From 2019, JEE Main will be conducted in two phases: the first from January 6 to 20, 2019, and the second from April 6 to 20, 2019. Both phases will comprise two papers — Paper 1 for admissions to B.E./ B.Tech and Paper 2 for B. Arch/ B. Planning. For ranking purposes, the performance of the students in both phases will be considered, and the better of the two scores will be used.
After being taken over by the National Testing Agency (NTA), there will be no major impact as far as the pattern of the examination is concerned. The exam will have the same papers as conducted by the CBSE.
Pattern
Paper 1 will be completely computer-based, and in paper 2, math and aptitude test will be computer-based while drawing will be pen-and-paper based. Multiple choice questions will carry four marks each for the right answer and negative marking of one mark for an incorrect answer.
There will be 30 multiple choice questions from each subject — physics, chemistry and math — making it a total of 90 questions. The question paper will be available in English, Hindi and Gujarati (for students of Gujarat, Daman and Diu and Nagar Haveli). It will be conducted in two sessions per day and candidates will be allotted slots.
Paper 2 has 82 questions — 30 multiple choice questions in math, 50 from aptitude and two from drawing test. The multiple choice questions carry four marks each (with -1 negative marking) and each drawing test question carries 35 marks.
Changes
Early mock tests: NTA has started student registration for JEE Main mock tests from September 1, this year. Candidates will be able to practise with these tests to get a better understanding of the exam pattern and what to expect.
Common Service Centres (CSCs): The authorities have set up 1.5 lakh CSCs across the country to help candidates in both urban and rural areas in filling and submitting application forms.
No age limit: Candidates who have passed their 10+2 in 2017, 2018 or are appearing in 2019 can apply irrespective of their age.
Attempts: The JEE Main 2019 will be held twice — in January and April. Candidates can choose to appear for either one or both.
Application fee: The application fee has been reduced for different categories.
Evaluation
As the JEE Main 2019 will be held on different days and sessions, normalisation of marks will be enforced for the purpose of ranking. Students will be ranked on the basis of their percentile scores which will be calculated as per a pre-determined formula. The JEE Main Paper 2 marks will not be normalised as the exam will be held in a single shift.
Selection
Cut-off and results: JEE Main 2019 being the screening test for JEE Advanced 2019, NTA will announce the qualifying cut-off in the first week of May after the announcement of the result of the April exam. The results of the first exam will be announced on January 31, 2019. The results will be the scores obtained by the students, devoid of ranks.
Common rank list: The common rank list will be available in the first week of May after the declaration of results of the April exam. For candidates who have appeared in both January and April, the better score between the two will be considered for ranking purposes, while the score of the candidates who have appeared for just one exam will be used as it is. The common rank lists will denote the all-India and category ranks of the candidates in addition to their marks. The JEE Main rank will be the basis for admissions to the NITs, IIITs and GFTIs
The key points that will decide your rank are:
- How well you have mastered the important topics in physics, chemistry and mathematics
- How much practice you have
- How well you have perfected your timing in solving objective type questions
- How much attention you have given to time management and strategy
- How calm and confident you are
Give in your best shot as it is finally your relative performance in the actual exam that will fetch you a good rank.
The writer is a FIITJEE expert.
