JEE Mains vs. JEE Advanced: Key Differences, Eligibility & Exam Pattern
JEE Mains vs. JEE Advanced: Key Differences, Eligibility & Exam Pattern
Blog Article
Aspiring to secure admission to India’s top engineering institutes? Understanding the difference between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced is crucial for adequate preparation. Both exams fall under the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) system but differ significantly in difficulty, eligibility, and purpose.
JEE Mains vs. JEE Advanced: Overview
| Factors | JEE Mains | JEE Advanced |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs | Admission to IITs, IISc |
| Eligibility | Open to all Class 12 pass/appearing students | Top 2.5 lakh JEE Main rankers |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | IITs (on a rotational basis) |
| Attempts Allowed | 3 consecutive years | 2 consecutive years |
| Mode | Computer-based (CBT) | Computer-based (CBT) |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate | High |
Eligibility Criteria
JEE Mains: Open to students who passed Class 12 in 2023, 2024, or appearing in 2025. No age limit applies, but students can attempt it for three consecutive years.
JEE Advanced: Only the top 2.5 lakh JEE Main rankers can apply. Candidates must appear in the exam the same year they qualify for JEE Main.
Exam Pattern Comparison
JEE Mains: Three papers for B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning aspirants. It includes MCQs and numerical value questions, with a marking scheme of +4 for correct answers and -1 for incorrect MCQs. The exam duration is three hours.
JEE Advanced: Consists of two compulsory papers of three hours each. The question types include MCQs, integer-type numerical questions, and matrix match questions with partial and negative markings.
Syllabus & Difficulty Level
JEE Mains follows an NCERT-based syllabus, covering Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics topics from Class 11 and 12. JEE Advanced, however, delves deeper into advanced concepts like fluid dynamics, modern physics, and differential equations.
| Parameter | JEE Mains | JEE Advanced |
| Conceptual Understanding | Moderate | High |
| Application-Based Questions | Fewer | More |
| Competition | 10-12 lakh students | 2.5 lakh students |
Which Exam Should You Focus On?
- For IITs: You must qualify for JEE Advanced.
- For NITs, IIITs, or GFTIs: A high JEE Main score suffices.
- Undecided? Start with JEE Main and based on your performance, decide on JEE Advanced.
Conclusion
JEE Main is the first stage for engineering admissions, whereas JEE Advanced is exclusively for IIT aspirants. JEE Advanced is more challenging, requiring in-depth conceptual knowledge and problem-solving skills.
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