IIT JAM Toppers’ Smart Approach to Solve MCQs, MSQs & NATs

IIT JAM Toppers’ Smart Approach to Solve MCQs, MSQs & NATs: IIT JAM exam preparation actually starts when you know the basics about the exam pattern, syllabus, and eligibility. The exam has 3 types of questions divided into 3 sections. In Section A, you will face 30 Multiple Choice Questions of 1 mark and 20 MCQs of 2 marks. Section B has 10 Multiple Select Questions, each carrying 2 marks. Next is Section C with 20 Numerical Answer Type questions, where 10 are of 1 mark and 10 are of 2 marks. So, in total, you get 60 questions that you need to solve within 3 hours. At this point, the obvious questions come to mind, like which type of questions should you attempt first, what should be the strategy while solving MCQs, MSQs, and NATs, and how to manage time section-wise.

IIT JAM toppers say that scoring high in the exam is not only about completing the syllabus, but also about using smart exam strategies. They use methods like focusing on high-weightage topics, practising mock tests regularly, making proper notes, doing self-analysis, and learning time management tricks. That’s why if you are planning for the upcoming IIT JAM 2026 exam , it’s better to learn from IIT JAM toppers’ smart approach to solve MCQs, MSQs, and NATs. The strategies given below are taken from toppers’ interviews, blogs, and coaching experts. Let’s check out what those smart approaches are and how they can help you perform better in the exam.

Read also: IIT JAM 2026 Exam Date

Question Types in IIT JAM

You can refer to the table below to check out the types of questions as per sections, marks, negative marking, and skill required for IIT JAM:

Read more: IIT JAM 2026 syllabus

Toppers’ Strategy for MCQs

No matter how much you study for IIT JAM 2026 exam, what really matters is how you use those 3 hours inside the exam hall and how you attempt the whole question paper. For MCQs, toppers and experts usually say to attempt this section after NAT questions. Below, we have shared some very basic but super useful strategies from toppers’ interviews and expert coaching tips for solving the MCQs in IIT JAM exam:

• Try to attempt all the easy MCQs in the first 20-25 minutes. This way you earn some base marks quickly. (Told by topper Ankit S., JAM 2024 AIR-3).
• Toppers say you should scan the paper once and attempt the questions you are confident about before wasting time on tough ones. Easy marks should always be your first target.
• If you don’t know the exact answer, cut down the options. Narrow the choices to 2, then decide. This is much better than blind guessing in IIT JAM MCQs.
• Spend a maximum of 1.5 minutes per MCQ in the first round. If you get stuck, just mark that question for review and skip for now. Come back later if you have time.
• Do not mark random answers. IIT JAM MCQs have negative marking. Guess only when you can eliminate at least one or two options with confidence.
• Don’t spend more than 2 minutes on a confusing or difficult MCQ. Just flag it, move on, and return later. This keeps you calm and saves time.
• Always attempt MCQs only if you are at least 80% sure. As MCQs have negative marking (1/3 mark deduction for wrong 1-mark questions and 2/3 mark for wrong 2-mark questions.

Real topper insight: "In MCQs, I avoided guesswork unless I could confidently eliminate two options." - IIT JAM Chemistry 2023 Topper

Read also: IIT JAM 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Toppers’ Strategy for MSQs

The advantage of this section is that there will be no negative marking for wrong answers. You can select all correct options to get full marks. Toppers treat this section differently: they make it the last thing they attempt, they focus on consistent practice, clear concepts, and answering precisely.

• In MSQs, one question can mix 2-3 concepts together. So you need to link different topics and understand them properly to solve these tricky questions.
• Since there is no negative marking, toppers say attempt all questions where you can explain your reasoning.
• Even if you are not 100% sure about one option, you should still mark the ones you are confident about. That way, you can still gain marks.
• Don’t leave out an option just because it looks too obvious. Many times, the obvious one is also right.
• Toppers also check for common traps like “all correct” or “none correct.” They use logical elimination to remove the wrong ones first.
• The safest way is to check every option one by one. Don’t assume options are linked together. Verify each with your concepts and facts before marking.

Real topper insight: "MSQs are where I recovered marks. I attempted every question after careful elimination since there’s no penalty." - JAM Physics 2022 AIR-5

Toppers’ Strategy for NATs

The best way to deal with NAT questions is to start the exam with them. NATs need full focus and accuracy, and your concentration is always highest at the beginning. Since NAT questions are direct and mostly formula-based, your calculation skills should be strong. You can go through the strategies for attempting NAT questions based on toppers’ and expert coaching insights:

• There is no negative marking in NATs, so don’t leave anything blank. Try to attempt all questions.
• Spend a minimum of 2 to 3 minutes for each question. If you waste more than that, you might struggle to finish the paper on time.
• As per expert coaching insights, you need to attempt at least 12 questions correct out of 20 questions.
• Toppers do quick mental calculations or rough estimates to get an estimated range of answers.
• NATs are formula-heavy, so remembering key formulas and derivations helps avoid lengthy recalculations.
• ou will be given statement based questions, for which you should have knowledge of concepts and counterexamples.
• CYou need to be aware of the correct units while writing the answers, particularly for physics. Do a quick check before submission to avoid silly errors.
• If your answer is coming in decimals, you must check the range of the marks.
• Real-life example: “In IIT JAM 2025, 3 NATs in Physical Chemistry were solvable in under a minute if formulas were memorized correctly.”

Real topper insight: "For NATs, I never used guesswork. I cross-verified answers with dimensional analysis." - IIT JAM Biotechnology 2023 AIR-7

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