JEE Mains Paper 1 for B.E. and B.Tech contains a total of 75 questions. The paper includes 25 questions each from Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and carries a maximum of 300 marks.
Each subject is divided into two sections. Section A contains 20 multiple-choice questions, while Section B contains five numerical-value questions. There is no internal choice in the current pattern, although candidates can leave a question unanswered if they do not want to attempt it.
Understanding the number and type of questions can help students divide their three-hour examination time effectively. It also helps them plan how much time to spend on Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics without getting stuck on one difficult question.
How Many Questions Are There in JEE Mains?
There are 75 questions in JEE Mains Paper 1 for B.E. and B.Tech admissions. The paper contains 25 questions each from Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
The three subjects carry equal weightage in terms of questions and marks. Each subject contributes 100 marks, taking the total to 300 marks.
| Subject | Section A Questions | Section B Questions | Total Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 | 5 | 25 | 100 |
| Physics | 20 | 5 | 25 | 100 |
| Chemistry | 20 | 5 | 25 | 100 |
| Total | 60 | 15 | 75 | 300 |
Section A consists of multiple-choice questions. Section B consists of questions for which candidates must enter a numerical value using the on-screen virtual numeric keypad.
The JEE Mains Paper 1 duration is three hours for most candidates. This means students have an average of approximately 2.4 minutes per question if they distribute their time equally. However, an effective attempt strategy should consider question difficulty rather than assigning exactly the same time to every question.
Also Read: JEE Mains Syllabus, Subject-Wise Topics and Exam Pattern
How Many Questions Are Asked in JEE Mains Physics, Chemistry and Maths?
JEE Main Paper 1 contains 25 questions each from Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Of these, 20 are multiple-choice questions and five are numerical-value questions.
| Subject | Multiple-Choice Questions | Numerical-Value Questions | Total Questions | Subject Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 20 | 5 | 25 | 100 marks |
| Chemistry | 20 | 5 | 25 | 100 marks |
| Mathematics | 20 | 5 | 25 | 100 marks |
JEE Mains Physics Questions
The Physics section contains 25 questions carrying a maximum of 100 marks. Questions may test theoretical understanding, formula application, calculations, graphs, units and the ability to connect multiple concepts.
Physics questions can come from topics such as Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Optics, Thermodynamics and Modern Physics. Students should practise both direct formula-based questions and multi-step numerical problems.
JEE Mains Chemistry Questions
The Chemistry section also contains 25 questions for 100 marks. The questions are drawn from Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry.
Some questions may directly test facts and concepts from NCERT, while others require calculations or reaction-based reasoning. Students should combine textbook revision with regular question practice.
JEE Mains Mathematics Questions
Mathematics consists of 25 questions carrying 100 marks. The section may include questions from Algebra, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry, Vectors, Three-Dimensional Geometry, Statistics and Probability.
Mathematics questions are often calculation-intensive. Students should therefore practise identifying questions that can be solved quickly instead of attempting the paper strictly in the order displayed.
Although every subject carries equal marks, the time needed to solve questions can differ. Students should develop their own subject order and time allocation through full-length JEE Mains mock tests.
What Is the JEE Mains Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme?
JEE Mains Paper 1 is conducted as a Computer-Based Test. It includes multiple-choice and numerical-value questions across Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
| Exam Feature | JEE Mains Paper 1 Pattern |
|---|---|
| Course | B.E. and B.Tech |
| Examination mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics |
| Total questions | 75 |
| Section A | 60 multiple-choice questions |
| Section B | 15 numerical-value questions |
| Maximum marks | 300 |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Correct answer | +4 marks |
| Incorrect answer | -1 mark |
| Unanswered question | 0 marks |
Negative marking applies to both Section A and Section B. Therefore, an incorrect numerical-value answer also results in a deduction of one mark.
For Section B, candidates must enter the numerical answer using the virtual numeric keypad displayed on the screen. The official instructions require the answer to be rounded off to the nearest integer.
Candidates should carefully read the instructions displayed at the beginning of the test. They should also verify the required numerical format before submitting an answer.
The examination is available in 13 languages. Candidates must select their question-paper language while completing the application form. The English version prevails if there is any difference in interpretation.
Also Read: JEE Mains Exam Pattern 2027, Negative Marking, Duration
How Many Questions Do You Have to Attempt in JEE Mains?
All 75 questions are presented in JEE Mains Paper 1, and there is no internal choice under the current pattern. However, NTA does not prescribe a minimum number of questions that every candidate must answer.
Candidates can attempt up to all 75 questions, but they are not required to answer a question if they are unsure. An unanswered question receives zero marks, while an incorrect answer results in a one-mark deduction.
| Question Status | Marks Awarded | Effect on Score |
|---|---|---|
| Correctly answered | +4 | Increases the raw score |
| Incorrectly answered | -1 | Reduces the raw score |
| Left unanswered | 0 | No addition or deduction |
| Marked for review without an answer | 0 | Treated as unanswered |
This means that students should focus on making accurate attempts instead of trying to answer all 75 questions at any cost. A high number of attempts can be useful only when accuracy remains under control.
A practical approach is to divide the paper into rounds:
- First round: Solve direct questions that can be answered confidently.
- Second round: Attempt questions requiring moderate calculations or deeper reasoning.
- Final round: Revisit marked questions only if sufficient time remains.
Students should not use a fixed target such as 60 or 65 attempts without considering the difficulty of their shift. The right number of attempts depends on question difficulty, preparation level, accuracy and the candidate’s target score.
How Many Marks Is Each JEE Mains Question Worth?
Every JEE Main Paper 1 question is worth four marks. A correct response earns four marks, an incorrect response results in a deduction of one mark and an unanswered question receives zero marks.
| Question Type | Correct Answer | Incorrect Answer | Unanswered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple-choice question | +4 marks | -1 mark | 0 marks |
| Numerical-value question | +4 marks | -1 mark | 0 marks |
The maximum score can be calculated as follows:
$$75 \times 4 = 300 \text{ marks}$$
For example, if a candidate answers 50 questions correctly, 10 incorrectly and leaves 15 unanswered, the raw score will be:
$$\left(50 \times 4\right)-\left(10 \times 1\right)=190$$
The candidate’s raw score in this example is 190 out of 300. However, the raw score is not the same as the JEE Mains percentile. NTA converts raw scores into NTA scores because the examination is conducted across multiple shifts.
Negative marking makes accuracy important. Five incorrect answers reduce the score by five marks and also prevent the candidate from earning the 20 marks those questions could have contributed if answered correctly.
JEE Mains Question Paper Pattern: What Should You Expect?
Students should expect a three-hour Computer-Based Test containing 75 questions. Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics receive equal marks, but the difficulty and time required can vary across subjects and examination shifts.
The main features candidates should expect are:
- Twenty-five questions each from Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
- Twenty multiple-choice questions in each subject.
- Five numerical-value questions in each subject.
- No internal choice among the 75 questions.
- Negative marking in both multiple-choice and numerical-value questions.
- Four marks for every correct answer.
- One mark deducted for every incorrect answer.
- Zero marks for an unanswered question.
- A total examination duration of three hours.
- A maximum score of 300 marks.
Students can move between subjects and questions during the test. The question palette indicates whether a question has been answered, left unanswered, marked for review or not visited.
A good preparation strategy should include regular chapter-wise practice followed by full-length papers in the actual three-hour format. Solving JEE Mains previous papers helps students understand recurring question styles, while mock tests improve time management and question selection.
Students should also remember that the number of questions alone does not determine the paper’s difficulty. A shift containing lengthy calculations may require fewer but more carefully selected attempts. Another shift may contain more direct questions and allow a higher number of attempts.
Candidates should check the official JEE Main information bulletin for any change in the examination pattern before their attempt.
How Many Questions Are There in JEE Mains: Conclusion
JEE Mains Paper 1 contains 75 questions for 300 marks. Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics each contain 20 multiple-choice questions and five numerical-value questions, giving every subject a total of 25 questions and 100 marks.
All 75 questions are included in the paper without internal choice. However, candidates are not required to answer every question. Since both sections have negative marking, students should prioritise accuracy, sensible question selection and effective time management instead of attempting uncertain questions.
The pattern explained above applies specifically to Paper 1 for B.E. and B.Tech. JEE Mains Paper 2A for B.Arch and Paper 2B for B.Planning follow different question counts and marking structures.
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