JEE Main and JEE Advanced, both of these exams are in the “High Priority zone” of all engineering or IIT aspirants. Both the exams hold equal importance in getting their heads into IIT. But students are always confused about what is the basic difference between the two. The major difference is that JEE Main exam is to be cleared in order to be able to sit for the JEE Advanced exam.
JEE Main acts as a gateway to being eligible for JEE Advanced exam. To understand the pattern and concept-based differences we need to first comprehend what the two exams are all about.
JEE Main Examination
The National Testing Agency conducts the JEE Main examination for admission to the premier engineering colleges in India namely NITs, CFTIs, IIITs (Indian Institute of Information Technology), IITs, and other state and Government financed Institutions.
JEE Advanced Examination
The JEE Advanced examination is conducted by the IITs. This exam is for admission to the 23 IITs in India. As compared to JEE Main Exam, there is no difference in the amount of syllabus, rather, a difference in the level of questions asked.
JEE Advanced Related Links
What’s the Difference between JEE Main and JEE Advanced Paper?
Both the exams test the PCM (Physics, Chemistry & Maths) knowledge of the candidates. While JEE Main is a 3-hour single exam, JEE Advanced consists of two papers of 3 hours each. JEE Advanced is however considered to be more difficult by the IIT aspirants only because of the level of questions asked.
Difference Between JEE Main and JEE Advanced
It will not be false to state that JEE Main and JEE Advanced are not conceptually different. The only factor that differentiates the exams based on the concept is that JEE Advanced digs deeper and tests the thorough knowledge of the test takers. It is a well-balanced exam that tests the in-depth understanding of the concepts as well as analytical thinking of the candidates through the level and framing of the questions.
Also, as per education experts, JEE Advanced is a “Sensible” exam as it tests every facet of your study and your preparation, and not only focuses on textual learning but an in-depth understanding of the concepts. Though both the exams have largely the same syllabus and are based on PCM, in JEE Advanced, Concepts and Memory play an equally important role.
| Differences | JEE Main | JEE Advanced |
| Courses | Conducted for providing admission into BE or B.Tech courses in various NITs & other Institution | JEE Advanced is the criteria to get admission to the well-known Indian Institutes of Technology |
| Eligibility Criteria | For JEE Main, there is no prescribed percentage to appear in the examination. But for admission to the NITs, IIITs & CFTIs, candidates must score minimum of 75% marks (65% for SC/ ST students) in the qualifying exam or must be in the top 20 percentile in the class 12th examination | The top two Lakh scorers who qualify for the JEE Main are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced. |
| Number of Attempts | Students can apply for the JEE Mains exams any number of times as there is no attempt limit | For JEE Advanced, students can apply for a maximum of two times in two consecutive years |
| Mode of Examination | JEE Main Paper consists of two papers: Paper 1 & Paper 2. Paper 1 (B.Tech/ BE) is conducted through an online (Computer Based Examination) mode. While Paper 2 (B.Arch/ B.Planning) is organized through offline (Pen and Paper based examination) mode only | JEE Advanced Examination consists of two papers: Paper 1 & Paper 2. JEE Advanced exam is held through online (Computer Based Examination) mode only. |
| Paper Type | JEE Main Question Paper (Paper 1) has multiple choice questions covering the subjects: Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics. | JEE Advanced Paper 1 & 2 have objective-type questions from the same subjects. |
| Syllabus | The JEE Main syllabus comprises of Class 11th and 12th Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics subjects. | In JEE Advanced, a few extra topics are to be covered in the exam. |
It is said that a good exam should test them all and that’s what JEE Advanced does, to a good extent.
