JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern Changes: What’s New?
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The National Testing Agency (NTA) determines the syllabus and exam schedule for JEE Main each year. It also changes some of the rules. These modifications to the JEE Main 2026 exam are announced on the official website so that all the students remain updated and learn according to the latest exam pattern.
This allows them to prepare a better strategy for achieving top rankings. Small modifications to the JEE Main 2026 syllabus and exam can have an impact on your study focus, time management, and score regions.
Read the full blog to look at the JEE Main 2026 new pattern and how it compares to the JEE Main 2026 pattern from last year.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Overview
JEE Main Paper 1
Purpose of Exam | Admission to B.E./B.Tech Courses |
Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Subjects | Physics Chemistry Mahematics |
Duration | 3 Hours |
Total Marks | 300 |
Number of Questions | 25 in each section |
Types of Questions | MCQs: 20 Numericals: 5 |
Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answer -1 for incorrect answer |
Languages | English Hindi Gujarati Assamese Bengali Kannada Malayalam Marathi Tamil Telugu Urdu Punjabi Odia |
JEE Main Paper 2 A
Purpose of Exam | Admission to B.Arch courses |
Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) Pen & Paper Mode |
Subjects | Mathematics Drawing Aptitude |
Number of Questions | Maths: 25 Drawing: 2 Aptitude: 50 |
Total Marks | 400 |
Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answer -1 for incorrect answer |
Languages | English Hindi Gujarati Assamese Bengali Kannada Malayalam Marathi Tamil Telugu Urdu Punjabi Odia |
JEE Main Paper 2B
Purpose of Exam | Admission to the B. Planning course |
Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Subjects | Maths Aptitude Planning |
Number of Questions | Maths: 25 Aptitude: 50 Planning: 25 |
Total Marks | 400 |
Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answers -1 for incorrect answers |
Languages | English Hindi Gujarati Assamese Bengali Kannada Malayalam Marathi Tamil Telugu Urdu Punjabi Odia |
JEE Main Exam Pattern
JEE Main Paper 1 Exam Pattern
JEE Main Paper 1 is for admission to the BE and B.Tech courses in India. The exam paper pattern is as follows:
Subject | Number of Questions | Types Of Questions | Marks |
Physics | 25 | MCQs: 20 Numericals: 5 | 100 |
Chemistry | 25 | MCQs: 20 Numericals: 5 | 100 |
Mathematics | 25 | MCQs: 20 Numericals: 5 | 100 |
Total | 75 | 300 |
JEE Main Paper 2A
Subject | Number of Questions | Types Of Questions | Marks |
Mathematics | 25 | MCQs: 20 Numericals: 5 | 100 |
Aptitude | 50 | MCQs: 50 | 200 |
Drawing | 2 | 2 | 100 |
Total | 77 | 400 |
JEE Main Paper 2B
Subject | Number of Questions | Types Of Questions | Marks |
Mathematics | 25 | MCQs: 20 Numericals: 5 | 100 |
Planning | 25 | MCQs: 25 | 100 |
Aptitude | 50 | MCQs: 25 | 200 |
Total | 100 | 400 |
Major Updates in JEE Main 2026 Exam
Mandatory Numerical Value Questions (NVQs)
The optional questions from the JEE Main section B are removed. There will be only 5 numerical value questions in this section, which are compulsory to answer. Till 2024, in the JEE Main exam, Section B has 10 questions, out of which only 5 are to be answered.
Negative Marking for NVQs
Now the negative marking is applicable to all sections of the JEE Main 2026 exam. One mark will be deducted from the total score if the solution to the question is found wrong. Therefore, accuracy matters the most in the JEE Main exam.
Updated Tie-Breaking Rules
The priority order of the tie-breaking policy is Maths → Physics → Chemistry, followed by the ratio of incorrect to correct answers considered. The age tie-breaking criteria have been removed from the JEE Tie-Breaking policy.
Increased Number of Exam Cities
The number of exam centres increased to 320+ to reduce the travelling time of the students. This also releases exam stress as the candidate can show up on time for the exam.
Extra Time for PwD Candidates
The PwD candidates will now get an extra time of one-hour for the paper completion. In addition, the scribe rules are also eased for the PwD candidates.
How These Changes Affect Your Preparation
- Greater Focus on Accuracy Over Guesswork
With negative marking for Numerical Value Questions (NVQs), random guessing can pull down your score. You’ll need concise clarity in the concepts, better calculation habits, and a more precise approach to every question.
- Stronger Command in Maths Due to Tie-Breaker Rules
As Maths is placed higher in the tie-breaking hierarchy, you must build superior accuracy and speed in Mathematics. Even small improvements in Maths can help you stand ahead of thousands of aspirants with similar scores.
- More NVQ Practice Required
NVQs now carry more weight, so mastering them becomes essential. You must practice Calculation-based questions, master the approximation techniques, and try to solve error-free numericals. This is crucial because NVQs test true conceptual clarity without options to rely on.
- Time Management Becomes Even More Crucial
With a mix of MCQs and NVQs, pacing yourself matters. You need to strategically distribute time so you avoid getting stuck on lengthy numerical questions while still ensuring accuracy and completing the exam on time.
Conclusion
With the change in the JEE Exam pattern, the aspirants need to review their preparation strategy and get ready to face more challenges in the JEE Main 2026. At IIB Career Institute, we take a closer look at the changes made by the NTA in the JEE Exam and prepare our students accordingly. We offer JEE classes for 11th, 12th and repeaters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern changed?
Answer:Yes, the questions in section B of the Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics are reduced to 5 from 10. All questions are compulsory and come under the category of negative marking.
Did the syllabus for JEE Main 2026 change?
Answer:No, there is no change in the JEE Main 2026 syllabus. The syllabus will remain the same as the JEE Main 2025 exam. The candidate can check the latest syllabus for exam preparation.
Is there any change in the marking scheme for JEE Main 2026?
Answer:No, the marking scheme is the same for the JEE Main 2026 exam. 4 marks are awarded for each correct answer, whereas 1 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer. The negative marking applies to all the MCQs and numerical value-based questions.
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