A straight forward guide for the candidates and parents too!
The IIT Dream: More Than Just an Exam
Do you remember building gadgets out of scrap, opening up electronics to see “how it works,” or dreaming of becoming the next Parag Agarwal or Sundar Pichai? Well, for most of the engineering aspirants in India, that dream begins with one of the most prestigious exams – JEE Advanced.
It’s not just an exam; it’s about standing among the top minds of the nation. It’s a gateway to the elite Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). It demands not only knowledge, but also sharp thinking, focus, and mental endurance. If you’re someone who enjoys solving puzzles, finding logic in chaos or just dreaming big in tech, this exam is your battlefield.
If you’ve qualified JEE Main and now set your sights on the IITs, JEE Advanced is your next BIG step. While it may look challenging at first, this friendly guide will walk you through what it is, how to prepare for it, and how to crack it.
About JEE Advanced
JEE Advanced is the second and final stage of India’s prestigious Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). It serves as a gateway to the 23 IITs, IISc, IISERs, and several other reputed institutions. Only the top 2,50,000 rank holders in JEE Main are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced.
Note: JEE Advanced is the only valid entrance exam for undergraduate programs at the IITs.
Why is JEE Advanced so important?
IITs are not just engineering colleges – they are ecosystems of innovation, entrepreneurship and excellence. Every year, top global companies and research institutions turns to the IITs to recruit the next generation of problem-solvers and tech leaders.
This trust exists because JEE Advanced is not designed to test rote memory, but to assess application, creativity and problem-solving skills. The exam is known for its tricky questions, deep conceptual focus and unique paper structure, but with the right preparation, cracking it, is absolutely possible.
Who Will Conduct JEE Advanced 2025?
Each year, seven IITs – IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati and IIT Roorkee, along with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore conducts the exam on a rotational basis. For year 2025, IIT Kanpur has been designated to organize the exam under the guidance of Joint Admission Board (JAB).
JEE Advanced 2025: Key Dates & Timeline
| Event | Date |
| Application Form Start | April 23, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | May 2, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | May 11, 2025 |
| Examination Date | May 18, 2025 |
| Answer Key Release | May 26, 2025 |
| Result Declaration | June 2, 2025 |
Note: Always refer to the official website for updates: www.jeeadv.ac.in
Exam Format & Subject Layout
JEE Advanced is unlike any other exam, it’s pattern changes slightly every year to avoid predictability.
🔸Number of Papers: 2 (Paper-1: Morning & Paper-2: Day Shift; Both are compulsory)
🔸Time Duration: 3 hours each (6 hours total)
🔸Mode: Online / Computer-Based Test (CBT)
🔸Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
🔸Types of Questions:
- Multiple Choice/Select Questions (MCQ / MSQ)
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT)
- Matching Type Questions
- Paragraph-based Questions
🔸Marking Scheme:
JEE Advanced doesn’t follow a fixed marking pattern; here’s how it typically works:
- The marking scheme varies for each question type. For MCQs (Single Option Correct), right answers usually awarded +3 marks, wrong answers get -1 mark and no answer results in 0 marks.
- In the NAT section correct answers usually awarded +4 marks and unanswered or incorrect answers may result in 0 marks.
- Column Match/Matrix type questions may have different marking schemes, with correct matches potentially awarding +1 or more and incorrect matches resulting in 0 marks.
- Questions based on MSQ have an option of Partial Marking, full marks +4 are awarded for selecting all correct options. Otherwise, +3, +2, +1 can be awarded for selecting some but not all correct options. Incorrect combinations are penalised with -2 marks. Unanswered question usually receives 0 marks.
Notes:
- No fixed number of questions, and sections may vary each year.
- Expect mixed marking schemes – partial marks, negatives and tricky logic.
So, always check the current year’s instructions carefully – the JEE Advanced paper rewards smart strategy as much as strong concepts.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Appear in JEE Advanced 2025?
To be eligible for JEE Advanced, you must satisfy the following conditions:
- JEE Main 2025 Performance
Must be among the top 2,50,000 candidates across all categories. - Age Limit
You should be born on or after October 1, 2000 (with a 5-year relaxation for SC/ST/PwD candidates) - Number of Attempts
A maximum of 2 consecutive attempts is allowed. - Qualifying Exam
You must have appeared in Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2024 or 2025. - Previous IIT Admissions
Candidates who have already been admitted to any IIT in the past are not eligible.
Fee Structure for JEE Advanced 2025
| Category | Fee (INR) |
| General/OBC (Male) | ₹3200 |
| General/OBC (Female) | ₹1600 |
| SC/ST/PwD | ₹1600 |
| Foreign Nationals | Varies (as per official notification) |
Note: Fees must be paid online and are non-refundable.
Cut-Offs Trends: How Much is Enough? (Based on 2024)
JEE Advanced does not have a single fixed cutoff, it includes both subject-wise minimum marks and an overall aggregate percentage.
| Category | Overall Cutoff | Subject-wise Cutoff |
| General | 30.34% | 8.68% |
| OBC-NCL / EWS | 27.30% | 7.8% |
| SC / ST / PwD | 15.17% | 4.34% |
Note:
- Cutoffs fluctuate every year depending on the difficulty level of the exam and the overall performance of candidates.
- These cut off are only for qualifying, not for securing admission to a specific IIT.
What’s in the Syllabus?
JEE Advanced focuses heavily on conceptual clarity. It tests your ability to apply logic creativity, challenges your problem-solving skills and often goes beyond NCERT. It requires deep application-based knowledge.
- Physics: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetic Waves, Optics.
- Chemistry: Organic, Inorganic,Physical Chemistry all sections are equally important.
- Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, Vectors, Probability.
Note: For the official and detailed syllabus visit: jeeadv.ac.in/syllabus.
How to Apply? (Step-by-Step process)
- Visit the to official website of JEE Advanced: www.jeeadv.ac.in.
- Register using your JEE Main Roll Number and other required details.
- Fill in the application form with your Academic and Personal details.
- Upload your documents, photos, and signature.
- Pay the required application fee online and confirm your submission.
Note: No late applications are accepted, so avoid waiting until the last day.
MyExams Tips: Keep checking your email/SMS regularly for your admit card and for further updates.
Career Options After JEE Advanced
Cracking JEE Advanced can open doors to:
- B. Tech / Dual Degree programs at IITs
- B.S. Research courses at IISc and IISERs (based on JEE Advanced scores)
- Interdisciplinary programs combining AI and Engineering
- Research & Startup opportunities during your undergraduate years
- Global Fellowships, foreign Internships & higher studies (MSc/PhD) abroad.
Quick Clarifications: FAQs
-
Is JEE Advanced only for IITs?
Mostly yes, but some institutes like IISc and IISERs also accept JEE Advanced scores.
-
Can I crack JEE Advanced without coaching?
Yes, many toppers have done it. You’ll need strong fundamentals, self-discipline and regular mock practice.
-
Is there a fixed syllabus and pattern every year?
The syllabus remains fixed but the paper pattern may change slightly each year.
-
Will the paper be very different from JEE Main?
Yes, the questions are trickier more in-depth and heavily logic-driven.
-
How many seats are there in IITs?
Approximately 17,000+ seats (including all categories), though the number may vary slightly each year.
-
Will I be eligible next year if I don’t qualify in 2025?
Yes, you can appear twice in consecutive years, if you meet the age and academic eligibility criteria.
MyExams Suggests: Practice Like a Pro!
Real exam simulation is the key to success. Whether or not you’re enrolled in coaching, make sure to use a reliable test series that closely mimics the actual difficulty level and pattern of JEE Advanced.
That’s why MyExams.Ai Test Series is strongly recommended for aspirants:
- Full-length CBT mocks
- Chapter-wise, mini and mixed practice sets
- Real-time Ranking
- Mistake analysis with detailed solutions
- Performance tracking with in-depth explanations
Explore here: https://myexams.ai/product/jee-advanced-online-test-series
Final Thoughts: It’s a Journey… Not a Shortcut!!
Cracking JEE Advanced is a milestone – not a miracle. It’s a challenge. It’s a journey of self-discipline, resilience, and smart work. And by reading this guide, you’ve already taken the first step. Remember, it’s not about being a genius. It’s about being consistent, focused and hungry to improve every day.
The IIT journey is not for the fastest or the smartest, it’s for the most persistent.
So, trust your grind. The climb is steep, but the view from the top is truly worth it.
Trusted and Official Sources to Follow:
- Official Website: https://www.jeeadv.ac.in
- JoSAA Counselling Portal: https://josaa.nic.in
- IIT Kanpur Official Notices: www.iitk.ac.in
- MyExams.Ai Website: https://myexams.ai