Common mistakes you should avoid in JEE Main 2025 exam

Common mistakes you should avoid in JEE Main 2025 exam

Ongoing Event

JEE Main Application Date:31 Oct' 25 - 27 Nov' 25

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: Apply at jeemain.nta.nic.in by November 27; BTech cut-off trendsNov 8, 2025 | 12:38 PM IST

The Joint Entrance Examination, JEE (Main) comprises of two papers. Paper 1 is conducted for admission to undergraduate engineering programmes at NITs, IIITs, other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs) and institutions, universities funded, recognized by participating state governments. 

JEE (Main) is also an eligibility test for JEE (Advanced), which is conducted for admission to IITs. JEE (Main) Paper 2 is conducted for admission to BArch and BPlanning courses in the country.

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.
Amrita University B.Tech 2026

Recognized as Institute of Eminence by Govt. of India | NAAC ‘A++’ Grade | Upto 75% Scholarships

UPES B.Tech Admissions 2026

Ranked #43 among Engineering colleges in India by NIRF | Highest Package 1.3 CR , 100% Placements

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.
Download EBook

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:

Jain University B.Tech Admissions 2026

100% Placement Record | Highest CTC 54 LPA | NAAC A++ Accredited | Ranked #62 in India by NIRF Ranking 2025 | JEE & JET Scores Accepted

Lovely Professional University B.Tech Admissions 2026

India's Largest University | NAAC A++ | 100% Placements Record | Highest CTC 2.5 Cr PA | 150 + Programmes across Multiple Disciplines

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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: When JEE Main 2026 will happen?
A:

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

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

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

Articles
|
Certifications By Top Providers
Basic Programming using Python
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Fundamental Concepts of Electricity
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Artificial Intelligence
Via Columbia University, New York
Computer Fundamentals
Via Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore
B.Sc in Programming and Data Science
Via Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Udemy
 1525 courses
Swayam
 817 courses
NPTEL
 773 courses
Coursera
 697 courses
Edx
 608 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to JEE Main

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to JEE Main ?

Hi,

You should apply as an OBC as you belong to the BC caste if you are listed on the central government's list of OBC, because BC falls under the OBC category. But if your caste is not on the central government's list, you should apply for the General category, even if you have a state-level BC certificate.

Hope it helps!!!

Hello,

No, it’s not compulsory to fill the APAAR ID in the JEE Main application form right now.

If your APAAR ID shows a “credential mismatch” error even after entering the correct number, don’t worry, you can simply leave it blank and continue filling the form.

  • The APAAR ID field is optional for most students.

  • It’s mainly for linking your academic records under the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) system.

  • The mismatch often happens if your Aadhaar details or school record name format differ.

So, you can submit your JEE form without the APAAR ID, and it won’t affect your application.


Hope you understand.

As per the Syllabus of JEE Mains 2026, there are some highly weightage topics which helps you to maximize your marks in the exam.

Mathematics

  • Calculus: Integral and differential calculus are highly weightage topics in mathematics.
  • Coordinate Geometry: Conic sections (circles, parabolas, ellipses, hyperbolas) are a major topic in this chapter.
  • Algebra: Algebra topics include Matrices and Determinants, Binomial Theorem, Complex numbers and Quadratic equations.
  • Vector and 3D Geometery: Understanding of vectors and three-dimensional geometry is the plus point to score a good marks.
  • Statistics and Probability: Statistics and Probability are very important topics, and one or two questions come from these two topics.

Physics

  • Mechanics: In Mechanics, there are some important topics are kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Power and fundamental for problem-solving.
  • Electrostatics and Current Electricity: These are two important topics in electromagnetism.
  • Optics: Try to cover both ray and wave optics.
  • Thermodynamics & Modern Physics: In thermodynamics try to cover whole chapter including concepts like heat and temperature and also try to cover whole  Modern Physics.

Chemistry

  • Physical Chemistry: Physical Chemistry includes Thermodynamics, Chemical Kinetics, Stoichiometry, and Chemical Equilibrium.
  • Inorganic Chemistry: Lots of questions come from inorganic chemistry, so my suggestion to you is to try to complete whole inorganic chemistry by heart and mainly focus on p-Block elements and Coordination Compounds.
  • Organic Chemistry: Like Inorganic Chemistry, organic chemistry is also a very important topic. Try to complete whole organic chemistry by heart and main topics in organic chemistry are Reactions of Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes, Benzene, Aldehydes, ketones, and Carboxylic Acids.
  • Chemical Bondings and Molecular Structure: Cover these whole topics which helps you to understand other topics.

I hope this will really help you and Best of Luck for you exam.

Hello dear aspirant,

You don't have to worry right now for the EWS certificate as the certificate should be issued after 1st April, 2026 (in your case). Also you can also directly go to the collectorate office with all the documents required and they will apply for the certificate.

Thank you, hope this helped.

Hello,

If you’re appearing for Class 12 (HSC) in 2026 and don’t have your board admit card or roll number yet, you can leave the “Registration No./Enrollment No./Roll No.” field blank or enter “NA” (Not Applicable) if the form allows.

Do not enter your school GR number, as it’s not recognized by the exam board or NTA.
Once your board issues the admit card or registration number, it can be updated later during JEE Main form correction or at the time of result verification.

So, for now, safely enter “NA” or leave blank — not your GR number.

Hope you understand.