JEE Main includes multiple-choice questions and numerical value questions, and the marks awarded depend on whether your response is correct or incorrect. Understanding the marking scheme is important because negative marking can affect your final raw score.
The marking rules also vary slightly across Paper 1, Paper 2A and Paper 2B, particularly because Paper 2A includes a separate Drawing Test for B.Arch. Knowing the applicable scheme for your paper can help you decide which questions to attempt and avoid unnecessary score loss.
The expected marking pattern for the objective sections is given below:
|
Response |
Marks |
|
Correct answer |
+4 |
|
Incorrect answer |
-1 |
|
Unattempted question |
0 |
For numerical value questions, the response is entered using the computer interface rather than selected from options, but the current marking pattern follows the same +4 for correct and -1 for incorrect approach. The B.Arch Drawing Test is evaluated separately.
Paper 1 is conducted for B.E./B. Tech and includes Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Each subject has 20 MCQs and 5 numerical value questions, giving 25 questions and 100 marks per subject.
|
Subject |
MCQs |
Numerical Value Questions |
Maximum Marks |
|
Mathematics |
20 |
5 |
100 |
|
Physics |
20 |
5 |
100 |
|
Chemistry |
20 |
5 |
100 |
|
Total |
60 |
15 |
300 |
MCQ: +4 for a correct answer and -1 for an incorrect answer.
Numerical value: +4 for a correct response and -1 for an incorrect response.
Unattempted: No marks are awarded or deducted.
Maximum score: Paper 1 carries 300 marks in total.
The marking scheme for Paper 2 depends on the programme you choose. Mathematics and Aptitude are objective sections, while the Drawing Test in Paper 2A follows a separate evaluation method.
|
Paper |
Section |
Correct Response |
Incorrect Response |
|
Paper 2A: B.Arch |
Mathematics |
+4 |
-1 |
|
Aptitude Test |
+4 |
-1 |
|
|
Drawing Test |
As per evaluation criteria |
Not applicable |
|
|
Paper 2B: B.Planning |
Mathematics |
+4 |
-1 |
|
Aptitude Test |
+4 |
-1 |
|
|
Planning-Based Questions |
+4 |
-1 |
Paper 2A has a maximum of 400 marks, including the Drawing Test, while Paper 2B has a maximum of 400 marks. The Drawing Test does not use the standard +4/-1 marking system because it is assessed on the quality and accuracy of the submitted drawings.
Negative marking can reduce your raw score when an answer is incorrect. For objective questions, every incorrect response generally results in a deduction of one mark.
For example, if you answer 15 questions correctly and 5 incorrectly, your score for those questions would be:
(15 × 4) - (5 × 1) = 55 marks
Keep these points in mind:
Correct response: You receive 4 marks.
Incorrect response: 1 mark is deducted in the applicable sections.
Unattempted question: No marks are added or deducted.
Guessing: Randomly selecting an option can reduce your score if the response is incorrect.
Numerical value questions: These should also be attempted carefully because negative marking applies under the current pattern.
The marking scheme should be considered along with the number of questions and maximum marks while planning your attempt strategy.
Paper 1 maximum marks: 300.
Paper 2A maximum marks: 400.
Paper 2B maximum marks: 400.
Correct objective response: +4 marks.
Incorrect objective response: -1 mark.
Unattempted response: 0 marks.
Drawing Test: Uses a separate evaluation method.
Raw score: Your marks are calculated from the applicable positive and negative marking before the NTA Score/percentile is determined.
Final rules: Check the official JEE Main 2027 Information Bulletin for the final marking instructions.
The JEE Main 2027 marking scheme makes accuracy important because incorrect responses can reduce your score. Know the marking rules for your selected paper and avoid treating every question as an attempt-worthy question simply because it carries marks.