JEE Main Exam Day Tips 2026 for First-Time Candidates - Items to Carry

JEE Main Exam Day Tips for First-Time Candidates

NTA will provide all the rules and regulations that have to be maintained during the exam day. Candidates will go through the rules once they have the JEE Main admit card 2026. However, to avoid any errors, they can begin their preparation a day before the exam. Here are a few tips that they can follow.

JEE Main Exam Day Tips 1 - Night Before the Exam

The night before the exam is likely to be very stressful for all the aspirants, especially for first-time candidates. They are advised to focus on mental composure and physical readiness rather than intense study. Candidates mustn’t overstudy to avoid overload.

JEE Main Exam Day Tips 2 - Exam Day Morning Routine

On the morning of the JEE Main exam, wake up early, 3 to 4 hours before the exam starts. Have a light, healthy breakfast to avoid sluginess. Make sure that all the required documents, admit card, photo ID, and Photograph are packed for the exam. If possible, quickly look over high-priority formulas or short notes. Leave early to atleast reach 2 hours before the exam starts

JEE Main Exam Day Tips 3 - Exam Centre Timings

Candidates must reach the exam centre 2 hours before, basically by 7:30 AM for morning shifts (9 AM to 12 PM). Before entering the exam hall, make sure to check for any prohibited items. If the exam authority finds candidates with any prohibited items inside the exam hall, they will be debarred from the exam. Therefore, make sure to recheck all the prohibited items lists mentioned below.

List of Items Prohibited in JEE Main Exam Hall

Before packing on the day of the exam, make sure that you don't carry the prohibited items as mentioned in the JEE Main 2026 brochure. If candidates are found with any of the mentioned items, strict action will be taken against them.

• Geometry or Pencil box

• Handbag/Purse

• Any kind of Paper/ Stationery/ Textual material (printed or written material)

• Eatables and Water (loose or packed)

• Mobile Phone/ Earphone/ Microphone/ Pager

• Calculator

• DocuPen

• Slide Rules

• Log Tables

• Camera

• Tape Recorder

• Electronic Watches with calculator facilities

• Any metallic item or electronic gadgets/ devices

JEE Main Exam Day Guidelines 2026: Dress Code

Candidates must make sure to wear a decent dress to the exam centre. Avoid wearing jewellery, accessories, and bulky clothes or those with multiple pockets. The exam authority conducts a systematic security process as part of the security check. Further, wear simple footwear like sandals and chappals. Though there is no official dress code issued as such by NTA. However, make sure to follow the JEE Main exam day dress code.

JEE Main 2026 Exam Day Guidelines By NTA

NTA releases exam day guidelines on the JEE Main admit card 2026. Since the 2026 admit card is yet to be issued, candidates can check the JEE Main exam day guidelines based on the previous year's admit card.

• Reach the JEE Main examination centre two hours before the JEE Main exam starts.

• Once the exam gate closing time is over, candidates are not allowed entry.

• The test Centre Staff will check candidates' JEE Main admit cards for verification.

• Once candidates find their allotted seats, they must be seated there immediately and avoid roaming around the exam hall.

• If the Question Paper available on the computer is not the same as the subject opted by the candidates, inform the Invigilator.

• A pen/pencil and blank paper for rough work in the exam hall.

• Enter the required details in the attendance sheet, signatures, and paste photographs at the designated place.

• Make sure that the left thumb impression is clear and doesn’t have any smudges on the attendance sheet.

• PwD candidates must carry a PwD certificate and ID proof for the JEE Main exam issued by the competent authority to the exam centre.

JEE Main 2026 Exam Timings for Sessions 1 and 2

Here are the official exam timings for the JEE Main exam 2026.