JEE Advanced 2025: Beginner’s Guide to Getting into IITs

What is JEE Advanced?

Hi! If you’ve heard of the IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology), you probably know they’re the best engineering colleges in India—and maybe even the world! JEE Advanced is the exam you need to pass to get into an IIT. But here’s the catch: you can only take JEE Advanced if you’ve already cleared JEE Main and are among the top 2.5 lakh students. JEE Advanced is tougher than JEE Main because it tests your deep understanding of concepts. It’s run by one of the IITs each year (IIT Roorkee is handling it for 2025), and about 1.5 lakh students take it annually. Let’s learn more!

A Little History of JEE Advanced

The exam for IITs started in 1960 and was called IIT-JEE. In 2013, it split into two parts: JEE Main (for NITs and IIITs) and JEE Advanced (for IITs). This change made the process fairer by giving everyone a chance to take JEE Main first. Over the years, JEE Advanced has become known for its challenging questions that test your thinking skills. Since 2018, it’s been a computer-based test, and in 2021, they added more numerical questions to make it even more concept-focused. It’s a big deal because IIT graduates often get amazing jobs or go on to study at places like MIT or Stanford!

Who Can Apply for JEE Advanced?

Here’s what you need to apply:

• Qualify JEE Main: You must be among the top 2.5 lakh students in JEE Main 2025 (including reserved categories).
• Education: You need to have passed Class 12 (or be in Class 12 in 2025) with Physics, Chemistry, and Math (PCM).
• Age: You must be born on or after October 1, 2000 (so, not older than 25 years). SC/ST and PwD candidates get 5 extra years (born on or after October 1, 1995).
• Number of Attempts: You can try JEE Advanced only 2 years in a row, so you get 2 chances max.
• Other Rules: You shouldn’t have already been admitted to an IIT through JEE in the past.

What Will You Study? (Syllabus)

JEE Advanced also tests Physics, Chemistry, and Math, but the questions are deeper than JEE Main. Here’s a quick look:

• Physics: Includes everything from JEE Main (like mechanics, electricity, optics), plus tougher topics like fluid mechanics and nuclear physics.
• Chemistry: Covers the same three parts as JEE Main (Physical, Organic, Inorganic), but with more focus on reactions, mechanisms, and applications (like how chemicals are used in industries).
• Math: Includes algebra, calculus, geometry, and trigonometry, but with trickier problems—like mixing calculus with probability.

For B.Arch aspirants, there’s an extra Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT) after you pass JEE Advanced, which tests your drawing and design skills.

How the Exam Works (Exam Pattern)

JEE Advanced is tougher than JEE Main, with two papers on the same day:

• Paper 1 and Paper 2: Both are 3 hours each, computer-based, and held on the same day (morning and afternoon). Each paper has questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Math.
• Question Types: Multiple-choice (MCQs), numerical answer types (you type the answer), and sometimes matching or list-based questions. The pattern changes every year, but it’s usually around 180 marks per paper (360 total).
• Marking: Some questions give partial marks for partially correct answers, but wrong answers can cost you marks (negative marking).

What’s Happened Before? (Past Trends)

Here’s what past exams show:

• In 2024, about 1.8 lakh students took JEE Advanced, and around 15,000 got into IITs. That’s a success rate of less than 10%!
• The cutoff for General category in 2024 was around 110 out of 360. To get into a top IIT like IIT Bombay, you needed at least 220 marks.
• Questions often mix topics—like a Physics problem might need Math skills. For example, a 2024 question asked about a pendulum’s motion using both mechanics and trigonometry.
• Chemistry is usually the easiest section to score in, while Math can be the hardest because of long calculations.
• Toppers often score above 300 out of 360, which means getting 80-90% correct!

Latest Updates for JEE Advanced 2025

Here’s the latest as of May 26, 2025:

• JEE Advanced 2025 happened yesterday, May 25, 2025! It was conducted by IIT Roorkee.
• The answer key will be out on May 31, 2025, and results are expected on June 8, 2025.
• JoSAA counseling (for IIT admissions) starts in late June 2025.
• No syllabus changes this year, but they increased the number of numerical questions slightly compared to 2024.

How to Prepare for JEE Advanced 2025 (Beginner Tips)

Here’s how to get started:

• Master JEE Main First: Since you need to clear JEE Main, follow the tips from the JEE Main section above. Then, level up for JEE Advanced.
• Use Advanced Books: After NCERT, try these:
  • For Physics: “Problems in General Physics” by I.E. Irodov.
  • For Chemistry: “Advanced Problems in Organic Chemistry” by M.S. Chauhan.
  • For Math: “Higher Algebra” by Hall and Knight.
• Solve Past Papers: JEE Advanced questions are unique, so solve papers from the last 10 years to understand the style.
• Focus on Concepts: Don’t just memorize—understand why things work. For example, in Physics, learn why a ball moves in a curve when thrown.
• Take Mock Tests: Practice 6-hour tests (Paper 1 + Paper 2) to build stamina. Use sites like Allen or FIITJEE for mock tests.
• Work on Speed: JEE Advanced questions need quick thinking. Practice solving problems in under 2 minutes.
• Stay Positive: It’s a tough exam, but don’t get discouraged. Keep practicing, and you’ll improve!

Where to Find More Help (External Links)

• JEE Advanced Official Website – Check dates, syllabus, and results here.
• Shiksha – Easy tips and updates for JEE beginners.
• JoSAA Website – For IIT counseling.

Final Words

JEE Advanced 2025 is your gateway to the IITs, where you can become a world-class engineer! It’s a challenging exam, but with deep understanding, practice, and confidence, you can make it. Start with the basics, solve tough problems, and aim high. Your IIT dream is closer than you think!