The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is the first major milestone for students aspiring to enter the world of engineering. It is often described as one of the toughest entrance exams in India, and for a good reason. The exam is split into two parts: JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. Both are crucial for students who want to pursue a career in engineering, but each has its own purpose, structure, and level of difficulty. JEE Mains is the entry point for many prestigious engineering institutes, including NITs and IIITs, while JEE Advanced is the gateway to the elite Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
Whether you’re aiming for the IITs or other renowned institutions, understanding the key differences between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced can be the game-changer in your preparation strategy. In this article, we’ll break down the differences in syllabus, question formats, and difficulty levels between the two exams. With the right approach, you can tackle both exams with confidence and make your engineering dreams a reality.
Overview of JEE Mains and JEE Advanced
JEE Mains is the first step for students aiming to get into engineering colleges in India. It serves as a gateway to admission in various government and private engineering institutes, including NITs, IIITs, and several other state-level colleges. On the other hand, JEE Advanced is the exam for admission to the prestigious IITs. The candidates who clear JEE Mains and rank well enough are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced.
JEE Main 2025 Exam Pattern for Paper 1 (B.E/B.Tech)
JEE Main is the first stage of the examination and is held annually by the National Testing Agency (NTA). This exam acts as a qualifying test for JEE Advanced and is also used for admissions to NITs, IIITs, and other participating colleges. The exam is conducted in two papers:
- Paper 1: For B.E./B.Tech programs (Computer-Based Test)
- Paper 2: For B.Arch programs (Pen and Paper-based Test)
The JEE Main exam includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) as well as numerical answer type questions, testing students’ knowledge in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, primarily from the class 11 and class 12 syllabus.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Mode | Computer-based examination |
| JEE Main exam duration | 3 hours |
| Language of Examination | English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Odisha, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. |
| Type of Questions | Multiple choice questions (MCQs)Questions with numerical values as answers |
| No. of Sections | There are three sections:MathematicsPhysicsChemistry |
| JEE Main Total questions | Mathematics: 25 (20+5) 5 Questions with answers as a numerical value. All 5 questions are compulsory.Physics: 25 (20+5) 5 Questions with answers as a numerical value. All 5 questions are compulsory.Chemistry: 25 (20+5) 5 Questions with answers as a numerical value. All 5 questions are compulsory.Total: 75 Questions (25 questions each) |
| How many marks in JEE Main | 300 Marks (100 marks for each section) |
| JEE Mains negative marking | MCQs: Four marks will be awarded for each correct answer and there will be a negative marking of one mark on each wrong answer.Questions with numerical value answers: Candidates will be given four marks for each correct answer and there will be a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer. |
JEE Main 2025 Exam Pattern Paper 2
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-based examination except for Drawing section in B.Arch (Pen & Paper based mode) |
| Language | English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. |
| Exam Duration | Three hours |
| No. of Sections | B.Arch (Paper 2A):Part 1 – MathematicsPart 2 – Aptitude testPart 3 – Drawing testB.Plan (Paper 2B):MathematicsAptitude testPlanning tests (MCQs) |
| Type of Questions | B.Arch -Mathematics: MCQs and questions with numerical value as answersAptitude- Multiple- choice questionsDrawing- Drawing aptitudeB.Planning-Mathematics- MCQs, and questions with numerical value as answersAptitude- MCQs (Multiple choice questions)Planning- MCQs (Multiple choice questions) |
| JEE Mains total questions | B.Arch: 75+2 (Drawing test) QuestionsB.Plan: 100 Questions |
| Total Marks in JEE Mains 2025 paper 2A | 400 Marks |
| JEE Mains Marking Scheme | MCQs: +4 marks for each correct answer and -1 mark for each wrong answer.Questions with numerical value answers: +4 marks for each correct answer and -1 for each wrong answer.Drawing Test: Two questions are evaluated out of 100 marks. |
JEE Advanced 2025 Exam Pattern
JEE Advanced is the second and more challenging stage of the exam, intended for students who qualify in JEE Main. Only the top candidates from JEE Main are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced, and the exam is conducted by one of the IITs on a rotational basis. JEE Advanced evaluates candidates on a deeper level, with questions focusing on complex problem-solving skills, in-depth understanding of concepts, and application of knowledge. The exam consists of two papers, each with multiple-choice and subjective questions.
| Features | Details |
| Mode of the examination | Computer-based examination |
| Medium of the examination | English and Hindi |
| Number of Papers | Two compulsory papers- Paper 1 and Paper 2 |
| Total time duration | 3 hours for each paper (4 hours for PwD candidates) |
| Number of sections | Both papers include 3 sections-Paper 1-PhysicsChemistryMathematics Paper 2-PhysicsChemistryMathematics |
| Total questions in JEE Advanced | 54 (18 questions in each subject) |
| Marking Scheme | The exam has a concept of full, partial and zero marks. |
The syllabus for both exams is based on the CBSE curriculum for Classes 11 and 12. However, JEE Advanced covers topics in greater detail and involves more advanced concepts. The difference in the depth of knowledge required is one of the major factors that set these two exams apart.
Key Differences Between JEE Main and JEE Advanced
| Features | JEE Main | JEE Advanced |
| Number of Attempts | Students can appear in the JEE Main exam for three successive years after clearing their class 12 or equivalent examination. | JEE Advanced gives permission to attempt two times in two successive years. |
| Eligibility Criteria | JEE Main needs the completion of the Class 12 examination from a reputed school and examining authority. | Candidates coming within the 250,000 rank holders in JEE Main are eligible to qualify for the JEE Advanced examination. |
| Language | JEE Main is performed in 13 different languages that include English, Bengali, Hindi, Assamese, Marathi, Urdu, Gujarati, Kannada, Telugu, Odia, Malayalam, Tamil, and Punjabi. | On the contrary, JEE Advanced is conducted in two languages: English and Hindi. |
| Exam Details | The JEE Main Exam 2024 comprises two papers:· 1st Paper: For B.Tech/BE· 2nd Paper: B Arch/B. Plan | JEE Advanced Examination comprises one MCQ-based and one numeric-based paper. |
| Conducting Authority | JEE Main Exam is organized and administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA). | JEE Main Exam is organized and administered by various IITs in different years. |
| Age Limit | There is no age limit in the JEE Main examination. | There is an age limit for JEE Advanced examination. |
| Exam Pattern Differences | The JEE Main examination divides its questions into three different segments. | The JEE Advanced examination divides its questions into two different segments. |
| Subjects Included | In the JEE Main exam, subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Aptitude tests, and Planning-based MCQs. | The JEE Advanced exam only includes subjects like Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. |
| Eligibility Criteria Clarification | JEE Main is the baseline examination. So, qualification is highly necessary. | Rank holder candidates clearing the JEE Main examination successfully are eligible to sit for the JEE Advanced exam. |
What is the Difference Between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced Syllabus?
Both JEE Mains and JEE Advanced cover the same subjects (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) from the CBSE curriculum. However, the depth and difficulty of the topics vary significantly between the two exams.
For instance, while both exams cover concepts like Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry, JEE Advanced goes deeper into these topics, requiring a more comprehensive understanding. Additionally, JEE Mains includes some topics like Sets, Relations, and Statistics in Mathematics, which are not part of JEE Advanced.
There are also certain topics that are unique to each exam. For example, JEE Mains includes topics such as Electronic Devices and Electromagnetic Waves, which are not present in JEE Advanced. Similarly, JEE Advanced covers subjects like Surface Chemistry and Advanced Organic Chemistry in greater depth.
JEE Mains and JEE Advanced Syllabus Comparison
JEE Main and JEE Advanced Maths Syllabus Difference
| Topics in Advanced that are not covered in Mains | Topics in Mains that are not covered in Advanced |
| Sets, Relations and Functions: Symmetric difference of sets, De-Morgan’s laws on union, difference (for finite number of sets) and practical problems based on them, invertible functions | Statistics and Probability: Basic statistics, measures of central tendency, and elementary probability. |
| Complex Numbers: Polar representation, properties of modulus and principal argument, triangle inequality, geometric interpretations | Sets, Relations, and Functions: Basic concepts related to sets, relations, and functions, including types of relations. |
| Quadratic Equations: Symmetric functions of roots | Linear Programming: Introduction to linear programming and its applications. |
| Sequence and Series: Sums of squares and cubes of the first n natural numbers, properties of binomial coefficients | – |
| Matrices: Elementary row and column transformations, properties of matrix operations | – |
| Probability and Statistics: Analysis of the frequency distribution with the same mean but different variance, random variable, mean and variance of the random variable. | – |
| Trigonometry: General solution of trigonometric equations | – |
| Two dimensions geometry: Parametric equations of a circle, intersection of a circle with a straight line or a circle, equation of a circle through the points of intersection of two circles and those of a circle and a straight line, equations of tangent and normal | – |
| Differential calculus (Limit, Continuity, and Differentiability): Tangents and normals, Rolle’s theorem and Lagrange’s mean value theorem, geometric interpretation of the two theorems, derivatives up to order two of implicit functions, geometric interpretation of derivatives. | – |
| Integration: Definite integrals as the limit of sums, formation of ordinary differential equations | – |
| Vectors: Scalar and vector triple products, and their geometrical interpretations | – |
JEE Main and JEE Advanced Physics Syllabus Difference
| Topics in Advanced that are not covered in Mains | Topics in Mains that are not covered in Advanced |
| Thermal Physics: Newton’s law of cooling; Blackbody radiation; Absorptive and Emissive powers; Kirchoff’s law; Wien’s Displacement Law; Stefan’s Law. | Communication Systems: Basic concepts of communication systems including modulation and demodulation. |
| – | Semiconductors: Basic concepts and applications of semiconductors, including diodes and transistors in circuits. |
| – | Electronic Devices: Concepts related to electronic devices like operational amplifiers and their applications. |
JEE Main and JEE Advanced Chemistry Syllabus Difference
| Topics in Advanced that are not covered in Mains | Topics in Mains that are not covered in Advanced |
| Perkins reaction, Qualitative Analysis of Carbonate ions. | Basic Concepts of Chemistry: Stoichiometry and mole concepts, including calculations and basic numerical problems. |
| Electrochemistry: Equivalent Conductivity | Environmental Chemistry: Topics related to environmental pollution, green chemistry, and sustainable practices. |
| Nuclear Chemistry: Radioactivity, Properties of alpha, beta and gamma rays, Kinetics of radioactive decay (decay series excluded), carbon dating, Stability of nuclei with respect to proton-neutron ratio, Brief discussion on fission and fusion reactions | Chemistry in Everyday Life: Applications of chemistry in daily life, including drugs and their classifications. |
JEE Main Syllabus
| Physics | Chemistry | Mathematics |
| Physics and Measurement | States of Matter | Sequence and Series |
| Work, Energy, and Power | Periodic Table | Three Dimensional Geometry |
| Gases: Kinetic Theory | Chemical Thermodynamics | Statistics and Probability |
| Properties of Solids and Liquids | Redox Reaction | Vector Algebra |
| Communication Systems | Electrochemistry | Trigonometry |
| Rotational Motion | Atomic Structure | Permutations and Combinations |
| Alternating Currents and Electromagnetic Induction | Isolation of Metals | Matrices and Determinants |
| Experiments | Chemistry in Everyday Life | Simple Equations and Quadratic Equations |
| Classification of Elements | Sets, Relations, and Functions | |
| S – Block Elements | Binomial theorem | |
| d – Block Elements | Continuity and Differentiability | |
| Classification of Organic Compounds | Introduction to Calculus | |
| Organic Chemistry | Mathematical reasoning | |
| Organic Compounds | ||
| Principles of Practical Chemistry | ||
| Molecular Structure and Chemical Bonding |
JEE Advanced Syllabus
| Physics | Chemistry | Mathematics |
| Thermal Physics | States of Matter: Gases and Liquids | Matrices |
| General Physics | Chemical Thermodynamics | Trigonometry |
| Electromagnetic Waves | Chemical and Ionic Equilibrium | Integral Calculus |
| Optics | Chemical Kinetics | Differential Calculus |
| Mechanics | Isolation of Metals | Advanced Trigonometry |
| Electricity and Magnetism | Coordination Compounds | Sets, Relations, and Functions |
| Modern Physics | Alkenes and Alkynes | Advanced Algebra |
| d-Block Elements | Analytical Geometry | |
| Principles of Qualitative Alkanes | Probability and Statistics | |
| Chemistry in Daily Life | Vectors | |
| p-Block Elements | ||
| f-Block Elements | ||
| s-Block Elements | ||
| Electrochemistry | ||
| Atomic Structure | ||
| Molecular Structure and Chemical Bonding | ||
| Classification of Elements | ||
| Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry | ||
| Alcohols | ||
| Biomolecules | ||
| Polymers | ||
| Carboxylic Acids | ||
| Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Periodicity in Properties | ||
| Organic Chemistry |
JEE Mains vs JEE Advanced: Question Format and Difficulty
The question format and difficulty levels in JEE Mains and JEE Advanced are key factors that distinguish the two exams. While both exams test the same subjects—Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics—they differ significantly in the type of questions asked and the overall difficulty.
JEE Mains
JEE Mains primarily consists of objective-type questions with four options, where students are required to choose the correct answer. The exam is divided into two parts: Paper 1, which is for students aiming for B.Tech courses, and Paper 2, which is for students seeking admission to B.Arch programs. In both papers, the questions are typically designed to test the basic understanding and application of concepts from the NCERT curriculum. The level of difficulty in JEE Mains is considered to be easy to moderate, especially when compared to JEE Advanced. The questions usually involve straightforward problem-solving, with some requiring multiple steps. However, these problems generally do not go beyond the fundamental concepts taught in Class 11 and 12.
The marking scheme in JEE Mains is also relatively simpler. For each correct answer, students earn 4 marks, and for each incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted. This objective format allows students to focus on time management and accuracy. The exam aims to test how well students can apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world situations.
JEE Advanced
JEE Advanced, in contrast, is designed to be far more challenging and complex. The exam includes multiple types of questions, such as single-correct, multiple-correct, matching-type, and numerical answer type questions. The questions in JEE Advanced require a much deeper understanding of concepts and often involve multi-step solutions. The problems are designed to challenge a student’s analytical thinking, logical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities. Students need to integrate concepts from various chapters to answer correctly.
The difficulty level of JEE Advanced is much higher due to its focus on testing the application of knowledge at an advanced level. Unlike JEE Mains, JEE Advanced sometimes includes subjective-type questions, where students need to explain their reasoning in detail. The exam also often tests students’ ability to handle complex problems that require higher-order thinking. This higher level of difficulty and question variety makes JEE Advanced a more demanding exam, requiring students to be well-prepared and highly focused.
Conclusion
In conclusion, JEE Mains and JEE Advanced are both crucial stepping stones in your journey toward a successful engineering career. JEE Mains acts as the first hurdle, offering a relatively easier challenge, and opens doors to several reputed engineering institutes. JEE Advanced, however, is designed to test your deep understanding of concepts and your ability to solve complex problems, with admission to the prestigious IITs on the line.
Both exams cover the same core subjects, but their question formats and difficulty levels differ significantly. While JEE Mains focuses on applying basic concepts, JEE Advanced requires critical thinking and higher-order problem-solving skills.
With the right approach, consistent practice, and focus, you can excel in both exams. It’s essential to understand the differences in syllabus and structure to strategize your preparation effectively. Remember, hard work, dedication, and smart study techniques will help you achieve your dream of securing a place in one of India’s top engineering institutes. Keep pushing forward!
