All About Negative Marking in JEE Main 2025: Exam Format and Question Breakdown
The Joint Entrance Exam (JEE), Main comprises two papers. Paper 1 is conducted for admission to the undergraduate program B.E./B.Tech. At IITs, NITs, and CFTIs. The exam is also an eligibility test for the JEE Advanced exam which is a challenging exam for aspirants seeking admission in IITs. Paper 2 is conducted for admission to B.Arch and B.Planning courses nationwide.
The JEE exam paper comprises Multiple choice questions (MCQs) and Numerical Value-Based (NVB) in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The paper is divided into two sections. Section A has 20 questions and section b has 5 questions. All questions are compulsory. Each correct answer carries 4 marks and for each incorrect answer, one mark is deducted from the total score.
Continue reading and learn about JEE Main Negative marking, exam pattern and question breakdown to improve your performance in the JEE Exam.
JEE Main 2025: Highlights
The overview of JEE Main 2025 exam is as follows:
| Exam Name | JEE Main 2025 |
| Conducting Body | NTA (National Test Agency) |
| Frequency | Twice a yearSession 1: 22 to 31 JanuarySession 2: 1 to 8 April (Tentatively) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-based Test |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)Numerical Value-Based (NVB) |
| Number of Questions | Section A: 20Section B: 5 |
| Marking Scheme | Four Marks (+4) for correct answerMinus One Mark (-1) for an incorrect answer |
| Medium of Paper | English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada Malayalam, Marathi,Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu |
| Official Website | https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/ |
Negative Marking in JEE Main 2025
NTA has revised the JEE Main 2025 marking scheme. Previously negative marking was applicable only for section A (Multiple Choice Questions). Now the negative marking is applicable for both sections. Students should answer the questions very carefully while attempting questions. The details of the negative marking in JEE Main 2025 are given below:
| JEE Main 2025 Marking Scheme | ||
| Section | Marking Scheme | |
| Section A (Multiple Choice Questions) | Correct Answer | (+4) Four Marks |
| Incorrect Answer | (-1) Minus One Mark | |
| Unanswered or questions marked for Review | (0) No Marks | |
| Section B (Numerical Value-Based) | Correct Answer | (+4) Four Marks |
| Incorrect Answer | (-1) Minus One Mark | |
| Unanswered or questions marked for Review | (0) No Marks | |
JEE Main 2025: Exam Format
The detailed JEE Main exam format for Paper 1, Paper 2A & Paper 2B is given in the table below:
JEE Main 2025 Paper 1 Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subjects | Type of Questions | Number of Questions | Mode of Examination |
Paper 1: for admission to B.E. / B. Tech. | Mathematics,Physics andChemistry | Objective Type – MultipleChoice Questions (MCQs)and Questions for whichthe answer is a numericalvalue, with equalweightage to Mathematics,Physics and Chemistry | Section A: 20Section B: 5 | “Computer Based Test (CBT)” modeonly |
Paper 2A:B. Arch | Part I: Mathematics | Objective Type – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Questions for which the answer is a numerical value | Section A: 20Section B: 5 | “Computer Based Test (CBT)” mode only |
| Part II: Aptitude Test | Objective Type – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 50 | “Computer Based Test (CBT)” mode only | |
| Part III: Drawing Test | Questions to test drawing aptitude | 2 | “Pen and Paper Based” (offline) mode to be attempted on a Drawing sheet of A4 size. | |
Paper 2B:B. Planning | Part-I: Mathematics) | Objective Type – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Questions for which the answer is a numerical value | Section A: 20Section B: 5 | “Computer Based Test (CBT)” mode |
| Part II: only Aptitude Test | Objective Type – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs | 50 | ||
| Part III: Planning-Based Questions | Objective Type – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 25 |
JEE Main 2025: Exam Duration
NTA has also made some important exam duration for PwD candidates. The details of the exam duration of paper 1, paper 2A and paper 2B are given below:
Paper | Subjects | Total Time Duration | |
| For All Candidates | For PwD Candidates who need a Scribe | ||
| Paper 1 (B.E. / B.Tech.) | PhysicsChemistryMathematics | 03 hours | 04 hours |
| Paper 2A (B.Arch.) | MathematicsAptitude TestDrawing Test | 03 hours | 04 hours |
| Paper 2B (B. Planning) | MathematicsAptitude TestPlanning | 03 hours | 04 hours |
| Paper 2A & 2B (B.Arch. & B.Planning) | MathematicsAptitude TestDrawing TestPlanning | 03 hours 30 minutes | 04 hours 10 minutes |
Tips to Reduce Negative Marking in JEE Main 2025
Some effective tips to reduce negative marking in JEE Main 2025 are as follows:
- Through Preparation
One of the most significant methods to prevent negative marking is adequate preparation. The better you know and comprehend the subject, the less likely you are to make mistakes. Make a study plan, go over all of the topics, and solve a variety of questions to lay a solid foundation in the subjects.
- Practice
As the saying goes “practice makes a man perfect.” The more you practice the less you will make mistakes. Use mock tests, test series and previous year’s exam papers to practise different types of questions in the JEE Main 2025 exam.
- Understand the Questions
Before marking your answer in the OMR sheet it is important to analyse the questions and select the most appropriate answer. Read the question carefully, understand the keywords, and analyse what they are asking in the question.
- Think Strategically for Guessing
If you are running out of time, think before you make any guesses. Eliminate the most inappropriate choices and mark the ones which you think are the most suitable answers for that question.
- Effective Time Management
Time is limited for the JEE Main Exam paper. Therefore while solving the exam paper you must not waste time on one question. If you are not able to understand the question just leave it at that time and come back once you finish the paper.
Conclusion
Understanding the JEE exam patterns, syllabus, marking scheme, etc. can help you devise a perfect strategy for your exam preparation. JEE Main 2025 is the one path to enter the IIT. Therefore preparing well for the exam is paramount. A coaching class such as Chaitanya Academy offers comprehensive JEE classes for students of classes 11th, and 12th and repeaters that can take them on the road to success in the highly competitive examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new exam pattern for JEE Main 2025?
Answer:As per the new exam pattern for JEE Main 2025, all questions are compulsory for the candidates. There are no optional choices in section B. Additionally, the negative marking is applicable for both sections.
What is the marking scheme of JEE Mains 2025?
Answer:4 marks are allotted for each correct answer whereas one mark is deducted from the total score for each incorrect answer.
What is the distribution of sections and questions in JEE Main Paper 2 for B.Arch?
Answer:There are three parts in JEE Main Paper 2A for B.Arch. Part 1 comprises questions from Mathematics (Section A & Section B), Part 2 comprises only MCQs to check aptitude, and Part 3 comprises drawing test questions to be attempted offline.
What are numerical Value-based questions in JEE Main 2025?
Answer:The numerical value-based questions in JEE Main 2025 are the questions for which candidates are required to answer to the nearest integer.
What will be the number of sections in the JEE Main 2025 exam for Paper 1 (B.E/B.Tech)?
Answer:There will be three sections Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Each section is subdivided into two sub-sections Section A (MCQs) & Section B (NVB).
How many questions will be there in JEE Main 2025?
Answer:There are 75 questions in Paper 1 for admission to B.E./B.Tech., 77 in paper 2 A (B.Arch.) and 100 questions in paper 2B for B.Planning.
Are optional questions removed from JEE Main 2025?
Answer:Yes, Optional questions are removed from JEE Main Paper 1, Paper 2A, and Paper 2B in section B (Numerical Value-Based) questions. Previously, students were required to attempt 5 out of 10 questions but not only 5 questions will be there and all are compulsory.