JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern: Total Questions, and Marking Scheme
The JEE Main exam paper pattern has been released, and the exam structure remains the same this year. NTA has removed the choice of optional questions for this year as well. Every JEE aspirant starts with analysing the syllabus and exam paper pattern before starting their JEE Main preparation. Scoring becomes easier once the aspirant understands different aspects of the exam paper patterns. These include subject-wise distribution of marks, marking scheme, type of questions and others.
At Matrix JEE Coaching, we train students in a way that they can strategically plan how to use the given time and allocate time for each question. This blog is an overview of the latest JEE Main 2026 exam patterns, the total number of questions in Paper 1 and Paper 2, and the marking scheme.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern (Quick Overview)
To make an effective JEE Main preparation strategy, it is necessary to be well-versed with the exam pattern. This will help candidates prepare their exam strategy and attempt strategy. Compared to 2025, there are no significant changes in the exam paper pattern. The JEE Main exam targets three papers for different engineering courses.
- JEE Main Paper 1 – B.E./B.Tech
- JEE Main Paper 2 – B.Arch and B.Planning
- Paper 2A is for Bachelors in Architecture
- Paper 2B is for a Bachelor’s in Planning
Each paper has a different paper pattern and different subject sections.
- In Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), there are three sections: physics, mathematics, and chemistry.
- In Paper 2A (B.Arch), the three sections are mathematics, drawing, and aptitude.
- In Paper 2B (B.Plan), the three sections are mathematics, aptitude-based questions, and planning-based questions.
Get a clear picture of the updated JEE Main 2026 exam pattern and marking scheme. Checkout the detailed breakdown here:
| Particulars | Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) | Paper 2A (B.Arch) | Paper 2B (B.Plan) |
| ConductingBody | NTA (National Testing Agency) | NTA (National Testing Agency) | NTA (National Testing Agency) |
| Total Time Duration | 3 hours (4 hours for PwD candidates) | 3 hours (180 mins) | 3 hours (180 mins) |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Marks | 300 Marks (100 marks in each section) | 400 Marks | 400 Marks |
| Subjects | Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry | Mathematics, Drawing section, and Aptitude | Mathematics, Aptitude-based section, and Planning-Based section. |
| Total Number of Questions | 75 Questions | 77 Questions | 100 Questions |
| Number of Questions (Section-Wise) | 25 questions in each section: Physics – 25Q Mathematics – 25Q Chemistry – 25Q | Mathematics – 25Q Drawing section – 2Q Aptitude Section – 50Q | Mathematics – 25Q Aptitude Section- 50Q Planning Section – 25Q |
| Type of Questions | 20 MCQs and 5 Numerical Value Questions (same for each section) | MCQs in Maths and Aptitude section; Drawing-type questions | MCQs, Numerical Value Questions, Planning – Based Questions |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for every correct attempt-1 for every incorrect MCQ attempt0 marks for unattempted question | +4 for every correct attempt-1 for every incorrect attempt0 marks for unattempted question | +4 for every correct attempt-1 for every incorrect attempt0 marks for unattempted question |
JEE Main Exam Paper Pattern: Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)
The JEE Main paper pattern, according to the latest bulletin, remains unchanged. For Paper 1, the sections are physics, mathematics, and chemistry. The total number of questions for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) is 75. And the time duration given is 3 hours (4 hours for PwD candidates).
Each subject section has two sections of questions:
- Section A: 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
- Section B: 5 numerical value questions
- All 75 questions are compulsory. There are no optional questions. Here is the complete JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 exam pattern based on the latest NTA update:
| Subject | Section | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
| Mathematics | Section A: 20 MCQsSection B: Numericals (5) | +4-1 (0 marks for unattempted question) | 100 Marks |
| Physics | Section A: 20 MCQsSection B: Numericals (5) | +4-1 (0 marks for unattempted question) | 100 marks |
| Chemistry | Section A: 20 MCQsSection B: Numericals (5) | +4-1 (0 marks for unattempted question) | 100 marks |
JEE Main 2026 Detailed Exam Pattern Paper 2 (B.Arch & B.Planning)
The JEE Main Paper 2 is given by students who want to pursue Bachelors in Architecture and Planning. Paper 2 is set according to the course, and the questions are based on drawing and planning mainly. The paper pattern is slightly different compared to Paper 1. Here is the detailed overview of the paper pattern of JEE Main Paper 2:
| Particulars | Paper 2A (B.Arch) | Paper 2B (B.Plan) |
| Course offered | Bachelor of Architecture | Bachelor of Planning |
| Mode of the Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) for Mathematics and aptitude; Offline (Pen and Paper) mode for drawing section | Complete Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration of the Exam | 3 hours (180 minutes) | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Subjects included | Mathematics, Aptitude Test, Drawing Test | Mathematics, Aptitude Test, Planning |
| Mathematics section | 25 total (20 MCQs + 5 numerical all compulsory) | 25 total (20 MCQs + 5 numerical all compulsory) |
| Aptitude Section | 50 MCQs | 50 MCQs |
| Drawing/Planning Section | 2 Drawing tasks (100 marks) | 25 MCQs (Planning) |
| Total number of questions | 77 (75 objective + 2 drawing) | 100 questions |
| Total marks | 400 marks | 400 marks |
| Type of Questions | MCQs, Numerical Value Answers, and Drawing | MCQs and Numerical Value Answers |
| Marking scheme | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
JEE Main 2026 Exam Total Questions (Paper-Wise)
There are 3 papers that students can opt to give in the JEE Main exam. Each paper has a different set of question patterns. So the total number of questions differs as well. To get a clear idea about the total number of optional and compulsory questions in the JEE Main exam, here is a detailed overview:
Total Number of Questions in JEE Main Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)
| Subject | Section A | Section B | Type of Questions |
| Mathematics | 20 Q | 5 Q | MCQs in Section ANumericals in Section B |
| Physics | 20 Q | 5 Q | MCQs in Section ANumericals in Section B |
| Chemistry | 20 Q | 5 Q | MCQs in Section ANumericals in Section B |
| Total number of Questions | 60 Q | 15 Q | 75 Questions in Total |
Total Number of Questions in JEE Main Paper 2A (B.Arch)
| Subject | Section A | Section B | Type of Questions |
| Mathematics – Part 1 | 20 Q | 5 Q | MCQs in Section ANumericals in Section B |
| Aptitude – Part 2 | 50 Q | – | Aptitude level questions |
| Drawing – Part 3 | – | – | 2 questions in the complete drawing section |
| Total number of Questions | – | – | 77 Questions in Total |
Total Number of Questions in JEE Main Paper 2B (B.Plan)
| Subject | Section A | Section B | Type of Questions |
| Mathematics – Part 1 | 20 Q | 5 Q | MCQs in Section ANumericals in Section B |
| Aptitude – Part 2 | 50 Q | – | Aptitude level questions |
| Planning – Part 3 | 25 Q | – | Planning – based questions |
| Total number of Questions | – | – | 100 Q in total |
JEE Main 2026 Marking Scheme(Summary)
The marking scheme for the JEE Main exam has been the same for years. For both papers, the marking scheme is uniform. In Paper 2A, the drawing section has no negative marking, and the marks allotted are solely based on the evaluation done. To understand the marking scheme accurately, let us go through the overview:
- Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech):
Total 300 marks (100 marks for each section)
- +4 marks for each correct answer
- -1 mark for each incorrect answer
- 0 marks for unattempted questions
- Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning):
400 marks for each paper
- +4 marks for each correct answer
- -1 mark for each incorrect answer
- 0 marks for unattempted questions
For the Drawing section (Paper 2A): 2 questions of 50 marks each are present.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern: Key Highlights
Here is a quick snapshot of the JEE Main 2026 exam facts. All the information mentioned is based on the latest updates released by NTA:
- The JEE Main 2026 exam will be conducted in a CBT (Computer-Based Test) mode.
- There are a total of 75 questions in the JEE Main Paper 1.
- + 4 marks are given for a correct answer and -1 for an incorrect answer.
- The total time duration of the exam is 3 hours (180 minutes).
FAQs
The JEE Main paper is divided into three sections, which are mathematics, physics and chemistry. Each section has 25 questions, where there are 20 MCQs and 5 numericals. The total number of questions in the JEE Main 2026 paper is 75.
Yes, according to the latest JEE Main 2026 paper pattern, all questions are compulsory to attempt. In section B, all 5 numericals are compulsory to attempt inlcuding all the multiple choice questions.
For JEE Main Paper 1 (B.E/B.Tech) and Paper 2A (B.Arch), the total time duration is 3 hours. For PwD candidates, the total time duration allotted is 4 hours. If candidates give both paper 2A and 2B, the total time duration allotted is 3.5 hours.
Yes, for every wrong MCQ attempt, there is a negative marking of -1. For every wrong attempt of a numerical value question or MCQ, negative marking is allotted in both sections. Hence, students can build their attempt strategy accordingly.
The JEE Main exam marking scheme is set in a way where +4 marks are allotted for every correct answer and -1 mark for every incorrect MCQ. There is negative marking for wrong attempts of numerical value questions. 0 marks are given for every unattempted question.
Yes, as per the JEE Main paper pattern, there are 5 numerical-based questions in every section. In total, the JEE Main 2026 exam has 15 numerical-based questions. All the numerical questions are compulsory to attempt.
For the JEE Main 2026 exam, there are no optional questions, and students will have to attempt all 5 numerical questions. Before 2025, the JEE Main exam had optional questions in numericals. Students had the flexibility to attempt 5 questions out of 10 numerical questions. In 2025, NTA decided to remove optional questions.
No, the JEE Main 2026 paper pattern is the same as the previous year’s pattern. There are a total of 75 questions, including 25 questions per subject. Every section has 20 MCQs and 5 numerical value questions.
National Testing Agency (NTA) will set the JEE Main 2026 paper. NTA is the conducting body responsible for the JEE Main exam. NTA releases the guidelines for the exam and also sets the paper every year.
The JEE Main paper has two types of questions in Paper 1. The exam paper includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and numerical value questions. In papers 2A and 2B, aptitude questions are asked, including planning-based questions as well as drawing-based questions.