Are NVT questions still optional in JEE Main 2026?

No. Since 2024, all 5 NVT questions per subject are compulsory with no choice. Negative marking of -1 also applies to NVTs.

What is the total marks in JEE Main 2026 Paper 1?

JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 (B.E/B.Tech) has a total of 300 marks, consisting of 75 questions across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Can I switch language during the JEE Main exam?

You select your preferred language during application form filling. Once the paper begins, you cannot switch. However, questions are displayed in both English and your chosen regional language simultaneously.

How many sessions does JEE Main 2026 have?

JEE Main 2026 has two sessions: Session 1 (January) and Session 2 (April). Candidates can appear in one or both sessions. The better of the two NTA percentile scores is considered for final ranking.

Updated for 2026

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern

Q: How is the JEE Main percentile calculated?

NTA uses normalisation across shifts. The formula is: ((Number of candidates who scored equal or below your marks) / Total candidates in your shift) x 100. The best percentile from your two sessions is used for final ranking.

Q: Which class syllabus has more weightage in JEE Main?

Class 12 has slightly higher weightage (about 55-60%) in Physics and Mathematics. In Chemistry, both classes are almost equally weighted at around 45-50% each.

Complete paper-wise structure for B.E/B.Tech, B.Arch and B.Planning. Official marking scheme, subject-wise weightage from the last 5 years, and high-yield chapter analysis for serious aspirants.

300Total Marks

75Questions

3 HrsDuration

2Sessions

13Languages

Quick Highlights Paper 1 (B.E/B.Tech) Paper 2A (B.Arch) Paper 2B (B.Planning) Marking Scheme Subject-Wise Weightage Important Chapters 5-Year Trend Preparation Strategy FAQs

Introduction to JEE Main 2026 Pattern

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official JEE Main 2026 exam pattern. Full details are available at jeemain.nta.nic.in. For students aspiring to get into NITs, IIITs, or any top centrally funded engineering institute, understanding the paper structure, marking style, and question types is the most important first step.

This page covers the complete breakdown of JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 (B.E/B.Tech), Paper 2A (B.Arch), and Paper 2B (B.Plan) in simple language, so there is no confusion while planning your preparation strategy.

One important update about JEE Main 2026: the pre-pandemic format has been continued. The optional question choice in Section B has been permanently removed. All 5 Numerical Value Type (NVT) questions in each subject are now compulsory. Negative marking applies to both MCQ and NVT sections, which means accuracy is more valuable than ever before.

A total of 15,38,474 unique candidates appeared across both sessions in 2026. The exam was conducted across India and abroad in 13 languages, making it one of the largest engineering entrance tests in the world.

Quick Highlights: JEE Main 2026 at a Glance

Feature	Details
Conducting Authority	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Mode of Examination	Computer-Based Test (online)
Total Sessions in 2026	Two: Session 1 (January) and Session 2 (April)
Papers Offered	Paper 1 (B.E/B.Tech), Paper 2A (B.Arch), Paper 2B (B.Planning)
Exam Duration	3 hours per paper (3 hours 30 minutes for B.Arch + B.Plan combo)
Total Questions (Paper 1)	75 questions (25 each from Physics, Chemistry, Maths)
Total Marks (Paper 1)	300 marks
Marking Scheme	+4 for correct, -1 for incorrect (both sections)
Languages Available	13 languages including English, Hindi, and 11 regional languages
Result Format	NTA percentile score (up to 7 decimal places)
Total Candidates (2026)	15,38,474 unique candidates across both sessions
JEE Advanced Qualifiers	2,50,182 candidates qualified for JEE Advanced 2026
Official Website	jeemain.nta.nic.in

For Engineering Aspirants

Paper 1 (B.E / B.Tech): Detailed Pattern

Paper 1 is the primary paper that every JEE Main aspirant attempting B.Tech or B.E programmes must appear for. It is conducted entirely in computer-based mode and covers three subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with equal weightage of 100 marks each.

Subject	Section A (MCQs)	Section B (Numerical Value)	Total Questions	Total Marks
Physics	20	5 (all compulsory)	25	100
Chemistry	20	5 (all compulsory)	25	100
Mathematics	20	5 (all compulsory)	25	100
Grand Total	60	15	75	300

Key Point: All 5 NVT questions in Section B are now compulsory (no optional choice). This change was introduced in 2024 and continues in 2026. Random guessing should be avoided because negative marking of -1 applies to NVTs as well.

Session 1 vs Session 2: How It Works

JEE Main is conducted in two sessions each year. Session 1 is held in January and Session 2 in April. Candidates can appear in either one or both sessions. If a candidate appears in both, the better of the two NTA percentile scores is considered for the final All India Rank (AIR). This gives aspirants two attempts within the same admission cycle, which is a significant advantage for those who want to improve their score.

For Architecture Aspirants

Paper 2A: B.Arch Exam Pattern

Candidates interested in architecture must appear for Paper 2A. This paper is unique because it includes a Drawing Test that is conducted in offline (pen-and-paper) mode, while the rest of the paper is online. The Drawing section tests freehand drawing skills, 2D/3D visualization, and design creativity.

Section	Number of Questions	Maximum Marks	Mode
Mathematics (20 MCQ + 5 NVT)	25	100	Online
Aptitude Test (MCQ)	50	200	Online
Drawing Test (Pen and Paper)	2	100	Offline
Total	77	400	Hybrid

Note: The Aptitude Test covers topics like spatial visualization, mental ability, texture, colour, building forms, and architectural awareness. The Drawing Test evaluates sketching of scenes, memory drawing, and 2D/3D composition. There is no negative marking in the Drawing section.

For Planning Aspirants

Paper 2B: B.Planning Exam Pattern

Aspirants targeting B.Planning programmes must appear for Paper 2B. Unlike B.Arch, this paper does not include a Drawing Test. Instead, it has a dedicated Planning section with MCQs. The entire paper is conducted in computer-based mode.

Section	Number of Questions	Maximum Marks
Mathematics (20 MCQ + 5 NVT)	25	100
Aptitude Test (MCQ)	50	200
Planning-Based Questions (MCQ)	25	100
Total	100	400

Detailed Marking Scheme

Question-type wise marking rules and what NOT to attempt

Question Type	Correct Answer	Wrong Answer	Multiple Marked
MCQ (Section A)	+4 marks	-1 mark	0 marks
NVT (Section B)	+4 marks	-1 mark	Not applicable
Drawing (B.Arch)	Variable	No negative	Not applicable
Aptitude (B.Arch/B.Plan)	+4 marks	-1 mark	0 marks

Marks Insight: 75 questions at +4 each = maximum 300 marks. To score 200+ marks (around 99+ percentile in an average shift), aim for 55+ correct attempts with fewer than 5 wrong. Every wrong answer effectively costs you 5 marks (4 lost + 1 deducted), so accuracy always beats volume.

Understanding NVT (Numerical Value Type) Questions

NVT questions require candidates to type a numerical answer (up to four decimal places) rather than select from four options. These questions do not have multiple-choice options and test your problem-solving accuracy. Since 2024, all 5 NVTs per subject are compulsory and carry negative marking. This means random guessing on NVTs is significantly riskier compared to MCQs where you can at least eliminate two options.

5-Year Analysis

Subject-Wise Sub-Topic Weightage

Based on the last 5 years of JEE Main papers (2021 to 2025) analysed across both sessions

Physics: Sub-Discipline Weightage

Sub-Discipline	Avg Questions/Year	Approx Weightage	Class Distribution
Mechanics	7 to 8 questions	30 to 32%	Mostly Class 11
Electrodynamics	6 to 7 questions	26 to 28%	Mostly Class 12
Modern Physics	3 to 4 questions	13 to 15%	Class 12
Heat and Thermodynamics	2 to 3 questions	10 to 12%	Class 11
Optics	2 to 3 questions	8 to 10%	Class 12
Waves and Oscillations	1 to 2 questions	5 to 7%	Class 11

Chemistry: Sub-Discipline Weightage

Sub-Discipline	Avg Questions/Year	Approx Weightage	Difficulty Trend
Physical Chemistry	8 to 9 questions	32 to 36%	Numerical-heavy
Organic Chemistry	8 to 9 questions	32 to 36%	Mechanism-based
Inorganic Chemistry	7 to 8 questions	28 to 32%	Direct NCERT-fact

Mathematics: Sub-Discipline Weightage

Sub-Discipline	Avg Questions/Year	Approx Weightage	Difficulty
Calculus	6 to 8 questions	25 to 30%	High
Algebra	5 to 7 questions	22 to 28%	Moderate
Coordinate Geometry	4 to 5 questions	16 to 20%	Moderate
Vector and 3D Geometry	2 to 3 questions	9 to 12%	Easy to Moderate
Trigonometry	1 to 2 questions	6 to 8%	Easy
Probability and Statistics	1 to 2 questions	5 to 7%	Easy

Strategy Insight: Mechanics + Electrodynamics + Modern Physics together account for 70 to 75% of Physics. Calculus + Algebra + Coordinate Geometry cover 65 to 75% of Maths. Master these core areas first for maximum return on study time.

Most Important Chapters for JEE Main 2026

High-frequency chapters consistently asked over the last 5 years

Physics: High-Yield Chapters

Current Electricity, Rotational Motion, Electrostatics, Modern Physics, Thermodynamics, Magnetic Effects of Current, Optics (Ray + Wave), Capacitance, Electromagnetic Induction, Kinematics

Chemistry: High-Yield Chapters

Coordination Compounds, d and f Block Elements, Chemical Bonding, Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids, Equilibrium, Thermodynamics, Solutions, Chemical Kinetics, Electrochemistry, Biomolecules

Maths: High-Yield Chapters

Definite Integration, 3D Geometry, Sequence and Series, Binomial Theorem, Vector Algebra, Differential Equations, Probability, Conic Sections, Limits and Continuity, Application of Derivatives

Subject	Top 5 Must-Do Chapters (Highest Weightage)	Questions per Year (Avg)
Physics	Current Electricity, Rotational Motion, Modern Physics, Electrostatics, Thermodynamics	10 to 12 questions
Chemistry	Coordination Compounds, d and f Block, Chemical Bonding, Carbonyl Compounds, Equilibrium	10 to 12 questions
Mathematics	Definite Integration, 3D Geometry, Sequence and Series, Probability, Vectors	9 to 11 questions

5-Year Trend Analysis (2021 to 2026)

How JEE Main has evolved over the past 5 years

Year	Physics Difficulty	Chemistry Difficulty	Maths Difficulty	Overall Trend
2021	Moderate	Easy to Moderate	Tough	Optional NVTs available
2022	Moderate	Easy	Tough	Optional NVTs available
2023	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate to Tough	Optional NVTs available
2024	Moderate	Moderate	Tough and Lengthy	All NVTs compulsory + negative marking
2025	Moderate (slight dip)	Tougher than 2024	Tough	Pattern stabilised
2026	Moderate	Moderate	Tough and Lengthy	Same as 2025, no changes

Class 11 vs Class 12 Distribution

Subject	Class 11 Weightage	Class 12 Weightage	Insight
Physics	40 to 45%	55 to 60%	Class 12 dominates via Electromagnetic Induction, Modern Physics
Chemistry	45 to 50%	50 to 55%	Almost balanced, both classes equally important
Mathematics	40 to 45%	55 to 60%	Class 12 leads through Calculus, Vectors, 3D Geometry

Important: Do not skip Class 11 syllabus. It still accounts for 40 to 50% of questions across all subjects. Many students make the mistake of over-focusing on Class 12 and losing easy marks from Class 11 topics.

JEE 2026 / 2027 Aspirants

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Preparation Strategy Based on Pattern

Smart Time Allocation per Section

Chemistry first (45 to 50 minutes): Highest scoring subject, mostly direct NCERT-based facts. Build early confidence and bank quick marks.
Physics second (55 to 60 minutes): Mix of formula-based and conceptual questions. Skip lengthy multi-concept problems on the first pass.
Mathematics last (60 to 65 minutes): Most calculation-heavy section. Reserve maximum buffer time for it.
Last 10 to 15 minutes: Review marked questions, double-check NVT entries, and never attempt new questions in panic mode.

Question Selection Rules

Attempt only sure-shot questions in the first round (target: 50+ confident attempts).
Mark borderline questions for review and return to them after completing the first pass.
Skip pure-guess questions. Every wrong answer costs 5 marks (4 lost + 1 negative).
For NVTs: only attempt when you have arrived at a concrete numerical answer, not when you have only guessed the formula.

Last 90 Days Action Plan

Days 90 to 60: Complete first revision of all high-weightage chapters with 2 mocks per week.
Days 60 to 30: Second revision focused on weak chapters. Take 3 mocks per week with detailed analysis.
Days 30 to 7: Solve last 5 years of PYQs subject-wise. Daily mini-mocks of 90 minutes each.
Last 7 days: Pure revision of formulas, named reactions, and key constants. No new topics.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Starting with Mathematics in the exam (high risk of time loss early on).
Spending more than 3 minutes on a single question during the first pass.
Guessing on NVT questions without proper calculation (negative marking applies).
Ignoring Class 11 topics during revision (40-50% questions come from Class 11).
Not practising under timed conditions (mock tests simulate real exam pressure).
Attempting all 75 questions at the cost of accuracy (even toppers leave 5 to 10 questions).

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, JEE Main 2026 is conducted exclusively in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. The only exception is the Drawing Test in Paper 2A (B.Arch), which is conducted offline in pen-and-paper format. All other sections across all papers are online.

No. Since 2024, all 5 NVT questions per subject are compulsory. There is no choice or optional selection. Negative marking of -1 also applies to NVTs, so random guessing is risky.

NTA uses normalisation across shifts. Formula: ((Number of candidates who scored equal or below your marks) / Total candidates in your shift) x 100. The best percentile from your two sessions is used for final ranking.

You select your preferred language during application form filling. Once the paper begins you cannot switch, but the question is displayed in both English and your chosen regional language simultaneously on screen.

No. The full 3 hours can be distributed among Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as per your strategy. There are no sectional time locks, so you can move freely between subjects.

Class 12 has slightly higher weightage (about 55 to 60%) in Physics and Mathematics. In Chemistry, both classes are almost equally weighted. Skipping Class 11 syllabus is not advisable as it still accounts for 40 to 50% of questions.

Paper 1 (B.E/B.Tech) has a total of 300 marks. Paper 2A (B.Arch) and Paper 2B (B.Planning) have 400 marks each. All papers consist of +4 marks for correct and -1 for incorrect answers (except the Drawing section in B.Arch which has no negative marking).

JEE Main 2026 has two sessions: Session 1 (January) and Session 2 (April). Candidates can appear in one or both sessions. If both are attempted, the better NTA percentile score is used for the final All India Rank.

Source: Official NTA JEE Main 2026 Information Bulletin and exam pattern published at jeemain.nta.nic.in. Subject weightage data based on Competishun's in-house 5-year paper analysis.