It is rightly said that the things we want the most are the hardest to get. It holds true if you are dreaming of studying in one of the IITs or NITs. Imagine waking up one fine morning only to realize that you are studying in an IIT and you are about to attend your first lecture! Giving you Goosebumps, right? Well, it is difficult, but not at all impossible. If you are looking for the right answers to your questions such as what is JEE Exam, you are on the right page!
Do you know?
A whopping number of 11.13 lakh students appeared for JEE 2023.
Since the level of competition is high, it is very important that students prepare and plan effectively for the exam. More information about JEE and other useful information is given below.
Come along to find everything…
Topics covered
What is JEE?
The full form of JEE is Joint Entrance Examination. It is an all-India level engineering entrance examination conducted for admission into various technical courses offered at India’s most prestigious colleges like the IITs, NITs, CFTIs, and a few other premier institutions. Courses offered in these institutions are
- Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.)
- Dual Degree (B.Tech. M.Tech.)
- Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.)
- Integrated M.Tech.
- Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.)
- Bachelor of Planning (B. Planning)
After qualifying in the JEE Exam and by getting admission into one of these prestigious institutes, you will get the chance to set out on an exciting journey to your dream career.
Highlights of JEE
Here are some of the highlights of the JEE exam:
- Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is a highly competitive engineering entrance examination in India
- JEE is conducted in two parts: JEE Main and JEE Advanced
- JEE Main is used as a criterion for admission to various engineering colleges and courses in India, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs).
- JEE Advanced is used for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
- Eligibility Criteria: to be eligible for the JEE Main examination, candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent examination with at least 75% marks (65% for SC, ST, and PWD candidates)
- JEE Main scores are used to determine eligibility for JEE Advanced as well as other engineering colleges in India.
- JEE Main consists of two papers: Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) and Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning)
- JEE Advanced consists of two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2
- Both JEE Main and JEE Advanced have multiple choice and numerical answer type questions
- The age limit for JEE Main is 25 years as of 1st October of the year in which the candidate is appearing.
What is JEE Main exam?
JEE Main is the first phase of the JEE exam. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission into undergraduate courses in engineering. JEE Main is also the qualifying exam for students who want to appear for JEE Advanced.
To understand what is JEE Main/ what is JEE (Main) exam-pattern is more clearly, please refer to the content below.
JEE Main exam pattern
The JEE Main exam pattern consists of two papers: Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) and Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning). The details of the exam pattern for each paper are as follows:
Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)
- The paper is divided into three sections: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
- Each section consists of 30 multiple choice questions, for a total of 90 questions
- Each question carries four marks, and for each incorrect answer, one mark will be deducted (negative marking).
- The duration of the paper is 3 hours.
Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning)
- The paper is divided into three sections: Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing.
- Section 1 (Mathematics) consists of 30 multiple-choice questions
- Section 2 (Aptitude) consists of 50 multiple-choice questions
- Section 3 (Drawing) consists of 2 questions to test drawing aptitude.
- Each question carries four marks, and for each incorrect answer, one mark will be deducted (negative marking).
- The duration of the paper is 3 hours.
It is worth mentioning that JEE Main is a computer-based test. Candidates are required to mark their answers on a computer screen.
It is important to note that the JEE Main question paper will be available in multiple languages such as Hindi, English, and other vernacular languages.
Build a strong foundation for your exam journey
What is JEE advanced exam?
The JEE Advanced Examination is conducted by the seven Zonal Coordinating (ZC) IITs. Admission into all the IITs for all the Bachelor’s and integrated Master’s degree programs is based on the JEE (Advanced) score.
To clear the JEE (Advanced), you must first appear for the B.E. /B. Tech paper of JEE Main. You need to be among the top 2,50,000 candidates (inclusive of all categories) to be eligible for appearing for the JEE (Advanced). To understand the pattern of the IITJEE Advanced exam and other important details, please read the key pointers below.
What is the JEE Advanced exam pattern?
The JEE (Advanced) examination consists of two papers i.e., Paper 1 and Paper 2. Both papers are compulsory. Both papers consist of three sections viz. Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The JEE advanced examination is conducted via the ‘Computer Based Test’ mode only.
To appear for B.Arch. program, candidates have to pass the Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT). B.Arch. programs are available at select IITs only (IIT Varanasi, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Roorkee).
For more on what is JEE Advanced and other details, please refer to the information booklet for JEE Advanced by NTA.
Note: To have a detailed understanding of the paper pattern and syllabus, refer to our JEE Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2024 blog post!
What is the difference between JEE Main & JEE Advanced exams?
JEE Main and JEE Advanced are two separate examinations that are conducted as part of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) in India. Both examinations are used as a criterion for admission to undergraduate engineering and architecture programs offered by engineering colleges and institutions in India.
The main difference between JEE Main and JEE Advanced is the level of difficulty and the purpose for which the examination is conducted.
JEE Main is the first stage of the JEE examination and is considered to be less challenging as compared to JEE Advanced. It is conducted twice a year in the months of January and April and serves as the qualifying examination for JEE Advanced. JEE Main scores are also used as a criterion for admission to various engineering colleges and courses in India including the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other government and private institutions.
JEE Advanced, on the other hand, is the second and final stage of the JEE examination and is considered to be much more challenging. It is conducted once a year, typically in the month of May. Only the candidates who qualify for JEE Main are eligible to take JEE Advanced. JEE Advanced scores are used for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) which are considered some of the most prestigious and prestigious engineering institutions in India.
In terms of Exam pattern and syllabus, JEE advanced is more complex and demands a lot more effort and preparation than JEE main. The questions are more conceptual and demanding, the topics that are covered are more challenging and the level of competition is much higher.
Note: To have a detailed understanding of 2024 exam dates, refer to our JEE exam date blog post!
Type of Courses Offered
On successful completion of these examinations, candidates will be offered a variety of courses by IIT. Look at the following table:
DEGREE COURSES | No of Years |
Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) | 4 |
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) | 4 |
Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch) | 5 |
Dual Degree Bachelor of Technology and Masters of Technology (Dual Degree B. Tech – M. Tech) | 5 |
Dual Degree Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science (Dual Degree B.S. – M.S.) | 5 |
Integrated Master of Technology (M. Tech) | 5 |
Integrated Master of Science (M.Sc.) | 5 |
Top 9 Institutes Other than the IITs – Admission through JEE
Here is the list of top 9 institutions other than IITs which use JEE advanced score for admission:
- Indian Institute of Science
- Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology
- Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology
- Indian Institute of Petroleum & Energy
- The Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (Mohali)
- Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (Kolkata)
- The Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (Bhopal)
- Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (Pune)
- Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (Thiruvananthapuram)
Top 30 Institutes which use JEE Main score for admission
The JEE exam is not just a gateway to enter only the IITs, there are many other institutions that accept JEE Main score.
Top institutes other than the IITs which use JEE Main score are as follows:
- National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli
- National Institute of Technology, Surathkal
- Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur
- National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur
- Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad
- National Institute of Technology Calicut
- Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal
- National Institute of Technology, Warangal
- National Institute of Technology, Durgapur
- Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur
- National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra
- National Institute of Technology Delhi
- Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat
- National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur
- Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar
- School of Planning & Architecture (SPA), Bhopal
- Delhi Technological University, Delhi
- Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur
- Indian Institute of Information Technology Allahabad
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management, Gwalior
- National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai
- Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design & Manufacturing, Jabalpur
- Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design & Manufacturing, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
- Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra
- National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology, Aurangabad (Maharashtra)
- Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai
- National Institute of Foundry & Forge Technology (NIFFT), Ranchi
- School of Planning & Architecture (SPA), New Delhi
- National Institute of Technology, Rourkela
- School of Planning & Architecture (SPA), Vijayawada
It’s a wrap!
Having understood what is JEE exam and how you can crack it in your first attempt, you must have realized that there is no shortcut to it. You will have to give your best in the preparation if you want to be a part of the competition. Is it not a relentless commitment to the career of your dreams?
If you are doubtful of making a career selection and want a second opinion about IITJEE, then why take a chance? Talk to expert career counselors now and get unbiased guidance on whether or not you should pursue your IIT dream. You can also have a look at our Career Planning Program. You can also get your queries resolved in just 60 seconds from our Career counselors. So, what are you waiting for? Download the app now!
iDreamCareer has helped millions of young minds like you from 9th class, 10th class, class 11, and class 12 discover their true mettle and is ready to help you too.
Also Read:
- IIT without JEE
- Nest Exam
- Top Engineering Entrance Exams
- How to Get into IIT: A-Z Guide
- How to Crack JEE?
- How Many Attempts for JEE Mains?
- Update on JEE 2023
- Colleges Accepting JEE Mains Score in India
What is JEE: FAQs
In JEE, Percentile is the method to rank students based on their marks in comparison to other students. It is calculated by the formula 100* (Number of students who scored below you / Total number of students).
Good marks in JEE Mains, as per NTA, is a score that can qualify a student for JEE Advanced. The cut-off score for JEE Main changes each year based on various factors such as the number of students appearing for the examination, the level of difficulty of the paper, etc. However, it is considered to be good to score above 75%.
JEE Mains is used as a criterion for admission to various undergraduate engineering and architecture programs offered by engineering colleges and institutions across India, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs). It serves as a qualifier examination for JEE Advanced and is also used by other engineering colleges in India for the admission process.
To be eligible for the JEE Main examination, candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent examination with at least 75% marks (65% for SC, ST, and PWD candidates). Candidates who are appearing in Class 12 or equivalent examination in the current academic session are also eligible to appear for JEE Main.
A candidate can appear for JEE Main a maximum of three times. The attempts are counted from the year in which the candidate first appeared for the examination.
JEE Main percentile score is calculated based on the formula: 100* (Number of students who scored below you / Total number of students). The percentile score indicates the percentage of students who have scored lower than the candidate. It is used to rank students based on their marks in comparison to other students. A higher percentile score indicates a better rank.

Anushree has 4+ years of experience in the career counseling industry as a Senior Content Writer. She has also worked as a Social Media Marketing Expert for a startup and Content Quality Analyst for Publishing and E-learning Industry. She has done her Master’s in Commerce and PGDM in Finance & Trade and Marketing & HR, but she is currently following her passion for writing.