Common mistakes you should avoid in JEE Main 2026 Exam to Score High Marks

Common mistakes you should avoid in JEE Main 2026 Exam to Score High Marks

Team Careers360Updated on 26 Nov 2025, 12:10 PM IST

Common mistakes you should avoid in JEE Main 2026 exam - Candidates can find a list of common mistakes to avoid in the JEE Main exam on this page. 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. A common mistake students make during the exam is shifting from one question to another without fully solving the previous one. Other frequent error include skipping NCERT basics, neglecting previous year's, solving too few numericals, improper time management, and over-reading theory without practice. The authority will conduct the JEE Main 2026 exam from January 21 to 30, 2026.

LiveJEE Main 2026 Registration LIVE: NTA session 1 correction facility opens on December 1; exam pattern, cut-offsNov 28, 2025 | 6:30 PM IST

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will allow the JEE Mains 2026 aspirants to make changes to their application form from December 1. What can be edited in JEE Main application form 2026

  • Mother’s name
  • Class 10/ equivalent details
  • Class 12/ equivalent details
  • State code of eligibility
  • Examination city selection
  • Examination cities (based on permanent and present address
  • Medium of examination
  • Date of Birth
  • Gender
  • Category
  • Sub-category/ PwD (if not verified by UDID portal)
  • Signature
  • Aadhaar details
Read More

This Story also Contains

  1. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Appearing for JEE Advanced 2026
  2. Common Mistakes to Avoid During JEE Advanced 2026 Preparation
  3. Additional Tips to Stay on Track During Preparations
Common mistakes you should avoid in JEE Main 2026 Exam to Score High Marks
Common mistakes you should avoid in JEE Main 2026 exam

In collaboration with experts, we've created 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.
Also read: Best Books for JEE Advanced 2026

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.
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.

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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.

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.

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Questions related to JEE Main

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to JEE Main ?

Hello,

Yes, you may get a chance to correct it.
NTA usually opens a correction window before each session. In previous years, candidates were allowed to change their photo if it did not follow the guidelines, including background issues.

For JEE Main 2026 also, the correction window is expected. When it opens, you will be able to upload a proper photo with a plain white background.

What you should do now:

  • Keep checking your JEE Main login for any correction option.

  • Keep a correct photo ready (white background, clear image).

  • If NTA flags your photo, you can update it during the correction period.

So yes, you should get a chance to fix it once the correction window opens.

Hope it helps !

Hello,
The JEE main 2027 will include three subjects: Physics, chemistry and Mathematics.
PHYSICS:
Units and Measurements: kinematics, laws of motion, work, energy & power: rotational motion & moment of inertia: gravitation: properties of solids and fluids: thermodynamics: kinetic theory of gases: oscillations & waves: electrostatics: current electricity; magnetism & magnetic effects of current; electromagnetic induction & alternating current; optics; atoms and nuclei; modern physics topics.
CHEMISTRY:
Physical chemistry (basic concepts, mole concept, stoichiometry; atomic structure; chemical bonding; thermodynamics; equilibrium; chemical kinetics; solutions and chemical reactivity), inorganic chemistry (periodic table, classification of elements including p-, d-, f-block, coordination compounds), and organic chemistry including basics of hydrocarbons, organic compounds containing halogens/oxygen/nitrogen etc.
MATHEMATICS
Sets, relations & functions; complex numbers and quadratic equations; matrices and determinants; permutations & combinations; sequences & series; limits, continuity & differentiability; integral and differential calculus; coordinate geometry (lines, circles, conics); 3D geometry; vector algebra; trigonometry; statistics & probability.

Hope this helps you.

That's the most efficient approach to preparation! The entire JEE Main Syllabus is fundamentally based on the topics covered in the NCERT Class 11th and 12th textbooks for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Here's what you need to know:

  • NCERT is the Core: Approximately 60-70% of the JEE Main syllabus directly comes from the NCERT books. You must consider these textbooks as your foundation and cover every single topic and exercise.

  • Minor Overlaps/Additions: While most of the syllabus aligns, JEE Main sometimes includes a few concepts or deeper applications (especially in complex numbers, differential calculus, and some physics derivations) that extend slightly beyond the direct NCERT text, requiring extra practice.

  • Chemistry Exception: Physical and Inorganic Chemistry are almost 100% covered by NCERT. For Organic Chemistry, mastering the reactions and mechanisms taught in the NCERT is critical before moving to advanced texts.

You can download the PDF containing the complete, topic-wise JEE Main syllabus to cross-reference with your NCERT chapters here: https://engineering.careers360.com/download/ebooks/jee-main-syllabus . This linkage is your best study guide!

start by finishing the scoring topics in physics, chemistry and maths.. and revise them deeply through examples and pyqs.. spend 60% of ur time on topics that frequently appear in exam and the remaining 40% on weak areas.. give one mock test every week, analyze mistakes and create a revision book as well as formula book to keep revising the formulae and the mistakes.. plan ur schedule one week ahead and plan the concepts u want to study.. keep small milestones and reward urself constantly to maintain ur motivation.

‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ In case you want to have access to the handwritten notes made by the JEE toppers, the most convenient manner is certainly by means of proper platforms which share the study material in a legal way. A good number of toppers have their notebooks uploaded on some educational apps or YouTube channels, and a few coaching institutes may offer compilation notes either for free or upon registration. Also, you can visit official JEE preparation forums where students share their handwritten notes for the convenience of others without any charges.

When you are downloading notes, it is always better to check if the source is trustworthy and the files are genuine because if you take the incomplete or incorrect notes, it will have an impact on your preparation. A more secure choice would be to look at the toppers' plans and brief notes that are written in the form of books or PDFs by the known coaching institutes. Never forget to combine such notes with the questions of previous years and mock tests so that your preparation will be complete. ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌