JEE Main 2026: Key Dates & Exam Day Tips for Students

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 Session 1 will begin soon. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is holding this important exam for students who want to study engineering (BE/BTech) or architecture/planning (BArch/BPlan) in top colleges across India. The exam starts on January 21, 2026 . Many students are now looking for ways to improve their scores on exam day. Experts and top performers suggest simple strategies that can make a big difference.

JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam Dates and Shifts

The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exam will take place over 6 days in 11 different shifts . Students should check their admit cards for their exact exam date, time, and centre. Please note that the exam for candidates in West Bengal on January 23 has been rescheduled. New dates for these students will be announced soon.

Expert Tips to Boost Your JEE Main Score

With the exam day approaching, it is vital to have a clear plan. Here are some simple, practical tips from experts to help you do your best.

1. Focus on Revision, Avoid New Topics

In the last few days before the exam, students should avoid trying to learn new concepts. Instead, spend time on what you have already studied. This will help you strengthen your existing knowledge and fix areas where you might lose marks. Focus on:

• Checking past mistakes from mock tests.
• Practising questions where you often make errors.
• Planning your approach for the actual exam day.

2. Choose Questions Smartly

On exam day, how you pick questions to answer can save you time and help you score more. Do not start with very difficult questions. This can waste valuable time and make you feel stressed. A better way is to:

• Start with questions that look easy and familiar to you.
• Answer these questions first to gain confidence and ensure you get these marks.
• This strategy helps you secure scores that you might miss if you get stuck on hard problems early on.

3. Manage Time with a Phased Approach

Time management is key in competitive exams. A smart way to attempt questions is to divide your effort into phases:

• First Phase: Quickly go through all questions. Solve only those questions you are completely sure about and that take very little time. This ensures you cover all easy marks quickly.
• Second Phase: Move to questions that are slightly tricky but you know you can solve with a bit more thought.
• Last Phase: Keep very difficult or confusing questions for the end. If time is short, it is better to skip these questions rather than spending too much time and losing marks on easier ones.

4. Read Questions Carefully to Avoid Mistakes

Many students lose marks because of silly mistakes, not because they do not know the answer. Reading each question properly is a small habit that makes a big difference. Pay close attention to words like NOT , EXCEPT , or INCORRECT . Missing these words can lead to choosing the wrong answer, even if you understood the main problem. Taking a few extra seconds to read can save you from such errors.

5. Keep Your Rough Work Clear

Messy rough work often leads to calculation mistakes, especially in subjects like Physics and Maths. Even if your basic concept is correct, wrong calculations will give a wrong answer. Use your rough sheet neatly. Clearly write down each step of your calculation. This simple practice helps you recheck your work easily and avoids unnecessary errors.

6. Limit New Mock Tests Now

In the final days before the exam, taking too many new mock tests can be tiring and sometimes confusing. Instead of fresh mocks, focus on reviewing your previous mock tests. Go through the questions you answered incorrectly. Understand why you made those mistakes. Learning from past errors is a more effective way to improve your score than taking endless new tests.

By following these straightforward tips, students can approach the JEE Main 2026 exam with better confidence and a clearer strategy, aiming for their best possible performance.