JEE Main vs JEE Advanced: what's the difference?
The short answer
JEE Main is the first exam. It's taken by over 15 lakh students and is used for admission to NITs, IIITs and many other engineering colleges. JEE Advanced is the second exam, open only to the top 2.5 lakh JEE Main candidates, and it's the exam for admission to the IITs. To get into an IIT, a student has to do well in both.
The two exams side by side
| JEE Main | JEE Advanced | |
|---|---|---|
| Conducted by | National Testing Agency (NTA) | One of the IITs, in rotation (IIT Roorkee in 2026) |
| When | Two sessions, in January and April of Class 12 | Once a year, usually in May |
| Who can take it | Students who have passed or are appearing for Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Maths | Only the top 2.5 lakh JEE Main candidates (across all categories) |
| Attempts | Up to 3 consecutive years | Maximum 2, in consecutive years |
| Leads to | NITs, IIITs, other centrally funded institutes, and many state and private colleges | IITs |
| Counselling | Both use JoSAA joint counselling for IITs, NITs, IIITs and other central institutes | |
How many students make it?
In 2026, about 15.38 lakh unique candidates took JEE Main across both sessions. Only the top 2.5 lakh became eligible for JEE Advanced. For General category students, that meant scoring at least about the 93rd percentile in JEE Main. The IITs then admit a small fraction of JEE Advanced candidates, which is why JEE Advanced is considered one of the toughest exams in the country.
How the exams differ in difficulty
JEE Main tests speed and accuracy
Questions are mostly direct applications of concepts, close to NCERT level and slightly beyond. Students who know their concepts well and practise enough to solve quickly and carefully do well. Negative marking means accuracy matters as much as speed.
JEE Advanced tests depth
Questions often combine several concepts and require careful reasoning. The format also changes from year to year, with different question types and marking schemes. Memorised methods don't work well here. Students need genuine understanding and the ability to think through unfamiliar problems.
What this means for preparation
- Prepare for Advanced, and Main follows. Students who build concepts to JEE Advanced depth usually find JEE Main manageable. The reverse isn't true.
- Use both JEE Main sessions. January is valuable practice under real exam conditions, and your better score counts, so April is a second chance.
- Don't neglect board exams. IITs, NITs and IIITs have Class 12 marks requirements for admission (traditionally 75%, or 65% for SC/ST, or the top 20 percentile of your board). Check the current year's JoSAA rules.
- Remember JEE Main alone opens many doors. NITs, including NIT Trichy in Tamil Nadu, IIITs and many good colleges admit students through JEE Main. Not reaching an IIT is not the end of the road.
Frequently asked questions
Can a student take JEE Advanced without JEE Main?
No. JEE Main is the qualifying exam. Only the top 2.5 lakh JEE Main candidates can register for JEE Advanced.
Is JEE Main enough to get into an NIT?
Yes. NITs, IIITs and other centrally funded institutes admit students based on JEE Main ranks through JoSAA counselling. JEE Advanced is needed only for IITs.
How many times can I take JEE Advanced?
A maximum of two times, and the attempts must be in consecutive years, so typically in Class 12 and the year after.
When should preparation start?
Ideally at the start of Class 11. Read our guide on when to start JEE and NEET preparation for a full timeline.
IIT-JEE coaching in Hosur
Magnus Academy prepares students for both JEE Main and JEE Advanced, with concept-first teaching, weekly mocks in the real exam pattern, and personal score tracking. Our students have gone on to IIIT Kottayam, PES Bangalore, PSG Coimbatore and more.
Sources: NTA JEE Main 2026 results and JEE Advanced 2026 eligibility criteria. Rules can change each year, so always check jeemain.nta.nic.in, jeeadv.ac.in and josaa.nic.in.