IIT JEE ADVANCED PATTERN

JEE Advanced Exam Pattern & Marking Rules

Comprehensive guide to IIT JEE Advanced Paper 1 and Paper 2 question paper structure, shift timings, partial marking rules, subject weightage, non-negative integer questions, and qualifying cutoff criteria.

Question Types & Marking Shift Schedule
Mandatory Papers Paper 1 & Paper 2 (Both Mandatory)
Total Exam Duration 6 Hours Total (3 Hrs per Paper)
Exam Mode Computer Based Test (CBT)
Marking Scheme Partial & Negative Marking (Dynamic)
Online CBT Exam Medium
2 Papers Paper 1 + Paper 2
6 Hours Total Duration
Eng & Hindi Paper Medium
Partial Marks Multi-Correct MCQs
Organizing IIT Rotates Annually

Overview of JEE Advanced Exam Pattern

The JEE Advanced exam is organized annually by one of the 7 zonal IITs under the guidance of the Joint Admission Board (JAB). It is the premier competitive entrance examination in India for admission into Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech), Integrated Master’s, and Dual Degree programs across all 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

Top 2.5 lakh qualified candidates from JEE Main are eligible to register for JEE Advanced. The test consists of two mandatory computer-based papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2, conducted in two shifts on the same day.

Mandatory Requirement: Candidates must appear in BOTH Paper 1 and Paper 2. Candidates missing either Paper 1 or Paper 2 are marked absent and excluded from rank list generation.

JEE Advanced Shift Schedule & Paper Timings

Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 are compulsory 3-hour tests held on a single day with a mandatory break between shifts:

Shift / Session Paper Name Reporting Time Exam Duration & Window
Shift 1 (Morning) Paper 1 07:30 AM 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM (3 Hours)
Intermission Break Lunch & Security Re-verification - 12:00 PM to 02:00 PM (2 Hours Break)
Shift 2 (Afternoon) Paper 2 01:45 PM 02:30 PM to 05:30 PM (3 Hours)
PwD Candidates Compensatory Time - 4 Hours per paper (09:00 AM - 01:00 PM & 02:30 PM - 06:30 PM)

Detailed Question Types & Partial Marking Schemes

Unlike JEE Main, the total marks and question distribution in JEE Advanced are not fixed beforehand. The exam features a diverse mix of question formats across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics:

Single Choice MCQs

Questions with four options where exactly one option is correct.

+3 or +4 Full Marks -1 Negative Mark

Multi-Choice MCQs (Partial Marking)

Questions with four options where one or more options are correct.

+4 Full Marks +3 / +2 / +1 Partial Marks -2 Negative Mark

Numerical Value / Integer Questions

Questions requiring entry of a non-negative integer or decimal value using a virtual keyboard.

+3 or +4 Full Marks 0 No Negative Mark

Matching List / Matrix Match

Matching items from List-I with List-II option combinations.

+3 or +4 Full Marks -1 Negative Mark

Detailed Rules for Partial Marking

  • Full Marks (+4): Awarded only if all correct option(s) are selected and no incorrect option is chosen.
  • Partial Marks (+3): If all four options are correct, but candidate selects only three correct options.
  • Partial Marks (+2): If three or more options are correct, but candidate selects two correct options.
  • Partial Marks (+1): If two or more options are correct, but candidate selects only one correct option.
  • Negative Marks (-2): Applied if any incorrect option is selected, regardless of whether correct options were also marked.

Subject-Wise Structure (Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics)

Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 are divided into three equal sections: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Below is an indicative structural pattern based on recent JEE Advanced papers (~180 marks per paper, ~360 marks combined):

Paper Name Subject Section Type & Question Count Marks Per Section Total Paper Marks
Paper 1 Physics Sec 1: 4 Multi-Choice | Sec 2: 4 Numerical | Sec 3: 4 Single Choice 60 Marks 180 Marks (54 Qs)
Chemistry Sec 1: 4 Multi-Choice | Sec 2: 4 Numerical | Sec 3: 4 Single Choice 60 Marks
Mathematics Sec 1: 4 Multi-Choice | Sec 2: 4 Numerical | Sec 3: 4 Single Choice 60 Marks
Paper 2 Physics Sec 1: 4 Multi-Choice | Sec 2: 4 Numerical | Sec 3: 4 Match List 60 Marks 180 Marks (54 Qs)
Chemistry Sec 1: 4 Multi-Choice | Sec 2: 4 Numerical | Sec 3: 4 Match List 60 Marks
Mathematics Sec 1: 4 Multi-Choice | Sec 2: 4 Numerical | Sec 3: 4 Match List 60 Marks

Subject-Wise & Aggregate Qualifying Cutoff Criteria

To qualify for inclusion in the JEE Advanced Rank List (CRL and category-wise merit lists), candidates must clear two criteria: Minimum Subject-Wise Marks (in Physics, Chemistry, and Math individually) AND Minimum Aggregate Marks across both papers combined.

Rank List Category Minimum % of Marks in Each Subject Minimum % of Total Aggregate Marks
Common Rank List (CRL) 10.0% 35.0%
GEN-EWS Rank List 9.0% 31.5%
OBC-NCL Rank List 9.0% 31.5%
SC Rank List 5.0% 17.5%
ST Rank List 5.0% 17.5%
PwD Rank Lists (All categories) 5.0% 17.5%

Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT) Exam Pattern

Candidates who qualify JEE Advanced and wish to secure admission into the 5-year B.Arch program offered by IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, and IIT BHU must appear for the Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT).

  • Test Mode: Offline pen-and-paper examination (3 hours duration).
  • Medium: English only.
  • Sections Covered: Freehand Drawing, Geometrical Drawing, Architectural Awareness, 3D Perception, and Imagination & Aesthetic Sensitivity.
  • Result & Grading: AAT has no numerical ranks; candidates are declared either 'Pass' or 'Fail' based on cut-off scores set by the Joint Implementation Committee.
EXPLORE ADVANCED RESOURCES

Master the JEE Advanced Pattern

Explore the official detailed syllabus, download sample question papers, or view previous year cutoffs and toppers' strategies.

JEE Advanced Syllabus JEE Main Pattern

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - JEE Advanced Exam Pattern

Yes, taking both Paper 1 and Paper 2 on the specified exam day is mandatory. If you miss either paper, you will be marked absent and your result will not be generated.
Full marks (+4) are given if all correct options are selected. If you choose a subset of correct options without picking any wrong option, partial marks (+3, +2, or +1) are awarded. If any incorrect option is marked, -2 marks are deducted.
No, total marks and question distribution vary from year to year as decided by the organizing IIT. Total marks usually range between 360 and 396 marks.
Yes. To figure in the Rank List, candidates must secure both the minimum subject-wise percentage in each of the three subjects and the minimum aggregate percentage across both papers.
AAT is a 3-hour offline paper-based test covering drawing skills, 3D perception, geometry, and architectural awareness. Results are graded simply as 'Pass' or 'Fail'.
No, calculators, slide rules, log tables, or electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited inside the exam hall. On-screen virtual keyboards are provided for numerical questions.