JEE Mains vs JEE Advanced: Key Differences You Need to Know

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is one of India's most prestigious and competitive engineering entrance exams, attracting lakhs of aspiring students yearly.

The Joint Entrance Examination is scheduled in two stages:

1. JEE Mains
2. JEE Advanced.

Both are gateways to the country's most renowned engineering institutes, including the National Institute of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

The JEE Mains and JEE Advanced differ significantly in structure, difficulty, and eligibility criteria. Understanding these key differences is crucial for students who wish to proceed with their preparation efficiently and make informed decisions about their future.

1. JEE Mains - An Overview

JEE Mains is the first phase of the examination. 

The JEE Mains is a preliminary selection and eligibility test for admission to undergraduate engineering programmes in NITs—the National Institutes of Technology, IIITs—the Indian Institutes of Information Technology, and other centrally funded technical institutions. 

The JEE Mains also serves as an eligibility test for JEE Advanced. Applicants who clear their JEE Mains can secure their admissions in B.E., B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning courses at top engineering institutions across India, except for IITs. 

According to the sources, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the release date for the JEE Mains admit card 2025:

Session 1--January 20, 2025 

Session 2--March 31, 2025 

2. JEE Advanced - An Overview

JEE Advanced is the second phase of the exam

JEE Advanced is specifically designed for students aspiring to gain admission to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Only the top qualifiers from JEE Mains can appear for JEE Advanced. 

JEE Advanced exam focuses on selecting the best applicants for various engineering and architecture programmes at the IITs, emphasising a higher level of problem-solving skills and in-depth subject knowledge. 

According to the sources, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the release date for the JEE Advanced admit card 2025, from May 11 to May 18, 2025.

Also Read: Ultimate Guide to Cracking JEE: Tips for Top Scores

JEE Mains vs JEE Advanced: Key Differences 

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is conducted in two stages: JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. Both exams play a crucial role in shaping a student's academic future. Still, they differ significantly in structure, difficulty level, eligibility, and purpose in the admission process. 

JEE Mains and JEE Advanced are two distinct stages in the entrance exam process, each serving a different purpose and presenting unique challenges. 

JEE Mains is designed to assess a candidate's basic understanding of subjects and serves as a qualifier for JEE Advanced. At the same time, JEE Advanced is an advanced-level exam to test deeper conceptual knowledge and problem-solving abilities. 

JEE Mains provides opportunities for a broader range of students to enter reputed engineering colleges. At the same time, JEE Advanced is the ultimate hurdle for those aiming for a seat in the elite IITs. 

Here are the key differences between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced.

1. Purpose and Role

JEE Mains: 

• It is an entrance exam for admission to undergraduate engineering programmes at NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded institutions. 
• Additionally, it is used as a qualifier for JEE Advanced, which is the second phase of the process.

JEE Advanced: 

• It is the second exam phase and is the entrance test for admission into the prestigious IITs. 
• Only those who qualify for JEE Mains can appear for JEE Advanced.

2. Eligibility Criteria

JEE Mains:

• Any student who has completed or is appearing in their 12th standard (or equivalent) examination is eligible to appear for JEE Mains. 
• There are also certain age restrictions and a limited number of attempts (a maximum of three).

JEE Advanced: 

• To appear for JEE Advanced, a candidate must first qualify for JEE Mains, securing the required cutoff marks. 
• Additionally, candidates must be among the top 2.5 lakh rank holders in JEE Mains. 
• There are also age limits and restrictions on the number of attempts (a maximum of two in consecutive years).

3. Examination Structure and Subjects

JEE Mains: 

• It consists of two papers:
• Paper 1 is for admission to B.E./B. Tech courses and the examination mode is online and conducted in a CBT- computer-based mode. 
• Paper 2 is for admission to B.Arch and B.Planning courses and is conducted in pen-and-paper mode. 
• The syllabus of JEE Mains covers three major subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, primarily based on the NCERT curriculum.

JEE Advanced: 

• The exam will be conducted in online - CBT- computer-based mode. 
• It consists of two papers, both of which are compulsory. 
• The exam includes objective and subjective questions across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. 
• JEE Advanced tests a candidate's analytical and problem-solving abilities to a greater extent.
• JEE Advanced is more complex and is designed to test students' in-depth understanding of the subjects.

4. Difficulty Level

JEE Mains: 

• The difficulty level of JEE Mains is generally considered to be moderate. It focuses more on conceptual understanding and basic knowledge application. 
• While it is competitive, it is designed to be accessible to more students than JEE Advanced.

JEE Advanced: 

• It is more challenging compared to JEE Mains. 
• It tests a candidate’s deeper understanding of concepts and their ability to solve complex problems. 
• The questions in JEE Advanced are much higher, requiring higher problem-solving skills and advanced knowledge in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

5. Number of Attempts

JEE Mains:

• A student can attempt JEE Mains a maximum of three times in consecutive years. 
• This gives students multiple opportunities to improve their scores and increase their chances of qualifying for JEE Advanced or securing a seat in other NITs and institutes.

JEE Advanced: 

• Candidates can attempt JEE Advanced a maximum of two times in consecutive years. 
• The attempts are limited to the two years following their 12th board exams.

6. Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

JEE Mains: 

• In JEE Mains, each question carries four marks for a correct answer. 
• In most objective-type questions, an incorrect answer is marked with a negative of 1 mark. However, some questions do not have negative markings.

JEE Advanced: 

• The marking scheme in JEE Advanced is more complex. 
• Each question in JEE Advanced can have a different marking scheme. Some questions may award partial marks for partially correct answers, while others may have negative markings for incorrect answers. 
• The JEE Advanced exam is designed to test a deeper understanding of the subjects, and the varied marking scheme reflects this.

7. Exam Duration and Pattern

JEE Mains: 

• The duration of each paper in JEE Mains is 3 hours. 
• There are typically 90 questions in Paper 1 (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics), each worth four marks. 
• Paper 2 (for B.Arch and B.Planning) is similarly structured but includes questions on Drawing and Planning.

JEE Advanced: 

• JEE Advanced is longer and more complex. The exam consists of two papers, each of 3 hours. 
• Both papers include objective and subjective questions, and the pattern can vary slightly from year to year. 
• The questions test a student's in-depth knowledge and ability to apply concepts in real-world scenarios.

8. Result and Ranking

JEE Mains: 

• The results of JEE Mains are published along with the All India Rank (AIR). 
• JEE Mains ranks are used for admission to undergraduate programmes at NITs, IIITs, and other participating institutions. 
• JEE Mains is also used to determine eligibility for JEE Advanced.

JEE Advanced: 

• The results of JEE Advanced are published with the All India Rank (AIR) specific to IITs. 
• The rank in JEE Advanced determines a candidate’s eligibility for admission into the various IITs. 
• The IITs use their own counselling and seat allocation process for admission.

9. Syllabus

JEE Mains: 

• The syllabus for JEE Mains is primarily based on the NCERT curriculum followed in Classes 11 and 12. 
• The syllabus includes topics from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics that are necessary to understand the fundamental principles of engineering.

JEE Advanced: 

• The syllabus for JEE Advanced includes topics from the Class 11 and 12 syllabi, but it places a much greater emphasis on application-based learning and problem-solving. 
• The depth of understanding required in JEE Advanced is far more extensive, with more complex and varied problems.

JEE Mains vs JEE Advanced

These are some significant/primary differences between JEE Mains & JEE Advanced. For more differences regarding the marks, question paper pattern and total number of questions, check the previous year's question papers.

JEE Mains and JEE Advanced, though part of the same examination process, serve different purposes and present students with varying levels of challenges. 

JEE Mains is the first step, focusing on assessing a candidate’s fundamental understanding of subjects, and serves as a qualifier for JEE Advanced, which is aimed at testing in-depth problem-solving skills and conceptual clarity. 

Each of these exams is significant, and preparing for it requires different strategies. By understanding the core differences between these two exams, students can better plan their preparation, manage expectations, and work towards achieving their goal of securing a place in the country's top engineering institutions. 

Whether aiming for NITs through JEE Mains or the IITs through JEE Advanced, knowing what to expect from each exam will significantly enhance a student's performance and chances of success.

All the Best!