Physics in JEE can feel tough, but it doesn’t have to be. Many students struggle because they focus on memorizing formulas without truly understanding concepts. If you’ve ever wondered why solving Physics problems takes so long or why your answers don’t match the solutions, the problem isn’t your ability—it’s your approach.
JEE Physics isn’t just about solving difficult numerical problems. It’s about knowing which topics matter the most, which questions to practice, and how to study smartly. Some chapters are easy and scoring, while others require more effort. If you plan your preparation wisely, you can turn Physics into one of your strongest subjects.
This guide will help you understand the JEE Physics syllabus, chapter-wise weightage, and the best books for preparation. You’ll also learn effective study strategies, common mistakes to avoid, and how to improve problem-solving speed. Whether you’re just starting or revising, this article will help you approach Physics in a way that maximizes your JEE score. Let’s get started!
JEE main Exam Structure and Pattern
The JEE main exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and serves as the entrance test for various undergraduate engineering courses. It is held twice a year, and students can appear for both sessions.
| Features | Details |
| Exam mode | Online (Computer based) |
| Number of sections and subjects | 3 (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) |
| Duration of exam | 3 hours (180 minutes)4 hours for PwD candidates |
| Type of questions | MCQs: 4 options with only 1 correct optionNumerical Value Questions: Questions whose answers are to be filled in as a numerical value |
| Section A (MCQ) | Mathematics: 20Physics: 20Chemistry: 20 |
| Section B (Numerical Value) | Mathematics: 5Physics: 5Chemistry: 5In Section B, candidates have to attempt all five questions from each section. |
| Total questions | 90 |
| JEE main Total Marks | 300 marks |
| Language of paper | Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu in addition to Hindi, English, and Gujarati |
JEE Advanced Exam Structure and Pattern
JEE Advanced is a highly competitive examination designed for students who have already cleared JEE Main. The exam is divided into two papers, each of which tests the student’s understanding of physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Each paper is of 3 hours duration and consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and numerical value-based 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. |
Paper 1 and Paper 2 are both conducted on the same day, with a break in between. The questions in both papers are designed to assess a student’s conceptual understanding, problem-solving skills, and time management ability.
The exam is known for its high level of difficulty, and the questions often require an in-depth understanding of various topics. Scoring well in JEE Advanced requires more than just rote learning; it requires critical thinking and application of concepts.
Understanding the JEE Physics Syllabus & Weightage
JEE Physics is divided into two levels: JEE main and JEE Advanced. The syllabus for JEE main is based on NCERT textbooks of Classes 11 and 12. Understanding the weightage of different topics can help students plan their study schedule effectively.
JEE main Chapter-Wise Physics Weightage
Based on an analysis of previous years’ JEE main exam patterns, certain chapters consistently carry higher weightage, while others are less frequently tested. Understanding this distribution helps in prioritizing your preparation effectively. Focusing more on high-weightage chapters ensures that you maximize your score, while giving adequate attention to low-weightage chapters helps you cover the entire syllabus. Below is a table showing the chapters with high and low weightage, based on past exam trends.
| Chapters | Total Questions | Weightage |
| Current Electricity | 3 | 9.90% |
| Magnetic Effect of Current and Magnetism | 2 | 6.60% |
| Alternating Current | 2 | 6.60% |
| Kinetic Theory of Gases & Thermodynamics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Kinematics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Work, Energy, and Power | 2 | 6.60% |
| Laws of Motion | 2 | 6.60% |
| Centre Of Mass | 2 | 6.60% |
| Rotational Dynamics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Modern Physics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Wave Optics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Electrostatics | 1 | 3.30% |
| Capacitors | 1 | 3.30% |
| Simple Harmonic Motion | 1 | 3.30% |
| Sound Waves | 1 | 3.30% |
| Elasticity | 1 | 3.30% |
| Error in Measurement | 1 | 3.30% |
| Circular Motion | 1 | 3.30% |
| Electromagnetic Waves | 1 | 3.30% |
| Semiconductors | 1 | 3.30% |
Chapter-Wise Important Topics in Physics for JEE
| Chapter | Concepts |
| Physics and Measurement | Physical quantity |
| System of unit | |
| Practical units | |
| Dimension, Frequency, angular frequency, angular velocity, velocity gradient,Work, Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy, Torque, Momentum, Impulse , Angular momentum, Angular impulse | |
| Dimensionless Quantities,Heat, Latent heat , Specific heat capacity and Temperature,Permittivity of free space and dielectric constant (k),Magnetic Field ,Permeability of free space, Magnetic flux and self inductance | |
| Application of Dimensional analysis (I)- To find dimension of physical constant,Application of Dimensional analysis (II)- To convert a physical quantity from one system to other,Application of Dimensional analysis (V)- As a research tool to derive new relations | |
| Significant figures | |
| Errors of measurements,Error in sum and Error in difference of two physical quantities,Error in product and Error in division of two physical quantities,Error in quantity raised to some power | |
| Work Energy and Power | Nature of Work Done |
| Work done by variable force | |
| Kinetic energy | |
| Potential energy, Potential energy curve | |
| Law of Conservation of Energy | |
| Power | |
| Types of collision | |
| Perfectly Elastic Head on Collision,Perfectly elastic oblique collision,Head on inelastic collision,Perfectly inelastic collision,Collision Between Bullet and Vertically Suspended Block | |
| Rotational Motion | Center of mass |
| Position of centre of mass for solid cone | |
| Motion of the centre of mass | |
| Equations of Linear Motion and Rotational Motion. | |
| Torque | |
| Moment of inertia of a Rod | |
| Moment of inertia for uniform rectangular lamina | |
| Parallel and Perpendicular Axis theorem | |
| Moment of inertia of a RING | |
| Moment of inertia of a DISC | |
| Moment of inertia of a SOLID SPHERE | |
| Angular Momentum | |
| Conservation Of angular momentum | |
| Properties of Solids and Liquids | Stokes’ law & Terminal Velocity |
| Surface energy | |
| Excess pressure inside a liquid drop & soap bubble | |
| Thermal stress and thermal strain | |
| Heat | |
| Basics of conduction | |
| Stress and it’s types | |
| Hooke’s law | |
| Work done in stretching a wire | |
| Rise of liquid in a capillary tube | |
| Variation of pressure | |
| Flow of fluids | |
| Equation of Continuity | |
| Applications of Bernoulli’s Theorem(I) | |
| Viscosity | |
| Kinetic theory of Gases | States of matter |
| Gas laws(I) | |
| Ideal gas equation | |
| Various types of speeds of ideal gases | |
| Kinetic energy of ideal gas | |
| Specific heat of a gas | |
| Mayer’s formula | |
| Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating currents | Magnetic flux |
| Faraday’s law of induction | |
| Motional Electromotive force(I),Motional Electromotive force(II),Energy consideration in Motional Emf,Motional Electromotive force(III),Motional Electromotive force(IV) | |
| AC voltage applied to an inductor | |
| AC voltage applied to a capacitor | |
| Induced Electric field | |
| Series LR circuit | |
| Time Varying Magnetic field | |
| Series RC circuit | |
| Self inductance | |
| Series LCR circuit | |
| Resonance in Series LCR circuit | |
| Mutual Inductance,Mutual Inductance for two coaxial long solenoids,Mutual Inductance for a pair of concentric coils | |
| Quality factor | |
| Power in an AC circuit | |
| Energy stored in an inductor | |
| Transformers | |
| Experimental skills | To compare emf of two given primary cells using potentiometer |
| To measure the thickness of the given sheet using screw gauge | |
| To measure the diameter of small spherical cylindrical body using Vernier Callipers | |
| Kinematics | Vector addition and Vector Subtraction |
| Uniform circular motion | |
| Speed and velocity | |
| Kinematics graphs | |
| Equation of motions | |
| Projectile Motion | |
| Relative Velocity | |
| Laws of motion | Common forces in mechanics |
| Equilibrium of concurrent forces | |
| Newton’s First law of motion | |
| Newton’s Second and Third Law of motion | |
| Acceleration of Block on Smooth Inclined Plane | |
| Motion of Block in Contact | |
| Motion of blocks when connected with string | |
| Motion of connected blocks over pulley | |
| Rocket Propulsion | |
| Kinetic Friction | |
| Static Friction | |
| Acceleration of block against friction | |
| Centripetal Force and Centrifugal Force | |
| Spring Force | |
| Skidding of Vehicle on a Level Road | |
| Banking of Road | |
| Gravitation | Newton’s law of Gravitation |
| Acceleration due to gravity (g),Variation in ‘g’ due to height,Variation in ‘g’ due to Rotation of earth | |
| Gravitational field Intensity,Gravitational field due to Point mass | |
| Gravitational Potential due to Uniform solid sphere | |
| Gravitational Potential Energy (U) | |
| Work Done Against Gravity | |
| Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion | |
| Escape Velocity | |
| Orbital Velocity of Satellite | |
| Time period and energy of a satellite | |
| Oscillations and Waves | Spring System,Oscillations in combination of springs |
| Simple pendulum | |
| Propagation of sound wave | |
| General equation of travelling | |
| Standing longitudinal wave | |
| Sine wave travelling on string | |
| Speed of transverse wave on a string | |
| Beats | |
| Composition of two SHM- part 2 | |
| Damped Harmonic motion | |
| Doppler Effect | |
| Standing waves,Standing wave in a string fixed at both ends | |
| Energy in SHM | |
| Simple harmonic as projection of circular motion | |
| Simple harmonic motion,Equations of motions of SHM | |
| Terms associated with SHM | |
| Electrostatics | Coulomb’s Law |
| Electric field | |
| Electric field lines | |
| Electric field due to uniformly charged disc | |
| Dipole in Uniform electric field | |
| Gauss law,Applications of Gauss Law(I),Applications of Gauss Law(II),Applications of Gauss Law(IV),Applications of Gauss Law(V) | |
| Electric flux(I) | |
| Electric potential | |
| Relation between electric field and potential | |
| Capacitor | |
| Electric potential due to continuous charge distribution(I) | |
| Electric flux through cone or disc | |
| Electric potential due to continuous charge distribution(II) | |
| Equipotential surface | |
| Parallel plate capacitor | |
| Electrostatic Potential energy | |
| Combination of capacitors | |
| Energy stored in capacitor | |
| Dielectrics | |
| Current Electricity | Current Density |
| Drift Velocity | |
| Ohms Law | |
| Resistance and Resistivity | |
| Series grouping of Resistance | |
| Cell and Emf of a cell | |
| Current Given by a Cell | |
| Series and Parallel Grouping of cell | |
| Emf of a cell when the cell is charging and discharging and Open circuit and Short circuit | |
| Kirchhoff first law | |
| Kirchhoff’s second law | |
| KCL, KVL, Conservation of charge and Energy and introduction to Galvanometer | |
| Ammeter | |
| Voltmeter | |
| Wheatstone’s bridge | |
| Meter Bridge | |
| Determine the internal resistance of a cell | |
| Faraday’s laws of electrolysis | |
| Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism | Magnetic Field due to current in straight wire |
| Magnetic Field due to circular current loop | |
| Magnetic field on the axis of circular current loop | |
| Apllication of Ampere’s law (I),Application of Ampere’s law (II) | |
| Force on a moving charge in magnetic field | |
| Solenoid | |
| Motion of a charged particle in uniform magnetic field(I) | |
| Magnetic field lines | |
| Bar magnet as an equivalent solenoid | |
| Magnetic force on a current carrying conductor | |
| Lorentz force | |
| Force between two parallel current carrying infinite wires | |
| Dipole in a uniform magnetic field | |
| Torque on a rectangular current loop in a uniform magnetic field,Circular current loop as magnetic dipole | |
| Magnetisation and magnetic intensity | |
| Moving coil galvanometer | |
| Hysteresis curve | |
| Electromagnetic Waves | Displacement current |
| Nature of Electromagnetic Waves | |
| Energy Density and Intensity of EM waves | |
| Electromagnetic spectrum | |
| Optics | Spherical mirrors |
| Mirror formula | |
| Refraction Through A Glass Slab | |
| Refraction Through A Prism 1,Dispersion Of Light 1 | |
| Refraction | |
| Real depth and Apparent depth | |
| Total Internal Reflection | |
| Lens Maker’s formula | |
| Power of lens and mirror | |
| Magnification in Lenses | |
| Combination of thin lens in contact,Lenses at a distance | |
| Astronomical Telescope | |
| Polarization of light | |
| Malus’ Law | |
| Interference of light waves- 1,Interference of light waves- 2 | |
| Fraunhofer diffraction by a single slit | |
| Young’s double slit experiment -1,Young’s double slit experiment- 2 | |
| YDSE with thin slab | |
| Compound Microscope | |
| Thin film interference | |
| Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation | Electron Emission |
| Photon theory of light | |
| Wave nature of matter,De-broglie wavelength of an electron | |
| Davisson-Germer Experiment | |
| Photoelectric effect,Graphs in Photoelectric effect | |
| Photons emitted by a source per second,Intensity of radiation,Photon Flux | |
| Atoms And Nuclei | Bohr’s Model of hydrogen atom,Radius of orbit and velocity of electron |
| Energy of electron in nth orbit,Energy level for Hydrogen | |
| Line spectra of hydrogen atom | |
| Mass-energy equivalence and Nuclear binding energy,Binding Energy Per Nucleon,Nuclear Force and Stability | |
| De-broglie’s explanation of Bohr’s second postulate | |
| Effect of Nucleus motion on Energy | |
| Law of radioactivity decay | |
| Atomic Collision | |
| Characteristic X-Rays | |
| Continuous X-ray | |
| Radioactivity – (I),Radioactivity – (II) | |
| Nuclear fission | |
| Electronic devices | Electric Conductivity |
| Extrinsic Semiconductor(II) | |
| Zener diode | |
| Characteristics of a P-N junction,Semiconductor Diode(II) | |
| Junction Transistor | |
| Transistor as a device | |
| Classification of solids on the basis of Band theory | |
| Optoelectronic junction devices (I) | |
| Thermodynamics | Adiabatic process |
| Second Law of Thermodynamics | |
| Entropy | |
| Carnot Engine | |
| Cyclic and Non cyclic process | |
| Isobaric process | |
| Refrigerator or Heat Pump | |
| Introduction to Thermodynamics | |
| Thermodynamic variables and equation of state | |
| Heat, Internal energy and Work in Thermodynamics | |
| First law of Thermodynamics |
Best Physics Books for JEE
In addition to your NCERT textbooks, make use of reference books and online resources to enhance your preparation. Some recommended books for Physics include:
| Best Physics Book for JEE Main | Book will be best for |
| NCERT for Class XI and XII | Fundamental concepts and understanding of theory |
| Concepts of physics (Vol. 1 and 2) by H.C Verma | Quality problems on all topics |
| Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick & walker | Concepts of all the topics |
| Understanding Physics by D C Pandey (Arihant Publications): Set of books forElectricity & MagnetismMechanics (Vol. 1 & 2)Optics & Modern PhysicsWaves & Thermodynamics | Explanation, Derivation and question set of quality solved/unsolved problems |
| Problems in General Physics by I.E Irodov | Practicing problems |
| Understanding physics by Freedman and Young | Explanation, theory of all topics |
| Problems in physics by SS Krotov | Practicing problems |
| Problems and solution of Physics by Shashi Bhushan Tiwari | For practising problems and studying detailed solutions. |
Online platforms like YouTube also offer excellent tutorials and video lectures that can help you visualize complex concepts. Websites like Physics Galaxy and Khan Academy can be helpful for breaking down difficult topics into simple, understandable steps.
Effective Study Techniques for JEE Physics
Physics in JEE is all about understanding, problem-solving, and time management. Many students struggle with Physics because they either try to memorize formulas without understanding them or spend too much time on complex problems without mastering the basics. To score well in JEE Physics, you need a strategic approach that combines concept clarity, efficient problem-solving, and proper revision techniques. Here are the best study techniques to improve your Physics preparation.
1) Concept-First Approach
Many students jump straight into solving problems without understanding the theory behind them. This often leads to confusion and mistakes. Instead, follow a concept-first approach.
- Understand before memorizing: Before learning formulas, understand why they work. Read the theory and try to visualize concepts.
- Study derivations: Instead of memorizing formulas, learn their derivations. This will help you remember them easily and apply them in different scenarios.
- Relate to real-life applications: Try to connect Physics concepts to real-world situations. For example, Newton’s laws explain how vehicles move, and electromagnetism is used in everyday electrical appliances. Understanding these applications can make learning easier.
2) Problem-Solving Strategies
Physics is not just about reading theory; solving problems is equally important. However, solving problems randomly without a strategy can waste time. Follow these steps to improve your problem-solving skills:
- Start with easy problems: Begin with basic problems to build confidence. If you directly attempt tough problems, you may get discouraged.
- Progress to harder problems gradually: Once you are comfortable with easy problems, move to moderate and then difficult ones. This step-by-step approach strengthens your concepts.
- Understand different question patterns: Go through previous years’ JEE questions to identify patterns. Some questions get repeated with slight modifications.
- Solve numerical problems daily: Set a goal to solve at least 10-15 numerical problems from different chapters every day. This will improve your speed and accuracy.
- Use a timer: Time yourself while solving questions to improve speed. In JEE, solving correctly within a limited time is crucial.
3) Revision & Notes-Making
Regular revision is necessary to retain concepts and formulas. Many students make the mistake of studying a topic once and not revisiting it later. To avoid forgetting concepts, use the following revision techniques:
- Make short notes: Write down key concepts, important formulas, and derivations in a notebook. Keep it concise so that you can revise quickly.
- Prepare a formula sheet: Have a separate sheet for formulas from each chapter. Revise this sheet daily, especially before mock tests.
- Create an error log: Maintain a notebook to record mistakes you make in problem-solving. Reviewing this log regularly will help you avoid repeating the same errors.
- Revise at regular intervals: Don’t wait until the last moment to revise. Revise every topic after a few days to keep it fresh in your memory.
4) Mock Tests & PYQs (Previous Years’ Questions)
Practicing mock tests and previous years’ papers is one of the best ways to prepare for JEE Physics.
- Solve past years’ JEE papers: Many questions in JEE main and Advanced are similar to previous years. Solving past papers helps you understand the question pattern and difficulty level.
- Take timed mock tests: Mock tests simulate the real exam environment. Take full-length mock tests regularly to improve speed, accuracy, and time management.
- Analyze your mistakes: After every test, review the questions you got wrong. Identify the topics where you need improvement and focus on them.
- Opt for a structured test series: Enroll in Phodu Club’s JEE main test series or other reliable test series to get high-quality mock tests.
By following these study techniques, you can master JEE Physics in a structured and effective way. Understanding concepts, solving problems strategically, revising regularly, and practicing mock tests will help you score higher in the exam. Stay consistent, stay disciplined, and keep improving!
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Physics Preparation
Many students make mistakes while preparing for JEE Physics, which affects their performance in the exam. Here are some of the most common mistakes students make and how to avoid them.
1) Rote Memorization Without Understanding
One of the biggest mistakes students make is trying to memorize formulas and derivations without understanding the concepts behind them. Physics is not just about formulas; it requires logical thinking. If you don’t understand the concepts, you won’t know when and how to apply the formulas correctly.
How to avoid it? Focus on understanding the theory first. Read the NCERT book, understand derivations, and visualize concepts through real-life applications. Instead of memorizing formulas, derive them yourself to understand their meaning.
2) Overlooking NCERT Concepts
Many students ignore NCERT books and rely only on coaching materials and reference books. JEE main often asks direct questions from NCERT, especially in theoretical and Modern Physics sections. Skipping NCERT means missing out on easy marks.
How to avoid it? Read NCERT thoroughly, especially for Modern Physics, Optics, and Thermodynamics. Solve all examples and exercise problems given in the book. Even for JEE Advanced, NCERT helps in building strong fundamentals.
3) Ignoring Time Management in Exam
During the exam, students often struggle with time management, spending too much time on one question and failing to complete the paper. If you spend too long on one tough question, you may not have enough time to answer easy and scoring questions.
How to avoid it? Solve previous years’ papers and mock tests under timed conditions. First, solve easy and moderate questions quickly, then attempt difficult ones. If a question seems too difficult, move on and come back later instead of wasting time.
4) Focusing Only on Hard Questions & Ignoring Basics
Many students believe that solving only difficult problems will help them score better, but they ignore fundamental concepts in the process. If you don’t have a strong foundation, solving advanced problems becomes much harder. Also, JEE asks conceptual and moderate-difficulty questions, not just the hardest ones.
How to avoid it? Master the basics first. Before solving advanced problems, make sure you can solve simple and moderate-level questions easily. Revise regularly. Keep revising basic concepts so that you don’t forget them while practicing advanced problems.
Conclusion
Scoring well in JEE Physics is not about solving the hardest problems or memorizing endless formulas. It’s about understanding the concepts, practicing strategically, and managing time effectively. If you focus on high-weightage chapters, use the right books, and practice consistently, Physics can become one of your strongest subjects.
Solve previous years’ papers and take mock tests, such as Phodu Club’s JEE main test series, to get comfortable with the exam pattern. Keep track of your mistakes using an error log and revise regularly with short notes and formula sheets.
Avoid common mistakes like neglecting NCERT, mismanaging time in the exam, or spending too much effort on advanced problems without mastering the basics. Stay focused, stay disciplined, and give your best effort—success in JEE Physics is within your reach!
