Are you planning to be accepted into the best engineering colleges in India? Then knowing the difference between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced is a must for you to make your preparation effective. Although these two exams are different stages of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) system, they have different goals, and the differences in their difficulty, syllabus, eligibility, and exam pattern are quite significant.
- JEE Mains: The exam to get admitted to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and other engineering institutes.
- JEE Advanced: The entry to prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), IISc.
On the other hand, a JEE Mains test can be taken by any student who is eligible and has studied Physics, Chemistry, and Maths in Class 12, whereas only the top 2.5 lakh JEE Main rankers are allowed to take JEE Advanced.
This handbook will help you understand:
- The differences between IIT JEE Mains and JEE Advanced exams
- Comparison of the exam pattern, syllabus, and difficulty level of both
- Eligibility criteria and the number of attempts allowed for both exams
- Which exam should you focus on writing, depending on the college you want to attend and the previous cut-offs
Let us have a detailed comparison of JEE Mains Vs. JEE Advanced exams.
JEE Mains Vs JEE Advanced: A Quick Overview
| Factors | JEE Mains | JEE Advanced |
| Purpose | Admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs | Admission to IITs and a few select institutes |
| Eligibility | All Class 12 pass/appearing students | Top 2.5 lakh students from JEE Main |
| Exam Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | One of the IITs (rotational basis) |
| Number of Attempts | 3 consecutive years (Twice per year) | 2 consecutive years |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-based) | Online (Computer-based) |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate (Concept-based) | High (Application-based) |
JEE Mains and JEE Advanced Eligibility Criteria
JEE Mains Eligibility Criteria
- It is open for all students who have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
- Though it doesn’t specify an age limit, students can only take IIT JEE Main up to 3 consecutive years after Class 12
- Candidates must have passed Class 12 in 2023, 2024 or be appearing in 2025
- JEE Main score is a prerequisite for admission to NITs, IIITs, and other engineering colleges in India
JEE Advanced Eligibility
- Among JEE Main candidates, only the top 2.5 lakh rankers are qualified to take the exam
- Candidates should clear JEE Main in the same year to be eligible for JEE Advanced
- Maximum of two consecutive attempts after Class 12
IIT JEE Mains is available to more students, and IIT JEE Advanced is only accessible to the top performers in the Mains exam.
Exam Pattern Comparison Between JEE Mains and JEE Advance
JEE Mains Exam Pattern
- Three different papers: Paper 1: For B.E./B.Tech aspirants Paper 2A: For B.Arch aspirients Paper 2B: For B. Planning aspirients
- Paper 1: For B.E./B.Tech aspirients
- Paper 2A: For B.Arch aspirients
- Paper 2B: For B. Planning aspirients
- Mode: Computer-based test (CBT)
- Duration: 3 hours
- Subjects Covered: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
- Question Types: MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) Numerical Value Questions Marking Scheme: +4 for correct answers, -1 for an incorrect MCQ
- MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Numerical Value Questions
- Marking Scheme: +4 for correct answers, -1 for an incorrect MCQ
JEE Advanced Exam Pattern
- Two compulsory papers (Paper 1 & Paper 2)
- Mode: Computer-based test (CBT)
- Duration: 6 hours (3 hours each paper)
- Subjects Covered: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
- Question Types: MCQs (with multiple correct options) Integer-Type Numerical Questions Matrix Match & Comprehension-based Questions
- MCQs (with multiple correct options)
- Integer-Type Numerical Questions
- Matrix Match & Comprehension-based Questions
- Marking Scheme: Some sections have partial marking and negative marking
Key Takeaway:JEE Advanced has more complex question formats and a unique marking scheme.
Syllabus Differences: JEE Mains Vs JEE Advanced
JEE Main Syllabus (Based on NCERT Topics)
- Physics: Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work & Energy, Rotational Motion, Thermodynamics, Optics, etc.
- Chemistry: Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry based on CBSE syllabus
- Mathematics: Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Probability, Matrices & Determinants, etc.
JEE Advanced Syllabus (More In-Depth & Conceptual)
- Physics: Advanced concepts in Mechanics, Fluid Dynamics, Electrostatics, Modern Physics
- Chemistry: Added topics in Organic Chemistry, Coordination Compounds, and Electrochemistry
- Mathematics: Advanced 3D Geometry, Vectors, Differential Equations, and Complex Numbers
JEE Advanced covers more topics and also requires deeper understanding of the concepts.
Difficulty Level: Which is The Tougher Exam?
| Parameter | JEE Mains | JEE Advanced |
| Conceptual Understanding | Moderate | High |
| Application-Based Questions | Fewer | More |
| Competition Level | Very High (10-12 lakh students) | Extremely High (Only 2.5 lakh qualify) |
While JEE Main emphasizes speed and accuracy, JEE Advanced demands deep conceptual understanding and application skills.
Number of Examination Attempts
- JEE Mains: You can take it for 3 consecutive years following Class 12
- JEE Advanced: You can appear only for 2 consecutive years after Class 12
Which Exam Should You Focus On?
If your goal is getting admission into:
- IITs: You must qualify JEE Advanced
- NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, or other private colleges: A good score in JEE Mains will be sufficient for the admission
- In case you are not sure, initiate preparation for JEE Mains and judging by your score, decide whether to go for JEE Advanced or not
Conclusion: What difference does JEE Mains and JEE Advanced exams have?
- JEE Main is the initial stage of the examination mandatory for admission to NITs, IIITs, and other engineering colleges in India
- JEE Advanced is the second stage that leads to admission in IITs and limited to top 2.5 lakh JEE Main rankers only
- JEE Advanced is the tougher exam, with a more complex syllabus and question patterns
- JEE Main has a larger competition pool than JEE Advanced, but JEE Advanced has a much higher difficulty level
When you want to ace JEE Advanced, first make sure your IIT JEE Main foundation is solid, and then work on upgrading your problem-solving skills with the Advanced-level questions.
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FAQs on IIT JEE Mains Vs IIT JEE Advanced
Which exam is tougher, JEE Main or JEE Advanced?
JEE Advanced is a much tougher exam due to its problem-solving complexity and tougher questions than JEE Mains
What is the difference between JEE and JEE Advanced?
“JEE” usually means JEE Main, while JEE Advanced is the second phase for IIT admissions.
What distinguishes JEE Main from JEE Advanced?
JEE Main serves as an entrance exam for admission to NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutions. On the other hand, JEE Advanced is exclusively for candidates seeking admission to the IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology).
How do the eligibility criteria differ between JEE Main and JEE Advanced?
Only the top 2,50,000 candidates from JEE Main, based on ranking and other criteria, qualify to appear for JEE Advanced.
How many times can a student attempt JEE Main and JEE Advanced?
Students can take JEE Main up to three consecutive years. In contrast, JEE Advanced allows a maximum of two consecutive attempts.
What languages are JEE Main and JEE Advanced available in?
Both exams are offered in English and Hindi. Additionally, JEE Main provides options for several regional languages depending on the state or location.
Where can I find expert coaching for JEE?
Join Scholar’s Academy for structured learning and personalized guidance for IIT JEE coaching.