FAQ – Competishun

Boards, 75% Eligibility, Attempts

Got questions about board exam requirements, the 75% eligibility rule, or the number of attempts allowed for entrance exams?  We’ve got you covered. This FAQ section breaks down everything you need to know—whether you're wondering how your board percentage affects your eligibility, how many times you can take a test, or what to do if you didn’t meet the criteria last year.

FAQ’s

Q1 - What is the 75% eligibility rule for JEE Main and Advanced?

For JEE Advanced (IIT admissions): You must either

Score 75% aggregate in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST/PwD), OR
Be in the top 20 percentile of your board.

For JEE Main (for admission into NITs, IIITs, GFTIs via JoSAA): You must either

Score 75% aggregate marks in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST), OR
Be in the top 20 percentile of your board.

Note: There is no such requirement to just appear in the JEE Main exam.

Q2 - How are marks calculated for the 75% rule?

Only the best five subjects are counted, typically:

Physics
Chemistry
Mathematics
One language (e.g., English, Hindi)
One additional subject (like Computer Science, Biology, Physical Education, Economics)

Note:

If subject marks are not out of 100, they are scaled to 100.
For JEE Advanced, the total is taken out of 500 marks from the best five subjects

Q3 - What if I don’t get 75%? What are my options?

Explore alternate entrance exams that don’t have the strict 75% rule like JEE Advanced or JoSAA:

VIT (VITEEE): Requires 60% aggregate in PCM/PCB.
SRM (SRMJEEE): Requires minimum 60% in PCM.
Shiv Nadar University, Ashoka University, IIIT-H UGEE/SPEC, NIIT University and other private universities like UPES, Amity, Bennett — usually have flexible eligibility criteria and don’t follow the strict 75% rule.

Q4 - How many attempts do I get for JEE Main and Advanced?

JEE Main:

Maximum 3 consecutive years after passing Class 12.
Two sessions per year (January + April), but both count as one attempt/year.

JEE Advanced:

Maximum 2 consecutive attempts after passing Class 12.
Example: If you passed Class 12 in 2024, you can attempt JEE Advanced only in 2024 and 2025.

Q5 - Can I change my board or take improvement exams?

Yes, you can:

Take improvement exams in CBSE, ISC, or your state board (allowed usually once, immediately after passing).
Shift to NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) if you want to reappear fully and get a fresh Class 12 passing year.
Make sure the improvement or NIOS marksheet clearly shows updated scores for JEE eligibility.

Q6: How does JEE Advanced attempt counting work if I skip a year?

Your first attempt is counted in the same year you pass Class 12, regardless of whether you appeared for JEE Advanced or not.

Example: If you passed Class 12 in 2025, then 2025 is your first eligible attempt for JEE Advanced — even if you did not register or appear for JEE Advanced, or only appeared in JEE Main.
This is because your Class 12 roll number is generated in 2025, making it your first eligible attempt year.
You are allowed two attempts in two consecutive years — the year you pass Class 12 and the following year.

Q7: How are improvement exams handled?

CBSE, ISC:

You can appear for improvement in one subject in the first year, and in up to four additional subjects in the next year (excluding the subject already attempted).
Only one attempt per subject is allowed across two years.
Issued marksheet shows updated marks, but the original passing year does not change.

Q8 - What is NIOS, and how can it help?

NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling):

Central government open board; certificates are valid for JEE, NEET, and other national exams.
Offers fresh Class 12 certification, resetting your JEE Advanced eligibility window.

Key details:

Minimum of five subjects, including PCM.
Two exam cycles yearly (April-May, October-November).
Self-study, submit assignments, appear in final exams.

Q9 - Who is considered a private candidate, and how does that work?

Private candidate = Someone reappearing for board exams without going to regular school.

Available under CBSE, ISC, and some state boards.
Apply via the board’s private candidate portal.
Appears in exams independently; updated marks valid for JEE eligibility.

Important: Private candidate improvement updates marks only; it doesn’t reset the passing year or extend JEE Advanced attempts.

Q10 - What are my backup options if JEE doesn’t work out?, and how does that work?

Other entrance exams:

BITSAT → BITS Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad.
VITEEE → VIT Vellore, Chennai.
SRMJEEE → SRM campuses.
COMEDK, WBJEE, MHT-CET, KEAM → state-level engineering colleges.

Private & deemed universities:

Manipal, Shiv Nadar, Ashoka, UPES, etc.

Study abroad:

USA, UK, Canada, Australia → using SAT/ACT + board marks.

Lateral entry:

After completing a diploma, join second-year B.Tech via LEET exams.

Alternative careers:

BCA, BSc, management, design, civil services, government jobs, entrepreneurship

Final Takeaway for Students

JEE is just one part of your journey. Whether you succeed through JEE, improvement, NIOS, private routes, or alternate careers, your future has many doors. Stay positive, plan wisely, and chase your goals with confidence!