JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation

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Mamona
Mamona Majumder
Assistant Manager
Updated on Jan 7, 2025 12:52 IST

Aiming to crack both JEE Main and JEE Advanced? Wondering what it takes to crack these national level engineering exams. Then the answer lies in knowing the difference between preparing for JEE Main and JEE Advanced. The key is the approach. Know more here.

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: JEE Main and JEE Advanced are the most important exams for the aspirants aiming to start their journey as an engineer. Candidates who qualify in JEE Main can only appear for JEE Advanced. In 2025, the top 2,50,000 candidates in JEE Main 2025, will be able to register for JEE Advanced. JEE Main leads to admission in NITs, IIITs, CFTIs and many reputed colleges of the nation. While the JEE Advanced qualified candidates can take admission to the IITs.

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While comparing the preparation for JEE Advanced and JEE Main, the major difference will lie in these aspects:

  • Study material
  • Exam nature
  • Approach
  • Strategy
  • Level of dedication

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We will look at these points and analyse the differences. This will help you understand how to set your agenda when preparing to crack these exams.

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JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: The study materials

Well, 90% of the study material of JEE Advanced and JEE Main are the same. NCERT is enough to cover the entire syllabus of JEE Main. However, in JEE Advanced, the difficulty level rises. In subjects like physics and mathematics, the question asked are difficult. Thus, the study materials must be beyond NCERT.

For JEE Main preparation, study materials must include:

  • NCERT books
  • Mock tests
  • Previous year question papers
  • One reference book each for Maths, Physics and Chemistry

For JEE Advanced preparation, study materials must include:

  • NCERT books.
  • More than one reference book per subject to have an access to various types of questions.
  • Previous year question papers
  • Mock tests
  • Study materials of various coaching centres (if accessible)

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JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: Exam nature

The nature of JEE Advanced and JEE Main are very different. JEE Main is a simpler exam that has MCQs and NATs. While JEE Advanced is actually an exam of advanced level that has a mixture of MCQs, match the following, paragraph type questions, etc. Also, the negative markings are more in Advanced as compared to JEE Main.

Therefore the approach to both the exams becomes very different while preparing. Candidates must prepare according to the pattern of the exam. Challenge yourself more while preparing for JEE Advanced. Also, keep in mind the design of JEE Advanced question paper varies each year.

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JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: Approach

The thought process of a candidate must be different when it comes to solving JEE main level questions and JEE Advanced level questions. This is the game-changer.

JEE Main

JEE Advanced

In JEE Main more than 75% of questions in JEE Main are direct questions as per the experts. Direct questions mean memory based questions and formula-based questions.

However, in JEE Advanced, the questions are application based or concept attraction based. Roughly 15% to 20% of questions are direct.

Gaining confidence in solving JEE Main level questions is easy. This can be gained by practice.

However, gaining confidence to solve the JEE Advanced level question is not easy. It can be achieved if candidates practice a lot of previous year's question papers and mock tests right from the start of their preparation.

JEE Main questions are easy to solve and can be solved quickly.

JEE Advanced level questions require patience and a cool state of mind.

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Q:   Which exam offers better opportunities for admission to NITs, JEE Main or JEE Advanced?

A:
Firstly admissions to National Institute of Technology are given based on the performance in examination called JEE Mains. As a matter of fact there is no other examination which is required to be cleared by the student to get admission in these institutes. On the other hand JEE Advanced examination will lead students for admission in IIT's. Thus we can SEE that these two examinations are required for taking admission in two different Sets of Institutions. Also there is no other examination that can get a student admission in either of these to Sets of institutions. In view of foregoing, we can conclude that these are the only two examinations required to be given and no other examination has any score for enabling admission in these two Sets of institutions.

Q:   Is JEE Main syllabus similar to the syllabus of and CBSE/other state boards of class 11 and 12?

A:
The syllabus of JEE Main is similar to class 11 and 12. However, some topics may be extra in JEE Main. Syllabus which are not covered in class 11 or 12. Students preparing for the JEE Main exam need to study as per the official syllabus which is released by the NTA. Also, students can follow NCERT textbooks as the base for studying the syllabus of JEE Main.

Q:   How does the JEE Advanced syllabus differ from JEE Mains syllabus?

A:

Both the JEE Main and JEE Advanced syllabi cover Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from CBSE classes 11 and 12. However, JEE Advanced includes additional topics beyond the standard syllabus. For example, it covers Thermal Physics and Electrochemistry, which are not part of the JEE Main syllabus.

There are also topics that are unique to each exam. In JEE Main Physics, topics such as Electronic Devices, Electromagnetic Waves, and Communication Systems are included, which are not part of the JEE Advanced Physics syllabus. Similarly, the JEE Main Maths syllabus includes Sets, Relations, Functions, Statistics and Probability, Trigonometry, and Mathematical Reasoning, which are not covered in the JEE Advanced Maths section. In Chemistry, JEE Main includes topics like Basic Concepts of Chemistry that are not included in JEE Advanced.

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: Strategy

Strategy to prepare for JEE Main: It is simple, to prepare for Mains candidates have to revise their 10+2 syllabus, cover the entire NCERT chapters and questions, solve past year's question papers and take a lot of mock tests to acquire speed and accuracy.

Strategy to prepare for JEE Advanced: It is not as simple as JEE Main preparation strategy. There are some additional steps to follow. This includes solving various kinds of questions. This means candidates must solve as many questions from various books, mock tests and of course past year question papers. ‘Various kinds of questions’ here indicates solving questions where one same concept is applicable but the approach is different.

Note the below points:

  • Focus on the preparation of JEE Advanced while you prepare for JEE Main. Because if you can solve the JEE Advanced level questions, then the preparation of JEE Main can be easily cracked.
  • Focusing on JEE Advanced preparation from the start will fetch you a good rank in JEE Main for sure, even if the rank is not up to the mark in the Advanced exam. This will ensure that you land into either NIT, IIIT, or any CFTI for sure.

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: Level of dedication

Finally, the level of dedication in the candidates aiming to crack JEE Advanced is much higher than candidates who only want to crack JEE Main. JEE Advanced level of preparation requires commitment from the candidates. To crack JEE Advanced a regimen is to be followed dedicatedly.

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Preparation: To Summarise

Now to have an overview of the differences between JEE Advanced and JEE Main preparation, check the table below.

JEE Main Preparation

JEE Advanced Preparation

Direct approach is needed to solve the question.

The approach to solving questions is conceptual and application-based.

NCERT is enough to score well in JEE Main.

Candidates have to go beyond just NCERT to crack this exam.

The preparation level needed is moderate as the exam pattern is quite simple. Candidates have to solve the familiar type of questions like the MCQs and NATs.

In Advanced, candidates have to increase their level of preparation and have to be ready to solve questions that are MCQs, NATs, Match the following, paragraph based, etc.

Confidence level must be good to solve JEE Main level questions.

Confidence building is difficult to clove JEE Advanced level questions. However, it can be achieved by regular preparation over a period of time.

Study materials can be limited to NCERT, mock tests, and previous year question papers

Study materials must include NCERT, mock tests, previous year question papers, sample papers, and reference books.

Read More:

Q:   Which is a better book for JEE Advanced inorganic chemistry preparation - Inorganic Chemistry by OP Tandon or Inorganic Chemistry by JD Lee?

A:

Here's a comparison to help you decide which one is better for JEE Advanced preparation:

Inorganic Chemistry by O.P. Tandon: This book is more suited for students who are preparing for JEE Mains and Advanced. It covers a broad range of topics and is structured in a way that gradually builds up from basic to advanced concepts. It has a wide variety of problems, ranging from basic to slightly advanced, with enough practice material for JEE Mains and the early preparation stage for JEE Advanced. If you're looking for conceptual clarity and problem-solving practice without diving too deep into theoretical aspects, this book is a great choice. It's more structured for systematic learning.

Inorganic Chemistry by J.D. Lee: This book is considered more advanced and is highly recommended for JEE Advanced preparation. It delves deeply into the theoretical aspects of Inorganic Chemistry and is best suited for students who already have a strong foundation in the subject. The book contains fewer practice problems compared to O.P. Tandon, but it provides challenging problems that are more aligned with JEE Advanced-level difficulty. If your goal is to master the subject at a deeper level and you are preparing specifically for JEE Advanced, this book will be your go-to choice. It's perfect for advanced learners who are ready to engage with high-level concepts and problems.

Inc onclusion, for JEE Mains and Early JEE Advanced preparation, O.P. Tandon would be more suitable. However, J.D. Lee is the ideal choice if you're aiming for advanced-level understanding and high-level problem-solving. It's a classic book that will help you fine-tune your knowledge and tackle the toughest questions in JEE Advanced.

Q:   How to do revision for JEE Mains? How to perform better in mock tests?

A:
Revision means you have already studied it but after some time you have to again get into it for keep it in your mind properly so for revision first of all your understanding about that particular topic should be good after you just have go through the notes of that topic and try to recollect whatever your teacher had taught you at that time.

Q:   Why is JEE Mains preparation not enough for JEE Advanced? What is the difference between the two?

A:

In JEE Main more than 75% of questions in JEE Main are direct questions as per the experts. Direct questions mean memory based questions and formula-based questions. However, in JEE Advanced, the questions are application based or concept attraction based. Roughly 15% to 20% of questions are direct. Gaining confidence in solving JEE Main level questions is easy. This can be gained by practice. However, gaining confidence to solve the JEE Advanced level question is not easy. It can be achieved if candidates practice a lot of previous year's question papers and mock tests right from the start of their preparation. JEE Main questions are easy to solve and can be solved quickly. JEE Advanced level questions require patience and a cool state of mind. Hence the JEE Mains preparations are not enough to crack JEE Advanved exam, one has to go extra mile to crack the JEE Advanced exam.

About the Author
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Mamona Majumder
Assistant Manager

Mamona is an accomplished author with 6 and counting years of expertise in education-based content creation. Armed with an MA (Hons) in Advertising and Public Relations, complemented by a BA (Hons) in Journalism and... Read Full Bio