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JAM Exam Date:15 Feb' 26 - 15 Feb' 26
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.
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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.
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.
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 | ||
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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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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.
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 |

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.
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.
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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.
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)
From the official website of the JAM 2026, one can download the exam pattern.
There will be a total of 60 questions asked in the JAM exam.
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.
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.
The IIT JAM exam carries a total of 100 marks.
The IIT JAM exam duration is 3 hours (180 minutes).
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
If your IIT JAM status shows “Under Scrutiny: Defect Rectification Done”, it means your correction is submitted and under review. Keep checking your portal, once verified, it’ll change to “Accepted” or “Found Defective.” Updates usually appear within 2–3 days before the portal closes.
Hope you understand.
For IIT JAM BIOTECHNOLOGY EXAMINATION the 4 subjects are PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, MATHEMATICS AND BIOLOGY and the candidate must be graduated with other criteria. Nowhere in the eligibilities it is needed to have mathematics in +2 level.
You can check out the other eligibility in the brochure given below by Careers360.
Hello dear candidate ,
JAM exam is conducting in english only , no hindi option is available in this exam so there is no choice to giving the IIT JAM exam in Hindi , you must have to prepare in english for IIT JAM .
Hope this information is useful to you.
Congratulations on clearing IIT JAM 2025! That’s a great achievement.
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!!
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