How to score qualifying marks for JEE Advanced 2026? - Smart Preparation Guide

How to score qualifying marks for JEE Advanced 2026? - Smart Preparation Guide

Shivani PooniaUpdated on 03 Nov 2025, 03:49 AM IST

How to score qualifying marks for JEE Advanced 2026? - One of the biggest concerns for engineering aspirants is, “How can I secure the qualifying marks for JEE Advanced 2026?” With only the top 2,50,000 candidates from JEE Main eligible to appear for JEE Advanced, the competition is undeniably intense. Despite the challenges, the dream of getting into an IIT continues to inspire lakhs of students every year. Unfortunately, many candidates give up early due to a lack of clarity, low confidence, or poor preparation strategies. However, with the right mindset, a focused approach, and consistent effort, qualifying for JEE Advanced 2026 is absolutely achievable.

This Story also Contains

  1. JEE Advanced 2026 Exam Pattern
  2. Previous Year Qualifying Marks of JEE Mains
  3. Know the Minimum Qualifying Marks for JEE Advanced
  4. Tips to Score Well in JEE Advanced 2026
How to score qualifying marks for JEE Advanced 2026? - Smart Preparation Guide
How to score qualifying marks for JEE Advanced 2026?

IIT Roorkee is expected to conduct the JEE Advanced 2026 exam in May 2026. As you prepare for JEE Main, it’s essential to understand how much you need to score to be eligible for the next stage. Knowing the qualifying cutoff in advance can help you plan your preparation smartly, setting a clear target and optimizing your study plan accordingly. Once you reach the required score range in JEE Main, you increase your chances of moving forward in the IIT admission process. The JEE Advanced 2026 admit card will be released in early May, and the exam is likely to be held around mid-May. While the registrations for JEE Advanced 2026 is not started, registration for JEE Main session 1 is already started. Stay updated through the official website and ensure you’re well-prepared to take this crucial step toward your IIT dream.

JEE Advanced 2026 Exam Pattern

Here you can check the JEE Advanced exam paper pattern of 2026. Check it carefully to understand:

Parameter

Details

Mode of Exam

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Medium of Paper

English & Hindi

Number of Papers

Two (Paper 1 and Paper 2) – Both are mandatory

Duration

3 hours per paper (Total: 6 hours)

Subjects

Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics

Type of Questions

MCQs (Single/Multiple correct), Numerical Answer Type (NAT), and Match the Following / Integer-based or Paragraph-based questions

Marking Scheme

Varies every year. Includes full, partial, zero, and negative marks depending on question type

Total Marks

Varies each year (typically around 300 marks in total)

Attempts Allowed

Maximum 2 attempts in 2 consecutive years

Eligibility

Top 2,50,000 JEE Main qualified candidates (across all categories)

Previous Year Qualifying Marks of JEE Mains

It is important to know that you need to qualify for JEE Mains to be eligible for JEE Advanced. Here you can check JEE Mains 2025 qualifying marks:

Category

JEE Main 2025 Qualifying Percentile

General (UR‑ALL)

93.1023

General‑PwBD

0.0079349 (also aligning with the lowest percentile)

EWS (GEN‑EWS‑ALL)

80.3830

OBC‑NCL (ALL)

79.4314

SC (ALL)

61.1527

ST (ALL)

47.9026

Know the Minimum Qualifying Marks for JEE Advanced

Every year, the JEE Advanced qualifying marks (cutoff) vary depending on the paper’s difficulty and the number of candidates. Here we have given the qualifying marks of JEE Advanced 2025. Please give it a look. IIT will release the official cutoff after the exam.

Category

Minimum Marks per Subject

Minimum Aggregate (out of 360)

Common Rank List (CRL)

7

74

GEN‑EWS

6

66

OBC‑NCL

6

66

SC

3

37

ST

3

37

Common‑PwD (CRL‑PwD)

3

37

GEN‑EWS‑PwD

3

37

OBC‑NCL‑PwD

3

37

SC‑PwD

3

37

ST‑PwD

3

37

Preparatory Course (PC) Rank List

1

18

Tips to Score Well in JEE Advanced 2026

Here are some tips you can utilize to achieve good marks in JEE Advanced 2026:

1. Focus on Conceptual Clarity

Learn concepts from NCERT and standard books like H.C. Verma (Physics), O.P. Tandon (Chemistry), and R.D. Sharma / Cengage (Mathematics) instead of just memorizing formulas. JEE Advanced tests your ability to apply logic in unfamiliar situations, so clarity matters more than cramming.

2. Practice Previous Year Papers and Mock Tests

Practice atleast the last 10 years of JEE Advanced previous year question papers and take regular full-length mock tests. Attempt 10–15 past papers to understand the exam trend. Simulate real exam conditions while taking mock tests. Analyze your mistakes after every test and work on improvement.

Also Read: JEE Advanced 2026 Sample Paper

3. Prioritize Important Topics

Identify high-weightage and commonly tested chapters. For example, focus on Mechanics and Modern Physics in Physics, Organic Chemistry, and Calculus in Maths. Be strategic with your preparation while covering the full syllabus.

Some of the high weightage topics of physics, chemistry, maths are given below in the table:

Physics High-weightage Chapters

Chapter Weightage
Modern Physics12%
Thermodynamics10%
Rotational Motion10%
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High-weightage Chapters of Chemistry

Chapter Weightage
Chemical Bonding10%
Coordination Compounds8%
Aldheyde and Ketone8%
JEE Advanced Chapter-Wise Weightage
Explore JEE Advanced chapter-wise weightage to identify high-scoring topics in Physics, Chemistry & Maths. Plan smarter and boost your exam preparation.
Download EBook

High-weightage Chapters of Maths

Chapter Weightage
Calculas20%
Probablity14%
Vectors and 3D Geometry12%
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4. Follow a Consistent and Balanced Routine

Maintain a regular study schedule with time for revision, problem-solving, and breaks. Avoid overstudying or last-minute cramming. Consistent effort over time is more effective than irregular, intense sessions.

5. Stay Mentally and Physically Fit

Manage stress with proper sleep, healthy food, and short breaks. Stay positive and avoid burnout. A calm and focused mind will help you perform better in a high-pressure exam like JEE Advanced.

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the JEE Main minimum marks for qualifying for JEE Advanced by category?
A:
The Minimum Marks in JEE Mains to Qualify for JEE Advanced for the General category is 93.23, EWS is 81.32, OBC is 79.67, for SC it is 60.09, and for PwD it is 0.0018. To get eligible for JEE Advanced, candidates must aim for above 90 percentile and 250+ score in JEE Main.
Q: How many times can I attempt the JEE Advanced exam?
A:

From 2025, candidates will be allowed to attempt the JEE Advanced exam three times in three consecutive years. Hence, candidates have a better chance to qualify in the JEE Advanced exam.

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Questions related to JEE Advanced

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to JEE Advanced ?

Hello,

You can download the IIT JEE Last 5 Years Chapterwise PYQ's from the Careers360 website. Practising these papers will helps you to understand the exam pattern, to identify the important topics, to improve time management, and overall it enhances your exam preparation.

LINK: https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-main-question-papers

Hope it helps!

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,

In 2025, IIT Madras JEE Advanced, closing ranks are around 171 for CSE, 306 for AI & Data Analytics, 849 for Electrical, about 1300 for Computational Engineering, around 1440 for Engineering Physics, 2468 for Mechanical, and about 6112 for Civil.

To know more access below mentioned link:

https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-advanced-cutoff-for-iit-madras

Hope it helps.

Hello,

JEE Advanced College Predictor 2026 is an AI driven tool created by Careers360.

This JEE Adv college predictor tool uses the latest rank vs college details to give the most accurate information on best available colleges based on JEE Advanced ranks.

Here is the link where you can access the tool : JEE Advanced College Predictor 2026

Hope it helps !

Hello,

If you appeared for the NIOS October 2024 exam, your passing year will be 2024 (because NIOS counts the year in which the exam is held).

For JEE Advanced eligibility :
You can appear in JEE Advanced only in the year you pass Class 12 and the following year .

So, since your passing year is 2024 , you are eligible for:

  • JEE Advanced 2024

  • JEE Advanced 2025

You will not be eligible for JEE Advanced 2026 , as it will be your third attempt after passing Class 12.

Hope it helps !