No doubt that JEE Mains is one of the most challenging exams because of its broad syllabus, the questions asked, and the great number of competitive applicants. However, with proper preparation strategy, commitment, and consultation with institutes like Matrix Sikar, the above challenges can be buried, and a better rank can be achieved. And with full focus and determination, you can become a part of one of the most renowned engineering institutes.

“Is JEE Mains tough?” is one of the most common questions that students who seek to build their careers through the JEE mains exam ask. Administered by the NTA, JEE Mains is the entrance examination that grants admission to some of the best Engineering colleges in the country such as IITs, NITs, IIITs & Several GFTIs. 

The exam has a wide range of questions and has a great number of topics in the syllabus; therefore, many students ponder over the question “How tough is JEE mains?”. 

And here in this article, our main focus will be on the question – Is JEE mains tough? Information about the difficulty level, factors determining the result, and tips to prepare for this exam will also be provided. We will also learn why JEE Mains is difficult and how you can leverage this difficulty of JEE Mains.

Debunking IIT JEE Mains Myth – How Tough is JEE Mains 2025 will depend on which IIT sets the paper?

There are many myths amongst students about how tough JEE mains are. One such myth prevailing among students is that the level of JEE Main is set by the institution that conducts the test.

However, it will be pertinent to mention here that JEE Main is not being set by different IITs anymore because now it’s NTA that’ll take this responsibility. 

Traditionally, measuring toughness may differ among students because of their preparedness, understanding of the concepts, and time used during the exam. Of course, it is well understood that the form of questions being asked in JEE Mains is tough; but that doesn’t mean it’s uncrackable.

Also, there are no particular metrics to measure JEE’s main difficulty level. However, the exam is designed in such a manner that it contains a combination of easy, moderate, and hard questions.

Factors Affecting JEE Main Difficulty

• Vast Syllabus – Among the many reasons students perceive JEE Mains as being difficult is because of its large syllabus which includes Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Understanding every subject involves dedication and also comprehension of the basics.
• High Competition – No doubt that JEE Mains is a pretty tough exam and millions of students appear for the examination every year. Competing against such a vast pool of individuals is difficult enough but attaining a good rank further increases the perceived difficulty level.
• Conceptual and Application-Based Questions – Compared to board exams, JEE Mains assesses the ability of a candidate in terms of how well he or she comprehends a concept and how effectively he or she is able to solve problems based on that concept. This indeed is one of the reasons that makes many wonder “Is JEE mains tough?”.
• Time Constraints – This JEE mains exam has 90 questions (overall) from three subjects which students have to answer in 3 hours. This puts students under a lot of pressure and maintaining accuracy is paramount.
• Negative Marking – A penalty of one mark is given for every wrong answer given by a student. This puts more pressure on students and they’ll try to answer more questions and at times even avoid trying. 
• Changing Question Trends – The NTA also tends to bring about changes in concept and sometimes brings new question patterns into the exam. Students can find it difficult to adapt to these changes.

Preparation Tips to Ace JEE Mains 2025

Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus

• It is very important to comprehend the examination pattern and syllabus. Get a deep understanding of the new exam pattern that has been set and the syllabus as well. List down topics: put them in your strong or weak areas. Concentrate more on those high-weightage topics but make sure that the less-weighted areas are not left out.

Build Strong Fundamentals

• Many students who wander over the question “Is JEE mains tough” should concentrate on the fundamentals rather than memorization of information. This will assist them when answering application-based questions. Students should take help from NCERT books for the base, and additional reference textbooks are HC Verma for Physics, RD Sharma for Mathematics, and OP Tandon for Chemistry. 

Practice Regularly

• “Practice makes a man perfect” This saying fits perfectly when it comes to clearing JEE mains. Students should make a habit of practicing as many questions as possible. Take time and try to answer previous years’ question papers and online mock tests. This will help students to gain a better understanding of their speed, and accuracy and gain an understanding of exam patterns. Also, solving questions under timed situations prepares students for the real examination scenario, so make sure to time these practice sessions.

Time Management

• Prepare a good timetable; spend equal time with different subjects. Set the time of the day to cover each subject and ensure that the time set is followed to the letter. Students can make use of the Pomodoro technique where a person works for twenty-five minutes and then takes a five-minute break. Also, while taking the exam, students should start with questions they can easily answer and skip those that seem very difficult.

Revision is Key

• For students to retain what they have learned, they need to revise it systematically. Start by taking short notes for every chapter and those notes should include formulas, concepts, or shortcuts that were discussed in the chapter. It is best to review such notes daily after the first semester and more often as the end of the academic year approaches. Flash cards shall be used to revise in case of any exam as well as when learning/rehearsing complicated formulas.

Take Care of Your Health

• All your preparation and pondering on “Is JEE mains tough”, will go in vain if you are not healthy. Fitness and health are key determinants to achieving success in JEE mains 2025. Make sure to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep to keep your brain calm and stress-free. Have a good and healthy diet with plenty of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Also, perform some form of exercise or do yoga in order to remain physically and mentally productive.

Seek Guidance

• You can join a well-known coaching center like Matrix at Sikar Rajasthan, which has a proven track record. Coaching institutes have a scheduled course duration to prepare a student, they offer study materials and constant practicing including model tests to maintain the track. If coaching is unattainable a student might turn to online forums or study groups wherein he or she can discuss doubts with other students and share additional resources.

Use Quality Study Materials

• Stick to standard resources such as NCERT textbooks and reference books recommended by teachers and mentors. Do not use multiple books and notes at one time because this may cause confusion and may lead to burnout. 

Stay Positive and Motivated

• Students often forget that the preparation for JEE mains is not a one-day or one-month affair, but a long-drawn, arduous process. So it’s good to design achievable targets and constantly reward your efforts to stay motivated. Have friends and family close who will support and encourage you.

Analyze and Improve

• Last but not least is to keep analyzing your progress. Learn the type of mistakes you have made and why you made them. Was it conceptual confusion, arithmetical mistake, or haste? The following should be worked on so that one does not make the same mistakes again. It is also important to keep a record of the test scores to compare them with future tests.

Conclusion

As a result, to answer the question – “Is JEE Mains tough?” – Yes, it is not impossible. Competition, conceptual knowledge, and vast syllabus are some of the causes that make the exam tough to crack. 

There are going to be many other obstacles that students have to work through like, the right mindset, preparation strategy, and consistent effort.

To make the journey of clearing JEE mains easier students can get themselves enrolled into Matrix Academy, a leading IIT JEE preparation institute. We fully equip students with the best study material and the right environment to overcome the fear of “Is JEE mains tough”.

FAQ

• Is JEE Mains tough for a normal student?
  Yes, no matter who you are, JEE Mains 2025 is challenging for everyone. Clearing JEE mains will require guidance, preparation, and a positive attitude.

• How tough is JEE mains in comparison to the 12th board examination?
  JEE mains are tougher than the board examination because the exam aims to test your conceptual knowledge, time management skills, and mental agility.

• Why is JEE Mains tough for some students?
  Several factors constitute this like the vast syllabus, competition, and focus conceptual knowledge.

• How can I overcome the fear of “Is JEE mains tough”?
  You can overcome this fear by starting your preparation early, keeping focused, having a positive mindset, and being consistent in your effort.
• Can I clear JEE mains with self-study?
• Yes, you can clear JEE mains with self-study and a combination of discipline and determination. However, joining a reputed coaching institute like Matrix can provide additional guidance and resources.