How Can JEE Main 2025 Pattern Change Influence Cut-Offs and Competition?

JEE Main 2025 exam pattern change is likely to reduce the cutoff and increase competition as the exam pattern pre-pandemic has been restored, section B of each paper will only consist of 5 numerical questions, leaving no room for choosing options. The candidates will now have to showcase a broader subject mastery.

JEE Main exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency, is considered one of the most challenging and competitive exams in the world. With the change in the JEE Main 2025 exam pattern, candidates must know what to expect from the exam paper.

Now the JEE Main 2025 registrations have already begun from Oct 28, 2024, candidates must keep up with the latest JEE Main exam pattern and prepare well for the exam. Aspirants can check the possible outcomes of the revised JEE Main 2025 exam pattern from this article.

What is the JEE Main 2025 Revised Exam Pattern?

Since NTA has revised the JEE Main 2025 exam pattern, removing the freedom of choice from section B of each paper. Candidates must be aware of the newly introduced changes. Now, section B will only contain 5 questions, all of which are compulsory to attempt.

The following table provides a complete overview of the new JEE Main 2025 paper pattern:

JEE Main Revised Exam Pattern for Paper 1 (BE/BTech)

Here’s what the JEE Main 2025 revised exam pattern for B.E./B.Tech looks like:

JEE Main Revised Exam Pattern for Paper 1

Particulars	Details
Mode of Examination	Computer-Based Test
Duration of Exam	3 hours
Number of Sections	3 Sections: Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics
Types of Questions	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions
JEE Main 2025 Total Number of Questions	Mathematics: 25 questions (20 MCQs and 5 NAT questions). Attempting all 5 mark questions is compulsory. Physics: 25 questions (20 MCQs and 5 NAT questions). Attempting all 5 mark questions is compulsory. Chemistry: 25 questions (20 MCQs and 5 NAT questions). Attempting all 5 mark questions is compulsory. Total Questions: 75
JEE Main 2025 Total Marks	300 marks (100 marks for each section)
Negative Marking	4 marks are awarded for each correct response and 1 mark deduction for each wrong answer for both MCQs and NAT questions.

Note: Earlier the total number of questions was 90 out of which only 75 were compulsory to attempt. Now, the number of questions has been reduced to 75, and all are compulsory to answer.

JEE Main Revised Exam Pattern for Paper 2 (BArch/BPlan)

Candidates can check the JEE Main revised exam pattern for B.Arch and B.Planning from the table provided below:

JEE Main Revised Exam Pattern for Paper 2

Particulars	Details
Mode of Examination	Computer-Based Test, except for Drawing section in B.Arch (conducted in a pen and paper-based mode)
Duration of Exam	3 hours
Number of Sections	B.Arch (Paper 2A): Part 1: Mathematics Part 2: Aptitude Test Part 3: Drawing Test B.Plan (Paper 2B): Mathematics Aptitude Test Planning Tests (MCQs)
Types of Questions	B.Arch: Mathematics: MCQs and NAT questions Aptitude: MCQs Drawing: Drawing Aptitude B.Plan: Mathematics: MCQs and NAT questions Aptitude and Planning: MCQs
JEE Main 2025 Total Number of Questions	B.Arch: 77 questions B.Plan: 100 questions
JEE Main 2025 Total Marks	400 marks
Negative Marking	For MCQs and NAT questions, 4 marks are awarded for each correct response and 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer. Drawing Test: 2 questions are evaluated out of 100 marks

Also Read: Top Free Resources for JEE Main 2025 Preparation

Influence of JEE Main 2025 Exam Pattern on Cutoffs

The cutoff is the minimum score a candidate must obtain to qualify for the JEE Main 2025 exam. These cutoff scores are influenced by numerous factors, including the number of test takers, the difficulty level of the exam, overall performance distribution and the previous year’s trends.

JEE Main is considered one of the toughest exams in the world. Adding to this difficulty, the introduction of the revised JEE Main 2025 exam pattern is likely to cause the JEE Main 2025 cutoff to lie low.

Since no optional questions will be available, students will have to attempt all questions regardless of their preparedness for the topic. Moreover, a negative mark of 1 mark has remained unchanged for the new JEE Main exam pattern.

The first-time test takers or even repeaters may find it difficult to adapt to the new changes introduced by NTA within a short period. Thus, the cutoff is likely to be at a low for the JEE Main 2025 exam.

Additionally, a different approach will be adopted for normalizing scores. With a more comprehensive requirement from section B, the normalization process may be adjusted to ensure no unfair advantage or disadvantage due to the revised format.

Here’s what the JEE Main 2025 cutoff may look like as opposed to the JEE Main 2024 cutoff:

Category	JEE Main Cutoff 2025		JEE Main Cutoff 2024
	Minimum Percentile	Maximum Percentile	Minimum Percentile	Maximum Percentile
General	88.4121383	100	93.2362181	100.0000000
General-PwD	0.0031029	88.3784882	0.0018700	93.2041331
EWS	63.1114141	88.4037478	63.0923182	93.2312696
OBC-NCL	67.0090297	88.4081747	79.6757881	93.2312696
SC	43.0820954	88.4037478	60.0923182	93.2312696
ST	26.7771322	88.4037478	46.6975840	93.2312696

Also Read: Preparing for JEE Main 2025 Without the Option to Choose Questions in Section B

Influence of JEE Main 2025 Exam Pattern on Competition

The revised JEE Main 2025 exam pattern is likely to cause the following among students:

• Difficulty in adaption to new norms
• Increased need for conceptual understanding
• Increased competitiveness

The revised JEE Main exam pattern implies an increased difficulty in preparation for the exam. Since the candidates will have to compulsorily attempt all questions, they might have to broaden their scope of study. In simple terms, no more selective study for the JEE Main 2025 syllabus. All subjects must be studied comprehensively, giving equal attention.

They must focus on conceptual clarity. Now, candidates must work on improving their areas of weakness to attempt all questions, or else they might have to leave questions unanswered.

Furthermore, psychological pressure is likely to increase, especially for those accustomed to selective preparation. However, adaptability is key to thriving under the JEE Main 2025 pattern,

Students who can manage stress and adjust to the new demands are likely to be more competitive. This, in turn, can cause a shift in the distribution of JEE Main 2025 ranks.

Thus, the candidates should practice with JEE Main 2025 mock tests regularly to easily adapt to the changed JEE Main exam pattern.

Also Read: How to Prepare for JEE Main 2025 in 3 months?