Most Common Mistakes Students Make in JEE Main 2026

Learn about the most common mistakes students make in JEE Main and how to avoid them. Improve accuracy, manage time wisely, and boost your JEE Main 2026 score with smart strategies.

Most Common Mistakes Students Make in JEE Main

Preparing for JEE Main is a long journey that requires smart strategy, consistent practice, and strong determination. However, even well-prepared students often lose marks because of common yet avoidable mistakes during preparation and in the exam hall. Being aware of these mistakes can help you avoid them and boost your chances of achieving a higher score.

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Ignoring NCERT Basics

Many aspirants directly jump into advanced reference books and coaching material without mastering NCERT. Since JEE Main heavily relies on NCERT concepts, especially in Chemistry, skipping basics often results in confusion and mistakes in direct questions.

Tip: Master NCERT first before moving to advanced books.

Over-Reliance on Shortcuts

Short tricks and formulas can be useful, but relying only on them without conceptual clarity often leads to silly mistakes. In tricky questions, this habit backfires.

Tip: First learn the concept, then apply shortcuts for speed.

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Poor Time Management in Exam

Many students spend too much time on one difficult question and fail to attempt easier ones. This drastically reduces their total score.

Tip: Follow the 60-60-60 rule - devote equal time to Physics, Chemistry, and Math, and move on if a question takes too long.

Lack of Mock Test Analysis

Students often take mock tests but fail to analyze mistakes properly. Without analysis, repeating the same errors becomes inevitable.

Tip: After every test, identify weak topics, silly mistakes, and time-wasting habits, then work on them.

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Ignoring Negative Marking

In the pressure of attempting maximum questions, students sometimes make wild guesses. This leads to heavy negative marking and lowers overall percentile.

Tip: Attempt only when you are at least 60 - 70% confident in your answer.

Neglecting Revision

Some aspirants keep studying new topics till the last moment, leaving little time for revision. As a result, they forget important formulas and concepts during the exam.

Tip: Keep the last 3–4 weeks exclusively for revision and solving previous year papers.

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Stress & Lack of Proper Sleep

Exam anxiety and late night study sessions often reduce focus and accuracy. A tired mind cannot perform at its peak during a 3-hour competitive exam.

Tip: Maintain a healthy routine, balanced sleep, and a calm mindset for best results.

Final Thoughts

Success in JEE Main 2026 is not just about hard work - it’s about avoiding mistakes and using the right strategy. If you learn from the common errors that others make, you can stay one step ahead and secure a top rank.

Related Resources

JEE Main Syllabus Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) JEE Main Counselling JEE Main Exam Information JEE Main Question Paper Analysis

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