JEE Main vs JEE Advanced: Key Differences, Eligibility, Exam Pattern and Admission Details Explained
Hyderabad | December 27, 2025 | DeccanLive.com
Every year, lakhs of students in India dream of becoming engineers and prepare for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). However, many students and parents are often confused about the difference between JEE Main and JEE Advanced, and which exam is needed for admission to which college.
Experts say that JEE is not an easy exam. It involves high competition and limited seats, so having the right information and a proper preparation plan is very important.
Difference Between JEE Main and JEE Advanced
Here is a simple and clear explanation of the difference between JEE Main and JEE Advanced.
Two Stages of JEE
The JEE exam is conducted in two stages:
- JEE Main
- JEE Advanced
Both exams have different purposes, difficulty levels, and admission benefits.
Who Conducts the Exams?
- JEE Main is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
- JEE Advanced is conducted every year by one of the IITs, on a rotation basis.
According to Ganesh Pandey, Co-founder of ACE4 Institute, JEE Main works as a screening test for JEE Advanced.
Colleges You Can Get Admission Into
- Through JEE Main:
- 31 NITs
- 26 IIITs
- Around 26 Government-Funded Technical Institutes
- Many other government and private engineering colleges
- Through JEE Advanced:
- Admission to 23 IITs across India
For JEE Main 2026, more than 14 lakh students have registered, but only about 2.5 lakh students will qualify to appear for JEE Advanced.
How Many Times Can You Attempt?
- JEE Main:
- Maximum 3 attempts
- In Class 12 and for two consecutive years after that
- JEE Advanced:
- Only 2 attempts
- In Class 12 and one year after
Eligibility Criteria
- Students must study Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in Class 12.
- General category:
- Minimum 75% marks or be in the top 20 percentile of the board.
- Reserved category:
- Minimum 65% marks.
The percentile rule helps students from boards where overall marks are lower but they still rank among the top students.
Exam Pattern
JEE Main
- 3-hour computer-based test
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (equal weightage)
- MCQs and numerical value questions
- Negative marking in MCQs, no negative marking in numerical questions
JEE Advanced
- Two papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2)
- Each paper is 3 hours
- Question types include MCQs, numerical, and matrix-match
- Number of questions and marking scheme change every year
Syllabus and Difficulty Level
Both exams are based mainly on Class 11 and 12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
The main difference is the difficulty level:
- JEE Main tests basic concepts
- JEE Advanced focuses on deep understanding and problem-solving
Exam Schedule and Ranking
- JEE Main is held twice a year:
- January session
- April session
- Students can appear in both sessions
- The best score is considered for ranking
- Final ranks are announced after the April session
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between JEE Main and JEE Advanced helps students plan better and prepare smartly. With correct guidance and strategy, students can improve their chances of securing admission to top engineering colleges.
