Understanding the Marking Scheme and Tie-Breaking Criteria in JEE (Main) 2025

The marking scheme for JEE (Main) 2025 plays a crucial role in determining your final score. Understanding how marks are awarded or deducted for each question type—whether multiple-choice or numerical value questions—can significantly influence your preparation strategy. This blog provides a comprehensive overview of the marking scheme, including negative marking, and the criteria used to resolve ties.

For multiple-choice questions, each correct answer earns you four marks, while each incorrect answer results in a deduction of one mark. If you leave a question unanswered or mark it for review, no marks are awarded or deducted. This structure is consistent across all sections of the exam, including Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in Paper 1, as well as Aptitude and Planning-based questions in Papers 2A and 2B.

Numerical value questions follow a similar marking scheme: four marks for each correct answer and a deduction of one mark for each incorrect answer. For these questions, you must enter the correct integer value, rounded to the nearest integer, using the on-screen virtual numeric keypad.

There are specific cases where marks are awarded differently. For instance, if more than one option is correct for an MCQ, all candidates who mark any of the correct options receive full marks. Similarly, if a question is found to be incorrect or is dropped, full marks are awarded to all candidates who attempted the question.

In case of a tie—where two or more candidates obtain the same total NTA score—the tie is resolved using several criteria in descending order: 1. NTA score in Mathematics. 2. NTA score in Physics. 3. NTA score in Chemistry. 4. Lesser proportion of incorrect answers to correct answers in all subjects. 5. Age of the candidate, with older candidates given preference. 6. Application number in ascending order.

Understanding the marking scheme is essential for formulating an effective exam strategy. Knowing the implications of negative marking, especially in high-stakes exams like JEE (Main), can help you decide when to attempt a question and when to leave it unanswered.

To maximize your score in JEE (Main) 2025, it’s crucial to fully understand the marking scheme and tie-breaking criteria. By aligning your preparation and exam strategy with these guidelines, you can enhance your chances of securing a higher rank and moving closer to your engineering career goals.