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Should I drop 1 Year for JEE Main 2026? Check Study Plan for Repeaters

Should I drop 1 Year for JEE Main 2026? Check Study Plan for Repeaters

#JEE Main
K Guna SahitiUpdated on 26 Nov 2025, 11:49 AM IST

Should I drop 1 Year for JEE Main - Many engineering aspirants often wonder if they should drop one year to attempt JEE Main exam can refer to this article to gain an understanding. It is understood that JEE Main is one of the most sought-after entrance examinations in India. So, candidates often feel the need to take as much time as possible preparing for the JEE Main exam. However, aspirants are advised to weigh their options regarding the JEE Main before reaching any conclusion. NTA will conduct JEE Main 2026 in two sessions, one in January and the second in April 2026. The JEE Main 2026 exam dates are January 21 to 31, while the session 2 will be from April 2 to 9, 2026. With careful planning, candidates will have enough time to prepare for JEE Main as well as class 12th board exams. This page deals with the burning question, “Should I drop 1 year for JEE 2026?”. Students can find the answers to all their queries here.

Should I drop 1 Year for JEE Main 2026? Check Study Plan for Repeaters
Should I drop 1 Year for JEE Main

Is the drop year worthwhile for JEE Main 2026?

While taking a drop for JEE Main can provide an opportunity to improve your score and get admission to a better college, it also poses certain challenges, such as the pressure to perform better in the next attempt and the gap year, which may have an impact on the candidate's career path. Recruiters might find this gap year to be a disadvantage. In this article, we will take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of taking a drop for JEE Main to help you make a well-informed decision.

Also Check:

Appeared in JEE Main all sessions and haven't scored that well?

Most students choose to drop one year because they do not have a good rank to get into the top IITs, NITs or IITS. However, it may not be the ideal solution. Well, dropping one year is a waste of 12 months that could be used to pursue B.Tech in colleges other than NITs and IIITs or the IITs. There are plenty of good institutes and universities that take students through JEE Main and have a good ranking. It's better to apply for admission to these and complete your undergraduate as JEE Main marks or rank won't matter after admission.

There is also the option of applying for the JEE Main exam alongside the B.Tech first year and join a top college. Candidates should try for a good performance in their under graduation such that they stand a better chance of placements and higher education. Here are some colleges and universities that consider JEE Main scores.

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With so many options, it's best not to take a drop. Instead, it's wise to complete B.Tech and try for an M.Tech or an MBA seat in one of the IITs or NITs.

Know more about:

Should I drop 1 year for JEE Main as I have not appeared for JEE Main at all?

Candidates can opt for colleges that do not require a JEE Main score for admission. The admission can be conducted either using the candidate's 12th scores or the entrance exam of the university itself. Not all colleges and universities require JEE Main scores. Candidates can always opt for these institutes instead. Some examples of this would be

  • Sastra University also takes class 12 marks.

  • Tamilnadu offers a few seats to other state students on the basis of class 12 marks

  • Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Punjab state take through class 12 marks and 15% of the seats are for outside-state students.

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.
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Statistics from previous years have shown that taking a drop is not an advisable idea as the number of students who have successfully cracked JEE Main after taking a drop of 1 year is less than 5%. The reason is fatigue on account of studying the same thing all over again and carrying the additional stress of having to do or die. So it's advisable to look for good options and build a good career rather than wasting one year.

In spite of all this, if candidates still wish to take a drop of one year for JEE Main, then the decision should be taken after careful consideration and consultation with parents and teachers.

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Should I drop 1 year for JEE Main after 12th because of Board Exams?

Actually, studying for both class 12 boards and JEE Main is possible, leading to good results. Most students who write JEE Main are in this category and therefore, candidates can easily crack the exam if the planning is preparation is perfect. Many students do prepare for class 12 and JEE Main together as the topics and syllabus are pretty much the same.

Preparation Related:

Tips to crack JEE Main

Here are a few tips to crack the JEE Main in the first attempt while preparing for the board exam.

  • Segregate the JEE Main syllabus into common for class 12 and JEE Main.

  • Study for both, practice the exercises after the chapter is done.

  • Solve previous years question papers and use NCERT books to cement your concepts and fundamentals.

  • Revision is crucial. While practising with the JEE Main mock tests, study and brush up the subjects simultaneously.

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Have a question related to JEE Main ?
Jee mains 2nd session registration date

Hello aspirant,

It is anticipated that registration for the second JEE Main 2026 session would begin during the final week of January and conclude during the final week of February. The second session exam dates are tentatively slated between April 1 and 10, 2026.

For more information, you can visit our site through following link:

https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-mains-session-2-exam-date

Thank you

Read Complete Answer
S
Sajal Trivedi
4 Dec'25
I have downloaded 10 years of jee mains question paper with detailed solution but it is not opening

Hello,
If the ten years question paper file is not opening, it may be due to file corruption, unsupported format or incomplete download. Try downloading the file again and make sure the download completes fully. Check if your device has an updated PDF reader or file viewer. If the file still does not open, try using another device to check whether the file is working. If none of these methods help, you should request a fresh copy of the question paper file.
Hope this helps you.

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A
AKKSHEETHA M
5 Dec'25
Jee main 2026 most repeated questions and 50 marks chapter

Hi, to prepare for JEE MAin you can refer to - JEE Main- Top 30 Most Repeated Questions & Topics
https://engineering.careers360.com/download/ebooks/jee-main-top-30-most-repeated-questions-topics

Thankyou

Read Complete Answer
S
Shaily Mishra
4 Dec'25
I filled stats number instead of enrollment number in jee mains application. Now the correction window is closed. How can i chsnge it? Please let me know the procedure

If you have entered the wrong details in the JEE Main application and the correction window has already closed, you cannot make changes from your portal now. The only option is to contact NTA as early as possible through their official helpline or email and explain the mistake with proof of the correct enrollment number. If the authorities approve, they will update it manually. Otherwise, the details submitted will remain unchanged. All the best.


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A
Ayshwarya Mahadevan
4 Dec'25
IIT JEE CHAPTER WISE PYQ 2025 TO 2019 PLEASE FORWARD

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!

Read Complete Answer
P
Palisetti Rakshita
4 Dec'25
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