5 Tips to Avoid Negative Marking in JEE Main 2025: The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is one of the most competitive exams in India, intended for students who want to join prestigious engineering colleges like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs). The exam is organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and is held twice a year.
In the JEE Main 2025 exam pattern, there is a system of negative marking: for each incorrect answer, one mark is deducted, while for every correct answer, four marks are awarded. Questions that are left unanswered do not affect the score. This means that students should be careful when answering, avoid guessing, and focus on reducing mistakes to increase their chances of doing well. This article will provide five important tips to help you avoid negative marking in JEE Main 2025 and offer strategies for answering the questions effectively.
Negative marking is an important part of the JEE Main Exam Pattern 2025. Its main goal is to assess the candidate's knowledge and understanding, rather than encouraging guessing. In JEE Main 2025, the marking system includes:
The penalty for incorrect answers is meant to prevent students from guessing, as guessing could increase scores without truly reflecting the candidate’s knowledge. Therefore, students should plan their approach carefully to reduce the chances of making mistakes.
To perform well in JEE Main 2025 and avoid negative marking, it is important to follow certain strategies. By carefully preparing and applying these tips, you can minimize errors and improve your overall score.
Always take a moment to carefully read each question. Pay attention to keywords, units, and specific instructions like "not," "except," or "incorrect," which can change the meaning of the question. Understanding the question clearly will help you avoid unnecessary mistakes.
By taking JEE Main 2025 mock tests and solving JEE previous years' papers, you can learn to manage your time effectively, ensuring that you don’t rush and reduce the chance of careless errors.
Remember, each incorrect answer results in a penalty of one mark, so it’s safer to leave a question blank rather than risk losing marks due to a wrong answer.
Reviewing your answers gives you the opportunity to correct small mistakes and avoid unnecessary penalties. Even small errors can cost you valuable marks, so make sure to double-check your responses.
To reduce negative marks in JEE Main 2025, it is important to follow effective strategies and make careful choices during the exam. Here are some key steps to help you minimize mistakes:
JEE Main 2025 exam pattern has undergone a slight revision. Candidates must familiarize themselves with the structure to effectively plan their preparation.
| JEE Main 2025 Exam Pattern (Revised) | ||||
| Paper | Total Questions | Subject | Number of Questions | Marks Distribution |
| Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) | 75 | Mathematics | 25 (20 MCQs + 5 Numerical Value) | 100 |
| Physics | 25 (20 MCQs + 5 Numerical Value) | 100 | ||
| Chemistry | 25 (20 MCQs + 5 Numerical Value) | 100 | ||
| Total | 75 Questions | 300 Marks | ||
| Paper 2A (B.Arch) | 77 | Mathematics | 25 (20 MCQs + 5 Numerical Value) | 100 |
| Aptitude | 50 | 200 | ||
| Drawing Test | 2 | 100 | ||
| Total | 77 Questions | 400 Marks | ||
| Paper 2B (B.Planning) | 100 | Mathematics | 25 (20 MCQs + 5 Numerical Value) | 100 |
| Aptitude | 50 | 200 | ||
| Planning Test | 25 | 100 | ||
| Total | 100 Questions | 400 Marks | ||
Yes, there is negative marking in JEE Main 2025. Each incorrect answer will result in a deduction of 1 mark, while correct answers will earn 4 marks. Unanswered questions will not carry any marks.
JEE Main 2025 consists of three papers: Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech (75 questions), Paper 2A for B.Arch (77 questions), and Paper 2B for B.Planning (100 questions). Each paper includes MCQs and numerical answer-based questions. Paper 1 is for 300 marks, while Papers 2A and 2B are for 400 marks each.
Candidates can attempt JEE Main twice in 2025—once in January and once in April. The best score from the two attempts will be considered for admission.
To avoid negative marking, it is important to read questions carefully, avoid guessing unless confident, and use the elimination method to narrow down answer choices. Practicing mock tests will help improve accuracy.
Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) is worth 300 marks, while Paper 2A (B.Arch) and Paper 2B (B.Planning) are each worth 400 marks. Each correct answer earns 4 marks, with 1 mark deducted for incorrect responses.