The JEE Main 2026 examination will take place in two slots in January and April next year. The exam is one of the most competitive and difficult entrance examinations for students to take. Students may be on the fence on whether to appear for both the January and April sessions of the JEE Main examination. This article highlights the key factors for students to consider before deciding on which sessions of the JEE Main exam to appear for. These factors can help students make a better and well-informed decision with regards to their JEE Main exam sessions.
Factors to Consider for Giving Both JEE Main Sessions
Provided below are some key factors students must consider before preparing for and giving both sessions of the JEE Main examination. Students should look into these factors and contemplate what decision would be best for them.
The factors are as follows:
- Overall Preparedness: This is a crucial point to consider. If students are thoroughly prepared for the January session and are confident as well as satisfied with their attempt, one should be fine. However, if students are not well-prepared by January, they can consider giving both sessions. Students can also consider just giving the April session if they don’t feel very prepared for January at all.
- Practice: Students can give the January session as a practice test for the April examination. Giving one with the mindset of a practice test can help students get an understanding of what they can expect from the JEE Main examination. This includes the type of questions, how they can manage their time and what their score was. They can accordingly adjust their strategy and take the April exam session a lot more seriously and with what they learnt from their January session.
- Best of Two:The National Testing Agency (NTA) considers a student’s best score out of the two attempts. In case a student gives both and scores better in the first attempt, that JEE Main score will be considered by the exam authorities.
- Second Chance: Students who were not satisfied with their first examination, should aim to give the April session. More often than not, after giving the January session, students may have reduced stress and may feel better prepared for the April session of the JEE Main examination.
- Board Exam Clashing: For students giving the JEE Main exam in class 12th, their board exams may clash with their April attempts. In such cases, it is recommended for students to go for the January session to avoid the overlapping of the exams and increase their mental pressure.
Students Can Also Read: Mastering JEE Main and Class 12th Boards
JEE Main Maximum Attempts Allowed
In general, all students are only allowed a total of 6 attempts to give the JEE Main examination, regardless of their category. Students from the year of completing their class 12th, have 3 years to clear the JEE Main exam, with the opportunity to give the exam twice a year in January and April. This means that students have a total of 6 attempts allowed for the JEE Main examination, as long as they meet the required eligibility criteria.
After the 3 year time period has ended, students will not be permitted to sit for the JEE Main examination, regardless of the number of times they appeared. Even if a student misses an attempt for the exam, if they wish to take the JEE Main exam after the 3-year period has ended, they will not be allowed to.
Conclusion
It is recommended for students to thoroughly consider their individual situations before deciding to give one or both sessions of the JEE Main examination. For some, appearing for both can be highly beneficial due to the exam’s difficulty and competition. However, for others, if they are well-prepared, giving one session for the JEE Main exam should suffice. Students must consider their individual circumstances and preferences with the factors of giving both sessions of the JEE Main exam before arriving at a conclusion.
Also Read: JEE Main Time Management Strategies
