IIT JAM Exam Pattern 2026 (Revised): Marking Scheme, Question Pattern, Exam Mode, Paper Level
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  • IIT JAM Exam Pattern 2026 (Revised): Marking Scheme, Question Pattern, Exam Mode, Paper Level

IIT JAM Exam Pattern 2026 (Revised): Marking Scheme, Question Pattern, Exam Mode, Paper Level

Ongoing Event

JAM Application Date:05 Sep' 25 - 25 Oct' 25

Nikita ShawUpdated on 07 Oct 2025, 12:27 PM IST

IIT JAM Exam Pattern 2026: The IIT Bombay has released the JAM exam pattern 2026 on September 3 along with the official notification. Students can start our preparation for IIT JAM following the exam question pattern. The IIT JAM 2026 exam pattern includes the question pattern, paper pattern, marking scheme and other important details.

This Story also Contains

  1. IIT JAM Exam Pattern 2026 – Section-Wise Division
  2. IIT JAM Exam Pattern 2026 Question Types
  3. IIT JAM 2026 Exam Schedule- Session Wise
  4. IIT JAM 2026 Marking Scheme- Section Wise
  5. IIT JAM 2026 Pattern of Papers
  6. IIT JAM 2026 Negative Markings
  7. Syllabus for IIT JAM 2026
  8. IIT JAM 2026 Mock Test
  9. Preparation Tips for IIT JAM 2026
IIT JAM Exam Pattern 2026 (Revised): Marking Scheme, Question Pattern, Exam Mode, Paper Level
IIT JAM Exam pattern

Candidates will have to perform 60 questions in the given 3 hours of time duration in the IIT JAM 2026. There is also negative marking in the exam. Students are advised to read this complete article to know the IIT JAM exam pattern 2026, paper pattern, syllabus, marking scheme and others.

IIT JAM Exam Pattern 2026 – Section-Wise Division

By following this IIT JAM marking scheme, candidates will be able to understand the specifics of the IIT JAM 2026, and secure a good score.

IIT JAM 2026 Exam Pattern

Sections/Types

Section A

Section B

Section C

Number of Questions

30

10

20

IIT JAM exam duration

Three hours

Marks

10 questions: 1 mark

20 questions: 2 marks

2 marks for each question

10 questions: 1 marks

10 questions: 2 marks

IIT JAM negative marking

1/3 rd marks will be deducted for each question carrying one mark

2/3 rd marks will be deducted for each question carrying two marks

No negative marking

No negative marking

Types of Question

Multiple Choice

Multiple Choice

No options will be displayed

Mode of Exam

Online

Online

Online

Total number of Question

60

IIT JAM total marks

100

IIT JAM Exam Pattern 2026 Question Types

The IIT JAM exam 2026 is divided into three sections, where Section A consists of 30 MCQ questions, Section B contains 10 MSQs and Section C includes 20 NAT type questions. All the sections mentioned in exam pattern of IIT JAM 2026 must be attempted by the students. Candidates appearing for the examination can know about the types of questions that will be asked in the IIT JAM 2026 exam. The JAM exam 2026 will be conducted in three different sections as mentioned below.

  1. Section - A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) - This part has 30 questions where you choose the right answer from four options. You click on the answer you think is correct. Some questions give you 1 point and others give you 2 points. Specifically, 10 questions are worth 1 point each, and 20 questions are worth 2 points each.

  2. Section - B: Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) - In this section, 10 questions will consist of Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) format, with four optional answers for each question. Students must select the correct answer by clicking among the four optional answers. Each question carries 2 marks. If all the answers are correct, then full marks will be allotted.

  3. Section - C: Numerical Answer Type (NAT) - This section consists of 20 Numerical Answer Type Questions without any options like the above sections. Candidates should input the answer by pressing the numbers of the virtual numeric keypad. 10 questions out of 20 are awarded 1 mark each and other 10 questions are awarded 2 marks each.

IIT JAM Exam Pattern

IIT JAM 2026 Exam Schedule- Session Wise

The JAM exam is split into two parts during the day. The morning session starts at 9:30 am, and the afternoon session commences at 2:30 pm. It's important for everyone taking the test to check which subjects are in the morning and which are in the afternoon. We've listed all the JAM subjects below.

IIT JAM Exam Timing 2026

Papers

Session

Timings

IIT JAM Chemistry (CY)

Session I

9:30 am – 12:30 pm

IIT JAM Biotechnology (BT)

Session II

2:30 pm – 5:30 pm

IIT JAM Physics (PH)

Session II

2:30 pm – 5:30 pm

IIT JAM Economics (EN)

Session II

2:30 pm – 5:30 pm

IIT JAM Geology (GG)

Session I

9:30 am – 12:30 pm

IIT JAM Mathematical Statistics (MS)

Session II

2:30 pm – 5:30 pm

IIT JAM Mathematics (MA)

Session I

9:30 am – 12:30 pm

IIT JAM 2026 Marking Scheme- Section Wise

The IIT JAM marks distribution depends on the sections. Some questions may be worth one mark while others could be worth two. Understanding how each section is marked helps you plan your answers and score better on the test. Candidates who would appear in the IIT JAM 2026 exam must know about the JAM marking scheme 2026. The IIT JAM full marks is 100. Knowing the marking scheme of the JAM 2026 exam thoroughly will allow the students to avoid losing out on necessary marks, which will eventually improve their scores in the JAM test 2026. There is also negative marking in IIT JAM 2026. The table below shows the section-wise IIT JAM marks distribution. Candidates are advised to check the table below for details on IIT JAM negative marking scheme.

IIT JAM Marking Scheme 2026

Section

Marks for Each Correct Answer

No. of Questions

A

1 mark each

10 MCQs

2 marks each

20 MCQs

B

2 marks each

10 MSQs

C

1 mark each

10 NAT Questions

2 marks each

10 NAT Questions

Marking Scheme of IIT JAM 2026 Exam- Negative Marking

Particulars

Details

For every correct answer

+1 for every 1 mark question

+2 for every 2 marks question

IIT JAM 2026 Negative Markings

-1/3 for every 1 mark question

-2/3 for every 2 mark question

For every unanswered question

0 marks

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IIT JAM 2026 Pattern of Papers

Understanding the IIT JAM question pattern helps you get familiar with the test and know what to expect on exam day. Candidates aspiring to appear in the IIT JAM 2026 must familiarise themselves with the paper patterns of IIT JAM 2026 test. Knowing the IIT JAM paper pattern allows the candidates with insights of the JAM exam 2026, question type, IIT JAM question paper pattern and the aspect of time management, which overall improves the preparation of IIT JAM 2026 exam. Candidates must also be aware of the JAM marking scheme in order to get insight on how to score better in IIT JAM 2026.

IIT JAM Paper Pattern 2026

Sections/ Types

Types of Questions

Marks

Number of Questions


Total Marks

Section A

Multiple Choice

10 questions - one mark

20 questions - two marks

30

50

Section B

Multiple Choice

Each question two marks

10

20

Section C

No options will be displayed

10 questions - one mark

10 questions - two marks

20

30

Total



60

100

1650087133889

IIT JAM 2026 Negative Markings

In IIT JAM 2026, wrong answers in Section A lead to negative markings. Candidates appearing for the IIT JAM entrance test 2026 must know the marking scheme for IIT JAM 2026 as it helps the students to strategise for the exam better. There will be negative marking in IIT JAM. There are no negative markings in Section B and Section C. However, in Section A, ⅓ marks will be deducted for every wrong answer to any 1 mark question and ⅔ marks will be deducted for any wrong answer to any 2 mark question. There is no negative marking for unanswered questions.

Syllabus for IIT JAM 2026

The conducting IIT has released the JAM 2026 syllabus on its official website. The JAM Syllabus covers all the topics candidates need to study for JAM exam subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and more. IIT JAM syllabus provides candidates with information about each of the test subjects. Each paper of IIT JAM 2026 has a different syllabus. The candidate must familiarise himself or herself with the syllabus of JAM exam subjects they are preparing for and study accordingly. The JAM syllabus 2026 will prove to be an important preparation tool for candidates.

Also Read,

JAM Previous Year Papers
Candidates can download JAM previous year's papers to boost their exam preparation.
Download Now

IIT JAM 2026 Mock Test

JAM Mock exams 2026 are practice exams that simulate the real JAM exam conditions. IIT JAM 2026 conducting body has provided the links for JAM 2026 mock test on its official website. Candidates need to access the links to take the IIT JAM mock test that can help them know the JAM exam pattern and other important factors such as the IIT JAM question pattern relevant to the actual JAM 2026 question papers. Practising the mock test is an excellent way to understand the IIT JAM 2026 paper pattern. To take the IIT JAM mock test candidates do not need login credentials to appear in the IIT JAM 2026 mock test. This will help the candidates to know the paper pattern of IIT JAM and important topics.

Preparation Tips for IIT JAM 2026

Candidates are advised to check these JAM preparation tips to increase their chances of success in the IIT JAM entrance exam. Here is a complete guide to appearing in the JAM mock test 2026 and other IIT JAM preparation tips. Participants are not required to submit credentials in order to participate in the mock tests. JAM 2026 mock tests will help candidates improve their efficiency and speed. For those who wish to achieve a high score on the entrance exam, this mock test of JAM 2026 is highly recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Where can I check the IIT JAM 2026 exam pattern?
A:

From the official website of the JAM 2026, one can download the exam pattern.

Q: How many questions are there in the IIT JAM 2026 exam?
A:

There will be a total of 60 questions asked in the JAM exam.

Q: Is there negative marking in the IIT JAM exam 2026?
A:

Yes, there is negative marking on the JAM exam. The Negative marking applies to certain types of questions. For each incorrect answer to 1-mark questions, 1/3 mark is deducted, and for each incorrect answer to 2-mark questions, 2/3 mark is deducted.

Q: How many total marks does the IIT JAM 2026 carry?
A:

The IIT JAM exam carries a total of 100 marks.

Q: What is the duration of the IIT JAM 2026 exam?
A:

The IIT JAM exam duration is 3 hours (180 minutes).

Q: is there negative marking in IIT JAM?
A:

There are negative markings in IIT JAM exam. A deduction of 1/3 mark is applicable for incorrect response to 1 mark questions and 2/3 mark will be deducted for 2 marks questions.

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Questions related to JAM

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to JAM ?

Congratulations on clearing IIT JAM 2025! That’s a great achievement.

  • Now you can apply for M.Sc. or other post-graduate programs at IITs, IISc, and other top institutes through the official counselling process.
  • Make sure to check the JoSAA JAM Counselling Process (https://jam.iitkgp.ac.in/counselling) .

Hello,

Yes, you can appear in IIT JAM with 65% in 12th because you don't need 12th marks in IIT JAM. In IIT JAM they need your bachelor's degree, and you must have a minimum aggregate mark of 55% in this degree; then you can appear in IIT JAM. This means overall IIT JAM doesn't need 12th marks; instead, it needs bachelor's degree marks.

I hope it resolves your query!!

Yes, the IIT JAM Mathematics syllabus is mostly the same as what is taught in B.Sc. Mathematics. Core topics like Calculus, Algebra, Differential Equations, and Real Analysis overlap. However, JAM tests deeper understanding and problem-solving skills, often at a higher difficulty level than typical B.Sc. exams. Some topics may also be covered more rigorously or appear in more applied forms. So while the syllabus is similar, focused preparation is needed to match JAM’s level.

Hello

With an IIT JAM rank of 2167 in the General category, top-tier Indian Institutes of Technology such as IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Banaras Hindu University are unlikely options, as their closing ranks are typically in the low hundreds to a few thousands. However, you are still in a good position for several reputable government colleges through both the IIT JAM counselling and the Centralised Counselling for Master of Science and Technology (CCMN) channels.

If you belong to the Scheduled Caste category, you have a strong chance at getting admission to IIT Banaras Hindu University in the Master of Science in Physics program.

If you are in the General category, apply through the Centralised Counselling for Master of Science and Technology to National Institutes of Technology such as NIT Silchar, NIT Srinagar, and others.

You should register for the Centralised Counselling for Master of Science and Technology for admission to National Institutes of Technology and Centrally Funded Technical Institutions, and carefully prioritize your preferences in subjects like Physics, Chemistry, or Mathematics.

You may also explore the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research option:

If you are interested, register for the IISER Aptitude Test and aim for a rank below approximately 2000.

Keep alternative plans in mind:

Consider reputable National Institutes of Technology in your state or nearby, such as the National Institute of Technology Agartala, National Institute of Technology Nagpur, and similar institutions



Hello aspirant,

Yes you can definitely appear for IIT JAM without mathematics in class 12, as JAM is based on your Bachelor's degree background. It depends on the subject you choose for your bachelor's degree and your graduation. You can also keep checking the IIT JAM eligibility pdf for your target subject.