The JEE Mains exam is one of the most important milestones for students aspiring to pursue engineering at top institutes like IITs and NITs. With intense competition and a vast syllabus, preparing for this exam can be overwhelming. However, understanding the exam pattern and focusing on key topics can make a huge difference in your preparation strategy.
In this article, we will break down the JEE Mains exam pattern to help you understand how the exam works, what to expect on the day of the test, and how to effectively plan your study schedule. You’ll learn about the types of questions, marking scheme, and the structure of the exam.
We will also dive into the most important chapters in Chemistry, covering Physical, Inorganic, and Organic Chemistry. These chapters often carry significant weight in the exam, and knowing which topics to focus on can help you score better.
By following this guide, you’ll gain valuable insights that will not only ease your preparation but also boost your confidence as you work towards acing the JEE Mains exam.
JEE Mains Exam Pattern
Before diving into preparation, it’s essential to understand the exam pattern. Knowing the structure of the exam helps you approach it with confidence and makes preparation more effective.
JEE Main 2025 Exam Pattern for Paper 1 (B.E/B.Tech)
| 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. |
Most Important Chapters for JEE Mains Chemistry
Chemistry is a key subject in JEE Mains. It is divided into three main sections: Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. Let’s break down the most important chapters based on weightage.
JEE Mains Chemistry Chapter Wise Weightage
| Chapters | Weightage |
| Transition Elements & Coordination Compounds | 9.90% |
| Periodic table, p-Block Elements | 9.90% |
| Atomic Structure | 6.60% |
| Chemical Bonding | 6.60% |
| Chemical And Ionic Equilibrium | 6.60% |
| Solid-State | 6.60% |
| Nuclear Chemistry | 6.60% |
| Thermodynamics & the Gaseous State | 6.60% |
| Mole Concept | 3.30% |
| Redox Reactions | 3.30% |
| Electrochemistry | 3.30% |
| Chemical Kinetics | 3.30% |
| Solution & Colligative Properties | 3.30% |
| General Organic Chemistry | 3.30% |
| Stereochemistry | 3.30% |
| Hydrocarbon | 3.30% |
| Alkyl Halides | 3.30% |
| Carboxylic Acids & their Derivatives | 6.60% |
| Carbohydrates and amino acids | 6.60% |
| Aromatic Compounds | 6.60% |
Most Important Topics for JEE Mains Chemistry
| Chapter Name | Important Topics |
| Some basic concepts in chemistry | Empirical Formula And Molecular Formula |
| MOLE CONCEPT AND MOLAR MASS | |
| Stoichiometry, Stoichiometric Calculations And Limiting Reagent | |
| Reactions in Solutions | |
| Atomic Structure | Photoelectric effect |
| Line spectrum of hydrogen | |
| Radius, velocity and the energy of nth Bohr orbital | |
| Debroglie wavelength | |
| Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle | |
| Quantum Numbers | |
| Aufbau Principle, Pauli Exclusion Principle and Hund’s Rule of Maximum Multiplicity | |
| Chemical Thermodynamics | Path, State Function, Types Of Process |
| Reversible, Irreversible, Polytropic Process | |
| Isothermal Reversible And Isothermal Irreversible | |
| Heat Capacity | |
| Thermochemistry And Enthalpy For Chemical Reaction | |
| Enthalpy Of Combustion,Enthalpy Of Dissociation, Atomisation And Phase Change | |
| Lattice Enthalpy, Hydration Enthalpy And Enthalpy Of Solution | |
| Hess’s Law | |
| Calculation Of Changes In S For Different Process | |
| Gibbs Energy And Change In Gibbs Energy,Spontaneity Criteria With Gibbs Energy (G) | |
| Redox Reaction and Electrochemistry | Oxidation Number and Oxidation State |
| Types of Redox Reactions | |
| Balancing of Redox Reaction: Ion Electrode Method,Balancing of Disproportionation Redox Reaction: Ion Electrode Method,Balancing of Redox Reaction: Oxidation Number Method | |
| Quantitative Aspect of Electrolytic Cell: Faraday’s First Law,Faraday’s Second Law | |
| Galvanic Cells | |
| Nernst Equation,Nernst Equation for Full Cell,Equilibrium Constant Through Nernst Equation | |
| Molar and Equivalent Conductance,Molar Conductance at Infinite Dilution | |
| Kohlrausch’s Law | |
| General Principle and process of Isolation of metals | Froth Floatation Process |
| Leaching: Chemical Method | |
| Conversion of ore into oxide – Calcination and Roasting | |
| Electrolytic Refining,Vapour Phase Refining | |
| d – and f – BLOCK ELEMENTS | Screening Effect and Lanthanoid Contraction,Atomic Size/Radii,Ionisation Energy,Oxidation State,Magnetic Properties and Character |
| Formation of Coloured Ions | |
| Physical Properties of f-block,Properties of Actinoids | |
| Coordination Compounds | Addition Compounds or Molecular Compounds,Terminologies Related to Coordination Compounds,Types of Ligands – 1,Oxidation Number,Coordination Number,IUPAC Nomenclature of Coordination or Complex Compound |
| Magnetic Moment(On the Basis of VBT) | |
| Applications of CFT | |
| Stereoisomerism,Structural Isomerism – 1,Structural Isomerism – 2 | |
| Purification and Characterisation of Organic Compounds | Sublimation and Crystallisation,Distillation under reduced pressure and Steam distillation,Chromatography |
| Test for Halogens | |
| Duma’s Method | |
| Kjeldahl’s Method | |
| Carius Method (Halogen and Sulphur) | |
| Some Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry | Functional Group |
| IUPAC Nomenclature – 1 | |
| Carbocations | |
| Carbanions | |
| Alkyl Free Radicals | |
| Nucleophiles and Electrophiles | |
| Inductive Effect | |
| Mesomeric or Resonance Effect | |
| Organic Compounds containing Halogens | Nature of C-X bond and Physical Properties,Reaction with PCl5, PCl3, SOCl2 and HX |
| Strong and Weak bases,SN2 Reaction,SN1 Reaction,Nucleophilic Substitution | |
| Grignard Reagent – 1,Reduction by LiAlH4 and NaBH4 | |
| Acylation and Oxidation of Alcohols | |
| Reaction of Phenols with dil. HNO3,Reimer-Tiemann and Kolbe’s Schmidt Reactions | |
| Preparation of Aldehydes | |
| Nucleophilic Addition Reaction,Intramolecular Cannizzaro Reaction | |
| Methods of Preparation of Carboxylic Acids,Acidity in Carboxylic Acids | |
| Principles Related to Practical Chemistry | Preliminary Test with Dilute Sulphuric Acid (Systematic Analysis of Anions): |
| Analysis of Cations | |
| Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure | Lewis Representation of Simple Molecules (Lewis Structure) |
| Limitations of The Octet Rule | |
| Bond Parameters: length, angle, energy, strength | |
| Fajan’s Rule and Covalent Character in Ionic Bond | |
| Pi (p-p) and Pi (p-d) bonding | |
| How to Find Hybridisation | |
| VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) Theory | |
| Shapes of Molecules | |
| Dipole Moment | |
| Hydrogen Bonding | |
| Classification of Elements and Periodic table | Long form of Modern periodic table |
| Classification of Elements : s-block | |
| Atomic Radius of Elements,Variation of Atomic Radii and ionic radii | |
| Ionisation Enthalpy of Ionisation Potential | |
| Electron Gain Enthalpy or Electron Affinity | |
| Electronegativity | |
| Physical Properties of Elements,Chemical Properties of Elements | |
| Equilibrium | Types of Equilibrium Constant |
| Le Chatelier’s principle,Le Chatelier’s principle | |
| Bronsted Lowry and Lewis Acid-Base theory | |
| pH of Solutions: Strong Acids,pH of Solutions: Weak Acids,pH of solution/mixture | |
| pH of weak acid + strong acid | |
| Types of Buffers,Calculating pH of a Buffer Solution(acidic),Working of Acidic Buffer,Basic Buffers | |
| Solubility and Solubility Product | |
| Hydrogen | Preparation of Dihydrogen,Uses of Hydrogen |
| Water: Structure of Water and Ice, Heavy Water | |
| Hard and Soft Water | |
| Chemical Properties of H2O2 | |
| Preparation of Alkanes(Reduction of Alkenes/Alkynes) | |
| Physical Properties | |
| Hydrocarbons | Chemical Properties(Free Radical Reaction, Chlorination, Nitration and sulphonation),Chemical Properties (Combustion, Catalytic Oxidation, Isomerisation, Aromatisation and Pyrolysis) |
| Reduction of Alkynes to Alkenes | |
| Markovnikov and Anti-markovnikov Reaction | |
| Hydrohalogenation and Halogenation of Alkynes | |
| Solutions | Concentration Terms |
| Ideal Solution | |
| Elevation in Boiling Point | |
| Depression in Freezing Point | |
| Osmosis and Osmotic Pressure | |
| Isotonic, Hypertonic, Hypotonic Solution | |
| van’t Hoff factor(i) or Abnormal Colligative Property,Calculation of Extent of Dissociation in an Electrolytic Solution | |
| Chemical kinetics | Instantaneous Rate of Reaction,Factors Affecting Rate of Reaction,Factors Affecting Rate of Reaction(2) |
| Rate Law | |
| Important Points About Order of Reaction | |
| Zero Order Kinetics – Zero Order Reaction,Integrated Rate Law – Zero Order Reaction,Half Life and Life Time of Reaction,Graphs for Zero-Order Reaction | |
| First Order Reaction,Half Life of First Order Reaction,Graphs of First Order Kinetics | |
| nth Order Kinetics | |
| Molecularity of Reaction | |
| Exception(Arrhenius Theory),Effective Activation Energy | |
| p- Block Elements | Physical Properties of Group 13,Physical Properties of Group 13 – 1,Physical Properties of Group 13 – 2 |
| Chemical Properties of Group 13 | |
| Borax | |
| Group 14 (Carbon Family): Physical Properties – 2 | |
| Allotropic Form of Carbon(Diamond),Allotropic Form of Carbon(Graphite) | |
| Silicates – 1,Silicates – 2 | |
| SiO2 | |
| Silicones | |
| Group 15 – Physical and Chemical Properties | |
| Ammonia(NH3) | |
| Phosphine and Phosphorus Chloride | |
| Group 16: Oxygen Family – Physical Properties,Chemical Properties – 1,Chemical Properties – 2 | |
| Oxides | |
| Interhalogen Compounds | |
| General properties of Hydrides of Group 17 | |
| Chlorine(Cl2) | |
| Important Compounds of Xenon |
Preparation Tips for JEE Mains Chemistry
Chemistry is one of the three core subjects in the JEE Mains exam, and a strong foundation in this subject is essential for scoring well. Many students find Chemistry a bit tricky due to its diverse sections—Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry—each of which requires a different approach. However, with a structured preparation strategy, you can handle all these areas effectively.
Here are some detailed preparation tips to help you master Chemistry for JEE Mains:
1) Master the Basics with NCERT Textbooks
The NCERT textbooks are the backbone of JEE preparation, especially for Chemistry. For Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry, it is essential to first have a thorough understanding of the concepts presented in the NCERT books. Most of the questions in JEE Mains are directly or indirectly based on the NCERT syllabus, especially in topics like Atomic Structure, Mole Concept, and Coordination Compounds.
- Why NCERT is important: It provides clear explanations, well-laid-out concepts, and essential formulas that form the basis of advanced topics.
- What to focus on: Pay attention to the definitions, laws, and basic problem-solving techniques outlined in these books. For example, understand the laws of thermodynamics, chemical bonding, and reaction mechanisms.
Once you’re confident with the NCERT material, you can move on to more advanced reference books for practice and application.
2) Understand the Core Concepts in Physical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry often includes topics that are numerically intensive, and a clear understanding of concepts is essential for solving problems accurately. Here are some important concepts and how to approach them:
- Mole Concept: Master the basics of mole calculations and stoichiometry. Understand the relationships between moles, molar mass, and Avogadro’s number. Practice problems related to empirical and molecular formulas, limiting reagents, and mole-to-mole conversions.
- Atomic Structure: Study the quantum numbers, Bohr’s model, and de Broglie’s hypothesis. Learn the important formulas and understand their applications in different contexts. For example, you should be able to calculate the de Broglie wavelength of an electron in motion.
- Thermodynamics: This is a high-weightage topic in JEE Mains. Learn about the laws of thermodynamics, entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs free energy. Understand how energy is transferred during chemical reactions and how these concepts apply to reaction spontaneity.
- Chemical Kinetics: Focus on understanding the rate laws, reaction order, and the Arrhenius equation. These are essential for solving problems related to reaction speed and temperature dependence.
- Solutions and Colligative Properties: Understand Raoult’s Law and the colligative properties such as boiling point elevation and freezing point depression. Practice problems that involve calculating changes in boiling/freezing points due to solute addition.
3) Focus on Conceptual Understanding in Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry is more about understanding the structure and reactivity of organic molecules. Unlike Physical Chemistry, where you mainly solve numerical problems, Organic Chemistry is about applying reaction mechanisms, identifying functional groups, and understanding the behavior of different compounds.
- IUPAC Nomenclature: It’s essential to understand how organic molecules are named according to IUPAC rules. The ability to name compounds accurately and recognize functional groups is crucial. Start by learning simple structures, and then gradually move on to more complex ones.
- Functional Groups and Their Reactions: Functional groups like alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and amines should be studied thoroughly. Learn about their properties and how they react under different conditions. For example, study the reactions of alcohols with acids, oxidation of aldehydes, and nucleophilic substitution.
- Reaction Mechanisms: Organic Chemistry involves many reaction mechanisms like electrophilic substitution, nucleophilic addition, and elimination reactions. Practice identifying the type of mechanism based on the reactants and conditions given. Try to understand the step-by-step process involved in these mechanisms.
- Aromatic Compounds: Aromatic chemistry is heavily tested in JEE Mains. Learn the structure of benzene and its derivatives. Understand the mechanisms of electrophilic aromatic substitution, such as nitration, halogenation, and Friedel-Crafts alkylation.
4) Build a Strong Foundation in Inorganic Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry often involves rote learning of various concepts such as the periodic table, coordination compounds, and elemental properties. Here’s how to approach it:
- Periodic Table and Periodicity: Understand the trends in atomic size, ionization energy, electronegativity, and electron affinity across periods and groups. Focus on exceptions to periodic trends, as they are frequently tested in JEE Mains.
- Coordination Compounds: Study the structure of coordination compounds, ligands, oxidation states, and coordination numbers. Get familiar with Crystal Field Theory and its application in understanding the color and magnetic properties of coordination compounds.
- Common Ions and Their Properties: Focus on understanding the properties of common metal ions such as Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺, as these often appear in inorganic chemistry questions. You should also know about the types of salts formed by these ions and their behavior in solution.
5) Solve Previous Year Papers and Mock Tests
After mastering the core concepts in Chemistry, start solving previous year’s papers and mock tests regularly. These papers give you an idea of the question types, difficulty level, and time management strategies required for the exam. Here’s how to make the most of them:
- Time Management: Practice solving papers within the given time frame of 3 hours. This will help you manage your time efficiently during the actual exam.
- Identify Weak Areas: While solving mock tests, make note of the areas where you make mistakes or take more time. Spend extra time on those topics to improve your speed and accuracy.
- Understand the Marking Scheme: JEE Mains follows a negative marking system, so be mindful of guessing answers. If you are unsure about a question, it’s better to skip it than risk losing marks.
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Phodu Club’s JEE Mains Test Series offers realistic test environments mimicking actual JEE Mains with Detailed solutions and personalized feedback to understand mistakes.
Using Phodu Club’s test series will help refine your time management, increase problem-solving speed, and strengthen your weak areas. It’s designed to provide a structured and effective way to improve your performance and score higher in JEE Mains.
6) Use Reference Books for Advanced Practice
Once you’re confident with the NCERT books, refer to some advanced books for practice. These books offer a wider variety of problems that are often more challenging than what you will encounter in the exam. Some recommended books include:
| Name of the book and author | Book will be best for |
| NCERT Textbooks (for Class XI and XII ) | Fundamentals of the JEE Main 2025 chemistry topics |
| Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations by R.C. Mukherjee | For practice of solving Physical Chemistry Numericals |
| Organic Chemistry by O P Tandon | Good explanation of topics |
| Concept of Physical Chemistry by P Bahadur | Good explanation and set of quality problems |
| Concise Inorganic Chemistry by J D Lee | Good reference book on Inorganic Chemistry |
| Physical Chemistry by P.W. Atkins | Refer to this book once you are done with the above books or want to practice more |
| Organic Chemistry by Morrison & Boyd | Refer to this book once you are done with the above books or want to practice more |
7) Stay Consistent with Revision
Chemistry has a vast syllabus, and frequent revision is crucial to retaining concepts. Set aside time each week for revision. Go through your notes, important formulae, and reactions regularly to keep the information fresh in your mind.
- Flashcards and Notes: Create concise flashcards for key concepts, formulae, and important reactions. These can be helpful during revision.
- Regular Short Sessions: Rather than cramming long hours in one go, break your study into shorter sessions with breaks in between. This improves retention and prevents burnout.
8) Stay Positive and Avoid Overload
Chemistry preparation for JEE Mains can be overwhelming at times. However, it’s important to stay positive and keep a healthy balance between study and rest. Take short breaks, get enough sleep, and stay hydrated. A healthy body and mind contribute significantly to better performance in the exam.
Conclusion
Preparing for JEE Mains can be a challenging journey, but with the right approach, it is entirely achievable. Understanding the exam pattern and focusing on key chapters, especially in Chemistry, can significantly enhance your performance. By dividing your study time between Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry, and mastering important topics such as the Mole Concept, Atomic Structure, Thermodynamics, and Hydrocarbons, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the exam with confidence.
Remember, consistency is key. Stay committed to regular study sessions, practice problems from each section, and revise your concepts frequently. Don’t forget the importance of solving previous years’ papers to get a feel for the exam pattern and types of questions.
Finally, believe in yourself and stay positive. Keep a clear study plan, take breaks when needed, and avoid last-minute cramming. Your hard work and focused preparation will pay off. Keep pushing forward, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goal of clearing JEE Mains and securing a spot in a prestigious engineering college. Good luck!
