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Difference between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced: Detailed guide

Posted on: July 17, 2025, Author: Zafar Tapadar

Understanding the difference between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced is crucial for candidates aspiring to pursue engineering in India. JEE Mains & JEE Advanced are two separate but related exams for engineering admissions. Top 250,000 candidates from Mains are eligible to appear for JEE Adv.

Contents

Overview of JEE Mains and JEE Advanced- Difference between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced

JEE Mains and JEE Advanced are two important entrance examinations conducted in India, designed for students aspiring to pursue engineering courses.

Definition and purpose of JEE Mains & JEE Advanced

JEE Mains, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), serves as the first level of the Joint Entrance Examination. Its primary purpose is to assess the knowledge and understanding of candidates in subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The scores obtained in JEE Mains are used for giving admission into various undergraduate engineering programs across engineering colleges in India, including the National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and other state-level institutions.

JEE Advanced is the second stage of the IIT JEE entrance exam. Top 250,000 candidates who qualify JEE Mains become eligible to sit for this exam. JEE Advanced evaluates the candidates’ problem-solving abilities and analytical skills in a more rigorous manner, making it a crucial step for those seeking to take admission to IITs across the country.

Differences in the exam pattern

The exam patterns for JEE Mains and JEE Advanced differ significantly.

Overview of the JEE Mains exam format- Difference between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced


Types of questions (MCQs, Numerical)

In JEE Mains, the questions are primarily Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Numerical Value Questions, which require candidates to solve problems and provide numerical answers.

Duration and marking scheme

The duration of JEE Mains Paper 1 is 3 hours, and it consists of 75 questions, with a marking scheme of +4 for correct answers and -1 for incorrect answers.

Overview of JEE Advanced exam format- Difference between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced

JEE Advanced comprises two papers, each lasting 3 hours. Both papers are conducted on the same day and include a variety of question types.

Types of Questions (MCQs, Integer-type, Match the Following)

The question types in JEE Advanced include MCQs, Integer-type questions, and Match the Following, which require a deeper understanding of concepts and application skills.

Duration and Marking Scheme

Each paper in JEE Advanced lasts for 3 hours, with a total of 54 questions. The marking scheme varies, with some questions having negative marking, while others do not.


How many attempts in JEE Advanced 2024


Key differences in exam structure between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced

The primary difference between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced lie in the complexity of questions, the variety of question types, and the overall depth of understanding required. JEE Advanced demands a higher level of analytical and problem-solving skills compared to JEE Mains.

Importance of both exams in Engineering admissions

Both JEE Mains and JEE Advanced play a significant role in the engineering admissions across various engineering colleges across the country. While JEE Mains serves as a gateway to a wide range of engineering colleges from NIT’s to state level universities, JEE Advanced is essential for those aiming for the IITs. The performance in these exams not only determines the eligibility for various engineering programs but also influences the future career opportunities for the candidates.


Eligibility criteria for JEE Mains and JEE Advanced

General eligibility requirements for JEE Mains:

To be eligible for JEE Mains, candidates must have completed their 10+2 education with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as core subjects. There is no age limit for appearing in JEE Mains, but candidates must meet the specific eligibility criteria set by the respective engineering colleges.

General eligibility requirements for JEE Advanced:

For JEE Advanced, candidates must qualify in JEE Mains and be among the top 250,000 scorers. Additionally, candidates should have completed their 10+2 education with the same core subjects and must not have attempted the JEE Advanced examination more than twice.

Difference in eligibility criteria

The eligibility criteria for JEE Mains and JEE Advanced vary, reflecting the different levels of competition and the institutions involved.

Qualification criteria for JEE Mains and JEE Advanced


Age limit for JEE Mains and JEE Advanced

For JEE Mains, candidates must be born on or after October 1, 1998, with a relaxation of five years for SC/ST/PwD candidates. In contrast, JEE Advanced does not have a specific age limit, but candidates must meet the eligibility criteria set by the IITs.

Number of attempts for JEE Mains and JEE Advanced

Candidates can attempt the JEE Mains exam a maximum of three times in consecutive years. However, for JEE Advanced, candidates can attempt the exam only twice in two consecutive years.


Syllabus and preparation strategies

JEE Mains Syllabus vs JEE Advanced Syllabus – What’s the Difference?

While both JEE Mains and JEE Advanced exams cover subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, there are noticeable differences in the depth and topics included in their syllabus. Find the differences between syllabus below:

JEE Mains syllabus overview

The JEE Mains Syllabus focuses on topics from the CBSE Class 11 and 12 curriculum. It includes standard subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, aligning with high school concepts. Some specific topics from JEE Mains Syllabus include:

Physics: Electronic Devices, Electromagnetic Waves, Communication Systems

Mathematics: Sets, Relations and Functions; Statistics and Probability; Trigonometry; and Mathematical Reasoning, etc. These topics are not part of the JEE Advanced syllabus, making JEE Main more straightforward in terms of coverage.

JEE Advanced syllabus overview

The JEE Advanced Syllabus builds on the CBSE curriculum but includes additional topics that go beyond the scope of JEE Main. Some additional topics in JEE Advanced include:

Physics: Thermal Physics, which delves deeper into heat and temperature-related concepts

Chemistry: Electrochemistry, which is not part of the JEE Main syllabus. JEE Advanced is known for testing a deeper understanding of concepts and often includes more challenging problems that require higher-order thinking.

Common syllabus topics for JEE Main and JEE Advanced

Both JEE Mains and JEE Advanced cover similar topics in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, including Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Algebra.

Difference in syllabus

While both exams cover similar subjects, the depth and complexity of the syllabus differ. JEE Main syllabus is more straightforward, focusing on fundamental concepts in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Conversely, the JEE Advanced syllabus includes advanced topics and requires a deeper understanding of concepts.

Total number of papers & exam mode

JEE Mains consists of two papers, while JEE Advanced has two papers as well, each with a duration of three hours. JEE Main is primarily conducted in a Computer-Based Test mode, whereas JEE Advanced is conducted in both online and offline modes.

Purpose of exam

The primary purpose of JEE Mains is to provide admission to various engineering colleges across India, including NITs and IIITs. In contrast, JEE Advanced aims to select candidates for admission into the IITs across the country, which are considered among the top engineering institutions in the country.

Medium of exam

Both JEE Main and JEE Advanced are offered in multiple languages, including English and Hindi, ensuring accessibility for a wider range of candidates.

Which is harder, JEE Mains or JEE Advanced

Generally, JEE Advanced is considered more challenging than JEE Mains due to its complex questions and the depth of understanding required. Candidates often need to employ advanced problem-solving techniques to succeed in the JEE Advanced examination.

Which is better, JEE Mains or JEE Advanced

The choice between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced depends on the candidate’s aspirations. If a candidate aims to secure a seat in an IIT, then JEE Advanced is the way to go. However, for admission to other reputable engineering colleges like NIT’s and IIIT’s, JEE Main suffices.

Study material for JEE 2026 preparation

To prepare effectively for the JEE exams recommended study materials include NCERT textbooks, reference books by renowned authors, and online resources. Additionally, candidates can benefit from coaching institutes that specialize in JEE preparation.


Effective preparation strategies for JEE Mains & JEE Advanced

To prepare effectively for JEE Mains, candidates should focus on understanding concepts, practicing previous years’ question papers, and taking mock tests to enhance their time management skills.

For JEE Advanced, candidates should adopt a more rigorous study plan, emphasizing problem-solving and analytical thinking. Regular practice of complex problems, along with a thorough understanding of the advanced syllabus, is crucial for success.


Admission process and opportunities for JEE Main and JEE Advanced

Admission process through JEE Mains

The admission process through JEE Mains involves the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducting the exam, followed by the release of results. Candidates can then participate in the counselling process conducted by various engineering colleges based on their JEE Mains scores.

Role of NTA and counselling procedures

The NTA plays a vital role in conducting the JEE Mains exam and managing the admission process. After the results are declared, candidates are required to register for counselling, where they can choose their preferred engineering colleges based on their ranks.

Admission process through JEE Advanced

The admission process through JEE Advanced is managed by the IITs. Following process if followed:

i. Candidates who qualify in JEE Advanced must register for the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counselling, where they can select their desired IITs across the country and courses.

ii. JoSAA conducts mock seat allotments to give candidates a preview of how their choices might play out in the actual seat allocation rounds. This allows candidates to fine-tune their choices before the final locking. 

iii. The actual seat allocation is done in multiple rounds. Candidates are allotted seats based on their rank, choices, and seat availability. 

iv. After each round, candidates can accept the allocated seat, or choose to float/slide to higher preference options in subsequent rounds.

v. Candidates who have accepted a seat need to report to the designated institute for document verification and fee payment. 

vi. After successful document verification and fee payment, candidates are granted provisional admission to the allotted institute. 


Role of IITs and counselling procedures

The IITs are responsible for conducting the JEE Advanced examination and overseeing the admission process. The counselling procedures involve multiple rounds, allowing candidates to secure seats in their preferred institutions based on their performance.

Career opportunities and institutions available through JEE Mains and JEE Advanced

Successful candidates from JEE Mains can gain admission to a wide range of engineering colleges, including NITs and state-level institutions. In contrast, those who qualify in JEE Advanced have the opportunity to pursue engineering courses in the prestigious IITs, which are renowned for their academic excellence and career prospects.


List of Private engineering colleges that accept JEE result

Several private engineering colleges in India accept JEE Main scores for admission. Some of these institutions include:

Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS)

Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)

Manipal Institute of Technology

Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology

Shiv Nadar University


In conclusion, understanding the difference between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced is crucial for candidates aspiring to pursue engineering in India. By being aware of the eligibility criteria, exam patterns, and preparation strategies, candidates can enhance their chances of success in these highly competitive examinations.