IIT JEE — Main & Advanced (Complete Notes)

Overview

IIT JEE is conducted in two stages: JEE Main (by NTA) which is the gateway for NITs/IIITs/GFTIs and a screening test for JEE Advanced, and JEE Advanced (by the IITs) for admission to IITs. Both exams test deep understanding of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics.

JEE Main — Details

Conducted by NTA. Tests Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics. Balanced difficulty; emphasizes speed and accuracy.

Pattern

Sections: Physics | Chemistry | Mathematics
Questions: Typically 30 per subject (mix of MCQ and numerical)
Total Marks: 300
Marking: +4 correct MCQ, -1 wrong (MCQ); numerical-type: +4 no negative
Attempts: Multiple sessions; best score considered
          

Syllabus Focus

• NCERT fundamentals are crucial (especially Chemistry inorganic & basics)
• Problem-solving speed, shortcut methods, and time management

Difficulty & Strategy

• Overall moderate difficulty — attempt safe questions first
• Use sectional time allocation and practice mock tests

JEE Advanced — Details

Organized by one of the IITs — very high difficulty; questions test multi-concept analytical thinking.

Pattern

• Two papers (Paper 1 & Paper 2) — each 3 hours; both mandatory
• Question types vary: single-correct MCQ, multiple-correct MCQ, numerical/integer type, matrix, comprehension
• Marking scheme varies year to year: may include partial, negative, or variable marks

Key Differences from Main

• Deeper conceptual demands and unconventional problem styles
• Requires combining multiple topics for single problems
• Time-consuming but fewer 'routine' questions

Syllabus Comparison — High Level

Skills Needed

Recommended Books

Preparation Strategy (Year-wise & Phase-wise)

Phase 1 — Foundation (Class 9–10)

• Build strong basics in algebra, geometry, mechanics fundamentals
• Focus on NCERT and conceptual clarity
• Short daily practice for speed

Phase 2 — Concept Building (Class 11)

• Complete class 11 concepts thoroughly; make notes
• Start chapter-wise PYQ practice
• Solve moderate-level problems daily

Phase 3 — Consolidation (Class 12 / Pre-Boards)

• Finish syllabus by December (ideal)
• Daily mocks and performance analysis
• Target accuracy & time management

Phase 4 — Exam Bootcamp (Last 60 days)

• Full length tests every 3–4 days; analyse mistakes
• Revise formula sheets & important concepts
• For Advanced — focus on previous 10–15 years papers deeply

Daily Timetable & 1-Year Study Plan (Sample)

Below is a practical study routine — adapt based on school hours and coaching.

Sample Daily (Weekday) — 8 hours study

Morning (2 hrs): School / Concept revision (Physics / Maths concept)
Afternoon (1.5 hrs): Practice problems (Chemistry / Maths)
Evening (2 hrs): Coaching / Topic practice (mixed subjects)
Night (2.5 hrs): Revision + PYQs + mock practice (short tests)
          

Weekly Plan

• 4 days: New concept + problem practice
• 2 days: Mock test + detailed analysis
• 1 day: Revision of weak topics & rest

1-Year Milestones

1. Months 1–6: Finish core NCERT + fundamentals
2. Months 7–10: Advance problems & topic-wise PYQs
3. Months 11–12: Mock series, speed & accuracy, final revision

Scoring, Cutoffs & Rank Estimates

These are indicative and vary year-to-year.

• JEE Main highest possible: 300 marks. Top percentiles generally need 200+ marks for 99+ percentile in some years.
• JEE Advanced rank mapping: Rank & branch varies by year & seat matrix. Top 500 ranks generally secure top branches (CS/EE) in older IITs.
• Attempt selection: For Main — select safe questions first; for Advanced — prioritize accuracy due to variable marking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is coaching mandatory?

No. Coaching helps structure practice and exposes students to large question banks, but dedicated self-study with the right resources can also work.

How many hours should I study?

Quality matters more than quantity. 4–8 focused hours daily with effective revision and mocks is typical. Adjust based on personal endurance.

When to start JEE Advanced practice?

Begin Advanced-style problems after finishing core concepts — ideally during Class 12 or late in Class 11 once fundamentals are strong.

How important are previous year papers?

Crucial — solve at least 10–15 years of Advanced papers and many Main PYQs to understand patterns and difficulty.

High-Value Resources & Tools

• NTA official website & mock tests (for Main)
• IIT advanced previous year papers (IIT website & coaching portals)
• Trusted video channels for concepts (Khan Academy, MIT OCW for basics, coaching channels for JEE-style)
• Online test series (Embibe, Allen, Resonance, FIITJEE etc. if you opt for paid)
• Formula sheets, flashcards, and error log (maintain a mistake notebook)