How JEE Main is marked
Score = (4 × correct) − (1 × wrong)
- Each subject has 25 questions: 20 multiple choice and 5 numerical. All 75 are compulsory to attempt, but you can leave any of them blank.
- Numerical answers also carry −1 for a wrong answer, so guessing there is no longer free.
- If NTA drops a question after the final answer key, everyone gets +4 for it, whether they attempted it or not.
Is guessing worth it?
With four options and no clue, a guess is worth −1 three times out of four and +4 once: an expected +0.25 marks. That's small, and it adds risk. If you can rule out even one option, the expected value jumps to about +0.67, and guessing starts to make sense. If you can rule out two, it's +1.5. Most coaching teachers say: guess only after eliminating at least one option.
How to use your answer key
- Download your response sheet from jeemain.nta.ac.in after the provisional key is out.
- For each subject, count questions where your answer matches the key (correct) and where it doesn't (wrong).
- Enter the two numbers above. Your score, accuracy and expected percentile update instantly.
Questions students ask
Is there negative marking in JEE Main numerical questions?
Yes. Since 2025, numerical value questions carry −1 for a wrong answer, same as MCQs.
What is a good score in JEE Main?
Around 85 marks clears the General JEE Advanced cutoff in an average shift. 150+ usually puts you near 99 percentile.
What happens if a question is dropped?
Every candidate gets full marks (+4) for a dropped question, so your final score can go up after the final key.