With the Joint Entrance Examinations (JEEs), Main and Advanced, being introduced in 2013 for admission to undergraduate programmes in various engineering colleges and institutions across the country, including the Indian Institutes of Technology, the National Institutes of Technology, the Indian Institutes of Information Technology and Centrally funded technical institutions such as the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, candidates will have several questions and doubts about the format, syllabus and other aspects of the new examinations. Here are frequently asked questions about the two examinations and the answers given by the authorities:
What are JEE (Main) and JEE (Advanced)?
The All Indian Engineering Entrance Examination held till last year will be the JEE (Main) and the JEE conducted by the Indian Institutes of Technology so far will be the JEE (Advanced). To take the JEE (Advanced), win one of the top 1.5 lakh ranks category-wise in JEE (Main).
What will be the admission criteria for the National Institutes of Technology, the Indian Institutes of Information Technology and Centrally funded technical institutions?
Forty per cent weight to normalised Plus Two marks and 60 per cent to performance in the JEE (Main). A combined all-India rank will be decided accordingly.
What will be admission criteria for the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad?
Category-wise all-India rank in JEE (Advanced), provided the candidates are in the top 20 percentile (category-wise) in the qualifying examinations conducted by their respective Boards.
What will be the admission criteria for State-level engineering colleges?
In case any State opts to admit students in the engineering colleges affiliated to its universities and requires a separate merit list, it shall be prepared with such relative weight as may be indicated by the States. As of now, Gujarat has opted for the JEE (Main).
What will be the medium of examinations?
The JEE (Main) will be conducted in Hindi and English and in the regional language on the request of any State participating in the examination. The JEE (Advanced) will be conducted in English and Hindi only.
What is the minimum academic qualification required for appearing in the JEE (Main)?
A pass in Plus Two in the science stream. Those appearing for the examination in 2013 may also take the examination.
Will improvements of marks and results be considered?
If a candidate wants to improve his performance in the Board examination, he or she can do so. But for consideration of that year’s result, appear in all subjects and not partially.
What will be the JEE (Main) pattern?
There will be two papers, each of three-hour duration. Paper I will be for admission to B.Tech. courses with objective-type questions giving equal weight to Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Paper II will be for admission to B.Arch. and B.Planning courses with objective-type questions from Mathematics and aptitude and drawing tests.
Will there be negative marking in the JEE (Main)?
Yes. For each incorrect response, one-fourth of the total marks scored will be deducted.
What is the syllabus for the two examinations?
The syllabus and detailed information about the examinations are given on www.jeemain-edu.in and http://jee.iitd.ac.in.
Last year, I appeared for the All India Engineering Entrance Examination. Will that be considered an attempt? How many attempts can one make at the JEE (Main)?
Yes. Last year’s appearance will be considered an attempt. Only three attempts are allowed uniformly for all candidates in consecutive years. The candidates who had passed Plus Two in 2011 or 2012 or are appearing for the Plus Two examination in 2013 only can take the JEE (Main) in 2013.
What will be the mode of exam?
The JEE (Main) will be conducted in offline and online modes. The JEE (Advanced) will be in offline mode only. The exam centres will be distinct.
What is the age limit to apply for the JEE (Main)?
Only those born on or after October 1, 1988 are eligible to take the examinations. However, for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and persons with disabilities, the date can be October 1, 1983. The date of birth recorded in the secondary education Board or university certificate only will be taken as authentic.
Which categories get reservation benefits?
The Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the Other Backward Classes outside the creamy layer and persons with disabilities.
Whether calculator or mobile phone can be used in the JEE Main?
Use of electronics devices such as mobile phones, calculators and MP3 players is not permitted.
