Starting from 2025, the National Testing Agency (NTA) will discontinue the optional question format in Section B of JEE Main, which was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Students will now have to answer all five numerical questions per subject, as opposed to choosing 5 out of 10. This change marks a return to the pre-2021 exam pattern.
What Was the Optional Question Format?
Introduced in 2021, the flexible format in Section B allowed students to attempt any 5 out of 10 numerical questions in each subject (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics). This was a temporary measure to accommodate students during the pandemic, offering them more flexibility in answering questions. This format continued through the 2024 exams, but starting from JEE Main-2025, the flexibility will be removed, and all numerical questions in Section B will become mandatory.
What’s New for JEE Main-2025?
For JEE Main-2025, Section B will consist of only 5 numerical questions per subject, and students must answer all of them. This adjustment brings the exam structure back to the pre-2021 format, removing the choice that was offered for numerical problems in recent years. The exam will still feature three subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with a total of 90 questions—30 from each subject. Section A will continue to include 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) per subject.
Application Process for JEE Main-2025
The NTA also announced that the application process for the first phase of JEE Main-2025 will start soon. Details regarding the registration and updated exam pattern will be made available on the NTA’s official website. Candidates are encouraged to stay updated with the latest announcements as the registration window opens.
Conclusion
The reversion to the pre-pandemic JEE Main format for Section B, which eliminates the flexibility to choose numerical questions, is a significant change for aspirants. As the NTA prepares to release further details about JEE Main-2025, students should start preparing according to this revised format, which emphasizes mandatory numerical problem-solving skills in each subject.
