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 Sep 2025, 11:43 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.

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. 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)

Negative Marking

Yes – but not all sections have negative marking. Details released with the question papers on exam day

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 in order 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

Previous Year Qualifying Marks of JEE Advanced

Here we have given the qualifying marks of JEE Advanced 2025. Give it a look:

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. Build Strong Conceptual Clarity

Focus on truly understanding the concepts in Physics, Chemistry, and 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

Solve at least the last 10 years of JEE Advanced papers and take regular full-length mock tests. This improves speed, accuracy, and your ability to handle exam pressure. Always analyze your mistakes to avoid repeating them.

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.

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: 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.

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.
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Questions related to JEE Advanced

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to JEE Advanced ?

You can attempt the JEE Advanced exam  maximum of two times in two consecutive years. This rule also applies if you did not take the exam in the year you completed your 12th grade. If you skip the first attempt in your 12th grade year, you can only appear for the exam once, in the following year (your drop year).

Yes, JEE Advanced paper is also available in Hindi medium. When you fill the form, you will get the option to choose your language preference like English, Hindi or other regional languages allowed by NTA. If you choose Hindi, then in the exam hall you will get the paper in Hindi medium.

Website: https://jeeadv.ac.in

You can easily download IIT JEE 2025 papers in Hindi. For JEE Main, websites like Careers360 give shift-wise question papers with answers in Hindi. For JEE Advanced, you can get both Paper 1 and 2 in Hindi from the official site jeeadv.ac.in (https://jeeadv.ac.in/)

Hello Alka

For JEE Advance, the best 5 subjects through which you need to calculate your percentage is:

1. Physics
2. Chemistry
3. Mathematics
4. One language (which is English)
5. One other subject of your choice

So you will need to choose PCM + English + a 5th subject to calculate your percentage.

Hope this answer helps! Thank You!!!

Hello!

In JEE Advanced eligibility, the top 5 subjects from your board exam are considered. Usually, they are Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and any two other subjects from the main curriculum. If CMS is your optional subject and IT is an additional subject, the board will still calculate based on the 5 highest marks from your eligible subjects. Additional subjects are considered only if they replace a lower score from another subject. For example, if IT has a higher score than English or CMS, then IT can be counted. However, some boards follow strict rules where only main subjects are counted, so you must verify with your board’s official notification. The 75% criteria means your average percentage in those best 5 subjects must meet the requirement. My advice—list all your subjects, arrange them from highest to lowest marks, and take the top five as per rules.

Hope this clears your doubt!