of applicants. You can get into NITs and GFTIs, but for the top NIT branches, a higher percentile (≥ 98) is required.

Ques. How to crack JEE Mains in first attempt

Ans. Cracking JEE Main in the first attempt requires a structured preparation plan, with an understanding of the high-weightage chapters, and regular mock test practice.

82% of JEE Main top 10,000 rankers are first-time test-takers (Class 12 students), proving it’s highly achievable.

  • Students who solve 150+ chapterwise questions per unit show a 25–30% higher success rate than those relying only on NCERT-level preparation.
  • Attempting 25–30 mock tests improves the expected percentile by 8–12%.
  • Completing 80% of high-weightage chapters is enough to reach the 96–99 percentile if accuracy is maintained.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

JEE Main 2026 : 8 Answered Questions

Ques. What is the expected rank (AIR) for Sastra University Thanjavur for Biotechnology?

If you are targeting B.Tech in Biotechnology at SASTRA University, Thanjavur , a JEE Main All India Rank of 9,000 to 13,000 (General category) would typically be safe based on past trends and anticipated cutoffs. Quick Details: Criteria Details Expected JEE Main Rank (Gen) 9,000 – 13,000 Eligibility 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry & Maths/Bio Admission Mode Based on JEE Main + Class 12 marks Seat Distribution 70% seats through JEE Main stream Branch Expected Rank Range CSE (Computer Science) 1,500 – 5,000 IT (Information Technology) 3,000 – 7,000 ECE (Electronics & Communication) 4,000 – 8,000 Biotechnology 9,000 – 13,000 So, if your JEE Main ranking is close to 9,000 to 13,000, you have a highly likely chance of securing a seat in Biotech in SASTRA. Ensure your 12th board marks are also good as they're taken into account as well....Read More
Answer By Muskan Agrahari 27 Jun 25
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Ques. Can I get any good college with 48 percentile in jee mains?

Honestly speaking, the 48 percentile in JEE Mains is not a good score and won't fetch you any offers from government engineering colleges. Even if you belong to a reserved category, the chances of getting admission to a good college with such a low percentile are rare. That being said, I have 2 suggestions for you. Look for a private engineering college if money is not a constraint. Take a drop year, study hard, and target better colleges next year. In my opinion, it's better to take a drop year than to join a private college....Read More
Answer By Aditi Banerjee 24 May 23
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Ques. What is the difficulty level of the JEE paper set by IIT Roorkee? Which subjects can be expected to come tough and easy?

I had the opportunity to ask a professor about the setting of the JEE paper. The answer he gave me has been summed up below: The question paper is not set by a single IIT rather it is a joint process with the contribution of every IIT. The organizing institute forms a team of professors who are highly experienced in their respective fields. The entire team is made to stay at a single place for some days. All the professors are required to assemble in a single room and everything they ask for is provided. The professors are made to stay for a week and whenever any professor comes up with a question they go to the common room which is highly secured and then jot down the question. The entire process is repeated several times and the finalized physics, chemistry, and math papers are given to the leader of the organizing institute who later decides which set to go for. The setting and pattern of JEE paper are highly unpredictable as it is the joint work of many professors. The last time IIT Roorkee set the paper, there was a lot of logical reasoning and assertions, but still, no one can be sure....Read More
Answer By Ashish Gupta 12 Apr 23
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Ques. I got 281441 rank in JEE Mains. Can I take admission to MNIT Jaipur

You are not eligible to enroll at MNIT Jaipur under the general All India quota in B.Tech because of your JEE Main rank of 281,441. For this reason, depending on the branch, the lowest rank in the General category (AI quota) at MNIT Jaipur in 2025 was approximately 38,000. Metallurgy and civil engineering, two even less competitive fields, close below 80,000–90,000. Your rank is far beyond this range. Here is what can you do: – Search other NITs or GFTIs: Lower cutoffs will be there in New NITs or Government Funded Technical Institutes. If you belong to SC/ST/OBC/EWS, there is hope.  – State-Level Colleges: Apply to state engineering colleges or private universities with higher cutoffs that take JEE Main scores. Examples: RTU, LNCT, VIT, etc.  – Management Quota / Direct Admission Private colleges permit students to accept admissions on the basis of their 12th-grade marks or low JEE ranks.  – Take a Gap Year If you wish to enter NITs or top colleges, take a gap to prepare for JEE Main 2026. For details of different colleges, check out Collegedunia Page...Read More
Answer By Muskan Agrahari 26 Jun 25
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Ques. Is there any college I can get into if my JEE Main CRL is 112660 in the Gen category??

You can have a college of this standard, but the best NITs and core branches such as CSE or ECE might not be available in the open category. But the newer NITs, IIITs, or GFTIs with less competitive streams such as civil, metallurgy, or production provide opportunities, particularly in spot or special rounds. Attempt home state counseling with better cutoffs. State and private engineering colleges consider this rank. Complete a few options in JoSAA and remain flexible. You can get into a good college but may not get the top branch. For detail of different colleges, you can check out Collegedunia’s Page...Read More
Answer By Muskan Agrahari 26 Jun 25
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Fees Structure

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pwd500
Others900

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