JEE Mains vs. JEE Advanced: Key Differences & Preparation Guide

The Joint Entrance Examination constitutes the most eminent competitive examination in India specifically designed for undergraduate admissions into engineering colleges. The examination scheme of JEE consists of two-part tests: JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. Both these tests grant entrance into prestigious institutions, namely NITs, IITs, and several other engineering colleges. However, their eligibility, syllabi, difficulty levels, and exam patterns differ vastly. Knowing all about the differences between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced assumes great importance for aspirants intending to prepare for either or both. This exhaustive guide gives you an insight into the major facets of both exams in terms of structure, eligibility, and preparation strategy.

 

Before proceeding with the specifics of each exam, it is important to know the basic structure of JEE. JEE Mains would be the first stage of the examination qualifying a candidate to appear for JEE Advanced, which is the second stage. Both exams would check a candidate's knowledge of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics - all three together in PCM. However, the level of difficulty, the syllabus coverage, and, of course, the institutions catered to differ greatly across the two.

1. JEE Mains vs. JEE Advanced: Eligibility Criteria 

One of the primary differences is actually the eligibility criteria, with that concerning JEE and JEE Advanced being tabulated below:
 

Eligibility for JEE Mains 

Age Limit: The date of birth of the general category students must be on or after October 1, 2000, and a five-year relaxation is given to reserved category students.

Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed the 12th standard board examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as main subjects. They should score a minimum of 75% marks (65% for SC/ST) in their 12th standard examinations or be among the top 20 percentile in their respective board examinations.

Number of Attempts: The candidate may attempt JEE Mains a maximum of 3 times in 3 successive years.

Eligibility for JEE Advanced

Performance in JEE Mains: Only those candidates who have successfully taken the JEE Mains examination and are ranked in the top around 2.5 lakh ranks are eligible to appear in the examination of JEE Advanced. 

Age Limit: Similar to that of JEE Mains candidates, must be born on or after 1 October 2000, and there is a 5-year relaxation for the reserved category students. 

Educational Qualification: The candidate has passed his 12th standard or an equivalent examination in the two years preceding an examination. Candidates are required to study PCM subjects in their 12th exams. 

Number of Attempts: JEE Advanced can be attempted two times in consecutive years. This eligibility distinction matters because JEE Mains is a screening process for a candidate to go to JEE Advanced. 

2. Syllabus Comparison between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced

Both Differences Between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced Mains and Advanced JEE have a significant combination of syllabi common in that they both concern Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, but between them, there is still a very big difference in how broad and advanced topics are treated. 

JEE Mains Syllabus 

The whole syllabus of JEE mains is as follows

Physics: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electrodynamics, Optics, and Modern Physics. 

Chemistry: Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry 

Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry and Probability. 

JEE Advanced Syllabus

To test within dimensions found at the same level, the subjects are the same as those covered in JEE Advanced; however, they probe more deeply into concepts and applications of advanced areas such as Advanced Calculus, Complex Numbers, Electrostatics, Magnetism, etc. Furthermore, in JEE Advanced, there is mostly a requirement for students to apply education and experience to the problem-solving scenario, which requires activism in thinking ability and a higher level of conceptual understanding. 
 

The syllabus of JEE Mains is mainly more oriented toward understanding concepts and knowing such knowledge but broadly tests deep understanding and application knowledge of concepts to difficult problems.

3. Comparison of JEE Mains vs. JEE Advanced Exam Patterns

JEE Mains and JEE Advanced are distinct for one more reason: their exam pattern. This explains the very short but concise structure of both exams. 

Exam Pattern for JEE Mains 

Mode of Exam: JEE Mains is conducted in both online (Computer Based Test) and offline (Pen and Paper) modes. 

Number of Questions: 90 total questions, 30 from Physics, 30 from Chemistry, and 30 from Mathematics 

Type: MCQs and Numerically Value-Based Questions. 

Total Marks: 360 marks (4 marks for every correct response-events, -1 mark for every incorrect response-arm). Time duration: 3 hours. 

JEE Advanced Exam Pattern 

Mode of Exam: JEE Advanced is administered only as an online exam. 

Number of Questions: There may be between 54 questions total over both papers but that varies each year. 

Type of Questions: A mix of MCQs, Numerical Value-Based Questions, and Matching Type Questions, among others.

Total Marks: Generally between 360-400 marks. 

Duration: Each paper has a time limit of 3 hours and combines both papers for a total of 6 hours.

Testing ability for JEE Advanced is an application of the concept to the solution of complex problems. JEE Mains, on the other hand, tests the understanding of basic concepts by a candidate. 

4. Comparison of JEE Mains and JEE Advanced in Terms of Difficulty Level

There is indeed much less difficulty with JEE Mains than with JEE Advanced; yet, it is rigorous preparation. This preparation assesses basic concept understanding and applicability in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The questions pertained to the fundamental grasp of the topics, which are kind of not so tough but hold the traps and analytical skills.

While the JEE Mains might test whether a candidate built a good foundation in the subjects tested, JEE Advanced assesses how a student can apply what he or she has learned to complex problems requiring higher-order thinking processes and problem-solving skills.

5. JEE Mains for NITs and JEE Advanced for IITs

The most important distinction between the two is that JEE Mains is for admission into NITs, IIITs, and various centrally funded technical institutions, and JEE Advanced is for the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). 
 

While NITs and IIITs are very reputable institutions in India, IITs are at the top of the hierarchy of engineering education. Hence the level of competition for admission into IITs is much higher because JEE Advance is much difficult.

6. JEE Mains vs. JEE Advanced: Tips for Preparation

JEE Mains Preparation

Master the basic concepts and practice the widest varieties of problems.

Do previous years' papers to get a fair understanding of the exam pattern and the types of questions.

Take mocks to improve your time management and even boost your confidence.

JEE Advanced Preparation

Apart from mastering the basic concepts, understand the deeper applications of each topic.

Practice complex problem-solving with an eye to higher techniques.

Regularly taking mock tests will simulate the environment of the exam and give you experience in gauging your performance.
 

Skoodos Bridge is your one-stop shop for finding the best coaching institutions around you. It includes expert guidance and strategy development tailored specifically to your needs, whether you're looking for JEE Mains or JEE Advanced coaching. It promotes access to institutes with proven track records helping students like you.

Conclusion: 

Which One Should You Focus On?

Both JEEs are important in the life of a budding engineer in India: JEE Mains for going through the process toward JEE Advanced, which leads to IITs. Of course, both NEET and AEE have to be conquered. However, it cannot be disputed that JEE Advanced is harder than JEE Mains, requiring more in-depth knowledge and application skills to solve problems as important factors. Best suited to JEE Mains are mastering fundamentals before building on them for the advanced concepts required for JEE Advanced.
 

With the right preparation strategy, guidance, and effective coaching, both these exams can be sailed through. To make this process easy as well as effective, Skoodos Bridge presents a full-fledged platform to find top coaching institutions for your successful JEE preparation. 

FAQs

1. What is the difference between JEE Mains and JEE Advanced?

JEE Mains is the first stage of the exam which mainly grants admission into NITs and other engineering colleges. JEE Advanced is the second stage of the exam which is needed for admission into IITs. JEE Advanced is much more difficult and coves need a much deeper understanding of the concepts than JEE Mains.
 

2. Can I take the JEE Advanced without having cleared the JEE Mains?

No. You have to qualify for the JEE Mains, and then only those among the top 2.5 lakh will be eligible for the JEE Advanced. 
 

3. How many attempts can I make for JEE Mains and JEE Advanced? 

The maximum time for JEE Mains is three years in a row. For JEE Advanced, you can attempt it twice a year at the maximum in immediate succession. 
 

4. Will Skoodos Bridge help me to find coaching for JEE? 

Yes, Skoodos Bridge gives a platform to search for coaching institutes for JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. You can find different options, compare institutes and even get an expert to improve your preparations.