JEE Main Total Marks 2026: Paper Pattern, Marking Scheme & Shift-Wise Cutoff
With the January 2026 session successfully concluded, the focus has shifted entirely to the “Marks vs. Percentile” game. For aspirants, understanding the jee main total marks structure isn’t just about a number it’s about knowing how the NTA (National Testing Agency) evaluates your performance across different difficulty levels.
Whether you are calculating your score using the response sheet or planning for the April attempt, here is the most accurate breakdown of the jee main exam total marks and marking scheme for the 2026 cycle.
The Breakdown of JEE Main Exam Total Marks
The total marks in jee mains depend on which paper you are attempting. For the vast majority of engineering students (Paper 1), the maximum marks are 300.
| Subject | MCQs (Section A) | Numerical (Section B) | Total Questions | Total Marks |
| Mathematics | 20 Questions | 5 (Out of 10) | 25 | 100 Marks |
| Physics | 20 Questions | 5 (Out of 10) | 25 | 100 Marks |
| Chemistry | 20 Questions | 5 (Out of 10) | 25 | 100 Marks |
| GRAND TOTAL | 60 | 15 | 75 | 300 Marks |
Note: For Paper 2A (B.Arch), the jee main exam total marks are 400, including the Drawing and Aptitude sections.
The 2026 Marking Scheme: Every Digit Counts
The NTA has kept the marking scheme strict for 2026. A common query on student forums is whether the numerical section has negative marking—the answer is Yes.
- Correct Answer: $+4$ Marks
- Incorrect Answer: $-1$ Mark (Applicable for both MCQs and Numerical Value Questions).
- Unattempted/Review: $0$ Marks
To maximize your jee main marks, the goal shouldn’t just be to attempt more, but to ensure high accuracy. In 2026, even a 1-mark difference can result in a rank shift of over 5,000 students.
Expected JEE Mains Total Marks Cut Off 2026
The jee mains total marks cut off is the minimum raw score required to qualify for JEE Advanced. Because the 2026 January session saw record-breaking registrations (12.5 lakh+), the competition has intensified.
Predicted Qualifying Scores (Raw Marks) for January 2026:
- General Category: 92 – 95 Marks
- EWS: 78 – 82 Marks
- OBC-NCL: 74 – 79 Marks
- SC/ST: 48 – 55 Marks
Disclaimer: These are predicted based on shift difficulty; the official NTA cutoff will only be released after the Session 2 (April) results.
Marks vs. Percentile: The 2026 Shift Factor
Your jee main marks are “normalized” to ensure that students in tougher shifts (like Jan 22 Morning) aren’t at a disadvantage compared to easier shifts (like Jan 27 Evening).
For example, reaching the 99 Percentile in 2026:
- In a Tough Shift: You might only need 175 – 182 Marks.
- In an Easy Shift: You might need 205 – 215 Marks.
This is why we recommend using our [JEE Main Percentile Predictor 2026] to get a more accurate picture of your standing.
High-Weightage Chapters to Boost Your Marks
If your total marks in jee mains weren’t up to the mark in January, focus on these “low-effort, high-reward” chapters for April:
- Physics: Modern Physics, Heat & Thermodynamics, Current Electricity.
- Chemistry: GOC, Coordination Compounds, Biomolecules & Polymers.
- Maths: Vector & 3D Geometry, Matrices, Sequence & Series.
FAQ: Research-Backed Queries from Students
Q: Is 150 a good score in JEE Main 2026?
A: Yes! 150 marks are expected to fetch a percentile between 97.8 and 98.4. This is a solid jee main marks range to secure a seat in top-tier NITs and IIITs.
Q: Can I change my response if I marked it as “Mark for Review”?
A: If you have answered the question and “Marked for Review,” it will be considered for evaluation even if you don’t revisit it. However, if no answer was selected, it will result in 0 marks.
Q: Are total marks for the January and April sessions added?
A: No. NTA takes the best of the two scores. If you score 160 in Jan and 190 in April, your final All India Rank (AIR) will be calculated based on the 190 marks.
Q: What is the total marks for B.Plan (Paper 2B)?
A: The total marks in jee mains for B.Planning is 400, consisting of Mathematics, Aptitude, and Planning-based MCQs.