JEE Main 2027 Exam Pattern & Marking

Before you start solving problems, understand what you are solving for. Knowing the exact exam pattern — question types, marking scheme, time constraints — directly shapes your preparation strategy. NTA hasn't released the JEE Main 2027 information bulletin yet, so this page sets out the pattern NTA used in 2025 and 2026 — the one to prepare for unless NTA announces a change.

JEE Main 2027 Paper 1 Structure (B.E./B.Tech)

Detail	Specification
Mode	CBT (Computer Based Test)
Duration	3 hours (180 minutes)
Subjects	Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
Total Questions	75 (25 per subject)
Total Marks	300 (100 per subject)
Language Options	13 languages — English, Hindi and 11 regional languages
Calculator	Not allowed in any form, including on-screen
Sessions	Two — 2027 Session 1 tentatively 22–24 and 28–30 January 2027 (NTA calendar); Session 2 expected April 2027

Section-Wise Question Breakdown

Section	MCQs	Numerical Value	Total Questions	Max Marks
Physics	20	5 (all compulsory)	25	100
Chemistry	20	5 (all compulsory)	25	100
Mathematics	20	5 (all compulsory)	25	100
Total	60	15	75	300

Marking Scheme

Question Type	Correct	Incorrect	Unanswered
MCQ (Single Correct)	+4	-1	0
Numerical Value	+4	-1	0

Numerical questions carry the same −1 for a wrong answer as MCQs, and there are no options to eliminate, so a blind guess costs you marks. In 2026 you entered numerical answers with the mouse and an on-screen numeric keypad, rounded off to the nearest integer. For MCQs, skip questions where you cannot eliminate at least 2 options.

How JEE Main 2027 Pattern Compares to Previous Years

Feature	2022-2024	2025-2026	2027 (Expected)
Total Questions	90 (75 to attempt)	75	75
MCQs per section	20	20	20
Numerical per section	10 (attempt any 5)	5 (all compulsory)	5 (all compulsory)
Negative marking (MCQ)	-1	-1	-1
Negative marking (Numerical)	-1	-1	-1
Duration	3 hours	3 hours	3 hours

The pattern last changed for 2025, when NTA dropped the optional numerical questions, and 2026 used the same structure. No change has been announced for 2027. NTA announces pattern changes by public notice and in the information bulletin (the 2025 change was notified in October 2024), so check jeemain.nta.nic.in when the 2027 bulletin comes out — expected around late October–November 2026.

Practise the exact exam pattern

Super Tutor's JEE Main mock exams follow the current pattern — 20 MCQs + 5 numericals per subject, +4/−1 marking on both, and a single 3-hour timer. Know your exam before exam day.

Practise with Super Tutor — start free

Section-Wise Strategy

Chemistry (Attempt First — 45 Minutes)

Chemistry is the fastest section to solve because many questions are direct knowledge-based (especially Inorganic and some Organic). Start with Chemistry to build confidence and bank marks quickly. Target: 80+ marks in 45 minutes.

Solve Inorganic questions first — they are the quickest (NCERT recall).
Physical Chemistry numericals next — formula-based, solve in 2-3 minutes each.
Organic Chemistry last — some questions need mechanism thinking which takes time.

Physics (Second — 60 Minutes)

Physics questions range from direct formula application to multi-concept problems. You need clear concepts and fast calculation speed. Target: 70+ marks in 60 minutes.

Pick off the easy conceptual questions first.
Solve formula-based numericals next.
Leave multi-step derivation problems for last — if time is short, skip them.

Mathematics (Last — 70 Minutes)

Maths takes the most time because calculations are longer. Many students run out of time here. Target: 70+ marks in 70 minutes.

Start with Algebra and Coordinate Geometry — these have more direct formula questions.
Calculus questions can be time-consuming — solve the ones you are confident about first.
Save integration and differential equation problems for last if you are running low on time.

5 Tips for the Exam Day

Read all questions in a section before starting. Mark the easy ones, solve them first, then come back to the harder ones.
Do not spend more than 3 minutes on any MCQ. If you are stuck, mark it for review and move on. Come back with fresh eyes later.
Answer a numerical only when you have worked it out. A wrong numerical costs −1, just like a wrong MCQ, and there are no options to narrow down.
Use the rough sheet properly. Show clear working — it helps you catch calculation errors.
Save 5 minutes at the end for review. Check for any unanswered questions and verify your marked answers.

This exam pattern is based on NTA's JEE Main 2026 information bulletin; the same pattern has been used since 2025. NTA may announce changes for 2027 — check the official JEE Main website for updates. For preparation strategy, see our JEE 2027 preparation guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are there in JEE Main 2027?

JEE Main Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) has 75 questions in total — 25 per subject (Physics, Chemistry, Maths). Each subject has 20 MCQs (Section A) and 5 numerical value questions (Section B), and all 75 are compulsory — there is no choice among the numericals any more. Total marks: 300. This is the pattern NTA used in 2025 and 2026; the 2027 information bulletin is not out yet.

Is there negative marking in JEE Main 2027?

Yes, on every question. In 2026 each question, MCQ or numerical, carried +4 for a correct answer, −1 for a wrong answer and 0 if left blank. Numerical questions have carried negative marking since 2022, so don't type in a numerical answer you haven't worked out. No change has been announced for 2027; confirm in NTA's 2027 information bulletin.

What is the duration of JEE Main 2027?

JEE Main Paper 1 is 3 hours (180 minutes). PwD/PwBD candidates who are eligible for a scribe get 20 minutes of compensatory time per hour — 4 hours in total. The exam is a Computer Based Test (CBT) with one 3-hour timer and no section-wise time limit, so you can move between subjects freely.

Is JEE Main 2027 online or offline?

JEE Main Paper 1 is a Computer Based Test (CBT): you take it on a computer at an NTA test centre. You cannot bring your own device, and calculators in any form, including on-screen ones, are not allowed. Rough sheets are provided at the centre for your working and collected at the end.

Can I attempt JEE Main 2027 in both sessions?

Yes. NTA holds JEE Main in two sessions (January and April). You can appear in one or both; if you take both, your better score is used. NTA's tentative calendar puts 2027 Session 1 on 22–24 and 28–30 January 2027; Session 2 is expected in April 2027 (not yet announced). Many aspirants take both — Session 1 gives you a real-exam run and Session 2 is a second chance to improve.

Has JEE Main exam pattern changed recently?

Yes — for 2025, when NTA dropped the optional numerical questions (earlier you answered any 5 of 10 per subject). Since then each subject has 20 MCQs + 5 compulsory numerical questions — 75 questions, 300 marks, 3 hours, computer-based — and 2026 used the same pattern. NTA hasn't announced any change for 2027; confirm in the 2027 information bulletin.

How should I divide time in JEE Main?

A good time split: Chemistry 45 minutes, Physics 60 minutes, Maths 70 minutes, and 5 minutes for review. Chemistry is fastest because many questions are fact-based. Physics needs moderate time for calculations. Maths takes the longest due to complex calculations. Adjust based on your strengths.

What is the difference between JEE Main Paper 1 and Paper 2?

Paper 1 is for B.E./B.Tech admissions and covers Physics, Chemistry, Maths. Paper 2A is for B.Arch (Maths, Aptitude, Drawing) and Paper 2B is for B.Planning (Maths, Aptitude, Planning). Most students refer to Paper 1 when they say JEE Main. Paper 2 is only for architecture/planning aspirants.

JEE Main 2027 Exam Pattern — Marking, Duration & Question Types