Minimum Marks in JEE Mains to Qualify for JEE Advanced

Starting the journey toward IITs and top colleges in India often begins with JEE Main, which is among the hardest entry tests for engineers. Moving forward into JEE Advanced depends on how well you perform there, especially if an IIT seat is your goal.

So just what kind of mark must show up on your result to get that chance? The numbers shift each year depending on subject scores, percentiles, and which group category you belong to. This blog walks through the latest patterns, recent cutoffs, and real data without any confusion.

Overview of JEE Main and JEE Advanced

Before looking at minimum scores, it’s important to understand what each test actually measures.

• JEE Main: Conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA), JEE Main opens access to institutions such as NITs, IITs, and GFTIs. Passing this test allows entry into JEE Advanced.
• JEE Advanced: Conducted for admission into IITs and a few other top institutes. A selected group of applicants qualifies for JEE Advanced

Getting into IIT starts with clearing JEE Main & only after that comes the chance to take JEE Advanced, but just a handful clear it based on high scores. But before all these things comes a very important question and that is whether am I eligible to appear for JEE Advanced or not?

Eligibility Criteria to Appear in JEE Advanced

You have given JEE Main, and think you can appear for JEE advance then let us clear this misconception, before anyone points it out.

Just giving the JEE Main exam is not enough, you actually need to clear it before appearing for JEE Advance. And only 2,50,000 Candidates out of nearly 12 lakhs get a chance to appear for JEE Advance.

Around 20.8%, imagine the competition. Now out of these those who rank highest regardless of category after taking JEE Main Paper 1 can attempt JEE Advanced.

Reservation within these 2,50,000 seats is as follows:

• Open (General): 40.5%
• OBC-NCL: 27%
• SC: 15%
• ST: 7.5%
• GEN-EWS: 10%
• PwD: 5% horizontal reservation across categories.

Now, you know when you can give JEE Advanced exam, the next question comes is, “How much marks do I need to qualify for JEE Advanced?”

Minimum JEE Main marks needed to qualify for JEE Advanced

Before we tell you how much marks you actually need, it’s better you understand the difference between the two terms i.e., Percentile vs. Marks.

Understanding Percentile vs Marks

A score on JEE Main isn’t given as a straight mark out of total. Instead percentile shows how well you performed compared to other candidates.

👉 A higher percentile score puts you ahead of most others candidates who took it.

What Percentile is Needed in JEE Main to Qualify for JEE Advanced?

Each year the official NTA cutoff varies slightly. But based on past patterns & insights from specialists, this rough estimate gives a clear idea:

A score of 90+ percentile is often required for general applicants. Percentile needs can vary based on the difficulty level of JEE Main, total number of candidates and overall performance.

Expected Marks in JEE Main

Percentile scores are closely linked to marks. While yearly shifts affect how they align, the table below offers a general idea drawn from past JEE Main patterns.

These numbers are approximate, based on previous year patterns and cutoffs. 

Still unsure how your percentile converts into rank? Try our JEE Main Rank Predictor to estimate your All India Rank based on previous year trends.

But, before we go on to understand what actually happens after you qualify JEE Advanced, it is important that we clear a few myths around this test.

Common Myths About JEE Main to JEE Advanced

You’ll hear many opinions about JEE from friends, seniors & online community. While some advice is helpful, a lot of it is misleading. Let’s clear up few common myths about JEE Main and JEE Advanced.

Myth 1: “You need a fixed marks like 200 to qualify”

This is Incorrect. A set mark total does not determine entry. Selection depends on position, measured by percentile,among the top 2,50,000 candidates

Myth 2: “Board marks can replace JEE Main score”

This is also incorrect. While board results affect qualification through the 75 percent requirement, it is the JEE Main score rank that ultimately determines entry into JEE Advanced.

Myth 3: “If I score 80 percentile, I can definitely qualify”

It depends. In the General category, a score around 93rd percentile often secures rank within the first 250,000 candidates.

And, now that these myths are cleared, we can now focus on the next stage of the process.

What Happens After You Qualify JEE Advanced?

After you qualify JEE Advanced, you receive an All India Rank depending on your JEE Advanced score. This rank plays an important role in determining your admission options.

A selection process is conducted through JoSAA counselling for those meeting eligibility standards. Seats are allocated in IITs through multiple rounds based on rank, category, and availability criteria.

Tips to Reach the JEE Main Qualifying Percentile for JEE Advanced

Reaching the qualifying percentile is not just about hard work, but about preparing in the right direction. With a clear strategy, regular practice, and smart analysis, you can improve your chances of clearing JEE Main and moving closer to JEE Advanced.

Practice Smartly and Stay Consistent

Cracking JEE Main is not about studying for long hours every day, but about using your study time wisely. During practice and mock tests, focus on maintaining a steady pace and avoiding mistakes that can lead to negative marking.

Balanced preparation across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics is key. Instead of over-focusing on one subject, aim to keep your performance consistent in all three. When your scores remain stable across subjects, your overall percentile improves naturally.

Take Mock Tests Regularly

Giving mock tests regularly plays a major role in improving JEE Main performance. Solving full-length papers under timed conditions helps you manage time better and reduces exam-day pressure.

As you take more mocks, common mistakes start reducing on their own. The real exam feels less intimidating when you’re already used to solving papers in a similar environment, and confidence builds with each attempt.

Analyze Previous Year JEE Papers

Going through past JEE Main papers helps you understand the exam pattern more clearly. Over time, you’ll notice that certain topics and question types appear repeatedly.

Studying official JEE Main previous year papers also gives you a realistic idea of difficulty levels. This makes your preparation more focused and helps you spend time on areas that truly matter.

Conclusion

Qualifying JEE Advanced from JEE Main does not depend on a set score. Reaching that stage means doing better than others. Standing among top 2,50,000 requires steady work. Preparation shaped by clear thinking plays a role. Performance matters more than any single number. Rank defines eligibility, not marks alone.

Begin by organizing study time with clear targets in mind. Concentrate effort where scores matter most. Strive for steady results in every area tested.

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