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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.
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.
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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.
SRM University - it considers JEE main scores apart from its entrance exam
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham - The university also considers JEE main scores apart from AEEE scores
Other universities that take JEE Main scores are IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Delhi, IIIT Bangalore, JMI, Sastra University, Amity University, DTU, NSIT, and more.
States like Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Nagaland, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan etc. also take through JEE Main.
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.
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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.
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.
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:
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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On Question asked by student community
Hello
If you want to get admission in IIT Delhi, then you will score well in JEE Advanced. Only the JEE Mains score is not sufficient to get admission in the IIT Delhi. You need to score 250+ marks for the general category in CSE. For the reservation category, you also need to score much higher marks and give your best performance. If you score quite well in JEE Advanced, then you will have a chance to get admission through JOSAA counselling.
Thank you
To score good marks in JEE Mains, you need a strong plan, consistent study habits and smart practice. First, finish the entire JEE syllabus from NCERT Class 11 and 12 textbooks, because these are the foundation for questions asked in the exam. After completing the basics, choose good quality reference books for Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics to build problem-solving skills and deepen your understanding. Make a weekly study plan where each day is divided into theory study, problem practice and revision of earlier topics.
Regularly solve previous years’ JEE Main papers and take timed mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy. Analyse every test you take, understand your mistakes and work on weak areas instead of only doing new questions. In subjects like Physics and Mathematics, practising a variety of numerical problems is important, while in Chemistry focus on concepts and reactions that are frequently asked. Revision is crucial, so dedicate time every week to revisit older topics and short notes that you make while preparing.
Stay consistent, avoid last-minute cramming, and maintain good health with adequate sleep and breaks during study. With disciplined planning, regular practice and careful revision, you can significantly improve your JEE Main score. All the best.
Achieving a JEE Rank of below 100 in JEE Main and Advanced 2027 requires a disciplined, two-year preparation strategy starting from Class 11. Your study plan must integrate competitive exam preparation with your school academics:
Syllabus Completion: Dedicate this year to rigorously completing the entire Class 11 NCERT syllabus for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM). Focus heavily on fundamental topics like Mechanics (Physics), General Organic Chemistry (GOC) and Chemical Bonding (Chemistry), and Calculus basics (Maths).
Concept Mastery: Do not rush. Master concepts thoroughly before moving to problems. Use standard JEE reference books and ensure you solve all NCERT examples and exercises first.
Practice: Allocate 60% of your study time to concept building and 40% to problem-solving. Practice JEE Main Previous Year Questions (PYQs) immediately after completing a chapter to gauge the exam pattern.
Advanced Topics: Complete the Class 12 syllabus by November 2026, focusing on high-weightage topics like Electrostatics, Modern Physics, and Electrochemistry.
Revision & Mocks: Reserve the period from December 2026 to January 2027 solely for mock tests and revision. Start taking full-length JEE Main mock tests (3 per week) under strict timed conditions. Analyze each mock test thoroughly to eliminate repeated errors.
Target JEE Advanced: After the JEE Main attempts in early 2027, shift focus entirely to JEE Advanced PYQs and challenging, multi-concept problems, taking at least 2 JEE Advanced mock tests per week.
A detailed subject-wise study plan and additional tips on effective JEE preparation starting from Class 11 can be found here: https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-preparation-from-class-11
The last 30 days before the JEE Main exam should be dedicated entirely to revision, practice, and error analysis, shifting focus away from learning new concepts.
Here is a concise, 30-day study plan to maximize your score:
Prioritize High-Weightage Topics: Spend 70% of your revision time reviewing the most scoring and frequently tested chapters (e.g., Modern Physics, Chemical Kinetics, p-Block elements, Vectors & 3D Geometry). Use your short notes and flashcards for quick review, focusing on formulas, key mechanisms, and definitions.
Physics & Maths: Master all formulas and derivations. Practice at least 20 numerical problems daily, emphasizing speed and calculation accuracy.
Chemistry: Dedicate 50% of your Chemistry time to Inorganic (NCERT-based) and Organic (name reactions, reagents, mechanisms) concepts.
Daily Mock Test: Solve one full-length JEE Main Mock Test every day (3 hours) under strict exam conditions (9 AM–12 PM or 3 PM–6 PM).
Error Analysis (Crucial): Immediately after the test, spend 2-3 hours analyzing your performance:
Identify every incorrect or unattempted question.
Determine the reason for the error (Conceptual mistake, calculation error, or time pressure).
Revisit the concept from your notes/NCERT text to correct the mistake permanently.
Stop Learning New Topics: Absolutely avoid picking up new, complex chapters.
PYQ Sprint: Revisit only the last 3 years' JEE Main Previous Year Questions (PYQs). Mark any previously incorrect questions and solve them again.
Mindset: Focus on maintaining confidence, getting proper sleep, and using the revision breaks for physical activity to keep your mind fresh.
You can find more detailed subject-wise tips and psychological strategies here: https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-main-preparation-tips
The most effective way to prepare for JEE Main 2026 is by focusing on the most important Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs), which highlight high-weightage and frequently repeated questions across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Since the exam strongly tests NCERT concepts, mastering these PYQs is essential for predicting the question pattern and improving your time management. https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-mains-chapterwise-pyq-previous-year-questions-solutions-pdf
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