The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the exam pattern for JEE Main 2026. This is important news for students who want to study engineering or architecture. The good news is that the exam pattern has **not changed** from last year. This means students already familiar with the format can continue their preparation with confidence.
You can find the full details of the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern on the official website: **jeemain.nta.nic.in**. The exam will be a Computer-Based Test (CBT) for most sections. However, the Drawing Test for Paper 2A (B.Arch) will be held offline, using pen and paper. The exam will include both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and questions where you need to type in a numerical answer.
The JEE Main 2026 exams will take place in two sessions. The first session is from **January 21 to 30, 2026**. The second session will be held from **April 1 to 10, 2026**.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Structure Overview
The Joint Entrance Examination (Main) 2026 has three main papers. Each paper is for a different course and has a specific set of subjects. Paper 1 is for B.E./B.Tech courses, Paper 2A is for B.Arch, and Paper 2B is for B.Planning. All papers have a total duration of **3 hours**.
| Aspect | Paper 1 (BE/BTech) | Paper 2A (BArch) | Paper 2B (BPlan) |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-Based) | Mathematics & Aptitude: Online Drawing: Offline | Online (Computer-Based) |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | Mathematics, Aptitude Test, Drawing Test | Mathematics, Aptitude Test, Planning-based Questions |
| Total Duration | 3 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Total Marks | 300 marks | 400 marks | 400 marks |
| Total Questions | 75 questions | 77 questions | 100 questions |
Deeper Look at Question Types
Here is a detailed breakdown of the types and number of questions you will face in each paper:
For **Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)**, the exam has three sections: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Each section will have **25 questions**. Out of these 25 questions, **20 will be Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)**, and the remaining **5 questions will be Numerical Value Questions (NVQs)**. You must attempt all **5 Numerical Value Questions** in each subject. This means Paper 1 has a total of **75 questions** (25 from Physics + 25 from Chemistry + 25 from Mathematics).
For **Paper 2A (B.Arch)**, the exam includes three parts. The **Mathematics** section will have **25 questions**, consisting of **20 MCQs** and **5 Numerical Value Questions**. All **5 NVQs in Mathematics are compulsory**. The **Aptitude Test** will have **50 Multiple Choice Questions**. The **Drawing Test** will have **2 questions** that you need to draw on a sheet of paper. This makes a total of **77 questions** for Paper 2A.
For **Paper 2B (B.Plan)**, the exam also has three parts. The **Mathematics** section will have **25 questions**, which include **20 MCQs** and **5 Numerical Value Questions**. Like B.Arch, all **5 NVQs in Mathematics are compulsory**. The **Aptitude Test** will have **50 Multiple Choice Questions**. The **Planning-based Questions** section will consist of **25 Multiple Choice Questions**. In total, Paper 2B will have **100 questions**.
Understanding the Marking Scheme
The marking scheme for JEE Main 2026 is clear and applies to all papers. Knowing this helps you strategize your attempts during the exam:
- For every correct answer: **+4 marks** will be given.
- For every incorrect answer: **-1 mark** will be deducted.
- For questions not attempted or marked for review: **0 marks** will be given.
This means that incorrect answers will reduce your total score, so it is important to answer carefully.
Important Dates to Remember
It is crucial for all students to remember the exam dates for both sessions of JEE Main 2026:
- **Session 1:** The exams will be conducted from **January 21 to 30, 2026**.
- **Session 2:** The exams will be conducted from **April 1 to 10, 2026**.
Students should mark these dates in their calendars and use the unchanged exam pattern to plan their preparation effectively for JEE Main 2026.
