Students who need clarity regarding how many attempts for JEE Advanced will find this article very useful. Passing the Joint Entrance Examination Advanced exam is a must for taking admission into IIT’s. As per the Supreme Court’s order JEE Advanced attempt rules for aspirants who have dropped out of college between November 5 to 18, 2024, will be eligible to take the third attempt for JEE Advanced.
However, candidates will have to appear for the JEE Advanced in consecutive years. This means if the first attempt was in the previous year and was unsuccessful, candidates can only attempt the exam in the following year and so on. Candidates can only attempt the exam once per year as it is conducted only once per year. The JEE Exam Advanced is conducted once a year for the top 2,50,000 qualifying candidates of the JEE Main Exam.
Contents
JEE stands for Joint Entrance Exam, a national engineering entrance examination administered by NTA. The JEE exam consists of two levels of exam: JEE (Main) and JEE (Advanced).
JEE (Main) includes two testing sessions, Paper 1 and Paper 2. The objective of Paper 1 is to categorise candidates suitable for sitting in JEE (Advanced) or gaining admission to a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) or Bachelor of Technology (BTech) undergraduate programme at one of the following types of institutions:
National Institutes of Technology (NITs)
Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)
Other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs)
State-funded or recognised institutions and universities
The purpose of passing Paper 2 of JEE (Main) is to gain admission to a Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) or Bachelor of Planning (BPlanning) programme.
The JEE (Advanced) is similar to JEE (Main), but its questions are more thorough and is considered more tough than JEE (Main). Candidates who pass the exam qualify for admittance to different IITs across the country.
JEE Mains is the first stage of the JEE examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It serves as the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced and as an entrance test for admissions to NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutions. It is also widely accepted by several state-level engineering colleges and private universities across India.
Key Features of JEE Mains 2026:
Paper 1: For B.E./B.Tech aspirants
Paper 2A & 2B: For B.Arch and B.Planning aspirants
What is JEE Advanced?
JEE Advanced is the second stage of the exam, conducted by one of the IITs on a rotational basis. It is exclusively for students aiming for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) across the country. Known for its challenging nature, the exam tests a candidate’s problem solving abilities.
Key Features of JEE Advanced 2026:
Eligibility: Top 2,50,000 rank holders of JEE Mains (approx.) are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced. Additional eligibility criteria include age restrictions and a maximum of two attempts in consecutive years.
Exam Mode: Computer-based test (CBT) for all sections.
Exam Date: Usually held in June.
Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics.
Paper Types: Two compulsory papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2), each of 3 hours.
Total Marks: Varies each year, with the marking scheme often including full, partial, and negative marking.
Aspect
JEE Mains
JEE Advanced
Purpose
For admission to NITs, IIITs, and other colleges.
For admission to IITs.
Age Limit
There is no age restriction for appearing in JEE Main.
Candidates born on or after 1st October 2000 are eligible for JEE Advanced 2026. Candidates in the PwD, ST, or SC categories are granted a 5-year relaxation in the age limit criteria, making those born on or after 1st October 1995 eligible for JEE Advanced 2026.
Eligibility
Class 12 pass or appearing students.
Top 2,50,000 JEE Mains qualifiers.
Logical Reasoning
Twice a year
Once a year
Number of Papers
1 (B.E./B.Tech), 2 (B.Arch & B.Planning)
2 (Compulsory for all candidates)
Exam Pattern
Fixed
Varies every year
Marking Scheme
Consistent across years
Includes partial, negative, and full marking
Question Type
MCQs, numerical value-based questions
MCQs, integer-type, and comprehension-based
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Official guidelines on attempts for JEE Advanced is it is conducted once a year which means candidates can appear once for the exam every year. However, maximum attempts allowed for JEE Advanced is twice in two consecutive years. The decision to allow a 3rd attempt for JEE advanced has been recalled for candidates other than those who dropped out of college between November 5 to 18, 2025. Aspirants can also check category wise JEE Advanced attempt limits for different categories below:
JEE Advanced attempt rules for candidates belonging to the SC category is two consecutive attempts. These two attempts should be attempted in two consecutive years only. The authority has reverted back to the previous year’s eligibility criteria, that is, JEE Advanced 3rd attempt is removed for all candidates except those who discontinued their studies between November 5 to 18, 2025.
The JEE Advanced attempt limit of 3 attempts criteria has been removed. The previous decision of JEE Advanced attempts increased has been recalled for most candidates other than those who rescinded their admission between November 5 to 18, 2024. The total number of attempts for the general category candidates in the JEE Advanced 2025 exam is two attempts. These attempts should be successive to each other and must be given in two consecutive years.
Maximum attempts allowed for JEE Advanced is a maximum of two times in two consecutive years. This means they can take the exam in the year they pass their 12th (or equivalent) and the following year. However, there’s a slight nuance: initially, there was a proposal for three attempts in three consecutive years, but this was later reverted to the two-attempt rule, except for specific cases like those who dropped out of a course from November 5th to 18th, 2025.
JEE Advanced eligibility criteria for students is that they have to pass the JEE Main (Paper 1). It is also necessary for them to be among the top 2,50,000 candidates. The percentage reservation for the following categories is given below:
Maximum attempts allowed for JEE Advanced is two times in two consecutive years.
Candidates must carefully attempt their JEE Advanced and follow a proper preparation strategy for the exam. There are only two attempts, and candidates must be careful while using it. Strategic planning is very important while attempting JEE advanced, and candidates must be very attentive during preparation.
As the number of attempts for JEE Advanced is very low, candidates must try to clear the exam on the first attempt which will require proper guidance and support. They can take help of coaching institutes who provide specialised guidance and support for those exams that can help them with their preparation and increase the chances of clearing the exam on their first attempt.
Planning the preparation for the JEE Advanced is important to limit your attempt numbers and give you the best chance to get your desired score. Performance might improve in the second attempt but it is best to clear the exam during the very first time due to the limited number of available attempts. Start by reviewing the syllabi for past JEE Advanced exams or the current syllabus if it is available. The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati provides the syllabus on its official Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced) website.
After reading the syllabus, you will know which subjects you should study to be prepared for the exam. Based on this, you can find other resources to learn the information you may need or refresh your memory. Pay attention to the number of questions and time allowed to complete each section. Taking mock tests on a consistent basis help aspirants in refining their time management skills.
It’s a challenging examination that demands a comprehensive understanding of fundamental concepts, advanced problem-solving skills, and a strategic approach to preparation. While many students recognize the importance of NCERT textbooks, understanding their role in the larger context of JEE Advanced preparation is crucial. Below mentioned are the significance of NCERT and its limitations.
NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) textbooks play a important role in building a strong foundation for JEE Advanced and serve as the bedrock upon which more complex concepts are built.
Solid fundamentals
NCERT books are known for their clear and concise presentation of fundamental concepts. Language used in NCERT books is simple enough for students to understand the topics easily and grasp the core principles without getting entangled in complex jargon. This is important as this brings clarity and it is essential for building a solid understanding of the subject matter. NCERT books provide the essential framework upon which the entire JEE preparation is built.
Exam specific
NCERT books are also aligned with the Class 12 board exam syllabus. These books cover everything that is required to score good marks in board exams. Understanding NCERT thoroughly not only helps students score well in their board exams but also reinforces the fundamental concepts for JEE Advanced.
Revision and Reference
Students can refer NCERT books for revision as they are an excellent resource for that. The concise format included in NCERT books can help aspirants during the last minute revision by revisiting key concepts and formulas. It serves as an trusted companion during the final days providing a quick and reliable reference point.
Significant Advantage for direct questions
While JEE Advanced primarily focuses on application-based questions, JEE Main and occasionally even JEE Advanced do feature questions that are directly based on NCERT concepts. Mastering NCERT can help aspirants in scoring those marks giving them a significant advantage.
NCERT is important as they lay the foundation for JEE preparation but they are not sufficient enough to clear challenging exams like JEE Advanced as this exam demands more than basic understanding of concepts. Following are the reasons which makes NCERT insufficient for JEE Advanced.
Indepth concepts
Questions of JEE Advanced require a deeper understanding of concepts that are beyond the concept of NCERT. This exams test aspirants ability to analyse and apply knowledge in novel situations. JEE Advanced demands understanding of concepts at a deeper level but NCERT provides surface level understanding of concepts.
Advanced Problem-Solving Skills
NCERT books focus on basic problem solving whereas JEE Advanced demand advanced problem solving skills. Solving JEE Advanced questions require students to apply multiple concepts and problem solving strategies.
Wide Variety of Challenging Question
Students appearing for JEE Advanced have to encounter wide variety of challenging questions which tests their conceptual clarity and problem solving ability but NCERT books offer a limited variety of questions which are not enough for aspirants to be exam ready.
Highly competitive
JEE Advanced is highly competitive as large number of students compete for a limited number of seats for IITs across the country. Because of its competitive nature the standards of question asked in the exam is of advanced level. In order for the aspirants to attempt these questions NCERT won’t be enough but they can serve as the starting point for the aspirants.
How Many Attempts For JEE advanced: There are only two attempts for JEE Advanced exam, candidates must plan their preparation well for JEE Advanced 2026 exam. Check some of the important strategies below:
Candidates must be well familiar with the latest syllabus and exam pattern for effective preparation.
Candidates need to learn time management skills.
Practice is much important for the JEE Advanced exam preparation. Candidates must attempt the previous year’s papers and mock tests.
Candidates must avoid distractions and be fully focused, with dedicated study hours for preparation.
Candidates must follow a well-planned study plan.
Along with study candidates must taking care of their health which will help them to prepare at their full potential.
No, students can generally attempt JEE Advanced a maximum of two times in two consecutive years.
Yes, 3rd attempt for JEE Advanced has been removed for most candidates. There is a specific exception for those who dropped out between 5th November and 18th November 2024. The Joint Admission Board (JAB) initially announced a 3rd attempt for JEE Advanced, but later this decision was returned back to the previous rule of two attempts in two consecutive years.
The age limit for JEE Advanced attempts for the General, SC, ST, and PwD is 19 years. Candidates to appear in JEE Advanced 2026 must have been born on or after October 1, 2002 for the General Category with five-year relaxation for SC, ST, and PwD categories (born on or after October 1, 1997).
