How Many Attempts For JEE Mains Are Allowed? Complete Guide

Dreaming of IIT or NIT? Wondering how many attempts for JEE Mains you get to crack your dream college? According to the NTA, over 1.5 million students compete yearly, making it one of the toughest exams in India. But don’t worry—understanding how many attempts for JEE Mains are allowed and using them wisely can give you an edge. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know—from the number of attempts to smart strategies for success. For the latest updates, check out the NTA JEE Official or CollegeDunia JEE Guide.

What is JEE Mains?

Joint Entrance Examination (main) or JEE Mains is an All India Engineering Entrance exam(AIEEE). It is an Indian computer-based first-stage exam for students who want to study engineering, architecture, or planning for top colleges.

This test is conducted by the NTA(National Testing Agency). It helps students enter top colleges like NITs, IITs, and other government-funded institutes. It is held twice a year in January and April which is called session 1 and session 2. It’s a first step for students who are dreaming of joining IITs, please note: after JEE mains you will have to clear JEE advance as well before the CBSE conducts it under the name AIEEE. After NTA took over the exam administration in 2019 it’s completely online. 

Eligibility Criteria for JEE Mains

Before we make any wrong attempts it’s important to know if you are eligible to apply for JEE mains, and How Many Attempts For JEE Mains are allowed.

• Educational Qualifications for JEE Mains

If you want to enroll in the  JEE Main exam, you should have completed your 12th standard with Physics, Mathematics, and one of the four subjects: Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, or Technical Vocational Subjects.

• Minimum Marks

If you belong to the General, OBC, and EWS categories make sure you score the required marks which is 75% in your 12th board examination. If in case you are not able to score the required marks make sure at least you come under the top 20 percentile of the respective board.

If you belong to the SCs/STs category make sure you score the required marks which is 65% in your 12th board examination. If you were not able to score the required marks make sure at least you come under the top 20 percentile of the respective board.

• Is there any Age Limit for JEE mains and How Many Attempts For JEE Mains are there as per your age?

There is no age set by NTA to write JEE mains if you have completed your 12th with the required marks and in the 3 consecutive years e.g… if you want to apply for 2025 JEE mains you must have completed your 12th in 2023, 2024, or appearing  in  2025

How Many Attempts for JEE Mains are allowed?

Below mention are the important points you need to know about How Many Attempts For JEE Mains:

• According to JEE mains 2025, you are eligible to attempt the exam 6 times in 3 consecutive years after passing your class 12th board exam.
• This rule applies to all the categories.
• There will be 2 attempts per year that are held in January called session 1 and in April called session 2 

Importance of JEE Mains Attempts

Knowing the number of attempts that a student can take in the JEE Mains is extremely important as the students get a chance to plan their preparation strategy. Here are three reasons why it is so

• Score improvement
• Confidence boost
• Better preparation
• Flexible scoring
• Less exam stress
• Higher chances of college admission
• Experience 
• Familiar with exam pattern 

Consequences of Exceeding the Maximum Attempts

You should be aware of how many attempts for JEE Mains are allowed. If you exceed the prescribed number of attempts in General, OBC, or EWS categories, that may result in a bar to admission in the JEE Mains exam. That’s the reason why you must have a look at your attempts and utilize each attempt to its full potential.

What Happens After the Attempts Are Exhausted?

When you have used all of your opportunities and still failed the JEE Mains, it is not the end of the line. Here’s what you can do:

• Try for Other Entrance Exams

There are some other state-level engineering entrance exams that the students can appear at or national exams like BITSAT or VITEEE. These are the admission tests for the Birla Institute of Technology and Science and VIT Engineering Entrance Exam respectively.

If it is not  possible you can also try the below mentioned

• Additional Degrees or Diploma Programs
• Lateral Entry Programs
• Bridge Courses
• Alternate Career Pathways

Changes in How Many Attempts For JEE Mains Over the Years

In recent years, the policy on How Many Attempts For JEE Mains are allowed has seen tremendous changes to help candidates. Previously, students were allowed a maximum of three attempts within a short time,  which did not give them sufficient chances to increase their scores. But in 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everything, the NTA made an exception by allowing four attempts in one year. In the new update, the policy has been widened to six attempts within three consecutive years after graduating from the 12th grade, offering students more freedom and several chances to improve their performance.

Strategies for Using Your JEE Mains Attempts Wisely

To succeed, you should stick to such approaches each time:

•  Know about  How Many Attempts For JEE Mains are allowed
• Attempt 1 (First Year)

 Check the exam format, practice last year’s papers, and make up your weak points.

• Attempt 2 (Second Year)

Go over your weak points of the last attempt and increase your weaker areas.

• Attempt 3 (Third Year)

Precisely brush up on your test by doing mock exams, and make faster and more accurate mistakes so you can have better outcomes.

Inspiring stories of students who succeeded in JEE Mains

Before writing their exams these people were well aware of How Many Attempts For JEE Mains are allowed, and the strategies  JEE mains attempts wisely 

Rongala Arun Siddhartha from Telangana and topped the 2020 JEE main. He scored 99.9% in mathematics, 99.9 in chemistry, and 100% in physics!!. He studied for 13 hours a day!! He aims to become CEO of a leading IT company like his role model Sundar Pichai.

Dungra Ram Choudhary from Rajasthan who lived in a small village. He ranked 1 in all of India. He studied computer science and engineering at IIT Kanpur. Currently, he is working at Oracle and is based in the US.

Rajiv Dondotiya from Rajasthan lived in a small town where classes were held under a tree! He scored 39 percent on the board exam and helped his father in his small business. Unfortunately it was shut soon. He borrowed books from seniors and cleared IIT-JEE in 2000, but he wasn’t satisfied with his score with the never giving up motivation he tried again and ranked 1758 in 2002 and pursued IEM at IIT, Kharagpur.

Ayush Singhal from Jaipur secured a perfect 100 % in JEE Mains 2025. His passion for science and math, along with 12-hour study sessions, led to his success. 

What If You Don’t Clear JEE Mains in the First Few Attempts?

It is a very important thing to remember that failures in the beginning are not the end of the world. In effect, it may be a good learning opportunity. Don’t get discouraged:

• Analyzing Your Mistakes

 Know what you messed up and work on improving it.

• Being courageous 

Motivate yourself and consistently maintain your preparation.

• Asking For Help

Get help from your teachers, coaching centers, online sources, or your seniors to make your strategy better.

Conclusion

JEE Mains is a tough exam, but knowing How Many Attempts For JEE Mains are allowed helps you plan your preparation better. Students usually get three chances, but the goal is to clear at least one and move forward.

So, how can you do that? The answer is simple—know about How Many Attempts For JEE Mains, stay focused, practice regularly, and learn from your mistakes. With proper planning and consistent effort, you can make the most of these chances and do well in this competition.

Keep going, and success will come your way. Good luck!

FAQs