Time Management Strategy for 3-Hour IIT JAM 2026 Exam: Section-Wise Approach

IIT JAM 2026 paper will be conducted on February 15, 2026 for the next academic session and students must know about the time management strategy for those crucial 3 hours. Proper time management is critical because that is where the majority of the students fail while appearing for the 3-hour IIT JAM paper. IIT JAM (Joint Admission Test for Masters) 2026 is a national-level entrance exam conducted annually for postgraduate programs in IITs and other premier institutes across India. IIT JAM Paper is divided across 3 sections: Section A (Multiple Choice Questions), Section B (Multiple Select Questions), and Section C (Numerical Answer Type Questions).

You can check section-wise time management strategy for 3 hours to maximize your performance in the IIT JAM 2026 exam.

Also check: How to Prepare for  IIT JAM 2026

IIT JAM 2026 Exam Pattern

It is important for the students to know about the IIT JAM Exam pattern before jumping into strategies. The duration of the exam is 3 hours and carries a total of 100 marks that are further divided into three sections:

• Section A: 30 MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions): 10 questions of 1 mark and 20 questions of 2 marks each.
• Section B: 10 MSQs (Multiple Select Questions): 2 marks each.
• Section C: 20 NATs (Numerical Answer Type Questions): 10 questions of 1 mark and 10 questions of 2 marks.

Section-Wise IIT JAM Time Management Strategy

Students appearing for IIT JAM Exam 2026 must check the below-mentioned section-wise time management strategy prepared by the Collegedekho team.

Section A - MCQs (Suggested Time: 60-65 minutes)

This is usually the most scoring section and carries negative marking (1/3 mark for 1-mark questions, 2/3 mark for 2-mark questions). One should begin a paper with Section A as it gives a confidence boost and if some questions are solved with confidence, it makes the job easier.

Important Tips:

• Always start with the 1-mark questions. They are generally simpler and less time-consuming.
• For each question, make sure that you don’t spend more than 1.5 minutes. If you’re stuck, mark it for review and move on.
• Avoid blind guessing. As there is negative marking, answer only when you’re sure or you can eliminate 2–3 options confidently.
• Aim to complete the entire section in about 60 minutes, leaving a buffer of 5–10 minutes to review flagged questions.

Section B - MSQs (Suggested Time: 35-40 minutes)

This is one of the trickiest sections in the IIT JAM Exam. One must be careful while attempting this section, as there is no partial marking and no negative marking. The key here is careful elimination and accuracy.

Important Tips:

• You should read the questions and options thoroughly as more than one option may be correct and that is where students make mistakes.
• Don’t spend more than 3–4 minutes per question. If you are confused, move to the next question
• Use logical reasoning to eliminate wrong options. You don't lose marks, so you can attempt everything, but do it smartly.
• Save this section for after Section A, when you're already in the flow of the paper.

Section C - NATs (Suggested Time: 40-45 minutes)

NATs are numerical-type questions where you have to type the answer manually. As there is no negative marking in this section, you can attempt this section confidently but you should have practiced enough to attempt this section.

Important Tips:

• These questions are usually calculations-based, so one must keep their rough sheet ready.
• Since there’s no penalty, you can attempt all questions, but make sure you don’t spend too much time on a single question.
• Allocate 2 minutes per question on average.
• Use the last 10-15 minutes of your exam time to revisit NATs you left out or were unsure about.

General Time Management Tips for IIT JAM

Besides preparing with a section-wise strategy for time management, you should also consider these general time management tips for effective time management for IIT JAM 2026 Exam.

• Set mini deadlines: Try to break the paper into blocks of time (e.g., 1 hour for Section A, 40 minutes for Section B, etc. as per your confidence).
• Use the review feature: The computer-based test allows you to flag questions. Use this feature wisely.
• Don’t get stuck: If you can’t solve a question on the first go, mark it for later.
• Attempt wisely: Attempt high-confidence questions first; they boost your confidence and fetch you marks quickly.
• Stay calm and focused: Panic in the exam will lead to a waste of time. You can practice mock tests to build exam stamina and accuracy under pressure.

Practice Makes Perfect

Students must note that there is no substitute for practice. One must start practicing with full-length mock tests under exam conditions at least two months before the actual exam. This will help you develop your own time management rhythm. Solve and analyse as many mock tests as possible to find which section consumes the most time and improve your pace accordingly.

Also Check: IIT JAM Mock Test

The key to cracking IIT JAM 2026 lies not just in studying hard but in solving smart things, and time management is the most important aspect to consider. You can succeed if you understand the exam pattern, use time judiciously, and stay focused throughout the paper. You must follow this section-wise time management strategy, and you’ll be one step closer to securing your seat in a top IIT college.