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JEE Counselling

2026

Exam Guide

JEE Main vs Advanced: Key Differences & Similarity

A
Amit Verma
7 min read

Key differences between JEE Main and Advanced in terms of pattern, difficulty, syllabus, and preparation strategy for students preparing for both exams.

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced: Key Differences

Overview

Both JEE Main and JEE Advanced are crucial exams for engineering aspirants, but they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics.

Basic Differences

Purpose

  • JEE Main: Admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs + Eligibility for JEE Advanced
  • JEE Advanced: Admission only to IITs

Conducting Authority

  • JEE Main: National Testing Agency (NTA)
  • JEE Advanced: One of the IITs (rotational basis)

Exam Pattern Comparison

JEE Main

  • Papers: B.E/B.Tech, B.Arch, B.Planning
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Total Marks: 300 (B.E/B.Tech)
  • Questions: 90 (30 each subject)
  • Marking: +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect

JEE Advanced

  • Papers: Paper 1 & Paper 2
  • Duration: 3 hours each
  • Total Marks: Varies (360-402)
  • Questions: Varies (54-108)
  • Marking: Subject-specific pattern

Difficulty Level

JEE Main

  • Moderate to Difficult
  • NCERT-based
  • Formula application
  • Speed-oriented

JEE Advanced

  • Very Difficult
  • Concept-oriented
  • Application-based
  • Analytical thinking

Syllabus Comparison

Similar Topics (90%)

  • Physics: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics
  • Chemistry: Organic, Physical, Inorganic
  • Mathematics: Calculus, Algebra, Geometry

Additional in JEE Advanced

  • Advanced Physics concepts
  • Complex Chemistry problems
  • Higher Mathematics topics

Eligibility

JEE Main

  • Any 12th pass/appearing student
  • No age limit
  • No restriction on attempts

JEE Advanced

  • Top 2.5 lakh JEE Main rank holders
  • Age limit applies
  • Maximum 2 attempts in consecutive years

Preparation Strategy Differences

For JEE Main

  1. Focus on NCERT textbooks
  2. Practice speed and accuracy
  3. Cover all topics broadly
  4. Previous year papers (last 5 years)

For JEE Advanced

  1. Deep conceptual understanding
  2. Advanced problem solving
  3. Focus on weak areas
  4. Previous year papers (last 10 years)
  5. Mock tests are crucial

Success Rate

JEE Main

  • 12-15 lakh candidates
  • 40-45% qualify
  • Competition: Moderate

JEE Advanced

  • 2.5 lakh candidates
  • 10-12% qualify
  • Competition: Very High

College Admission Through Each

JEE Main

  • 31 NITs
  • 26 IIITs
  • 48 GFTIs
  • Several private universities

JEE Advanced

  • 23 IITs
  • ISM Dhanbad
  • IISERs (through additional channel)

Which Should You Focus On?

Priority Strategy

  1. Phase 1: Focus on JEE Main (Jan attempt)
  2. Phase 2: If rank < 2.5 lakh, start JEE Advanced prep
  3. Phase 3: Balance both in final months

Important Note

Both exams require dedicated preparation. Success in JEE Main is mandatory to appear for JEE Advanced, making it crucial to perform well in both.

Tags:JEE 2026Exam GuidePreparation TipsExam StrategyStudy Material

Related Tools & Resources

Explore our free tools to help with your preparation

College Predictor

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JEE Advanced Guide

Complete guide for JEE Advanced

Preparation Tips

6-month preparation strategy

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about JEE Main vs Advanced: Key Differences & Similarity

1
Can I get admission to IIT without JEE Advanced?
No, admission to IITs (B.Tech programs) requires JEE Advanced rank. JEE Main is only the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced. However, for IITs' M.Tech and other postgraduate programs, you need GATE or other relevant exams. Foreign nationals can apply through DASA channel.
2
Is JEE Main enough for NITs and IIITs?
Yes! JEE Main score is the only requirement for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. You don't need to appear for JEE Advanced for these institutions. JoSAA conducts counselling based on JEE Main ranks for NITs/IIITs and JEE Advanced ranks for IITs.
3
Can I prepare for both JEE Main and Advanced simultaneously?
Yes, and you should! Focus on JEE Advanced level preparation from the beginning. If you're prepared for JEE Advanced, JEE Main will be easy. The syllabus is 90% similar. In the final 2 months, allocate some time for JEE Main-specific practice (speed, accuracy, exam pattern).
4
What happens if I qualify JEE Main but not JEE Advanced?
You can still get admission to excellent engineering colleges! Based on your JEE Main rank, you're eligible for: 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, 48 GFTIs, and many state engineering colleges that accept JEE Main scores. You can also appear for JEE Main again the next year for improvement.
5
How much harder is JEE Advanced compared to JEE Main?
JEE Advanced is significantly harder. While JEE Main tests your understanding and formula application, JEE Advanced tests your analytical skills, problem-solving ability, and application of multiple concepts in a single problem. Only top 2.5 lakh JEE Main qualifiers (about 2%) are eligible for JEE Advanced, and only about 10-12% of those actually qualify.
6
Should I attempt JEE Advanced if I just want NITs?
Yes! Appearing for JEE Advanced gives you valuable experience, and having an JEE Advanced rank can be beneficial for future opportunities. Even if you don't want IITs, the JEE Advanced rank can be useful for higher education admissions, job applications, and personal satisfaction. There's no downside to attempting it.