How Can JEE Main 2026 Pattern Change Influence Cut-Offs and Competition?

JEE Main 2026 exam pattern change is likely to reduce the cutoff and increase competition as the exam pattern pre-pandemic has been restored. Section B of each paper will only consist of 5 numerical questions, leaving no room for choosing options. You will now have to showcase a broader subject mastery.

JEE Main exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency, is considered one of the most challenging and competitive exams in the world. With the change in the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern, you must know what to expect from the exam paper.

Now the JEE Main 2026 registrations will start in October 2025, you must keep up with the latest JEE Main exam pattern and prepare well for the exam. You can check the possible outcomes of the revised JEE Main 2026 exam pattern from this article.

Read More:  JEE Main Exam dates 2026

What is the JEE Main 2026 Revised Exam Pattern?

Since NTA has revised the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern, removing the freedom of choice from section B of each paper. You must be aware of the newly introduced changes. Now, section B will only contain 5 questions, all of which are compulsory to attempt.

The following table provides a complete overview of the new JEE Main 2026 paper pattern:

JEE Main Revised Exam Pattern for Paper 1 (BE/BTech)

Here’s what the JEE Main 2026 revised exam pattern for B.E./B.Tech looks like:

Note: Earlier the total number of questions was 90 out of which only 75 were compulsory to attempt. Now, the number of questions has been reduced to 75, and all are compulsory to answer.

JEE Main Revised Exam Pattern for Paper 2 (BArch/BPlan)

You can check the JEE Main revised exam pattern for B.Arch and B.Planning from the table provided below:

Also Read: Top Free Resources for JEE Main 2026 Preparation

Influence of JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern on Cutoffs

The cutoff is the minimum score you must obtain to qualify for the JEE Main 2026 exam. These cutoff scores are influenced by numerous factors, including the number of test takers, the difficulty level of the exam, overall performance distribution and the previous year’s trends.

JEE Main is considered one of the toughest exams in the world. Adding to this difficulty, the introduction of the revised JEE Main 2026 exam pattern is likely to cause the JEE Main 2026 cutoff to lie low.

Since no optional questions will be available, students will have to attempt all questions regardless of their preparedness for the topic. Moreover, a negative mark of 1 mark has remained unchanged for the new JEE Main exam pattern.

The first-time test takers or even repeaters may find it difficult to adapt to the new changes introduced by NTA within a short period. Thus, the cutoff is likely to be at a low for the JEE Main 2026 exam.

Additionally, a different approach will be adopted for normalizing scores. With a more comprehensive requirement from section B, the normalization process may be adjusted to ensure no unfair advantage or disadvantage due to the revised format.

Here’s what the JEE Main 2026 cutoff may look like as opposed to the JEE Main 2025 cutoff:

Check This: JEE Main Syllabus 2026

Influence of JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern on Competition

The revised JEE Main 2026 exam pattern is likely to cause the following among students:

• Difficulty in adaptation to new norms
• Increased need for conceptual understanding
• Increased competitiveness

The revised JEE Main exam pattern implies an increased difficulty in preparation for the exam. Since you will have to compulsorily attempt all questions, they might have to broaden their scope of study. In simple terms, no more selective study for the JEE Main 2026 syllabus. All subjects must be studied comprehensively, giving equal attention. They must focus on conceptual clarity. Now, you must work on improving their areas of weakness to attempt all questions, or else they might have to leave questions unanswered. Furthermore, psychological pressure is likely to increase, especially for those accustomed to selective preparation. However, adaptability is key to thriving under the JEE Main 2026 pattern, Students who can manage stress and adjust to the new demands are likely to be more competitive. This, in turn, can cause a shift in the distribution of JEE Main 2026 ranks. Thus, you should practice with JEE Main 2026 mock tests regularly to easily adapt to the changed JEE Main exam pattern.