The JEE Main 2026 marking scheme is pivotal in determining how your performance translates into ranks and eligibility for prestigious engineering institutions across India. Designed to ensure fairness and clarity, this scheme outlines how marks are allocated for correct answers, as well as deductions for incorrect ones, across all sections- Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
Understanding the marking pattern is important to strategize your approach and maximize your score on exam day.
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JEE Main Marking Scheme 2026- Question Paper Structure
| Subject | Total Questions | Questions to Attempt | Types of Questions |
| Mathematics | 30 | 25 | MCQs + Numerical Value |
| Physics | 30 | 25 | MCQs + Numerical Value |
| Chemistry | 30 | 25 | MCQs + Numerical Value |
| Total | 90 | 75 |
Of 30 questions per subject, 20 are MCQs and 10 are numerical. Students need to attempt 5 out of 10 numerical questions in each subject.
Mark Allocation per Question
Understanding how each question is scored helps in planning your attempt strategy. The JEE Main 2026 marking scheme differentiates between multiple-choice and numerical value questions regarding negative marking. While correct responses earn you full marks in both types, incorrect answers are penalised only in MCQs. Here’s how the marks are distributed:
Mark Allocation per Question
| Type of Response | MCQ Questions | Numerical Questions |
| Correct Answer | +4 marks | +4 marks |
| Incorrect Answer | −1 mark | 0 marks |
| Unattempted Question | 0 marks | 0 marks |
Total Marks Calculation
- Total Questions Attempted: 75 (out of 90)
- Marks per Correct Answer: 4 marks
- Maximum Achievable Marks:
= 75 × 4
= 300 Marks
JEE Main 2026 Negative Marking Policy
Understanding the negative marking policy in JEE Main 2026 is crucial for scoring strategically and avoiding unnecessary penalties. The National Testing Agency (NTA) applies differential marking rules for MCQs and numerical value questions, making it important for students to plan their attempts wisely.
JEE Main 2026 Negative Marking Policy
| Category | MCQ Questions | Numerical Questions |
| Mark for Correct Answer | +4 marks | +4 marks |
| Penalty for Wrong Answer | –1 mark (Negative Marking) | No negative marking |
| Unattempted Question | 0 marks | 0 marks |
| Key Implication | Random or unsure guesses may reduce your overall score due to negative marking. | No penalty for incorrect answers; scoring is risk-free. |
| Strategy Tip | Attempt only when confident. Avoid guessing blindly to protect your score. | Attempt all, even if slightly unsure, since there’s no penalty for mistakes. |
Smart Attempting Strategy for JEE Main 2026
- Maximise attempts in numerical value questions for safe scoring opportunities.
- Be precise with MCQs to avoid unnecessary deductions that can impact your rank.
Section-Wise Marking Overview – JEE Main 2026 (Sample Calculation)
To score well in one of India’s most competitive engineering entrance exams, it’s essential to understand the JEE Main Marking Scheme 2026. This section explains how marks are awarded and deducted across MCQs and numerical questions- helping to build a smart score-maximizing strategy.
| Section | Questions Attempted | Correct Answers | Incorrect Answers | Unattempted Questions | Score Calculation | Total Marks |
| Mathematics | 25 | 18 | 6 | 1 | (18 × 4) − (6 × 1) | 66 |
| Physics | 25 | 20 | 3 | 2 | (20 × 4) − (3 × 1) | 77 |
| Chemistry | 25 | 19 | 5 | 1 | (19 × 4) − (5 × 1) | 71 |
| Total | 75 | 57 | 14 | 4 | 66 + 77 + 71 | 214 Marks |
Tie-Breaking Criteria for Rank Calculation – JEE Main 2026
When two or more candidates achieve the same total score in JEE Main 2026, the National Testing Agency (NTA) uses a well-defined tie-breaking policy to determine rank positions. These criteria prioritize subject-wise performance and overall accuracy, ensuring fair rank assignment.
Tie-Breaking Criteria for Rank Calculation – JEE Main 2026
| Tie-Breaking Level | Criteria Used | Description |
| 1. | Higher score in Mathematics | Candidate with better performance in Mathematics is ranked higher. |
| 2. | Higher score in Physics | If still tied, the candidate with a higher Physics score is ranked higher. |
| 3. | Higher score in Chemistry | Chemistry score is considered next to break the tie. |
| 4. | Fewer incorrect answers across all subjects | Accuracy is rewarded—candidate with fewer wrong attempts ranks higher. |
| 5. | Age of candidate | Older candidate is given preference in case all above metrics are equal. |
Normalization Procedure in JEE Main 2026 (Across Sessions)
The JEE Main 2026 exam is conducted in multiple shifts and sessions across different days, each potentially with varying difficulty levels. To ensure fairness in the ranking process, NTA uses a normalization procedure that converts your raw score into a normalized percentile score. This percentile is what determines your All India Rank (AIR)- not just your raw marks.
Key Terms in JEE Main Normalization Process
| Term | Explanation |
| Raw Score | The actual marks you obtained based on correct and incorrect responses as per the marking scheme. |
| Percentile Score | Indicates your relative performance compared to all candidates in the same exam session. It shows the percentage of students who scored equal to or below your score. |
| Normalized Score | The score adjusted based on the difficulty level of your session using NTA’s normalization formula. |
| All India Rank (AIR) | Final rank assigned based on your normalized percentile, not the raw score. Used for admissions. |
JEE Main 2026 Preparation & Scoring Tips
| Tip | Description | Why It Matters |
| Prioritize Accuracy | Focus on answering MCQs correctly. Avoid random guesses to reduce the risk of negative marking. | Accuracy boosts your score and improves rank in case of tie-breakers. |
| Maximize Numericals | Attempt all numerical value questions confidently—no negative marking applies to them. | These questions offer risk-free scoring; skipping them is a lost opportunity. |
| Take Regular Mock Tests | Practice full-length, timed mock tests simulating JEE Main 2026 exam conditions. | Builds speed, enhances accuracy, and strengthens time management. |
| Avoid Common Mistakes | Don’t misread assertion-reason questions or skip easy ones due to poor time allocation. | Prevents avoidable errors that can cost marks and lead to negative marking. |
| Analyze Your Errors | Review incorrect answers in mock tests to identify patterns and avoid repeating mistakes. | Crucial for improving weak areas and increasing overall JEE Main performance. |
| Stick to NCERT First | Strengthen core concepts from NCERT textbooks before jumping into advanced-level materials. | NCERT forms the base for most questions in JEE Main, especially Chemistry. |
| Master Time Management | Allocate time wisely across sections and avoid getting stuck on tough questions. | Helps maximize the number of attempted and accurate answers during the actual exam. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. In JEE Main 2026, negative marking applies only to MCQs: you lose 1 mark for every incorrect MCQ answer. Numerical questions have no negative marking, so wrong answers here don’t penalize you.
The JEE Main syllabus for 2025 and 2026 remains unchanged and follows the revised version introduced by NTA in 2024, which had a reduced syllabus.
The JEE Main 2026 exam will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and acts as the primary entrance test for admission to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs. It is usually held twice annually—in January and April—in a computer-based test (CBT) mode.