JEE Mains: Everything aspiring engineers need to know

The results of JEE Mains were declared last Tuesday. In 2021, this entrance engineering test has been conducted in four sessions in February, March, April and May. About 44 candidates have scored 100 percent marks in this year’s exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA), the authority that holds this exam has revealed that 18 examinees have stood first from the last edition itself.   

JEE Mains or Joint Entrance Examination, formerly known as the All-India Engineering Entrance Exam is a national level entrance exam for students who want to pursue engineering in their graduation. Here’s everything students need to know about this crucial exam. 

Eligibility Criteria
NTA, in collaboration with the JEE board decides on the eligibility criteria for this exam. The eligibility criteria include: 

• Successful completion of class XII board exams or any other equivalent exams  
• The age limit set by the colleges they take admission in. 
• Three attempts in a row  

Other qualifying exams include: 

• Two-year pre-university or other intermediate exams 
• Two-year course from Joint Services Department of the National Defense Academy 
• Any qualifying10+2 exams acknowledged by the Association of Indian Universities 
• 3-year-diploma from a reputed university that is recognised by AICTE or State Board of technical education. 
• The advanced (A) level exam from GCE (General Certificate Exam). 
• Cambridge University’s High School Certificate Exam 
• Diploma from International Baccalaureate Office in Geneva. 

Exam pattern 
The revised exam pattern of JEE Mains includes three main papers. Paper 1 focusses on the field of technology (B.E. or B. Tech), paper 2A focuses on architecture (B.Arch.) and paper 2B focuses on planning (B. Planning). Students may choose to apply for any or all of them. While the first and the third exams are scheduled for 3 hours, the architecture exam is given extra half an hour to finish the drawings. Paper 1 covers Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. The total number of questions are 90, out of which examinees need to answer only 75. Paper 2A covers Mathematics, Aptitude and drawing. Out of the 82 questions that this paper has, 77 need to be attempted. Paper 2B focusses on Mathematics, Aptitude and Planning. It has 105 questions, 100 of which need to be answered. Exams will consist of both MCQs and non-MCQs.  

Marking scheme 
Paper 1 has a total of 300 marks, 100 from each section. Paper 2A is of 400 marks, 100 each for Maths and Drawing and 200 for Aptitude. Paper 2B consists of 200 marks of Aptitude and 100 marks each of Maths and Planning, making it a total of 400.  

Mode of exam 
Papers 1 and 2B will be totally computer-based, while paper 2A will be both computerized and pen and paper mode (for drawing). Examinees may choose to answer their papers in English or Hindi or in few other vernacular languages like Gujarati, Marathi, Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telegu, Oriya, Punjabi or Urdu.