The IIT JEE (Indian Institutes of Technology Joint Entrance Examination) is one of the most prestigious and competitive engineering entrance exams in India. It is the gateway for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), which are among the top engineering institutes in the country.
History and Genesis of the Exam:
The IIT JEE was first conducted in 1960. The primary objective behind the establishment of the IITs and the introduction of the JEE was to develop world-class scientists and engineers who could contribute to India’s progress in various fields. The IITs were established by the Government of India with the vision of developing world-class technological institutes that could compete with the best in the world.
Initially, the IIT JEE was a single exam that tested the knowledge of students in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The exam was known for its difficulty level and was aimed at identifying the brightest minds in the country.
Competitiveness:
Over the years, the IIT JEE has gained immense popularity and has become synonymous with engineering excellence in India. The number of applicants has been increasing year by year, making it one of the most competitive exams in the country. Every year, over a million students appear for the exam, competing for a limited number of seats in the IITs.
Changes in Exam Pattern:
The pattern of the IIT JEE has undergone several changes over the years. Here are some of the significant changes:
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Introduction of Screening Test (1998-2005): In 1998, a screening test was introduced. Students had to clear this screening test to be eligible for the main exam. This was done to reduce the number of candidates appearing for the main exam.
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IIT JEE Mains and Advanced (2013 onwards): In 2013, the exam was divided into two parts – JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. JEE Mains is the first stage and is also used for admission to other engineering colleges apart from IITs. JEE Advanced is the second stage and is exclusively for admission to IITs.
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Introduction of Computer-Based Test (2018 onwards): In 2018, JEE Mains was made completely online, and students had to take the exam in a computer-based mode.
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Revision in Eligibility Criteria: Over the years, the eligibility criteria have also been revised. For instance, the introduction of a minimum percentage in the 12th standard, the number of attempts, etc.
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Inclusion of Class 12th Marks (2013-2016): For a brief period, the class 12th marks were also considered for creating the rank list. However, this was later scrapped.
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Introduction of Numerical Questions (2020 onwards): In 2020, numerical questions without any options were introduced in the JEE Mains.
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Conducting JEE Mains Multiple Times a Year (2019 onwards): From 2019, JEE Mains started to be conducted multiple times a year to give students more opportunities.
IIT JEE Current Exam Pattern:
The IIT JEE is currently divided into two stages – JEE Mains and JEE Advanced.
JEE Mains:
- Frequency: JEE Mains is conducted four times a year (February, March, April, and May).
- Mode of Examination: It is a computer-based test.
- Papers: There are two papers in JEE Mains – Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech and Paper 2 for B.Arch/B.Plan.
- Subjects: Paper 1 includes Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, while Paper 2 includes Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing.
- Type of Questions: There are multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and numerical questions.
- Duration: Each paper is of 3 hours duration.
- Marking Scheme: For MCQs, 4 marks are awarded for each correct answer and 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer. For numerical questions, 4 marks are awarded for each correct answer and there is no negative marking.
- Language: The question paper is available in English, Hindi, and other regional languages.
JEE Advanced:
- Frequency: JEE Advanced is conducted once a year.
- Mode of Examination: It is a computer-based test.
- Papers: There are two compulsory papers – Paper 1 and Paper 2.
- Subjects: Both papers include Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- Type of Questions: There are multiple-choice questions, numerical questions, and match-the-following type questions.
- Duration: Each paper is of 3 hours duration.
- Marking Scheme: The marking scheme is variable and is mentioned in the instructions of each paper.
- Language: The question paper is available in English and Hindi.
Why This Pattern Was Adopted:
This pattern was adopted to test the comprehensive understanding, analytical skills, and problem-solving ability of the students. The introduction of numerical questions was aimed at testing the conceptual clarity of the students. Conducting JEE Mains multiple times a year was introduced to reduce the stress levels among students and give them multiple opportunities.
What Capability This Pattern Tests in the Students:
- Conceptual Understanding: The pattern tests the students’ grasp of fundamental concepts in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- Analytical Skills: The numerical and application-based questions test the analytical skills of the students.
- Problem-Solving Ability: The exam tests the ability of students to apply concepts to solve complex problems.
- Time Management: The duration of the exam tests the ability of students to manage time effectively.
- Handling Pressure: As the exam is highly competitive, it tests the ability of students to handle pressure.
Marks Allotment Procedure:
In JEE Mains, the total marks for Paper 1 are 300. Each subject (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) has 30 questions, with each question carrying 4 marks. For MCQs, there is negative marking, where 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer. For numerical questions, there is no negative marking.
In JEE Advanced, the marking scheme is variable and is mentioned in the instructions of each paper. It usually includes partial marking in some sections to reward the students for partially correct answers.
The All India Rank (AIR) in JEE Mains is calculated based on the percentile score, which is a normalization procedure based on the relative performance of students across different sessions. For JEE Advanced, the AIR is calculated based on the aggregate marks in Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Detailed Books List for IIT JEE Exams Preparation:
| Subject | Book Title | Author(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Concepts of Physics (Vol. 1 and Vol. 2) | H.C. Verma |
| Physics | Problems in General Physics | I.E. Irodov |
| Physics | Fundamentals of Physics | Halliday, Resnick, and Walker |
| Physics | Understanding Physics for JEE Main & Advanced Mechanics Part 1 | D.C. Pandey |
| Physics | Understanding Physics for JEE Main & Advanced Mechanics Part 2 | D.C. Pandey |
| Physics | Concepts of Modern Physics | Arthur Beiser |
| Physics | Problems in Physics | S.S. Krotov |
| Chemistry | Physical Chemistry | O.P. Tandon |
| Chemistry | Organic Chemistry | Morrison and Boyd |
| Chemistry | Inorganic Chemistry | J.D. Lee |
| Chemistry | Concise Inorganic Chemistry | J.D. Lee |
| Chemistry | Organic Chemistry for Joint Entrance Examination | M.S. Chouhan |
| Chemistry | Numerical Chemistry | P. Bahadur |
| Mathematics | Mathematics for Joint Entrance Examination JEE (Advanced): Algebra | G.Tewani |
| Mathematics | Mathematics for Joint Entrance Examination JEE (Advanced): Calculus | G.Tewani |
| Mathematics | Problems Plus in IIT Mathematics | A. Das Gupta |
| Mathematics | Higher Algebra | Hall and Knight |
| Mathematics | Plane Trigonometry | S.L. Loney |
Top IITs and Their Details:
1. IIT Bombay (IITB):
IIT Bombay, located in Mumbai, is one of the premier engineering institutes in India. Established in 1958, it is known for its strong curriculum and world-class faculty. The best branches at IIT Bombay are Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
Pros: IIT Bombay has a vibrant campus life, excellent placement records, and is located in the financial capital of India, which provides ample opportunities for internships and jobs. It also has a strong alumni network.
Cons: The cost of living is high in Mumbai, and the campus is known to have a rigorous academic schedule which can be stressful.
Rank Required: To get into Computer Science at IIT Bombay, one needs to secure a rank within the top 50 in JEE Advanced.
2. IIT Delhi (IITD):
IIT Delhi is located in the capital city of India and was established in 1961. The institute is known for its research facilities and innovation. The best branches are Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Civil Engineering.
Pros: Being in the capital city, it has excellent industry exposure, a wide range of extracurricular activities, and a diverse student community.
Cons: Pollution and high living expenses are some of the cons of being in Delhi.
Rank Required: A rank within the top 100 is generally required for Computer Science at IIT Delhi.
3. IIT Madras (IITM):
Located in Chennai, IIT Madras was established in 1959. It is known for its strong collaboration with the German government. The best branches are Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Aerospace Engineering.
Pros: It has a vast campus with a natural reserve, excellent faculty, and a strong focus on research.
Cons: Language can be a barrier for non-Tamil speaking students.
Rank Required: A rank within the top 200 is needed for Computer Science.
4. IIT Kanpur (IITK):
IIT Kanpur, established in 1959, is known for its science-based engineering education. The best branches are Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Aerospace Engineering.
Pros: It has a flexible curriculum, strong emphasis on research, and a sprawling campus.
Cons: The city of Kanpur is relatively less developed compared to metro cities.
Rank Required: A rank within the top 250 is needed for Computer Science.
5. IIT Kharagpur (IIT-KGP):
Established in 1951, IIT Kharagpur is the oldest IIT. It is known for its vast campus and diverse set of courses. The best branches are Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering.
Pros: It has a rich history, a huge alumni network, and a large number of student-run societies.
Cons: It is located in a remote area.
Rank Required: A rank within the top 300 is needed for Computer Science.
6. IIT Roorkee (IITR):
IIT Roorkee, established in 1847, is one of the oldest engineering colleges in Asia. It is known for its architecture and civil engineering courses.
Pros: It has a beautiful campus, rich heritage, and excellent faculty.
Cons: Limited industry exposure due to its location.
Rank Required: A rank within the top 400 is needed for Computer Science.
7. IIT Guwahati (IITG):
Located in the North-East, IIT Guwahati was established in 1994. It is known for its scenic campus and design courses.
Pros: It has a serene campus, growing research facilities, and is the center for education in the North-East.
Cons: Remote location and language barriers.
Rank Required: A rank within the top 600 is needed for Computer Science.
8. IIT Hyderabad (IITH):
IIT Hyderabad, established in 2008, is one of the new IITs but has quickly risen through the ranks. The best branches are Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
Pros: It has state-of-the-art infrastructure, growing industry collaborations, and a focus on innovation.
Cons: It is still relatively new and is building its alumni network.
Rank Required: A rank within the top 700 is needed for Computer Science.
9. IIT Varanasi (IIT BHU):
IIT BHU in Varanasi is known for its rich cultural heritage and strong alumni network. The best branches are Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
Pros: It has a rich cultural environment, a large number of student societies, and a strong focus on entrepreneurship.
Cons: The city is crowded and has infrastructure issues.
Rank Required: A rank within the top 500 is needed for Computer Science.
10. IIT Indore (IITI):
Established in 2009, IIT Indore is known for its research-oriented curriculum. The best branches are Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
Pros: It has a research-focused curriculum, modern infrastructure, and is located in a growing city.
Cons: It is still building its reputation and alumni network.
Rank Required: A rank within the top 800 is needed for Computer Science.
11. IIT Dhanbad (IIT ISM):
IIT Dhanbad, formerly ISM Dhanbad, is known for its courses in Mining and Petroleum Engineering.
Pros: It has a specialized focus on mining and earth sciences, a rich history, and a strong alumni network in the mining industry.
Cons: Limited diversity in courses and remote location.
Rank Required: A rank within the top 6000-7000 can get you into specialized branches like Mining Engineering.