JEE Main Preparation Strategy 2026 | Study Plan, Tips, Expert Guidance

Scoring 99 percentile in JEE Main 2026 directly depends on the right preparation strategy. Studying blindly for long hours is not fruitful, and strategising the study hours is crucial to get the desired outcome. The key elements of a well-defined JEE Main preparation strategy include mastering the high-weightage chapters, smart revision, solving PYQs, doing mock test analysis and daily practice questions.

In this blog, students will find a complete roadmap for JEE Main 2026 preparation. You will also find a reliable study plan (month-wise) for both JEE Main Session 1 and 2, smart revision tips, high-priority chapters to study, mock tests scehdule and tips from JEE experts. The JEE Main preparation strategies shared will help aspirants ace the JEE Main 2026 exams and boost the possibility of scoring 99+ percentile.

Strategy to Score 99 Percentile in JEE Main

To score 99 percentile, students should focus on clarity and a structured study approach rather than plain hard work. Matrix JEE Academy has been consistently producing top rankers every year. In 2025, 279+ students cleared the JEE Main exam, among whom Gaurav Pareek (99.9888%ile, AIR 238) topped. Follow these proven strategies and tips to crack JEE Main that successfully helped Matrix students walk the path of being a JEE Main topper:

• Attempt strategy (accuracy): Exam attempt strategy is a key point in JEE Main. Make a strategy for yourself. Do not focus on attempting all the questions. Rather, focus on attempting 50-60% of the paper but with 90% accuracy.
• Master NCERT: Revise NCERT as much as possible, especially for chemistry. This alone will be enough to score high in the chemistry section.
• Focus on high-weightage chapters: Make a list of all the high-weightage chapters with the question frequency. Prioritise these chapters, which contribute almost 70% of the complete JEE Main paper.
• Importance of PYQs: Try to solve and analyse 10-15 years of JEE Main PYQs. Figure out the type of questions and concepts that repeat frequently and note them down.
• Mock tests: Mock tests can make or break the entire JEE Main preparation. Give full-length mock tests regularly and maintain an error log. This habit was commonly found in all Matrix toppers.

JEE Main Session 2 Preparation Tips

The JEE Main Session 1 (Paper 1) was completed on January 28, 2026. JEE Main 2026 Session 2 will be conducted from April 2, 2026, to April 9, 2026. Time is limited btu students can still improve their score and crack JEE Main in the coming 65 days. Below are the preparation strategies aspirants can follow:

1. Analyse Session 1 performance: You should briefly review your weaknesses and mistakes from Session 1. Note them down and make a strategy to avoid these mistakes in Session 2.
2. Improve time management: JEE Main Session 1 was found to be extremely lengthy. Students should focus on improving speed. Attempt full-length mock tests in real exam conditions, which ultimately boost your confidence to perform well in the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 exam.
3. Practice application-based problems: Most of the questions in Session 1 were application-based. You can practice by visualising problems with diagrams.
4. Daily revision: Revise and practice every day. This is the key to excellingin the concepts and improving score. Also, focus on multi-concept problems.

JEE Main Session 2 Study Plan

Phase	Duration	Focus	Study Priority	Mock Plan
Phase 1: Analysis & Reset	7–10 Days	Maximise score & accuracy	Error log, weak chapters, NCERT Chemistry revision	2 full mocks + deep analysis
Phase 2: Strength Building	30–35 Days	Improve weak + high-weight chapters	PYQs (10–15 yrs), speed in Maths, conceptual Physics	2–3 mocks/week
Phase 3: Accuracy & Performance	Last 20–25 Days	3 mocks/week + alternate-day mocks in the last 10 days	Full syllabus revision, formula drills, mixed practice	3 mocks/week + alternate-day mocks in last 10 days

JEE Main 2026 Preparation Strategy (Complete Guide)

Before starting the JEE Main preparation, getting clarity on what to study, where to study from and which chapters to focus on is utmost important. This section aims to break down the complete JEE Main preparation strategy to help serious aspirants level up their preparation. Hence, increasing their chances of scoring 99%ile in the JEE Main.

How to Set a Target Percentile for the JEE Exam?

Every JEE aspirant has a target college and a target percentile to achieve it. Before starting the preparation, students should set their target goal based on their dream college. Refer to the table below to get an idea about how many marks to target for the desired percentile. Also, find out how to calculate the percentile in JEE Main.

Marks Range	Percentile	Session 2 Target (Realistic)
280-300	100	Toppers only: 260+ baseline
250-279	99.95+	99.5+ from strong droppers
215-249	99.7-99.9	98-99 from Class 12th
190-214	99.4-99.7	97+ safety for Qualifiers
170-189	99-99.4	Minimum viable

Importance of PYQs

An analysis of the past five years of JEE Main question papers shows clear patterns in difficulty level, scoring potential, and topic importance across subjects. Based on a 5-year JEE Main paper trend analysis (2021-2025), Matrix JEE faculty observed these trends:

• Mathematics: It has been observed to be the toughest and longest section.
• Physics: The physics section is of moderate difficulty. Most repeated questions have been observed from Mechanics, Modern Physics, and Current Electricity.
• Chemistry: Due to the dominance of NCERT, chemistry is observed to be the easiest-scoring section.
• Post-2024: NTA has changed the pattern since 2024. It has been observed that there is an increase in questions that are multi-concept and application-based.

Year	Mathematics	Physics	Chemistry	Overall Difficulty	Advice for JEE Aspirants
2021	Moderate–Tough	Moderate	Easy	Moderate	Build basics + formula practice
2022	Tough & Lengthy	Moderate	Easy	Moderate	Improve Maths speed
2023	Moderate	Moderate	Easy	Easy–Moderate	Maximise Chemistry score
2024	Tough (Conceptual)	Moderate–Conceptual	Easy (NCERT)	Moderate–High	Focus on application-based PYQs
2025	Very Tough	Moderate	Easy–Moderate	High	Full mocks + accuracy training

Topper Tips to Crack JEE Main Exam

Matrix JEE Academy students who scored in the top percentiles in recent years, they share common study strategies and principles. Such as strong fundamentals, regular revision, daily practice tests, and disciplined revision. Here are some important highlights of the JEE Main preparation strategy of toppers:

• Gaurav Pareek (AIR 238, 99.98%) – Practised 40-50 daily mocks along with NCERT revision.
• Bhavya Modi (AIR 445, 99.976%) – Eliminate silly mistakes using error logs.
• Rishabh Meel (AIR 479 Main, AIR 70 Adv) – Solve numericals using a timer.

To prepare well for the exam, you must review the Session 1 exam analysis to understand how the exam was. The paper analysis of all the shifts onthe JEE Main session 1 exam is provided below:

• JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (All Shifts) (Live Now)
• JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (29 January Shift 1)(Live Now)
• JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (21 January Shift 1) (Live Now)
• JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (21 January Shift 2) (Live Now)
• JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (22 January Shift 1) (Live Now)
• JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (22 January Shift 2) (Live Now)
• JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (23 January Shift 1) (Live Now)
• JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (23 January Shift 2) (Live Now)
• JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (24 January Shift 1) (Live Now)
• JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (24 January Shift 2) (Live Now)
• JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (28 January Shift 1) (Live Now)
• JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (28 January Shift 2) (Live Now)

Subject-Wise Strategy to Score Higher in JEE Main

Physics: Almost 70-75% of questions in the physics section are formula-based. Study JEE Main Physics like a topper by building a strong base and studying the NCERT thoroughly. Make sure to study the high-weightage chapters and practice as many daily practice papers (DPPs) and numericals as possible. Prepare JEE Main physics important formulas sheets to keep handy.

Mathematics: The majority of the maths questions are multi-concept and not directly based on formulas. Refer to the table below for High-Weightage Mathematics Chapters JEE Main. Checkout the most important maths formulas for JEE Main that every topper revises regularly.

Chemistry: The chemistry section is dominated by NCERT, with almost 80-85% of questions. Be thorough with NCERT, revise all mechanisms, formulas, and organic reactions. Practice assertion-reason and statement-based questions along with PYQs.

JEE Main Accuracy vs Attempts: Important Strategy

An overlooked important aspect to scoring in the top percentile in JEE Main is the attempt vs accuracy strategy. From research done on Matrix toppers, it was observed that 99+ percentilers attempt 65-75 questions but with 95-99% accuracy. Matrix topper Gaurav Pareek (99.98%ile, AIR 238) followed this strategy: he attempted all the sure-shot questions first and skipped the question if you cannot find a method to solve the question in your mind in under 60 seconds.

Attempt Count	Target Accuracy	Expected Score	Percentile Range
60–65	95–97%	230–250	99.8+
65–75	90–93%	210–235	99.5–99.8
75–85	85–88%	190–215	99.2–99.5
85+	<85%	170–200	<99

Smart Revision Techniques Used by 99+ Percentilers of JEE Main

To score well and crack the exam, it ultimately depends on how effectively concepts are revised and mistakes are corrected over time. Smart revision directly reflects whether you will be in the top percentiles or not. Here are some smart revision strategies used consistently by toppers:

• Block revision method: Divide the entire syllabus into 3 blocks. Revise each block by fast theory reading and solving 50-70 PYQs. Revise this block 12-15 times in 15 days.
• Flashcards: Make flashcards for formulas and reactions. Also, revise them 3 times a week.
• Error logs: Note down mistakes and topics that you keep getting incorrect in mocks and PYQs. Find ways to fix the mistakes by 90%.
• Previous Year Questions: Repeat past 15 years PYQs and focus more on high-weightage PYQs.

JEE Main Subject-Wise Chapter Weightage

The most important strategy followed by toppers is to focus on chapters that will help score high. Find chapter-wise weightage of all subjects, including Physics, maths and Chemistry. Students should focus on completing the high-weightage chapters. Toppers usually follow the Pareto principle: 20% of the JEE Main 2026 syllabus carries high weightage and accounts for 80% of the question paper.

JEE Main Physics Chapter-Wise Weightage

Physics Section	Topic	Weightage Level	Past Year Avg. No. of Questions
Mechanics	Laws of Motion & Newton’s Laws	High weightage	1–2
	Work, Energy & Power	High weightage	1–2
	Centre of Mass & Rotational Motion	High weightage	1–2
	Gravitation	Moderate weightage	1
Electrodynamics	Electrostatics (Charges & Fields, Capacitors)	High weightage	2–3
	Current Electricity	High weightage	2–3
	Magnetic Effects of Current & Magnetism	High weightage	1–2
	Electromagnetic Induction & Alternating Current	High weightage	1–2
Optics	Ray Optics & Optical Instruments	High weightage	1–2
	Wave Optics	Moderate–High weightage	1
Modern Physics	Dual Nature of Radiation & Matter	High weightage	1–2
	Atoms & Nuclei	High weightage	1–2
	Semiconductor Electronics	High weightage (formula-based)	1–2
Thermodynamics & Waves	Thermodynamics & Kinetic Theory of Gases	Moderate–High weightage	1–2
	Waves & Sound	Moderate weightage	1

JEE Main Mathematics Chapter-Wise Weightage

Mathematics Section	Topic	Weightage Level	Past Year Avg. No. of Questions
Calculus	Limits, Continuity & Differentiability	High weightage	2–3
	Application of Derivatives	High weightage	2–3
	Indefinite & Definite Integrals	High weightage	2–3
	Differential Equations	Moderate–High weightage	1–2
Coordinate Geometry	Straight Lines	Moderate weightage	1–2
	Circles	Moderate–High weightage	1–2
	Parabola, Ellipse & Hyperbola	High weightage	2–3
Algebra	Matrices & Determinants	High weightage	2–3
	Complex Numbers	High weightage	1–2
	Permutations & Combinations	Moderate weightage	1
	Probability	Moderate–High weightage	1–2
	Binomial Theorem	Moderate weightage	1
Trigonometry & Vectors	Trigonometric Identities & Equations	Moderate weightage	1
	Vectors & 3D Geometry	High weightage	2–3

JEE Main Chemistry Chapter-Wise Weightage

Chemistry Section	Topic	Weightage Level	Past Year Avg. No. of Questions
Organic Chemistry	Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry (GOC)	High weightage (fundamental)	3–4
	Aldehydes, Ketones & Carboxylic Acids	High weightage	2–3
	General Organic Chemistry	High weightage	1
	Alcohols, Phenols & Ethers	High weightage	1
	Hydrocarbons (Haloalkanes & Haloarenes)	Moderate–High weightage	1–2
	Isomerism / Stereochemistry	Moderate weightage	1
	Amines	Moderate weightage	1
	Biomolecules & Polymers	Moderate weightage	1
Inorganic Chemistry	Coordination Compounds	High weightage	3–4
	d- and f-Block Elements	High weightage	2–3
	p-Block Elements	High weightage	1–2
	Periodic Table & Periodic Trends	High weightage	1
	Hydrogen & Its Compounds	High weightage	1
	s-Block Elements	Moderate weightage	1
Physical Chemistry	Thermodynamics	High weightage (numerical-heavy)	2–3
	Chemical Kinetics	High weightage	2–3
	Equilibrium (Chemical & Ionic)	High weightage	2–3
	Solutions & Colligative Properties	High weightage	2–3
	Atomic Structure	High weightage	2–3
	Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure	High weightage	2–3
	Redox Reactions & Electrochemistry	Moderate weightage	2
	Mole Concept & Stoichiometry	Moderate weightage	1–2

JEE Main Study Roadmap (Study Plan)

A structured study plan or roadmap helps students stay consistent and avoid last-minute panic. Whether you are a beginner, repeater, or want a crash study plan, refer to this section. We have curated study plans that are realistic to follow and cover every aspect of JEE Main preparation. The JEE Main exam preparation timetable includes months with which topics to cover, mock strategies, and more.

JEE Main 2026 Study Plan

Students who are starting their JEE preparation from Class 11 should focus on building strong fundamentals while gradually developing problem-solving skills.

Phase & Duration	Physics Focus	Chemistry Focus	Math Focus	Mock Strategy
1: Foundation (Apr–Jul)	Kinematics, NLM, WEP	Mole, Atomic, Bonding	Sets, Trig, Limits	1 Mock / Month
2: Completion (Aug–Dec)	Waves, Thermal, SHM	Equilibrium, GOC	Conics, Matrices	2 Mocks / Month
3: Transition (Jan–Jun)	Electromagnetism	Electrochem, Kinetics	Calculus (Part 1)	1 Mock / Week
4: Acceleration (Jul–Oct)	Optics, Modern Phys	p-Block, Coordination	Calculus, Vector 3D	1–2 Mocks / Week
5: Peak (Nov–Jan)	Full Revision + PYQs	NCERT (3x Revision)	Mixed Practice	2–3 Mocks / Week
6: Final Push (Last 40 Days)	Formula Review	NCERT Inorganics	Speed Numericals	Alternate Days

Study Plan for Repeaters & Droppers

Are you a dropper or a repeater? For droppers and repeaters, the strategy must be focused on strengthening concepts and a lot of practice. Use this idealistic study plan to crack JEE Main in 6 months.

Month	Focus (80% High-Weight)	Mocks/Day	Target Score	Daily Breakdown
Jul	PYQs 2020-25 + Error Log	1 full	200/300	3hr/subject PYQs + 3hr analysis
Aug	Advanced: Irodov/Disha + weak chapters	1.5	220/300	2hr advanced + 4hr mocks
Sep	Full syllabus tests + formula accuracy	2	235/300	Accuracy 93%+ mandatory
Oct	Timed sectionals + numericals	2	245/300	95% accuracy lockdown
Nov	Peak mocks + 2015-19 PYQs	2-3	255/300	Zero silly errors
Dec	Daily NTA mocks	3	265+/300	99.98%ile ready

JEE Main 2026 Topper Daily Routine

How does the daily routine of a JEE Main topper look like? Here is the realistic topper study routine followed by toppers. It is ideal for school-going students as well as coaching students. You can modify your daily time based on your school and coaching timings. Hence, level up your JEE Main exam preparation 2026 strategy.

Time	Activity	Focus
6:00 – 6:30 AM	Wake up, freshen up, light stretching/meditation	Prepare physically & mentally
6:30 – 7:30 AM	Quick revision of the previous day’s topics	Recall & retention (NCERT + short notes)
7:30 – 9:30 AM	Study Session 1	Difficult topics (Physics/Maths)
9:30 – 10:00 AM	Breakfast + rest	Recharge
10:00 – 12:00 PM	Study Session 2	Concept learning (Chemistry/Physics)
12:00 – 1:00 PM	Practice questions	Topic-wise problem solving
1:00 – 2:00 PM	Lunch + break	Relax & refresh
2:00 – 3:30 PM	Study Session 3	Mathematics practice (numericals)
3:30 – 4:00 PM	Short break/walk	Prevents burnout
4:00 – 5:30 PM	Mock test / previous year questions	Time management + exam practice
5:30 – 6:00 PM	Break + snack	Rest & fuel
6:00 – 7:30 PM	Study Session 4	Physics + Chemistry mixed revision
7:30 – 8:00 PM	Dinner	Light meal
8:00 – 9:00 PM	Revision & formula review	Consolidate memory
9:00 – 10:00 PM	Doubt solving/making short notes	Clarify weak topics
10:00 – 10:30 PM	Light reading/plan next day	Relax & organize
10:30 – 6:00 AM	Sleep	Rest for focus & retention

Best Book & Resources for JEE Main Preparation 2026 (Subject-Wise)

JEE Toppers advise to keep study resources minimal. A lot of study sources and books will only lead to confusion. NCERT books are your best friends. Apart from the NCERT, coaching study materials are more than enough. Go through the list of the best books for the JEE Main preparation:

Matrix JEE Mathematics Modules

Buy the Matrix Mathematics Set of 3 modules book set to level up your JEE preparation. The Matrix modules are a great, affordable choice for JEE aspirants, as this set includes everything a student needs to prepare for JEE 2026.

Best Books for Physics

Buy the latest NCERT Class 11 physics and NCERT Class 12 physics book (2025-2026 edition).

Best Books for Mathematics

If you wish to buy the complete set of NCERT Mathematics books, here is the link to order the NCERT Maths class 11 and 12  book set.

Best Books for Chemistry for JEE Main 2026

Link to purchase: NCERT Class 11 Chemistry.

Link to purchase: NCERT Class 12 Chemistry.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During JEE Main Preparation

Many students tend to lose marks due to avoidable errors that can be fixed with awareness and practice. A smart student always tries to avoid common mistakes made during the JEE Main preparation. Here are some of them:

• Ignoring NCERT: NCERT is crucial for JEE Main every year to build a strong base. Hence, study the NCERT thoroughly 3 times.
• Avoiding mock analysis: Just giving the mocks is not sufficient. Analysis will help in identifying your weak areas.
• Weak time management: Give equal attention to all three subjects. Even during the exam, do not get hung up on maths as it is lengthy.
• Studying new topics at the last minute: Avoid putting time into learning new topics. Focus on easy scoring chapters.
• Common mistakes that kill the accuracy: There are some common mistakes observed that kill the accuracy.
• Calculation errors result in a loss of −20 to −40 marks. To avoid this, write clear steps while solving and practice 50 or more numerical problems every week.
• Out of panic, many students make the mistake of misreading the question. This results in a loss of at least 15 marks.

Read More: How to avoid silly mistakes in JEE Main exam.

JEE Main 2026 Exam Overview

The JEE Main Exam is a gateway to top engineering colleges of India. It is also a qualifying eligibility exam for JEE Advanced for those who want to get into IITs. The JEE exam tests the conceptual clarity along with speed and accuracy. Before stepping into the effective strategies about JEE Main preparation, let us get an overview of the exam pattern and dates released by NTA (National Testing Agency).

JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates

The JEE Main exam is conducted twice a year, allowing students to improve their scores. NTA released the exam dates on October 29, 2025. As per the statistics, almost 70% of the top scorers improve their score and percentile in the second session attempt. The table below highlights JEE Main 2026 exam dates.

Particulars	Session 1	Session 2
Online Registration Starts	12 Dec 2025	1 Mar 2026
Online Registration End	11 Jan 2026	31 Mar 2026
Correction Window	15–20 Jan 2026	5–10 Apr 2026
Admit Card Release	20 Jan 2026	15 Apr 2026
JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates	21–29 Jan 2026	2–9 Apr 2026
Answer Key Release	2 Feb 2026	1 May 2026
Result Declaration	10 Feb 2026 (Estimate)	10 May 2026 (Estimate)

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern (Latest)

Below is the table featuring the latest JEE Main 2026 exam pattern. The paper will have 75 compulsory questions with a total marks being 300.

Particulars	Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)	Paper 2A (B.Arch)	Paper 2B (B.Plan)
Mode of Examination	Computer-Based Test (CBT)	Computer-Based Test (CBT)	Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Duration of Exam	3 hours (4 hours for PwD candidates)	3 hours (180 minutes)	3 hours (180 minutes)
Subjects	Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics	Mathematics, Aptitude, Drawing	Mathematics, Aptitude, Planning
Total Number of Questions	75	77	100
Section-Wise Question Pattern	Each subject: Section A (20 MCQs) + Section B (5 Numerical Value Questions)	Mathematics (25 MCQs), Aptitude (50 MCQs), Drawing (2 Questions)	Mathematics (25 MCQs), Aptitude (50 MCQs), Planning (25 Questions)
Type of Questions	MCQs & Numerical Value Questions	MCQs & Drawing-Based Questions	MCQs, Numerical & Planning-Based Questions
Total Marks	300 Marks	400 Marks	400 Marks
Marking Scheme	+4 for correct answer, −1 for incorrect MCQs, 0 for unattempted	+4 for correct answer, −1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted	+4 for correct answer, −1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted

Conclusion

A common misconception is that only toppers can crack the JEE Main. But with the right guidance, any student can clear the exam and achieve admissions in their dream colleges. Therefore, do you want to score 99+ percentile? No matter what preparation stage you are in, it is time to gear up and follow a study plan consistently. Consistency, smart work, and discipline beat the competition.

FAQs on JEE Main Preparation