Understanding JEE
What are the main engineering entrance examinations and admission pathways available to students beyond JEE Main and JEE Advanced?
Last Updated: 6 November 2026Students can explore several national, state-level and university-specific examinations, including:– BITSAT: BITS Pilani campuses.– VITEEE: VIT.– MET: Manipal Academy of Higher Education.– SRMJEEE: SRM Institute of Science and Technology.– COMEDK UGET: Participating engineering colleges in Karnataka.– WBJEE: Participating institutions in West Bengal.– MHT CET: Engineering colleges in Maharashtra.– KCET: Participating colleges in Karnataka.– AEEE: Amrita...
Can students pursue software engineering or research-focused careers without studying at an IIT? Which other institutions and pathways should they consider?
Last Updated: 6 November 2026Yes. An IIT degree is not essential for careers in software engineering or research. Students can explore institutions such as BITS Pilani, IIIT Hyderabad, other IIITs, NITs, DTU and NSUT for technology-focused programmes. Those interested in research can consider IISc, IISERs, NISER and UM-DAE CEBS, which offer science and research-oriented undergraduate pathways. Strong subject knowledge,...
How should students compare an older IIT with a less preferred branch against a newer IIT with their preferred branch?
Last Updated: 6 November 2026Students should consider both institutional reputation and their interest in the engineering discipline. Compare department strengths, curriculum, faculty, research facilities, placements, internships and industry exposure. An older IIT may offer stronger research facilities in a particular discipline, while a newer IIT may provide the preferred branch and career opportunities. Students should also check whether branch...
What JEE Main percentile or rank should students aim for to secure admission to NITs, IIITs and GFTIs?
Last Updated: 6 November 2026Admission depends on the institution, branch, category, home-state quota and counselling round. A percentile of 99 or above is a competitive preparation target for several sought-after programmes, while students with lower percentiles may also find opportunities across other institutions and branches. However, there is no guaranteed percentile for admission. Students should compare their expected ranks...
How should students use mock tests to identify weaknesses, improve accuracy and manage time during the examination?
Last Updated: 6 November 2026Mock tests help students evaluate their preparation and develop an effective examination strategy. They should:– Attempt full-length tests under timed conditions.– Identify weak topics and subjects through performance analysis.– Maintain an error log to track conceptual, calculation and careless mistakes.– Practise selecting questions based on difficulty and time required.– Review incorrect and unattempted questions before...
How are different JEE Main shifts standardised, and how are percentiles and ranks calculated?
Last Updated: 6 November 2026JEE Main is conducted in multiple shifts, and the difficulty level may vary. NTA uses a normalisation process to ensure fair comparison across shifts. A percentile indicates the percentage of candidates in the same shift who scored equal to or below a particular candidate. It is not the percentage of marks obtained. NTA then prepares...
If Mathematics is a student’s weakest subject, can they still aim for the IITs and NITs? How should they strengthen this subject?
Last Updated: 6 November 2026Yes. Students can still aim for IITs and NITs, but Mathematics cannot be neglected as it is a compulsory component of JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Start by strengthening NCERT concepts, particularly in Algebra, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry and Trigonometry. Practise questions progressively, from basic applications to JEE-level problems. Maintain an error log to identify recurring...