If you’re an IIT JEE candidate, you’ve likely already understood that cracking the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is no easy task. This exam is your ticket to some of India’s most elite engineering colleges. But did you know that JEE is held in two phases – JEE Mains and JEE Advanced – and each has its format, difficulty level, and objective?
Though both are components of the IIT entrance procedure, they perform distinct roles and test students in different ways. To better navigate your preparation, it’s crucial that you know the key differences between JEE Advanced and JEE Mains. Let’s spell it out so you have no idea what’s coming.
The following are the 5 main differences between JEE Advanced and JEE Mains that every serious aspirant needs to know:
5 Key Differences of JEE Advanced and JEE Mains Every Aspirant Must Know
- Purpose and Eligibility
JEE Mains is the initial stage of the IIT JEE entrance exam and is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Its aim is twofold: to be an entrance examination for NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutes, and to be a qualifying examination for JEE Advanced.
JEE Advanced, however, is held by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and is strictly for getting into IITs and some other highly sought-after institutions like IISC and IISERs.
Not everybody can sit for the JEE Advanced. JEE Advanced can be given only to the top 2,50,000 rank holders of JEE Mains. This adds a filter of competition that makes JEE Advanced much more selective.
One of the main key differences between JEE Advanced and JEE Mains is in the eligibility itself. JEE Mains is open to all, whereas JEE Advanced requires you to do exceptionally well in JEE Mains first.
- Exam Pattern and Question Format
JEE Mains has a set pattern. The paper is divided into three sections: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, each containing 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and 10 numerical value questions, out of which only 5 have to be attempted. It’s linear and easy to predict in nature.
JEE Advanced is an altogether different beast. There is no established pattern, and it keeps changing from year to year. It has a combination of MCQs, single correct, multiple correct, numerical-based, matrix-match, and even paragraph-based questions. It needs the students to be quick on their feet and flexible.
One of the major distinctions between JEE Advanced and JEE Mains is the question pattern. While JEE Mains assesses accuracy and speed, JEE Advanced evaluates your depth of knowledge and flexibility.
- Level of Difficulty
JEE Mains is intended to be easily accessible to a large number of students. Questions are conceptual in nature and are moderately challenging, aiming for students with a proper grasp of the NCERT syllabus.
JEE Advanced is also very challenging. The questions are conceptually very deep, usually tricky, and demand excellent analytical thinking. Most questions are meant to check if you know how a concept works in new situations.
When it comes to the major differences between JEE Advanced and JEE Mains, the difficulty level is what it. While preparation and practice are enough to crack JEE Mains, JEE Advanced requires hardcore problem-solving skills and thinking outside the box.
- Syllabus and Coverage
Both of these examinations are from the Class 11 and 12 syllabi, but there is a minor difference in coverage.
JEE Mains strictly follows the NCERT syllabus as specified by CBSE.
JEE Advanced involves material that will go slightly outside of the NCERT. A few chapters or subtopics that are not under the Mains could come in Advanced. Apart from that, Advanced deals with applying and relating ideas from different chapters and subjects.
One of the frequently undervalued key differences between JEE Advanced and JEE Mains is how deep the syllabus goes. Though they follow similar topics, JEE Advanced goes deeper and sometimes even into topics beyond those in your NCERT books.
- Marking Scheme and Scoring
JEE Mains has a straightforward and predictable marking scheme: +4 for each correct answer, -1 for each wrong answer in MCQs, and zero negative marking in numerical-type questions.
JEE Advanced has a dynamic and complex marking scheme, different for each type of question. There might be partial marking for some sections, negative marking for the same number of incorrect answers as the correct ones in another section, and complete absence of negative marking in yet another section.
The marks in JEE Mains are 300, while in JEE Advanced, they can differ from 306 to 372 marks, from year to year.
Another way to understand the major differences between JEE Advanced and JEE Mains is to realize the marking scheme. Strategic answering becomes critical in JEE Advanced due to its partial and negative marking subtleties.
Some More Pointers Every Aspirant Must Know
Apart from the 5 key points, here are some more practical differences that explain the comparison further:
Attempts
- JEE Mains has a limit of three attempts within three consecutive years.
- JEE Advanced can be attempted at best twice in two consecutive years.
- This creates a strategic component among the major differences of JEE Advanced and JEE Mains, since students have to strategize their attempts well, particularly for Advanced.
Mode of Examination
- JEE Mains is held fully online (Computer-Based Test).
- JEE Advanced is held online as well, but since there are diverse question types involved, it tends to demand stronger practice with computer-based resources.
Language Choices
- JEE Mains is offered in 13 languages, such as Hindi, English, Marathi, Gujarati, and others.
- JEE Advanced only comes in two languages: English and Hindi.
So, for those students who feel more at home in regional languages, this is another point to keep in mind when analyzing the salient differences of JEE Advanced and JEE Mains.
By now, you must have a good idea of the major differences between JEE Advanced and JEE Mains. Although both tests evaluate your engineering aptitude, they do so in extremely different ways.
Keep in mind that knowing the major differences between JEE Advanced and JEE Mains allows you to prepare more effectively. You can frame your preparation strategy according to the particular requirements of each exam. For example, prioritize speed and accuracy for JEE Mains, whereas dedicate time to in-depth conceptual knowledge and solving complicated problems for JEE Advanced.
No matter whether you are targeting NIT or aspiring for IIT, understanding the distinctions here will instill confidence and provide a sense of direction to your preparation process.
Focus. Be inquisitive. Practice consistently.
The way to cracking the IIT JEE is arduous yet fulfilling, and knowing the foundational differences of JEE Advanced and JEE Mains is a step closer to landing your dream engineering college.
