JEE Main and JEE Advanced: Difference Explained

JEE Main and JEE Advanced are national-level entrance exams that open the gates to India's top engineering institutions for aspirants. IIT JEE is one of the most important exams for engineering students, which they take to get admission to the program of their choice. JEE Main is the primary test required to get admission to government-sponsored technical colleges like NITs and IIITs, whereas JEE Advanced is primarily required for the IITs.
A candidate must pass JEE Main exam to appear for JEE Advanced. Despite their similarities and interconnections, JEE Main and JEE Advanced differ in several ways, all of which will be discussed here.


JEE Main vs JEE Advanced: Key Highlights


Total Number of Attempts
JEE Main -                3 (Attempting all two sessions of the same year is counted as 1)
JEE Advanced -        2
 

Language

JEE Main - English, Hindi, and Gujarati
JEE Advanced - English and Hindi
 

Eligibility Criteria

JEE Main - 12th class from a recognized government school
JEE Advanced - Ranked among the top 2,50,000 JEE Main rank holders

 

Conducting Authority

JEE Main - National Testing Agency (NTA)
JEE Advanced - Different IITs for different years
 

Total Number of Papers

JEE Main - 3 
JEE Advanced - 2 
 

Exam Mode

JEE Main - CBT (Computer-based Test)
JEE Advanced - CBT (Computer-based Test)
 

Types of Questions

JEE Main - MCQs, Drawing, Numerical Type Questions
JEE Advanced - MCQs and Numerical Type Questions
 

Language of Exam

JEE Main - English, Hindi, Gujarati
JEE Advanced - English and Hindi Gujarati
 

Duration of Exam

JEE Main - 3 Hours
JEE Advanced - 3 Hours
 

Total Number of Attempts

JEE Main - Students can participate in the JEE Main examination for 3 consecutive years. The exam is conducted twice a year in 2022.

JEE Advanced - The candidates are only allowed to attempt the examination two times in two consecutive years.
 

Differences in the Exam Pattern

The JEE Main exam is divided into three parts. Students should review the official website for exam pattern, and double-check the curriculum during their preparation. Candidates must evaluate the length of the examination, the language used, and the number of questions on the paper.

The JEE Advanced exam, on the other hand, is divided into two halves. Since the exam pattern hasn't changed considerably over the years, students should review the previous year's exams. 
 

Subjects

JEE Main - Paper 1 - Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
Paper 2 - Aptitude test, Mathematics, and Drawing
Paper 3 - Mathematics, Aptitude Test, and Planning-Based Objective Type
JEE Advanced - Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
 

Difference in Eligibility Criteria 

JEE Main is a baseline examination that candidates must take to be considered for admission to top engineering institutes.
The JEE Advanced eligibility criteria require the candidate to pass JEE Main.
 

Topics Covered

JEE Main

Physics:

• Alternating Current and Direct Current (AC and DC)
• Electronic Devices: Diodes, Transistors, Integrated Circuits (ICs)
• Electromagnetic Waves (EM Waves): Properties, Propagation, Applications
• Communication Systems: Analog and Digital Communication Systems
• Optics: Interference, Diffraction, Polarization

Chemistry:

• Physical Chemistry: States of Matter, Chemical Thermodynamics, Chemical Equilibrium
• Inorganic Chemistry: s-Block Elements, p-Block Elements, d-Block Elements, f-Block Elements
• Organic Chemistry: Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes, Aromatic Compounds, Functional Groups
• Biomolecules: Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic Acids
• Chemistry in Everyday Life: Polymers, Environmental Chemistry

Mathematics:

• Sets, Relations and Functions
• Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations
• Matrices and Determinants
• Permutation and Combination
• Sequences and Series
• Binomial Theorem and Simple Applications
• Integral Calculus
• Limit, Continuity and Differentiability
• Applications of Derivatives

 

JEE Advanced

Physics:

• Blackbody Radiation
• Kirchhoff's Law
• Newton's Law of Cooling
• Absorptive and Emissive Powers
• Wien's Displacement Law
• Stefan's Law
• Photoelectric Effect
• Compton Effect

Chemistry:

• Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics, Kinetics
• Inorganic Chemistry: Coordination Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry: Reaction Mechanisms, Stereochemistry
• Biomolecules: Enzymes, Metabolism
• Chemistry in Everyday Life: Drugs, Materials Chemistry

Mathematics:

• Algebra: Coordinate Geometry, Quadratic Equations
• Vectors: 3D Geometry, Vector Calculus
• Differential Calculus: Applications of Derivatives, Maxima and Minima
• Integral Calculus: Definite Integrals, Applications of Integrals
• Differential Equations: First Order Differential Equations

 

 

 

Qualification Criteria

JEE Main - The applicants should have passed class 12, should be currently appearing in class 12 or should have cleared the equivalent exam last year can apply for JEE Main.

JEE Advanced - The candidates must have cleared the class 12 examination last year or who are appearing for the exam in the current year are also eligible for JEE Advanced.

 

Age Limit

JEE Main - The candidates do not have any age limit to appear for JEE Main 2022. Any applicant who cleared class 12th or its equivalent in the current years like 2020, 2021, or appearing in 2022 can apply for JEE Main 2022.
JEE Advanced - The General category students should be born on or after October 1, 1996. Relaxation is provided to candidates of SC/ST/PwD of 5 years
Difference in Syllabus
Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics subjects from CBSE classes 11 and 12 are included in the JEE Main syllabus. Electronic Devices, Electromagnetic Waves, and Communication Systems are all covered in JEE Main but not in JEE Advanced. For example, JEE Main covers Sets, Relations, and Functions, Statistics and Probability, Trigonometry, and Mathematical Reasoning but not JEE Advanced.



Unlike JEE Main, it includes a few extra courses in addition to the Class 11th and Class 12th syllabus. For example, some of the topics covered in JEE Advanced are not taught in JEE Main, such as Thermal Physics, which is covered in JEE Advanced but not in JEE Main. In the same way, electrochemistry is covered in JEE Advanced but not in JEE Main.

Conclusion

 

In navigating the distinctions between JEE Main and JEE Advanced, the importance of comprehending eligibility criteria, exam patterns, and syllabi becomes evident. The total number of attempts, subjects covered, and even the language of the exams vary. Whether considering the differences in conducting authorities or the unique qualification criteria, each detail influences an aspirant's journey. Recognizing these nuances aids in strategic preparation. As you embark on the path to these engineering gateways, understanding the divergence between JEE Main and JEE Advanced becomes not just a necessity but a roadmap for success. Prepare wisely, aim high, and embrace the challenges that pave the way to engineering excellence.