If you are a student aiming to study engineering at top Indian institutes like IITs and other top engineering colleges, knowing about JEE - Joint Entrance Examination is important. The JEE exam is highly competitive, and it is a nationwide entrance exam with great competitive students. This exam covers engineering subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Simply, the JEE exam is a door opener for future engineers.
The JEE entrance exam is separated into two sections:
- JEE Mains
 - JEE Advanced
 
Both the exams are known for their challenging and tricky questions to select the best candidates.
However, before getting into detailed information, students need to know the difference between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. In short, JEE Main acts as a qualifying exam to get into the JEE Advanced exam.
        What is the difference between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced?
JEE Mains Explained
JEE Mains is a national entrance exam that determines the gateway to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
This exam happens twice a year to assess the student’s skills and understanding in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Getting into IIITs and NIT admission through JEE Mains is highly commanded by engineers because these institutes offer world-class education.
It also serves as a screening exam for JEE Advanced, which determines the IIT admission.
Who Conducts the JEE Mains Examination?
JEE Mains is conducted by the NTA (National Testing Agency). NTA takes the authority to standardize the entrance process all over India. It establishes a fair and see-through process in online mode through a Computer-Based Testing (CBT) process, allowing for perfect evaluation and quick result processing.
If you’re in 12th category and want to study B.E, B.Tech, B.Arch, or B. Planning in top Indian institutes, you need to prepare for this exam. Through Mains, students can get into,
- National Institutes of Technology (NITs)
 - Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)
 - Government-Funded Technical Institutions (GFTIs)
 
Also, a good NTA JEE Mains score lets you take the next step.
JEE Advanced Explained
IIT JEE Advanced is one of the toughest entrance exams globally. This highly competitive exam helps students to get into India’s most prestigious Indian Institute of Technology(IIT) and other top engineering institutes of India.
Not everyone who takes the Mains exam can write Advanced. Those who secure Mains within 2,50,000 rank are eligible to appear in the advanced exam. This strict advanced eligibility criteria selection process ensures that only the best candidates can get into IITs.
Who Conducts the JEE Advanced Examination?
This Advanced exam is conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology on rotational basics under the supervision of the Joint Admission Board (JAB). Every year, one of the IITs is responsible for arranging the testing process, ensuring a transparent and rigorous selection process with high standards.
Like Mains, JEE Advanced has been held online as a CBT test since 2018. This JEE Advanced offline exam format helps students to solve a wide range of problems, which makes the exam super tough.
JEE Main vs. JEE Advanced: What Sets Them Apart?
| Criteria | JEE Mains | JEE Advanced | 
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | For getting into  NITs, IIITs, GFTIs and other colleges.  | 												
													For getting into IITs and top engineering institutes. | 
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Organized by IITs (rotational) | 
| Eligibility | Class 12th pass/appearing with at least 75% marks | Top 2,50,000 JEE Mains qualifiers | 
| Number of Attempts | Twice a year, max 6 attempts (3 years) | Twice in consecutive years only | 
| Number of Papers | 1 paper for B.E./B.Tech; 2 papers for B.Arch & B.Planning | 2 papers (both compulsory) | 
| Mode of Exam | Computer-based (online) | Computer-based (online) | 
| Subjects Included | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (NCERT-level) | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (Advanced) | 
| Questions from Each Subject | Physics - 30, Chemistry - 30, Math - 30 (approx) | Varies; typically ~54 questions per pape | 
| Total Questions | 90 (for B.E./B.Tech) | ~108 total (Paper 1 & 2 combined) | 
| Question Type | MCQs & numerical value-type questions | MCQs, integer-type, comprehension-based | 
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect | +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect (varies) | 
| Exam Duration | 3 hours | 6 hours (2 papers of 3 hours each) | 
| Difficulty Level | Moderate | Extremely High | 
| Official Website | jeemain.nta.ac.in | jeeadv.ac.in | 
What is the syllabus difference between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced?
Both Mains and Advanced exams cover the same subjects: Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. But the difference occurs with the topics and extent of concepts included in the syllabus.
What’s Included in the JEE Main Syllabus?
JEE Mains syllabus covers topics from grade 11 and 12 subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Students can use the NCERT syllabus for JEE Mains to cover the syllabus. Every year before the mains exam, NTA circulates the syllabus on their official website.
Students need to check the NTA Mains syllabus list before the exam, because they will eliminate certain topics from the syllabus. So it is demanded to review the syllabus to avoid studying removed topics. The questions will strictly adhere to the syllabus processed by NTA.
JEE Main Topics Every Aspirant Should Master
Some specific topics from Main Syllabus include:
Physics: Electronic Devices, Electromagnetic Waves, Communication Systems, Kinetics and Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Power, Thermodynamics, Modern Physics.
Chemistry: Chemical bonding, Surface Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Polymers, Environmental Chemistry.
Mathematics: Sets, Functions, Relations, Statistics & Probability, Mathematical Reasoning, Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry.
What’s Included in the JEE Advanced Syllabus?
IIT-NIT Advanced exam updates the syllabus every year on their official website, jeeadv.ac.in. The syllabus, which covers classes 11 and 12, is mostly consistent each year with minor revisions. It tests academic proficiency at the IIT level.
The exam has two papers, each three hours long, with questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Math. Both papers are compulsory and evaluate comprehension, reasoning, and analytical skills.
JEE Advanced Topics Every Aspirant Should Master
This exam syllabus includes additional topics beyond Mains:
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Physics: Experimental Physics, Thermal Physics, Dynamics, Mass and Collision, Electromagnetic Induction, AC & DC, Wave Optics, Modern Physics concepts.
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Chemistry: Molecular Theory, Advanced Electrochemistry, Salt Analysis, Organic Chemistry in detail, Advanced Thermodynamics & Kinetics.
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Mathematics: 3D Geometry, Vector Algebra, Differential Equations, Indefinite Integrals, Continuity & Differentiability, Permutation & Combination.
 
JEE Main vs Advanced: Understanding the Difficulty Level
Yes, JEE Advanced is tougher than Mains. The main reason lies in the complexity of the questions asked. Mains difficulty level is low because the questions focus on fundamental concepts that will be straightforward, but Advanced questions are designed to check the conceptual depth, and complex problem-solving of the subjects.
Also, the time allocated for Advanced is more limited, which makes it even harder for students to crack. Every year, over 10 Lakh students take the Mains exam, but only 2.5 lakh qualify for JEE Advanced. In the end, through the JEE Advanced rank list only around 16,000 to 17,000 students secure seats in IITs and other top institutes, making the success rate highly competitive.
Smart Study Strategy for Cracking JEE Main and Advanced
Passing both Mains and Advanced needs a well-planned strategy, continuous effort, and the right resources to study. Since both the exams focus on the same subjects with different difficulty levels.
How to prepare for JEE Mains and JEE Advanced simultaneously?
- Get a strong base in NCERT
 - Follow a well-structured study pattern
 - Learn how to manage time
 - Study minimum 4-6 hours daily
 - Make equal interest in all 3 subjects
 - Incorporate practice problem-solving daily
 - Take regular mock tests
 - Analyze the performance and identify weak areas
 - Clear all doubts and questions early
 - Revise previous year's question papers.
 
Must-Have Books for Cracking JEE Exams
Here are some of the highly recommended books for JEE preparation.
Physics:
- Concepts of Physics - H.C. Verma, Paul A. Tipler
 - Fundamentals of Physics - Halliday, Resnick, Walker
 - Problems in General Physics - I.E. Irodov
 
Chemistry:
- Physical Chemistry - O.P. Tandon, A.S. Singh & Peter Atkins, Julio De Paula
 - Numerical Chemistry - P. Bahadur
 - Organic Chemistry - Morrison, Boyd, Bhattacharjee
 - Inorganic Chemistry - O.P. Tandon, J.D. Lee
 
Mathematics:
- Mathematics Class XI & XII - R.D. Sharma
 - IIT Mathematics - M.L. Khanna & J.N. Sharma
 - Integral Calculus for IIT Entrance - Amit M Agarwal
 - Higher Algebra - Hall & Knight
 
JEE Main Counselling Process
The Joint Seat Allocation Authority(JoSAA) is conducting the JEE Mains counseling process. This process consists of different stages, from exam rank, category, college preferences to seat allocation. Based on these criterias, candidates can get seats in NITs, IIITs, Government-funded technical colleges and other top colleges.
Steps in JoSAA Counseling:
- Candidates need to sign up in JoSAA portal for the counseling process.
 - They need to select and classify college and courses based on their preferences.
 - Seats are allocated based on the rank, category and other choices.
 - After seat allocation, candidates need to pay the upfront fee to confirm their seat and should visit that allocated center for document verification.
 - After successful verification, candidates need to visit the allotted college to finalize the admission.
 
JEE Advanced Counselling Process
Candidates who passed JEE Advanced will get a seat based on the All India Rank (AIR). JoSAA handles this process to get into IITs ensuring a translucent seat allocation mechanism.
Key Aspects of JEE Advanced Counseling:
- Admissions are strictly based on the JEE Advanced rank list - All India Rank.
 - Candidates who get benefits from reservation categories are placed based on government policies.
 - Selected candidates must submit documents for verification before confirming admission.
 
Your JEE Success Roadmap
To succeed in JEE exams, it is important to understand the key differences between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. Both the exams are vital for getting into elite engineering colleges in India.
Based on the preparation level, personal interest and with aspirations, candidates can get into JEE. Students who are getting a strong foundation from 8th grade can confidently navigate the success of JEE.
But remember, proper coaching and expert guidance is very important to secure a good position in a successful engineering career. Ultimately, success in JEE is not about reaching the top college, it’s all about evolving into a proficient engineer.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Mains exam is conducted twice a year, usually in January and April. Students can attempt the JEE Mains online exam up to six times, spread across three consecutive years. The best score is used for admission and ranking.
 
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Yes, you can attempt the exam if the percentage is below 75%. However, to get into IITs, NITs, and GFTIs, you need either 75% in class 12 or the top 20% of your board.
 
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Qualifying cutoff (set by NTA): Minimum marks required to get eligibility for JEE Advanced.
Admission cutoff (set by JoSAA): Minimum marks required for admission to participating institutes.
 
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Coaching can be beneficial for cracking exams easily because many students face struggles through self-study. So based on individual learning preferences you can opt for coaching centers or self-study.
 
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If you experience any technical issues during the JEE online exam, immediately inform the invigilator. They will take the necessary steps to resolve the problems.