Common mistakes you should avoid in JEE Main 2025 exam

Common mistakes you should avoid in JEE Main 2025 exam

Samridhi MishraUpdated on 25 Aug 2025, 11:05 AM IST

Common mistakes you should avoid in JEE Main 2026 exam -

Common mistakes you should avoid in JEE Main 2025 exam
Common mistakes you should avoid in JEE Main 2025 exam

Aspirants preparing for JEE Advanced 2026, a critical step toward securing admission to B.Tech programs at IITs, must navigate its high-stakes and competitive nature with precision. Unlike JEE Main, JEE Advanced demands deeper conceptual understanding and analytical skills, making it essential to avoid common errors that can derail performance. Despite rigorous preparation with past papers and mock tests, candidates often falter due to nervousness or oversight, impacting their scores.

LiveJEE Main 2026 Registration LIVE: Session 1 application closes on November 27; form correction from December 1Nov 22, 2025 | 1:00 PM IST

The eligibility criteria for JEE Main 2026 are as follows:

  • Candidates should have passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025, or be appearing in 2026.
  • Physics and Mathematics are compulsory, along with one of the following: Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, or a Technical Vocational subject.
  • There is no minimum marks or percentage requirement for application.
  • No age limit has been prescribed for candidates appearing in JEE Main 2026.
Read More

We, in collaboration with experts, have developed a streamlined guide to help candidates sidestep these pitfalls during JEE Advanced 2026 preparation and exam day. By addressing mistakes like poor time management, neglecting syllabus depth, or succumbing to stress, this guide offers practical strategies to enhance preparation efficiency. With a focus on targeted practice, error analysis, and maintaining composure, candidates can optimize their performance for both JEE Main and JEE Advanced. The exam is said to be tentatively taking place in May or June 2026.

Also read: Best Books for JEE Advanced 2025

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Appearing for JEE Advanced 2026

  1. Guessing Answers: Candidates often guess or select options closest to their calculations to save time, but JEE Advanced’s negative marking scheme penalizes such guesses, significantly reducing the final score and impacting rank.

  2. Not Solving Questions on Paper: Attempting to solve complex problems mentally or partially without paper calculations frequently leads to errors, resulting in negative marks, especially in numerical or multi-step questions.

  3. Misreading Questions: Rushing through questions causes candidates to overlook critical details like units or keywords, leading to incorrect answers despite understanding the underlying concepts.

  4. Wasting Time on Difficult Questions: Spending excessive time (e.g., 5–6 minutes) on a single tough question reduces time for solvable ones, disrupting the exam strategy and lowering overall performance.

  5. Experimenting with Unknown Questions: Attempting unfamiliar questions instead of focusing on known or solvable ones wastes valuable time and risks negative marks, derailing a well-planned exam approach.
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Also read: JEE Advanced Exam Criteria

Common Mistakes to Avoid During JEE Advanced 2026 Preparation


  1. Neglecting the Full Syllabus: Focusing only on high-weightage or favorite topics like Mechanics or Calculus while ignoring areas like Thermal Physics or Inorganic Chemistry leaves gaps in preparation, risking unexpected questions in the exam.

  2. Overloading with Study Resources: Using too many books or online materials simultaneously causes confusion, incomplete coverage, and inefficiency, diluting focus and overwhelming the preparation process.

  3. Inadequate Practice with Past Papers: Not solving enough JEE Advanced past papers (10–15 years) or skipping mock test results in unfamiliarity with the exam’s complex question patterns and time constraints.

  4. Ignoring Error Analysis: Failing to analyze mistakes from mock tests or practice sessions leads to repeated errors, such as conceptual misunderstandings or calculation mistakes, hindering progress.

  5. Poor Time Management in Study Schedule: Studying without a structured plan or spending excessive time on one subject/topic disrupts balanced preparation, leading to burnout or insufficient revision for all subjects.

JEE Main 2026: Preparation Tips & Study Plan
Download the JEE Main 2026 Preparation Tips PDF to boost your exam strategy. Get expert insights on managing study material, focusing on key topics and high-weightage chapters.
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Additional Tips to Stay on Track During Preparations


1. Create a Strategic Yet Flexible Study Plan


Prepare a realistic timetable that divides your day into focused study blocks for each subject, including dedicated slots for revision, problem-solving, and mock tests. While having structure is crucial, allow flexibility to accommodate tough topics or unexpected delays. A balanced plan helps prevent burnout and ensures complete syllabus coverage with buffer time for deep dives.


2. Focus on Conceptual Understanding, Not Just Problem Quantity


Rather than rushing through hundreds of problems, ensure you deeply understand the theory behind each concept. JEE Advanced tests the application of multiple concepts in a single question, so train your mind to ask “why” and “how” every time you solve something. Build your ability to derive formulas, visualize problems, and solve from first principles.


3. Simulate the Exam Environment Regularly


Take full-length mock tests at least once a week under strict exam conditions (3 hours, no breaks, no distractions). Analyze your performance after every test, review your mistakes, identify weak concepts, and track your progress over time. Simulating the pressure of the actual exam will sharpen your decision-making, stamina, and accuracy.


4. Maintain a Strong Error Log and Revision Cycle


Keep a dedicated notebook or digital tracker for mistakes, note down the concept, type of error (silly, conceptual, or misread), and the correct approach. Revisit this log weekly to prevent repetition of errors. Alongside, follow a structured revision plan to revisit older topics regularly so that they remain fresh until the exam.


5. Take Care of Your Mental and Physical Well-being


Consistency thrives on energy and mental clarity, so prioritize sleep, nutrition, and physical activity. Avoid comparison with others and stay away from unnecessary distractions like excessive social media or study forum stress. Practice mindfulness techniques like journaling, meditation, or even short walks to clear your mind and recharge.

Also read:

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JEE Main Syllabus: Subjects & Chapters
Select your preferred subject to view the chapters

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Will there any negative marking in JEE Main 2025?
A:

Yes, there is a negative marking in the JEE Mains exam.

Q: What is the question paper type of JEE Main?
A:

The JEE Main 2026 exam will have objective-type questions.

Q: How many questions will be there in JEE Main 2026 exam?
A:

There will be total 90 questions in JEE Main exam.

Q: How many sections will be there in JEE Main exam?
A:

There will be three sections in JEE Main exam namely, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Q: When JEE Main 2026 will happen?
A:

JEE Main exam is expected to happen in Jaunary (session 1) and April (session 2).

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Questions related to JEE Main

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to JEE Main ?

Hello murali

No, your son is not eligible for OBC NCL for IIT JEE because you fall in the "creamy layer" occupational category, regardless of your current employment status or family income. Students whose family income is less than Rs. 8 lakhs annually and they are not belong to the "creamy layer".

Note -

  • Children of professionals like doctors, lawyers, and engineers, as well as government officials in Group A and Group B services, are generally considered in the "Creamy layer" category.
  • Your current unemployment does not change your occupational status. The eligibility is based on your profession, not your current job status.

Thank You

Hello,

You can fill the JEE Main form even if you are a private candidate

Write the name of the school/board from where you are appearing as a private candidate .
If your Class 12 admit card or registration slip shows a school/centre name, use that exactly.

If your board lists you as a “Private Candidate” under the board name , then write:

CBSE – Private Candidate
(or your board name – Private Candidate)

Use the pin code of the examination centre/school mentioned on your Class 12 private candidate admit card or registration details.

If your board does not give any school address and only shows the regional office address, then use the regional office address pin code given by your board.

Hope it helps !

Hello Aspirant

You should not leave the OBC-NCL certificate ID blank in the JEE Main form it can create problems later.

NTA wants the certificate details while filling the form, not just at counselling. If you can, apply for the OBC-NCL certificate immediately so you get the ID on time.

If you fail to submit the certificate during counselling, your category will shift to General. It’s safer to enter OBC-NCL only if you’re sure you’ll get the certificate before counselling.

Hope it will help you

Hello,

No, X-rays are not deleted for the JEE 2026 exams. X-rays are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, a topic that remains in the syllabus for both JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Here in this article you will find more about the JEE Main syllabus.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Of course Lakshmi, that's why we are here. As you mentioned, you didn't start preparation for JEE Mains Exam. Don't worry start TODAY. Because today is the best day to start.

Okay you can start with the previous years question papers which you can download by Clicking Here .

You also can browse the JEE Mains Syllabus by Clicking Here . These help you to know which will come in the exam.

If you need any strategical need -- Click Here . This will effectively help you to do more in less time