After solving pyq’s of JEE Mains except 2025 papers, the next stage is to attempt full syllabus papers and for that we need a proper plan for maximizing your score in JEE Main 2026. It involves 3 things:
section/subject attempting order, time allotting to different subjects, handling negative marking, key strategies of attempting paper, when and how to solve previous year question papers.
1. The Optimal Subject Attempt Order and Rationale:
The sequence you choose dictates your momentum and time management. We strongly advocate for a strategic order that prioritizes quick wins and confidence building before tackling the most demanding section.
Recommended Order: Chemistry Physics Mathematics (C-P-M)
| Subject | Rationale and Positioning |
| Chemistry (The Starter) | Most Preferred. Chemistry questions are often direct, fact-based, and require minimal calculation time. This allows aspirants to attempt the maximum number of questions in the shortest duration, securing a strong foundational score and boosting confidence immediately. |
| Physics (The Bridge) | Second Priority. Physics typically ranges from Easy to Moderate in difficulty. It involves a mix of conceptual clarity and formula application. Tackling it after the quick win in Chemistry maintains momentum without immediately entering the lengthy calculations of Mathematics. |
| Mathematics (The Finisher) | Attempt Last. Mathematics is consistently the most lengthy and calculative section. Placing it last ensures you have dedicated, banked time to focus on complex problem-solving without the pressure of having the other subjects incomplete. |
Whatever your chosen strategy—starting with Maths, Physics, Chemistry, or any other sequence—ensure you’ve tested it thoroughly across at least 5–10 mock papers before the actual exam. Avoid changing your approach at the last moment, whether a few days before the test or on the exam day itself. Your mind delivers peak performance when it follows the pattern it has been consistently trained to execute.
2. Strategic Time Allocation: Moving Beyond the 1-Hour Myth ⏱️
The “one hour per subject” approach is the worst possible strategy as it guarantees you will rush the lengthy Mathematics section. A more tactical division, including a built-in buffer, is essential for score maximization.
The Recommended Time Division (Total 180 Minutes):
| Subject | Initial Target Time | Remaining Time/Buffer Strategy |
| Chemistry | 45 Minutes | A time-efficient section, this allocation ensures swift completion. |
| Physics | 45 – 50 Minutes | Slightly more time-intensive than Chemistry, but still quick enough to be finished efficiently. |
| Buffer & Reattempt (C & P) | 10 – 15 Minutes | Allocate this buffer immediately after the initial C and P attempts. Use this time to quickly revisit questions in Physics or Chemistry that were easily solvable but were skipped due to initial hesitation or a small calculation error. If you can manage Physics & Chemistry in the time mentioned above, then additional / buffer time can be used for Maths. |
| Mathematics | 1 Hour 15 Minutes | With the buffer utilised, this section receives the largest allocation, acknowledging its length and complexity. |
Flexibility is Key: If, after the initial C and P attempt, you feel you haven’t given your 100%—meaning there are easy, solvable questions remaining—you can strategically cut a small portion of the allocated Mathematics time to solve those pending C/P questions. Why? Because the remaining C/P questions can be solved in significantly less time than an average Math question, offering a higher return on time investment. Note: Your time-division strategy should be well-tested—ideally across 10–15 mock papers—before you apply it in the real exam.
3. Must-Do Tasks for the Final Month Before JEE Mains:
- In the final month, focus on building your stamina by revising all key formulas and attempting 15–20 full-length mock tests. Prioritise practice tests—especially PYQs from the last 1–2 years (2024–2025)—as they offer the closest insight into the actual exam pattern and difficulty.
- It is highly recommended to reserve the 2025 JEE Mains paper for last month’s practice.
- Attempting these as JEE mock tests during the last months will help you get used to the exact level of JEE Mains.
4. High-Impact Key Strategies for Score Maximization 🔑
A high JEE score is a result of smart execution, not just knowledge. These critical guidelines will help you navigate the pressure and potential pitfalls of the exam.
A. The Right Approach to Selecting Questions to Attempt
- Round 1 Scanning: Start by quickly scanning 3 to 5 questions and select the ones that feel most comfortable—where your concepts are strong and the idea clicks immediately. Avoid the inefficient habit of reading every question in detail right at the start. Instead, scan the entire section, identify 5 to 6 clearly doable questions, and begin with them. Prioritise questions that appear easy, familiar, or similar to what you’ve already practiced. Any questions you skip in the first round should be marked so you can revisit them later. The purpose of Round 1 is simple – focus only on the questions in which you have absolute confidence. These are your guaranteed marks, and securing them early builds both score and momentum.
- Round 2 Leftovers: After you have finished round 1, in Round 2 you can attempt those questions which you left earlier in round 1.
B. Exam Temperament and Efficiency
- Avoid the Ego Trap: Never let a question—especially from a chapter you believe you are strong in—become an ego battle (overconfidence). If a question appears lengthy, or complex upon initial reading, skip it immediately. Wasting time on an ego-driven problem is the fastest way to drop your score. Some students feel that strong preparation in a topic guarantees they can solve any question from it. But when they get stuck on a single problem, it disrupts their rhythm and throws off their time management.
C. Handling Numerical Value Type (NVT) Questions
- Calculated Guessing: For Numerical Value questions that you have left, rather than leaving them blank, it is marginally better to input a rational, single-digit answer, or even the most frequently occurring numerical answer from your preparation experience. While the chances remain low, this calculated input is superior to a random guess. In multiple-choice questions, even a small calculation error can lead you to the wrong option—but such mistakes are usually easier to spot. When your answer doesn’t match any of the given choices, it’s a clear signal to recheck your steps. This allows you to quickly identify and correct your calculation errors.
- Avoid Calculation Mistake in integer type questions – Students who frequently make calculation mistakes must be particularly cautious while attempting integer-type questions. Although these questions sometimes offer an opportunity to recheck your answer, they demand accuracy from the very beginning. There is virtually no margin for error, so minimizing calculation slips is essential. If you tend to make frequent calculation errors, you need to approach the paper with heightened focus and solve each question with deliberate attention and precision.
- D. Post-Mock Test Analysis (The Continuous Improvement Loop)
The most important phase is mock test analysis which is mainly responsible for increasing your score by understanding the problems.
- Identify the main problems: Immediately after every mock test, dedicate time to analyzing the exact problems you faced. Did you get stuck on a particular question? Did you lack confidence in your answers?
- Root Cause Analysis: For every mistake made, conduct a detailed root cause analysis. Determine if the error was due to a conceptual weakness, a weak topic, a calculation blunder (silly mistake), poor time management or any other problems. This feedback loop is essential for targeted improvement.
- Revise the unattempted questions in the Mock Paper: Any question you fail to solve during a mock test must be added to your revision list. Revisit the underlying topic, classify it as a weak area, and revise it systematically.
E. Handling negative marking:
- Silly mistakes are common in JEE, and that penalises us with a loss of 5 marks, which can affect our rank by a huge margin.
- There are always a few types of silly mistakes which we can identify by analyzing our mock tests and there are always a few common reasons.
The Cornerstone of Success: Mock Test Adoption:
This strategy is only effective if it is adopted naturally. You must ensure these techniques are completely adopted and internalised before the exam day.
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