The National Testing Agency (NTA), established by the Government of India in November 2017, is responsible for conducting major national level entrance examinations. Among its flagship exams is the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), which serves as a gateway for aspiring engineers to gain admission to prestigious institutions including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs).
JEE is divided into two stages: JEE Main and JEE Advanced. JEE Main, usually held in multiple sessions in January and April, is the qualifying exam for various engineering colleges and the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced. The latter, held annually, determines admission to IITs and other top engineering institutions. With intense competition and a challenging syllabus, JEE attracts lakhs of aspirants every year. It tests students’ proficiency in physics, chemistry and mathematics, assessing both their conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills.
NTA JEE Exam Pattern Changes
Over the years, the pattern of JEE has evolved, JEE Main is being conducted online and offers many opportunities to candidates to improve their scores. Understanding the exam pattern and syllabus and staying updated with the changes is important for students aiming for success in this highly competitive exam. Interested candidates can check changes in JEE Main exam pattern in last 5 years here.
JEE exam pattern before pandemic
Before the pandemic, the JEE Main exam had a consistent format, with a total of 90 questions in three subjects: Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Each subject had 30 questions, divided into two sections: Section A and Section B. Section A consisted of 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), while Section B consisted of 10 numerical-based questions.
Section B had no flexibility; All 10 numerical questions were compulsory, and candidates had to attempt all of them. The exam duration was three hours, and each correct answer earned the candidates 4 marks, with a penalty of 1 mark for each wrong answer. The total marks for the exam were 360. Students were expected to be well versed in both theoretical concepts and numerical problem solving.
JEE exam pattern during pandemic
In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the NTA introduced significant changes in the pattern of the JEE Main exam starting in 2021. To reduce difficulties caused by learning disabilities, the exam pattern was modified to include optional questions in the section. b.
Section B, which earlier had 10 numerical questions, was revised so that candidates could choose any 5 out of 10 numerical questions. This change was intended to give students flexibility, enabling them to focus on the questions they felt most confident about. Additionally, the total number of questions remained at 90, and each subject continued with 30 questions divided into sections A and B. The marking scheme was also adjusted to reflect this flexibility, with each correct answer earning 4 marks and incorrect answers resulting in 1 point penalty.
This temporary change allowed students to prepare their approach for exams, especially in subjects like mathematics and physics, where numerical problems often posed a challenge. This was considered a necessary adaptation due to the interrupted academic year due to the pandemic.
JEE Exam Pattern in 2025
For JEE Main 2025, the exam pattern will revert to its pre-pandemic pattern, with the optional question scheme in Section B being discontinued. The revised pattern consists of 25 questions in each of the three subjects – Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics – with 5 numerical questions per subject in Section B. These numerical questions will be mandatory, eliminating the flexibility offered earlier.
The total number of questions will be 75 and the exam will last for three hours. Each correct answer will get 4 marks, and wrong answer will deduct 1 mark. This shift to a more traditional exam format is expected to create a more even challenge for students, as they will no longer have the option to skip some questions.
JEE Main 2025 Chapter Wise Weightage
The JEE Main 2025 syllabus reflects significant adjustments in subject weightage compared to previous years. The most prominent change is the reduction in weightage for physics and chemistry, both falling from 25% to 22.5%.
On the other hand, Mathematics has gained more importance, its weightage has increased from 30% to 35%, making it the most heavily weighted subject in Paper 1 (BE/B.Tech).
NTA Curriculum Changes
NTA has announced some changes in JEE Main Syllabus, Paper Pattern and Weightage in last few years. See the revisions here.
JEE Main Syllabus 2025: Paper-Wise Changes
The JEE Main Syllabus for 2025 introduces significant revisions in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, along with some minor adjustments such as inclusion of new subjects and reduction of certain chapters. Students are advised to familiarize themselves with the updated syllabus early, to give them ample time for exam preparation.
Major changes in syllabus and weightage distribution of Paper 1 (BE/B.Tech) and Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Plan) are as follows:
JEE Main 2025: Subject Changes
Here are the major changes in the revised syllabus for all subjects of Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Physics
- Removal of “Communication System”.
- Some topics under “Practical Skills” have been omitted.
Chemistry: Several subjects have been removed from the JEE Chemistry syllabus, simplifying students’ preparation. These include states of matter, surface chemistry, S-block elements, hydrogen, and environmental chemistry. Other omitted chapters are general principles and procedures for the isolation of polymers, chemistry in everyday life, and metals. In addition, Thomson and Rutherford’s atomic models and their limitations and concepts such as physical quantities, measurement, accuracy, precision, and significant figures in chemistry are also removed.
Mathematics: Eliminating some topics within “Mathematical Induction,” “Mathematical Logic,” and “Three-Dimensional Geometry.”
Additional changes
Candidates can check more changes in main topics as mentioned here:
- Physics: Chapters on “Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents” and “Optics” are combined into one chapter.
- Chemistry: “P Block Elements” is divided into two separate chapters: “Group 13 to Group 17 Elements” and “Group 18 Elements.” Additionally, “Coordination Compounds” and “Environmental Chemistry” have been merged into one chapter.
- Mathematics: “Sets, Relations, and Functions” is divided into “Sets and Relations” and “Functions”, while “Vectors and Three-Dimensional Geometry” and “Linear Programming” are merged into a single chapter.