NTA JEE Main 2025: Key Insights for First-Time Test Takers

1. Introduction to JEE Main 2025

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main 2025) is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate courses in engineering. The National Testing Agency (NTA) organizes it. JEE Main 2025 serves as the primary gateway for admission to various top engineering institutes. Admissions to JEE Main 2025 take place in two sessions.

The JEE Main 2025 exam is an essential milestone for candidates who wish to enter the field of engineering, offering them the opportunity to pursue degree programs such as B.Tech and B.E. in various engineering disciplines. This exam tests a candidate’s knowledge and understanding of core subjects like physics, chemistry, and mathematics. It is known for its rigorous format, making thorough preparation crucial.

2. JEE Main 2025 Exam Dates

• Session 1 (January 2025): JEE (Main) – 2025 – Between 22 January to 31 January 2025
• Session 2 (April 2025): JEE (Main) – 2025 - Between 01April to 08 April 2025 (Tentatively)

3. JEE Main 2025 Eligibility Criteria

Age Criteria

There is no age limit for candidates appearing in JEE Main 2025. The candidates who have passed the class XII or equivalent examination in 2023, 2024, or are appearing in 2025, irrespective of their age, can appear in the examination. However, the candidates may be required to fulfill the age criteria of the institute(s) to which they are desiring admission.

List of Qualifying Examinations

• The final examination of the 10+2 system, conducted by any recognized Central/ State Board, such as the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi; Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi; etc.
• Intermediate or two-year Pre-University examination conducted by a recognized Board/ University.
• Final examination of the two-year course of the Joint Services Wing of the National Defense Academy.
• Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling with a minimum of five subjects.
• Any Public School/ Board/ University examination in India or any foreign country is recognized as equivalent to the 10+2 system by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
• Higher Secondary Certificate Vocational Examination.
• A Diploma recognized by AICTE or a State board of technical education of at least 3 years duration.
• General Certificate Education (GCE) examination (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level.
• High School Certificate Examination of the Cambridge University or International Baccalaureate Diploma of the International Baccalaureate Office, Geneva.
• Candidates who have completed the Class XII (or equivalent) examination outside India or from a Board not specified above should produce a certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) to the effect that the examination they have passed is equivalent to the Class XII Examination.
• In case the Class XII Examination is not a public examination, the candidate must have passed at least one public (Board or Pre-University) examination earlier.

4. JEE Main 2025 Exam Pattern

The JEE Main 2025 is being conducted in the following modes

• Paper 1 (B.E. /B. Tech.) in “Computer Based Test (CBT)” mode.
• Paper 2A (B. Arch): Mathematics (Part-I) and Aptitude Test (Part-II) in “Computer Based Test (CBT)” mode and Drawing Test (Part-III) in pen and paper (offline) mode, to be attempted on drawing sheet of A4 size.
• Paper 2B (B. Planning): Mathematics (Part-I), Aptitude Test (Part-II), and Planning-Based Questions (Part-III) in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.

Choice of Medium of Question Papers - The JEE Main 2025 will be conducted in thirteen languages, i.e., English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu.

Duration: 3 hours for Non-PwD/PwBD candidates and 4 hours for PwD/PwBD candidates

5. Scheme of Examination

Paper 2B: B.PlanningPart-II: Aptitude TestObjective Type - Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)“Computer Based Test (CBT)” mode onlyPaper 2B: B.PlanningPart-III: Planning-Based QuestionsObjective Type - Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)“Computer Based Test (CBT)” mode only

6. Pattern of Examination

7. Method of determining merit

• Conversion of the raw score in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry and total into NTA scores.
• Overall merit shall be prepared by merging NTA scores of all shifts of all days.

8. Method of resolving ties

• NTA score in Mathematics, followed by;
• NTA score in Physics, followed by;
• NTA score in Chemistry, followed by;
• Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test, followed by;
• Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Mathematics in the Test, followed by;
• Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Physics in the Test, followed by;
• Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Chemistry in the Test followed by;
• If there is a tie even after this, candidates will be assigned the same rank.

9. Paper 2A (B. Arch)

10. Method of determining merit

• Conversion of the raw score in Mathematics, Aptitude Test, Drawing Test, and total into NTA Scores.
• Overall merit shall be prepared by merging the NTA Scores of both shifts of all days.

11. Method of resolving ties

• NTA score in Mathematics, followed by;
• NTA score in Aptitude Test, followed by;
• NTA score in Drawing Test, followed by;
• Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test, followed by;
• Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Mathematics (Part-I) in the Test, followed by;
• Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Aptitude Test (Part-II) in the Test followed by;
• If there is a tie even after this, candidates will be assigned the same rank.

12. Paper 2B (B. Planning) Part-I

13. Method of determining merit

• Conversion of the raw score in Mathematics, Aptitude Test, Planning Based Test, and total into NTA Scores.
• Overall merit shall be prepared by merging NTA Scores of all shifts of all days.

14. Method of resolving ties

• NTA score in Mathematics, followed by;
• NTA score in Aptitude Test, followed by;
• NTA score in Planning Based Questions, followed by;
• Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test, followed by;
• Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Mathematics (Part- I) in the Test, followed by;
• Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Aptitude Test (Part- II) in the Test, followed by;
• Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Planning Based Questions (Part-III) in the Test followed by;
• If there is a tie even after this, candidates will be assigned the same rank.

15. JEE Main 2025 marking scheme for all the courses

MCQs and Marking Scheme for questions for which the answer is a Numerical value

• Correct Answer or the most appropriate Answer - Four marks (+4)
• Incorrect Answer/Multiple Answer - Minus one mark (-1)
• Unanswered /Marked for Review - No mark (0)

Marking Scheme for Drawing Test (Part III) - Two questions are to be evaluated out of 100 marks

16. JEE Main 2025 Preparation Tips

• Understand the exam pattern and syllabus.
• Create a study plan.
• Focus on conceptual clarity.
• Practice with previous year papers and mock tests.
• Choose the right study materials.
• Focus on time management.

17. JEE Main 2025 Result and Counselling Process –

For JEE Main 2025, the results are declared on the official website of the NTA. Following the result declaration, the counselling process begins, where candidates are offered seats in various institutions based on their All India Rank (AIR), preferences, and category. The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) facilitates this process.

18. Conclusion –

The JEE Main 2025 is not just a gateway to India’s top engineering institutions but also a significant milestone for aspiring engineers aiming for a bright future. With its well-structured syllabus, transparent examination process, and emphasis on merit, JEE Main continues to set the benchmark for technical education in the country.

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