What is the Difference Between JEE Main & JEE Advanced?

Dipanjana Sengupta

Updated On: May 03, 2025 06:50 AM | JEE Main

If you are confused between JEE Main and Advanced, check out this article to know about the major difference between JEE Main and JEE Advanced.

What is the difference between JEE Main & JEE Advanced?

Difference Between JEE Main and JEE Advanced - Despite certain similarities between JEE Main 2025 and JEE Advanced 2025 , some major differences need to be understood by competitive exam aspirants. JEE Main Exam is regulated by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and JEE Advanced is regulated by the IITs on a rotational policy. One of the key differences between JEE Main and JEE Advanced that has to be figured out and known by all the students who wish to appear in the National level exams is that JEE Main is the entrance exam that filters out the students who wish to appear for JEE Advanced. In this article, you will come across all the differences between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced.

Latest Updates

The Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, closed the application window for registration on May 2, 2025. However, the registered candidates are allowed to pay their JEE Advanced application fee till May 5, 2025. After the completion of the application process, the JEE Advanced admit card 2025 will be released on May 11, 2025 and the exam will be conducted on May 18, 2025 (Sunday).

JEE Main Paper Analysis 2025 (Available) JEE Main Answer Key 2025 JEE Main Cutoff 2025

Difference Between JEE Main and JEE Advanced

Some common differences between JEE Main and JEE Advanced have been listed below:

Basis of Difference

JEE Main

JEE Advanced

Courses

Admission for B.E. & B. Tech into NITs and other institutions all over the country.

Admission to the well-known IITs.

Eligibility

  • For admission in NITs, IITs, and CFTIs, candidates must score at least 75% ( 65% for SC & ST ) or at least in the top 20 percentile for the respective board exams.
  • Candidates who have passed their boards in the last 2 years are eligible to appear for the exam.

The top 2.5 lakh scorers who qualify for JEE Mains are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced.

Number of attempts

Students can sit any number of times in JEE Main

Students can only attempt twice for JEE Advanced that too for 2 consecutive years.

Mode of exam

  • Paper 1 ( B E & B Tech)  is conducted through an online computer-based exam mode.

  • Paper 2 ( BPlanning and BArch) is conducted through offline pen & paper-based examination mode only.

  • Paper 1 & Paper 2 is held in online mode only. Appearing in both papers is compulsory for taking admissions in engineering courses.

  • For taking admissions in B.Arch, the students will have to pass both papers. After passing, the student will have to apply for the Architect Aptitude Test (AAT)

  • AAT is conducted by the seven zonal IITs.

  • Students can apply for AAT after qualifying for the JEE Advanced.

Paper type

MCQs and NAT

Papers 1 & 2 are conducted on an objective-type question basis.

Syllabus

The JEE Main Syllabus 2025 PDF consists of classes 11 & 12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics

The JEE Advanced 2025 Syllabus has a few additional topics

Admission

JEE Main aspirants get admitted into NITs and other reputed engineering colleges.

JEE Advanced aspirants get admitted into IITs & ISM Dhanbad.

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Exam Pattern 2025

JEE Main Exam Pattern is set by the National Testing Agency. NTA releases the up-to-date  EE Main exam pattern every year along with the official notification. However, the JEE Advanced exam pattern is not fixed. The conducting IIT changes the type of questions asked in JEE Advanced every year. The exam pattern of JEE Main and JEE Advanced exams have been elaborated below.

JEE Main Exam Pattern 2025

  • JEE Main exam is conducted in 3 different papers for B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch and B.Planning. Candidates sit for

    • Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech,

    • Paper 2A for B.Arch admission or

    • Paper 2 B for B.Planning admission

      The JEE Main exam pattern was revised last year with the incorporation of internal choice amongst numerical-type questions. Candidates can check the latest NTA JEE Main Exam Pattern 2025 given below.

Specifications

JEE Main Exam Pattern 2025 for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)

JEE Main Exam Pattern 2025 for Paper 2A (B.Arch)

JEE Main Exam Pattern 2025 for Paper 2B (B. Planning)

Mode of Exam

Computer-based test

Mathematics and Aptitude- Computer-based test,

Drawing- Pen and paper mode

Computer-based test

Subjects

  • Physics

  • Chemistry

  • Mathematics

  • Aptitude Test

  • Mathematics and Drawing

  • Mathematics

  • Aptitude Test

  • Planning-Based Objective Type

Duration of Exam

3 Hours

3.5 Hours

3.5 Hours

Type of Questions

  • Mathematics- 20 MCQs + 10 NAT;

  • Physics- 20 MCQs + 10 NAT

  • Chemistry- 20 MCQs + 10 NAT

  • Mathematics- 20 MCQs + 10 NAT;

  • Aptitude- 50 MCQs;

  • Drawing- 2 questions

  • Mathematics- 20 MCQs + 10 NAT;

  • Aptitude- 50 MCQs;

  • ​Planning-based questions- MCQs

Medium of Examination

English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu

English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu

English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu

Total Questions Asked

30 Questions (20 MCQs + 10 NAT) in every section

82 (Mathematics- 30; Aptitude- 50; Drawing- 2)

105 (Mathematics- 30; Aptitude- 50; Planning- 25)

Total Questions to be Answered

25 Questions (20 MCQs + 5 NAT) in each section

77 (Mathematics- 25; Aptitude- 50; Drawing- 2)

100 (Mathematics- 25; Aptitude- 50; Planning- 25)

Marking Scheme

  • For MCQs: +4 for each correct response; -1 for each incorrect response; Unattempted questions will not be marked.

  • For Non-MCQs: +4 for each correct response, no negative marking for incorrect answers or unattempted questions.

  • For MCQs: +4 for each correct response; -1 for each incorrect response; Unattempted questions will not be marked.

  • For Non-MCQs: +4 for each correct response, no negative marking for incorrect answers or unattempted questions.

  • For Drawing Test: 2 questions of 100 marks

  • For MCQs: +4 for each correct response; -1 for each incorrect response; Unattempted questions will not be marked.

  • For Non-MCQs: +4 for each correct response, no negative marking for incorrect answers or unattempted questions.

Total Marks

300

400

400

JEE Advanced Exam Pattern 2025

JEE Advanced is conducted in two different papers- Paper 1 and Paper 2. Candidates must qualify both papers to qualify JEE Advanced. For B.Arch admission at IITs, candidates must also qualify AAT paper after JEE Advanced. Go through the detailed JEE Advanced Exam Pattern 2025 given below.

Specifications

JEE Advanced 2025 Exam Pattern for Paper 1

JEE Advanced 2025 Exam Pattern for Paper 2

JEE Advanced 2025 Exam Pattern for AAT

Mode of Exam

Computer based test

Computer based test

Offline

Subjects

  • Physics

  • Chemistry

  • ​Mathematics

  • Physics

  • Chemistry

  • Mathematics

  • Freehand Drawing

  • Geometrical Drawing

  • Three Dimensional Perception

  • Imagination and Aesthetic Sensitivity

  • Architectural Awareness

Duration of Exam

3 Hours

3 Hours

3 hours

Type of Questions

MCQ with single correct option, MCQ with one or more correct option (s), Numerical Value Answer

Numerical type Questions, Single-digit integer answer (0-9), MCQs with 4 options (one or more than one correct option)

MCQs, Numerical type, Sketching and Drawing, etc.

Medium of Exam

English and Hindi

English and Hindi

English

Related Links:

JEE Main Rank Predictor 2025 JEE Main College Predictor 2025

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Difficulty

JEE Main and JEE Advanced are two of the highly competitive national-level engineering entrance exams in the country. Although the level of difficulty of any entrance exam depends on each candidate’s preparation level, when comparing both, the JEE Advanced is considered to be tougher than the JEE Main exam. Candidates should take a look at the sections below to know in detail about the difficulty level of JEE Main and JEE Advanced.

JEE Main Difficulty Level

  • JEE Main is considered to be relatively easier than JEE Advanced since it only evaluates the candidates based on the standard 11 and 12 syllabi.

  • The questions asked in the JEE Main exam are generally direct formula-based and easier in comparison to JEE Advanced.

  • JEE Main usually evaluates only the speed of the candidate, with 75 questions asked in the exam.

JEE Advanced Difficulty Level

  • JEE Advanced is considered to be tougher than the JEE Main exam since it includes other topics than the ones from standards 11 and 12.

  • The questions asked in the JEE Advanced exam are concept-based, requiring in-depth knowledge of every topic.

  • The questions are also set using two or three concepts in one.

  • JEE Advanced examines the speed as well as the problem-solving skills of the candidates.

Also Check, JEE Main Subject Wise Syllabus 2025 -

JEE Main Physics Syllabus 2025 PDF

JEE Main Chemistry Syllabus 2025 PDF

JEE Main Mathematics Syllabus 2025 PDF




Related Links to Download JEE Main Question Paper PDF -
The table below features year-wise JEE Main Previous Year Papers PDFs with Solutions that students can practice thoroughly after revision.

JEE Main 2023 Question Paper PDF with Solutions JEE Main 2022 Question Paper PDF with Solutions JEE Main 2021 Question Paper PDF with Solutions
JEE Main 2019 Question Paper PDF with Solutions JEE Main 2018 Question Paper PDF with Solutions JEE Main 2017 Question Paper PDF with Solutions



If you are looking for admission into the top private engineering colleges in India 2025 , you can just fill Common Application Form on our website. It is a single application form for admission into various universities. For more articles and updates on the JEE Advanced 2025, stay tuned with CollegeDekho.

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FAQs

How many candidates appear for the JEE Advanced entrance exam?

The top 250000 rank holders of the JEE Main exam are eligible to apply for the JEE Advanced entrance exam.

Which syllabus should the candidates focus on JEE Main or JEE Advanced?

Candidates must be aware that the JEE Main entrance exam is the qualifying examination for JEE Advanced. Only the top 250000 rank holders of JEE Main are eligible to appear for the JEE Advanced entrance exam. Hence, it is necessary for candidates to focus on both the JEE Main and JEE Advanced syllabus. 

Is JEE Advanced compulsory to secure admission into IIT colleges?

Yes. Candidates are required to qualify the JEE Advanced exam to secure admission into IIT colleges.

Is JEE Advanced preparation different from JEE Main?

No. The JEE Advanced preparation is not very different from JEE Main. Candidates are required to study the same concepts and topics. The difference only comes when one solves mock tests and previous year question papers of JEE Main and JEE Advanced since both the exams have slightly different exam patterns.

Is JEE Main and JEE Advanced theory the same?

Yes. The theory of JEE Main and Advanced is on the similar lines. The questions and problems of JEE Advanced are of a higher level than the JEE Main entrance exam.

What is the time gap between JEE Main and Advanced?

Generally, there is a time gap of 40-50 days between JEE Main session 2 and JEE Advanced. During this time span, candidates can work upon their weak areas of JEE Main, revise all the crucial topics and attempt the JEE Advanced mock tests.

What extra is required for the JEE Advanced than JEE Main?

JEE Advanced requires in-depth understanding of the concepts and use of applications in solving questions. Attempting the JEE Advanced mock tests and previous year question papers is a necessary requirement. JEE Advanced examines the exam temperament of the candidates with 6 hours paper and 2 hour break between paper 1 and paper 2.

Is it compulsory to appear for both JEE Main and JEE Advanced?

No. It is not compulsory to appear for both the JEE Main and JEE Advanced exam. If candidates are content with an NIT or IIIT, JEE Main is sufficient. If candidates seek admission in an IIT, they need to appear for JEE Advanced and to attempt JEE Advanced they need to secure a top rank (within specified range) in JEE Main.

Is the JEE Main and JEE Advanced syllabus the same?

The syllabus of JEE Main and JEE Advanced is nearly 99% similar, however there are a few topics asked in the JEE Main exam which are not part of the JEE Advanced syllabus and vice versa.

What is the duration of the JEE Main and the JEE advanced exam?

The JEE Main exam is conducted for 3 hours whereas the JEE Advanced exam takes place for 3 hours each for both papers.

For how many times is the JEE Main and the JEE Advanced exam conducted in a year?

The JEE Main exam takes place twice a year whereas the JEE Advanced exam is conducted once in a year.

Can candidates appear for the JEE Advanced exam without appearing for JEE Main?

No. Candidates cannot appear for the JEE Advanced exam without having appeared for the JEE Main exam.

Which candidates are eligible for the JEE Advanced exam?

Candidates ranking amongst the 250,000 qualifiers of the JEE Main exam are eligible for the JEE Advanced exam.

Is the JEE Advanced exam harder than the JEE Main exam?

Yes. The difficulty level of the JEE Advanced exam is more than the IIT JEE Main exam.

Is JEE Main enough for IIT?

No. Candidates have to qualify the JEE Advanced exam to secure admission into IIT colleges.

Is there any limit on the number of attempts for the JEE Advanced exam?

Yes. Candidates can appear for the JEE Advanced exam twice that too for two consecutive years.

View More

JEE Main Previous Year Question Paper

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2024 Chemistry Shift 1

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2024 Physics Paper Morning Shift

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