JEE Mains 2026 Exam Pattern
Complete breakdown of Paper 1, Paper 2A and Paper 2B — marking scheme, question types, section details and exam day information.
Paper 1 at a Glance
Physics · Chemistry · Mathematics · 300 marks · 3 hours · Online CBT
3 Hours
Duration
4 hrs for PwD
90
Total Questions
Attempt 75
300
Total Marks
100 per subject
CBT
Exam Mode
Computer Based
Subject-wise Breakdown
Physics
Section A
20 Questions
MCQ (Single Correct)
Marking: +4 / –1
Section B
10 (attempt 5)
Numerical Value
Marking: +4 / 0
Chemistry
Section A
20 Questions
MCQ (Single Correct)
Marking: +4 / –1
Section B
10 (attempt 5)
Numerical Value
Marking: +4 / 0
Mathematics
Section A
20 Questions
MCQ (Single Correct)
Marking: +4 / –1
Section B
10 (attempt 5)
Numerical Value
Marking: +4 / 0
Section B Rule: Each subject has 10 numerical questions but you only need to attempt any 5. There is no negative marking for Section B, making it a strategic opportunity to score risk-free marks.
Paper 2A & Paper 2B Pattern
For B.Arch and B.Planning admissions — offline component included
Paper 2A — B.Arch
400 Marks · 3 hrs (CBT + Offline Drawing)
Mathematics
MCQ + Numerical
Aptitude
MCQ (Single Correct)
Drawing
Drawing on paper
*Drawing test is offline (pen & paper). Evaluated by NTA-appointed examiners.
Paper 2B — B.Planning
400 Marks · 3 hours · Full CBT
Mathematics
MCQ + Numerical
Aptitude
MCQ (Single Correct)
Planning
MCQ (Single Correct)
*B.Planning questions test urban planning awareness, current affairs and spatial reasoning.
Exam Day Details
Reporting Time
2 hours before shift start
Shift 1
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Shift 2
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Items Allowed
Admit card, Photo ID, passport photo, transparent water bottle, stationery
Items Prohibited
Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, electronic gadgets, bags
Languages
13 languages including Hindi, English, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Odia, Assamese, Urdu
Exam Strategy Tips
Section B is Your Friend
Numerical questions have no negative marking. Attempt all 10 and pick your best 5. Even a guess is risk-free.
Time Allocation
Aim 60 min per subject. Spend less time on questions you're certain of; revisit tricky ones at the end.
Manage Negative Marking
For Section A MCQs, skip if you can't narrow down to 2 options. A wrong answer costs you 1 mark and the 4 you would have scored.
Review Flag System
Flag questions you want to revisit. Submit only after reviewing all flagged questions.