JEE Main key terms

The National Testing Agency's annual computer-based entrance examination for admission to undergraduate engineering, architecture and planning programmes at NITs, IIITs, GFTIs and other participating institutions. It also serves as the screening test for JEE Advanced.

The B.E./B.Tech. question paper of JEE Main, covering Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. It is the route to engineering seats and the qualifying gateway for JEE Advanced.

The B.Arch. question paper of JEE Main. It tests Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing plus Planning, and is required for admission to five-year Bachelor of Architecture programmes.

The B.Planning. question paper of JEE Main. It tests Mathematics, Aptitude and Planning, and is used for admission to Bachelor of Planning programmes at participating institutions.

A separate, more difficult examination open only to top-ranked JEE Main Paper 1 candidates, used for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology.

The autonomous body under the Ministry of Education that designs, conducts and declares results for JEE Main. Candidates register, choose centres and download admit cards through its official portal.

One of the separate testing windows in which JEE Main is held during a year, usually a January session and an April session. A candidate may appear in both, with the better score counting.

The statistical process that adjusts scores across different sessions and question-paper sets so that candidates are compared fairly despite variations in difficulty. It produces the percentile-based rank used for admissions.

A value showing the percentage of candidates in a session who scored at or below a given raw score. It is not the percentage of marks obtained, and it is used to build merit lists.

The candidate's overall position on the JEE Main merit list, computed from the normalised percentile across all sessions. It determines eligibility for counselling and for JEE Advanced.

The minimum percentile or rank required in a given year for admission to a category, programme or institution. Cut-offs vary by category, quota and participating institute.

The joint online counselling process that allocates seats in NITs, IIITs and GFTIs based on JEE Main rank, choices filled and category. It runs in multiple rounds with upgradation options.

The step in counselling where a candidate lists preferred institute and programme combinations in priority order. Seat allocation depends on this order, so a longer, well-ordered list matters.

The counselling outcome that assigns a candidate to one institute and programme based on rank, category and filled choices. Candidates must then confirm or upgrade within the given window.

A counselling choice by which a candidate accepts the allocated seat and opts out of further rounds. Choosing float or slide instead keeps the possibility of a better allotment.

An official document proving a candidate's reservation category, such as SC, ST, OBC-NCL or EWS. It must be in the prescribed format and valid on the specified date.

A section of Paper 2A and Paper 2B assessing visual perception, spatial reasoning, observation, architectural awareness and logical thinking rather than subject knowledge alone.

A section of Paper 2A that asks candidates to sketch and render compositions by hand, testing freehand drawing, proportion, perspective and imagination. It is evaluated on a scanned response.

The part of Paper 2B that tests understanding of planning concepts, urban development, mapping, and awareness of planning issues, alongside numerical reasoning questions.

A method of representing three-dimensional objects on a flat surface so that they appear as seen from a specific viewpoint, using vanishing points and horizon lines.

A parallel projection in which the three axes are drawn at equal angles, showing depth without convergence. It is common in architecture aptitude questions on solids and blocks.

A technique of drawing separate flat views of an object, such as front, top and side views, each showing true shape along one direction. It is standard in engineering drawing questions.

A drawing of a building's or object's external face seen from one side, showing heights and vertical features. It is usually paired with a plan in architectural questions.

A drawing showing a building or object as seen from above, cut at a stated level, revealing the arrangement of spaces, walls and openings.

A drawing that shows an object or building cut through by an imaginary plane, revealing internal structure and heights. It complements plan and elevation views.

In perspective, the point on the horizon where parallel lines receding from the viewer appear to converge. Correct placement controls the sense of depth in a sketch.

The horizontal line in a perspective drawing representing the viewer's eye level. Its height relative to the subject determines whether the view is seen from above or below.

A drawing in which real dimensions are reduced by a fixed ratio, such as 1:100, so the whole object fits on paper while proportions stay accurate.

The process of deciding how land in towns and cities is used, laid out and serviced, covering housing, transport, open space and infrastructure. It is the core subject of Paper 2B.

The designated purpose of a parcel of land, such as residential, commercial, industrial, recreational or agricultural. Zoning regulations control what may be built there.

Local rules that divide a city into areas and specify permitted uses, building heights, setbacks and densities. Zoning translates planning policy into enforceable limits.

A long-term blueprint guiding a city's growth, showing proposed land uses, transport networks and public facilities over a horizon of roughly twenty years.

The ratio of total built-up floor area on a plot to the plot's area. It caps how much construction is allowed and is a key control in development regulations.

The minimum open distance required between a building and the plot boundary or street. Setbacks ensure light, ventilation, fire safety and street widening.

The official pattern of points awarded and deducted per question, including negative marking for wrong answers in objective sections. Knowing it guides attempt strategy.

A penalty that subtracts marks for each incorrect objective answer, discouraging blind guessing. Numerical questions in JEE Main carry a different penalty from single-correct questions.

An objective question in which the candidate enters a computed number rather than choosing an option. There is no penalty for a wrong answer in this format.

The document issued before the exam showing the candidate's roll number, centre, shift timing and instructions. Carrying a printed copy with valid photo ID is compulsory.