The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the JEE Main 2026 exam in two parts. Students can take the first session in January 2026 and the second in April 2026 . Soon, the application forms for JEE Main 2026 will be released. For students aiming to crack this important engineering entrance exam, experts advise a straightforward but powerful study method: focus on your NCERT Class 11 and 12 textbooks .
Why NCERT Books are Your Best Friend for JEE Main
Many students dream of joining top engineering colleges in India, and JEE Main is the first important step towards that dream. However, preparing for JEE Main can feel very big and tough. A common problem students face is not understanding the basic ideas of topics very well. This makes it hard to solve harder questions in the exam.
Shiksha experts strongly recommend using your NCERT Class 11 and 12 textbooks as your main study material. These books are the best for building a strong base for every topic listed in the JEE Main syllabus. Many students who succeed in JEE and other entrance exams like VITEEE, BITSAT, and SRMJEEE use NCERT books as their starting point.
What makes NCERT books so good? Every chapter is written in very easy language. They have many examples to explain difficult ideas clearly, along with helpful diagrams. Plus, they offer plenty of numerical problems for you to practice. This simple approach helps you understand concepts deeply. When your basic understanding is strong, you can easily tackle even the trickiest questions that appear in JEE Main.
Your Simple Study Plan for JEE Main 2026
The entire syllabus for JEE Main covers chapters from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from both Class 11 and Class 12. In total, these NCERT books have about 86 chapters . You have likely already studied most of these chapters for your school board exams. Now, the goal is to revise them with a JEE Main focus.
Here is a suggested plan to cover these chapters:
- For Students Taking a Gap Year (Droppers): If you are focusing solely on JEE Main, you can plan to revise one chapter every day . This disciplined approach means you can go through the entire JEE Main syllabus in approximately 90 days . This gives you enough time for thorough revision.
- For Students in Class 12: You can also follow a similar goal to complete the syllabus in about 90 days. You will need to manage your time well to balance your school studies and JEE preparation. Make a timetable that allows you to cover one chapter or part of a chapter regularly.
The most important part of this plan is to study each chapter from your NCERT books very carefully. Do not just read. Understand all the concepts, definitions, formulas, and examples. Make sure you are clear on the fundamentals before moving on to the next chapter.
Practice with Previous Papers and Mock Tests
Just reading the books is not enough. To truly succeed in JEE Main, you must practice a lot. After you finish studying any chapter from your NCERT books, it is very important to solve questions from JEE Main previous year papers (PYQs) related to that specific chapter. This step helps you in several ways:
- You learn what kind of questions are asked in the actual exam.
- You can check how well you understood the chapter.
- You can find topics where you are still weak and need more study.
As the exam gets closer, especially in the last 15 days , change your study method. During this final period, you should focus only on solving full-length JEE Main mock papers . These mock tests are like a practice exam. They help you:
- Get used to the exam environment and timing.
- Improve your speed and accuracy.
- Learn to manage your time during the actual exam.
- Reduce any nervousness you might feel on exam day.
- Identify any remaining areas where you need to improve your knowledge or problem-solving skills.
For even more practice, you can also solve NCERT Exemplar Problems . These problems are created to give you a deeper understanding and practice, making them a very good tool for your JEE 2026 preparation.
Trusted Resources for Your Preparation
The NCERT textbooks are written by some of the country's best subject experts who work in top educational institutions. This means the information they provide is accurate and reliable. By using these trusted books, regularly solving previous year questions, and practicing with mock tests, you can build a very strong foundation. This strategy will greatly increase your chances of scoring well and achieving success in JEE Main 2026.
Starting your preparation early, following a clear and disciplined study plan, and making NCERT books your main guide are crucial steps. Remember, consistent hard work and smart study habits are key to reaching your goal.