IIT JAM Exam Pattern: Understanding the IIT JAM exam pattern in detail is a vital step to start effective exam preparation. Every year the IIT JAM exam is conducted for seven subjects; Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Geology, Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics, and Biotechnology. The IIT JAM exam pattern stays the same for all these subjects. IIT Bombay announced the IIT JAM 2026 exam pattern on the official website. The exam pattern includes; IIT JAM marking scheme, exam mode, subject-wise paper pattern, IIT JAM syllabus and much more.
IIT JAM Exam Pattern 2026 Overview
IIT JAM exam pattern 2026 consists of three sections including MCQs, MSQs and NAT questions. The IIT JAM question paper for all the seven subjects has sixty questions in total. All three sections are considered compulsory.
The IIT JAM exam was conducted on 15th February 2026. The exam pattern for this year remained the same as the previous year. According to the IIT JAM exam pattern, section A has 30 questions, section B has 10 questions and section C has 20 questions. You can also download the IIT JAM Previous year question papers to have a better understanding of the exam.
The IIT JAM exam is conducted online. The total duration of the exam is 180 minutes. Section A consists of 30 questions: 10 questions of 1 mark and 20 questions of 2 marks. Section B consists of 10 questions with each question carrying a weightage of 2 marks. Section C also consists of 10 questions of 1 mark and 10 questions of 2 marks. Negative marking is applicable in IIT JAM exam pattern for section A. 1/3rd marks will be deducted for each wrong answer for 1 mark question. 2/3rd marks will be deducted for each wrong answer for 2 mark questions.
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IIT JAM Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights |
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| Exam Mode | Computer Based Testing |
| Duration of Exam | 3 hours |
| Type of Questions | MCQs, MAQS and NAT |
| Total Marks | 100 Marks |
| Total Questions | 60 |
| Subjects | Biotechnology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics, Economics and Geology |
| Test language | English |
IIT JAM 2026 Exam Pattern Question Types
The IIT JAM 2026 exam is mainly divided into three sections mentioned in the IIT JAM exam pattern. Every JAM aspirant should know about the type of questions being asked in the exam. These questions include; Multiple Choice Questions, Multiple Select questions and Numerical Answer Questions. Students are advised to check deeply about these question types.
- Multiple Choice Questions ( MCQs ): In these questions, you have to choose the right answer from four available options. This section mainly has 30 questions.
- Multiple Select Questions ( MSQ ): In these types of questions, four optional answers are there for each question. Students can select the correct answer among four optional answers.
- Numerical Answer Type Questions ( NAT ): 20 numerical type questions are asked in the IIT JAM exam. Candidates can type their answer with the help of a virtual numeric keyboard.
IIT JAM Exam Pattern Section Wise Distribution
IIT JAM Exam Pattern Section A
- Total Questions: 30 questions
- Marks Allotted: 10 questions of 1 mark. 20 questions of 2 marks
- Nature of Questions: Objective Type Questions
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd marks for each 1 mark wrong answer. 2/3rd marks for each 2 mark wrong answers.
| IIT JAM Section A Overview | |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Number of Questions | 30 |
| Marks Distribution | 1 or 2 |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Negative Marks | 1/3rd marks deducted for 1 mark question. 2/3rd marks deducted for 2 marks question |
| IIT JAM Total Marks | 100 |
IIT JAM Exam Pattern Section B
- Total Questions: 10 questions
- Marks Allotted: 2 marks allotted for each question
- Nature of Questions: Multiple Select Questions
- Negative Marking: No negative marking scheme is there in section B
| IIT JAM Section B Overview | |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Number of Questions | 10 |
| Marks Distribution | 2 Marks |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Select Questions |
| Negative Marks | No negative marking |
| IIT JAM Total Marks | 100 |
IIT JAM Exam Pattern Section C
- Total Questions: 20 questions
- Marks Allotted: 2 marks allotted for each question
- Nature of Questions: No options are displayed
- Negative Marking: No negative marking scheme is there in section B
| IIT JAM Section C Overview | |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Number of Questions | 20 |
| Marks Distribution | 2 Marks |
| Type of Questions | No options will be there |
| Negative Marks | No negative marking |
| IIT JAM Total Marks | 100 |
IIT JAM 2026 Marking Scheme
Understanding the marking scheme in the IIT JAM exam pattern is important. This can help you align your exam preparation in a better way. There are a total of 60 questions in IIT JAM 2026. These questions vary in terms of difficulty level. You can do exam analysis to check the difficulty level of the exam. Moreover, you should understand the IIT JAM marking scheme well.
| IIT JAM 2026 Marking Scheme | |||
| Sections | No of Questions | Negative Marking | Negative Marking |
| A | 10 MCQ
20 MCQ |
1 marks
2 marks |
1/3rd
2/3rd |
| B | 10 MSQs | 2 marks | No negative marking |
| C | 10 NAT
10 NAT |
1 marks
2 marks |
No negative marking |
Conclusion
Mastering the IIT JAM 2026 exam pattern is the first significant step toward securing a seat in India’s premier institutes like the IITs and IISc. While the competition remains intense, a clear understanding of the three-part structure—MCQs, MSQs, and NATs—allows you to build a strategic approach that balances speed with accuracy. Success in this computer-based test hinges on consistent practice, thorough conceptual clarity, and effective time management across all seven subjects. VedPrep provides students with a comprehensive learning ecosystem, including expert-led live classes, meticulously designed study materials, and rigorous test series tailored specifically to the latest exam trends.
By integrating these structured resources into your daily study routine, you can navigate the complexities of the marking scheme and negative marking with confidence. Ultimately, a disciplined preparation strategy combined with the right mentorship will transform your hard work into a top rank. Stay focused, practice regularly, and let your dedication pave the way to academic excellence in 2026. Analyzing the examination pattern is necessary for candidates to set strategic roadmap for preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many questions are there in the IIT JAM question paper?
There are a total of 60 questions in the IIT JAM Question paper. Section A has 30 questions, section B has 10 questions and section C has 20 questions.
Is syllabus available for each IIT JAM subject?
Yes, the official syllabus is released by IITs each year along with the notification. It varies based on the subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, etc.
What are mock tests for the IIT JAM exam?
Mock tests for the IIT JAM exam mainly simulate real examination conditions. They are replicas of real exams. Candidates can check the link of these IIT JAM mock tests on jam.iitm.ac.in.
