JEE Main 2026: Common Mistakes Students Make and How to Avoid Them

Common mistakes made during the JEE Main 2026 exam preparation include not solving enough questions, lack of speed, overlooking weak topics and more. To avoid mistakes in JEE Main 2026, candidates must devise a strategy to solve all questions within time, appear for the JEE Main mock tests and stay calm under pressure.

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 is among top toughest exams in the world for students who intend to pursue undergraduate engineering courses in top engineering colleges such as IITs, and NITs among other engineering colleges in India. To have the highest odds of acing the exam, they must be aware of the mistakes students traditionally make during the JEE Main preparation and on the exam day itself.

However, if avoided, will drastically improve a candidate's performance and exam strategy. In this article we will discuss some common mistakes made in JEE Main 2026, especially poor time management, failing to cover important topics, ignoring mock tests; and how to improve them.

Common Mistakes Students Make in JEE Main 2026 Preparation

JEE Main 2026 is a test that needs precise preparation and execution. Nevertheless, many students commit mistakes unknowingly. Aspirants should recognize these mistakes early and can rectify them and stay on track. Here are 10 common mistakes students make during the JEE Main 2026 preparation:

Not Knowing JEE Main 2026 Syllabus

The official JEE Main 2026 syllabus is very important, but many students tend to ignore or study less important topics. It results in inefficient preparation.

Head over to the NTA's official website to download the official syllabus and use it to create a subject-wise study plan for JEE Main 2026. Focus on the important topics first, and then cover topics with lesser weightage.

Lack of a JEE Main 2026 Plan

Unorganized learning and missed topics are common blunders in JEE exam preparation. Build a timetable and allocate time for every topic, while making certain that the syllabus is entirely covered.

Not Practicing JEE Main Mock Tests and Sample Papers

Mock tests and JEE Main sample papers are not practised by many students as they are focused on revision. However, they forget that mock tests and sample papers are great for learning about the exam pattern and improving time management and speed. Moreover, they provide an idea of the repetitive questions asked over the years in the JEE exam.

Also Read: JEE Main Model Questions with Solutions

Overlooking NCERT Books

Although there are advanced reference books for JEE Main 2026 preparation, ignoring NCERT textbooks is a blunder. JEE Main is based on the syllabus of class 11th & 12th NCERT books. To build a solid conceptual base, candidates must master these books and move to other resources only after.

Giving too Little Time on Weak Topics

Students tend to concentrate on their strengths and ignore topics that they find challenging. However, this approach leaves gaps in preparation that can thereby cost marks.

Invest extra time to get clarity and practice of weak subjects for the equal preparation of all subjects.

Using Too Many Resources

While using the right JEE Main books for preparation is crucial, that does not imply that the candidates must have a ton of books. It is not beneficial to use so many books and study materials, as it is overwhelming and futile.

Instead, pay attention to a few reliable sources and study them to the core. Most importantly, use NCERT for JEE Main 2026 preparation. The key to effective preparation is quantity over quality.

Also Read: How to Stay Calm and Focused During JEE Main 2026 Exam?

Neglecting Health and Well-being

Students overlook their health during exhaustive preparations and are not able to concentrate or perform. This often induces stress and anxiety among the students.

To remain physically and mentally fit, candidates must keep a balanced diet, get enough sleep and do occasional physical activity. Additionally, they must learn about the strategies to overcome exam anxiety for JEE Main 2026.

Being Overconfident

Complacency and an underprepared student can result from overconfidence. One may be a brilliant student, but there are still some subjects in which they may need to practice and review constantly to be adequately prepared for the JEE Main 2026 exam.

While coaching materials are helpful, relying exclusively on them can limit one's understanding. Each student has unique learning needs, and blindly following pre-designed study modules can leave gaps in conceptual clarity.

Losing Motivation

Complete preparation for JEE Main can also make candidates exhausted or lose interest in it. Thus, it is advisable to set missions, reward when hitting the targets, and stay connected with mentors or peers for encouragement. Stay tuned with the original reason to start and pay attention to the big picture.

Also Read: How to Stay Motivated During JEE Main 2026 Preparation?

No Time for Revision

Not allowing enough time for revision is a mistake many students regret doing later. If a candidate does not spend time on revision, it is easy to forget concepts or formulas.

Revise important topics and practice JEE Main previous year's question papers completely. Additionally, many aspirants delay revising difficult topics, hoping to address them later. Procrastination leads to last-minute panic and reduces the time available for comprehensive revision.

Mistakes to Avoid on the JEE Main Exam 2026 Day

The JEE Main exam is a high-stakes test, and a small mistake can alter candidates' overall marks. It is important to prepare well, but equally important to not make mistakes during the exam.

Knowing common pitfalls that can be experienced and how to handle them can help candidates reach their desired score. Here are some common mistakes students make during the JEE Main exam:

• Poor Time Management: Managing time is one of the biggest challenges faced by students during JEE Main 2026. Many students spend too much time on a single difficult question, leaving less time for easier questions. This disrupts the balance of attempting maximum questions within the allotted time.
• Misreading Questions: Under the pressure of the exam, students often misinterpret questions or skip important details, leading to incorrect answers.
• Ignoring Instructions: Not reading or understanding the exam instructions carefully can lead to errors such as marking the wrong answer or attempting more questions than required in Section B.
• Changing Answers Frequently: Frequent changes to answers, especially without proper reasoning, often lead to incorrect responses. This habit arises from second-guessing and can significantly reduce your score.
• Neglecting Negative Marking: Attempting too many questions without accurate calculations or guesses can lead to a significant loss of marks due to negative marking in the JEE Main 2026 exam.

Also Read: Is There Negative Marking in JEE Main 2026?

How to Avoid Making Common Mistakes in JEE Main 2026?

Common mistakes must be avoided to ace JEE Main 2026. However, through proper planning, preparation and designing wise tactics, aspirants can reduce errors and help achieve maximum scores. Here's a guide to help students steer clear of pitfalls while preparing for the JEE Main 2026 exam:

Know JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Preparation without that solid understanding of the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern and syllabus won't be fruitful. Get to know about the kind of questions, marking scheme and subject-wise weightage of questions from official JEE Main guidelines.

It helps speed up the preparation and prevents candidates from missing any important topics.

Select the Right Study Materials

Appropriate study material is important in covering the syllabus fully. Trustworthy sources such as NCERT books and a maximum of two standard reference books for each subject are recommended. Candidates must not overwhelm themselves with extensive study material as it will dilute their focus.

Also Read: What is the Role of NCERT in JEE Main 2026 Preparation?

Prepare a Study Plan

There is no way to stay on track without an organized study plan and no way to manage the time effectively. Candidates must break down their daily or weekly goals into something attainable.

Spending time on all subjects and also taking extra time for the weak areas. Also, make some extra time for revision and mock tests.

Clear Basic Concepts

Weak foundational knowledge is the reason so many students struggle with advanced problems. Candidates must clear their basics before moving to complex topics.

And it's the strong fundamentals that enable you to learn advanced concepts faster and tackle difficult questions easily.

Practice Regularly

Solve a variety of problems daily, including numerical problems, conceptual questions, and JEE Main mock tests. Practice JEE Main previous years' question papers under exam-like conditions to improve speed and accuracy.

After each test analyze your performance, see what needs improvement and work on them effectively.

Also Read: How to Solve JEE Main Previous Year Papers Effectively?

Focus on Time Management

Candidates must section their time judiciously and start with questions they are confident about. Preparation is incomplete without JEE Main 2026 mock tests, use them and create a time strategy so that candidates can follow it during the exam.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Take breaks, exercise, and maintain a balanced diet to keep your mind and body in optimal condition. Ensure you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep daily.

Read Questions Carefully

During the JEE Main 2026 exam, take a moment to read each question thoroughly. Understand the requirements and avoid jumping to conclusions. Moreover, during reading time take a glance at all the sections to anticipate the difficulty level of the questions, and attempt accordingly.

Adopt a Smart Question-Solving Strategy

Candidates are advised to attempt easier questions first to secure marks quickly. Allocate time to medium and difficult questions later. Use the elimination method for multiple-choice questions when unsure of the answer.

Also Read: How to Improve Accuracy in JEE Main 2026?

Revise Answers During the Exam

Candidates must reserve the last 10-15 minutes during the JEE Main exam to revisit marked questions or review answers. This ensures they can catch and correct any mistakes within the given time.

Avoid Blind Guesswork

Candidates must only attempt questions they are reasonably confident about. Use logical reasoning and educated guesses sparingly to minimise the impact of negative marking.

Stay Calm Under Pressure

Practice mindfulness techniques like deep breathing to keep the nerves steady during the JEE Main 2026 exam. Confidence and composure can make a significant difference in a candidate's performance.

Learn From Your Mistakes

Candidates must analyze their performance in every JEE Mains mock test and identify patterns of errors. Work on these areas diligently to avoid repeating mistakes during the actual exam.

Also Read: What If I Clear JEE Main but Not JEE Advanced?

Making mistakes in JEE Main 2026 preparation and during the exam is common among aspirants. However, learning from the mistakes and improving them is one of the most important steps that JEE aspiring candidates must take. This way they will be able to better tackle the JEE Main question paper.