

IIT JAM Biotechnology Exam Pattern 2026 gives students a clear understanding of how the exam is structured and what to expect on the test day. It helps candidates familiarize themselves with the number of questions, marking scheme, and types of questions asked in the paper. Having a complete idea of the exam pattern is essential for planning an effective preparation strategy, improving accuracy and managing time efficiently during the exam.
Before beginning your preparation it is important to understand the structure of the IIT JAM Biotechnology exam. Knowing the pattern helps you plan your study schedule smartly and perform better on the test day. The table below provides an overview of the IIT JAM 2026 Biotechnology Exam Pattern, including key details such as exam mode, duration, marking scheme and question types.
| IIT JAM Biotechnology Exam Pattern 2026 Overview | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | IIT JAM |
| Full Form | Indian Institutes of Technology Joint Admission Test |
| Post Category | IIT JAM Exam Pattern 2026 |
| Exam Type | Post-Graduate Degree Level |
| Exam Level | National |
| Courses Offered | Post-Bachelor Degree Courses |
| Eligibility | Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree. Foreign nationals with Indian degrees are also eligible to apply. |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| IIT JAM Exam Date 2026 | 15 February 2026 |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
| Total Questions | 60 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) |
| Paper Pattern | Section A – 30 MCQsSection B – 10 MSQsSection C – 20 NAT Questions |
| Negative Marking | Applicable only for MCQs. No negative marking for NAT questions |
IIT JAM Exam Pattern for biotechnology outlines the types of questions, marking scheme and total marks distribution across different sections. Understanding this pattern helps candidates plan their preparation and manage time effectively during the exam.
| IIT JAM Biotechnology Exam Pattern 2026 | |||||
| Section | Type of Questions | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Negative Marking |
| A | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 30 | 1 or 2 marks each | 50 | Yes (for wrong answers) |
| B | Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) | 10 | 2 marks each | 20 | No |
| C | Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | 20 | 1 or 2 marks each | 30 | No |
| Total | — | 60 | — | 100 | — |
IIT JAM 2026 Biotechnology Marking Scheme explains how marks are distributed across different sections of the exam. Understanding the marking pattern helps candidates maximize their scores and avoid losing marks due to negative marking.
| IIT JAM Biotechnology Marking Scheme | |||||
| Section | Type of Questions | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Negative Marking |
| A | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 30 (10 of 1 mark each + 20 of 2 marks each) | 1 or 2 | 50 | 1-mark question: –1/32-mark question: –2/3 |
| B | Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) | 10 (2 marks each) | 2 | 20 | No negative marking |
| C | Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | 20 (10 of 1 mark each + 10 of 2 marks each) | 1 or 2 | 30 | No negative marking |
| Total | — | 60 | — | 100 | |
IIT JAM Biotechnology 2026 Negative Marking Scheme helps candidates understand how marks are deducted for incorrect answers. Knowing these rules is important to minimize score loss and attempt the exam more strategically.
| IIT JAM Biotechnology Negative Marking | ||
| Section | Type of Questions | Negative Marking Rule |
| A | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 1-mark question: –1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer2-mark question: –2/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer |
| B | Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) | No negative marking |
| C | Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | No negative marking |
IIT JAM Biotechnology 2026 exam consists of a total of 60 questions divided into three sections: A, B, and C. Each section features a different type of question MCQs, MSQs and NATs test various skills and knowledge areas in biotechnology.
| IIT JAM Biotechnology Total Questions | ||
| Section | Type of Questions | Negative Marking |
| A | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 1-mark question: –1/32-mark question: –2/3 |
| B | Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) | No negative marking |
| C | Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | No negative marking |