NTA JEE Main 2026 Answer Key (Out): Download Session 1 (January) Answer Key PDF & Shift-wise Paper Analysis

Introduction

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the JEE Main 2026 answer key (provisional) Session 1 on February 4, 2026. This highly anticipated release enables lakhs of JEE Main aspirants across India to evaluate their performance in the January session examination held between January 21-29, 2026.

The provisional answer key serves as a crucial tool for students to calculate their expected scores, identify potential discrepancies, and strategically plan their preparation approach for the upcoming April session. Whether you’re satisfied with your January attempt or looking to improve in Session 2, this answer key provides invaluable insights into your current standing and helps you make informed decisions about your JEE journey.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the JEE Main 2026 Answer Key – from downloading the PDF to challenging answers, understanding the detailed shift-wise paper analysis, and calculating your estimated scores.

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JEE Main 2026 Session 1: Key Highlights & Important Dates

Event	Date/Details
Exam Name	JEE Main 2026 Session 1 (January)
Conducting Body	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Exam Dates	January 21-29, 2026
Provisional Answer Key Release Date	February 4, 2026
Objection/Challenge Window Opens	February 4, 2026
Last Date to Raise Objections	February 6, 2026 (Till 11:50 PM)
Challenge Fee	₹200 per question
Final Answer Key Release	February 11, 2026 (Expected)
Result Declaration Date	February 12, 2026
Official Website	jeemain.nta.nic.in
Mode of Examination	Computer Based Test (CBT)
Total Questions	90 (75 to be attempted)
Maximum Marks	300

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How to Download JEE Main 2026 Answer Key PDF: Step-by-Step Guide

Downloading your JEE Main 2026 Session 1 answer key is a straightforward process. Follow these detailed steps to access your personalized answer key PDF:

Step 1: Visit the Official Website

Navigate to the official NTA JEE Main portal at jeemain.nta.nic.in using any web browser on your computer or mobile device.

Step 2: Locate the Answer Key Link

On the homepage, look for the notification that reads “JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Provisional Answer Key“ or a similar announcement. Click on this link to proceed.

Step 3: Enter Login Credentials

You’ll be redirected to a login page where you need to enter:

• Application Number: Your unique JEE Main 2026 application number
• Date of Birth: Enter in DD/MM/YYYY format
• Security Pin/Captcha: Enter the displayed captcha code

Step 4: Access Your Answer Key

After successful login, you’ll see your question paper along with the answer key. The system will display:

• Questions you attempted
• Your marked responses
• Correct answers as per NTA’s provisional key
• Option to download the PDF

Step 5: Download and Save

Click on the “Download Answer Key” button to save the PDF file to your device. We recommend taking a printout for easier reference during score calculation and analysis.

Step 6: Check Response Sheet

Additionally, download your recorded responses to cross-verify what you actually marked during the examination versus what the system recorded.

Pro Tip: Take screenshots or save multiple copies of your answer key and response sheet for future reference, especially if you plan to challenge any answers.

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How to Challenge JEE Main 2026 Answer Key: Complete Process

If you believe any answer in the provisional key is incorrect, NTA provides a window to raise objections. Here’s the complete process:

Eligibility to Challenge

• Only registered candidates who appeared for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 can raise objections
• Challenges must be submitted within the specified window (Feb 4-6, 2026)
• Valid supporting documents are mandatory

Step-by-Step Challenge Process

Step 1: Login to Your Account Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in and log in using your application number and date of birth.

Step 2: Navigate to Challenge Section Click on the “Challenge Answer Key“ link available on your dashboard.

Step 3: Select Questions to Challenge

• Review the provisional answer key carefully
• Select the specific question(s) you wish to challenge
• You can challenge multiple questions, but each requires a separate fee

Step 4: Provide Justification For each challenged question, you must:

• Explain why the given answer is incorrect
• Suggest the correct answer with proper reasoning
• Upload supporting documents (textbook references, research papers, etc.)

Step 5: Upload Supporting Documents

• Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, PNG (maximum 2MB per file)
• Documents should clearly support your claim
• Multiple documents can be uploaded for a single question

Step 6: Pay Challenge Fee

• Fee: ₹200 per question challenged
• Payment modes: Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI
• The fee is non-refundable if your challenge is rejected
• If your challenge is accepted, the fee will be refunded to the same account

Step 7: Submit and Confirm After payment, review your submissions and click on “Final Submit”. You’ll receive a confirmation message and email.

Step 8: Download Confirmation Receipt Save the confirmation receipt as proof of your challenge submission.

Important Points to Remember

✅ Each challenge requires separate documentation and fee ✅ Generic objections without proper justification will be rejected ✅ NTA’s decision on challenges is final and binding ✅ If a challenge is accepted, it benefits all candidates ✅ The final answer key incorporates all accepted challenges

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JEE Main 2026 Marking Scheme & Score Calculation Formula

Understanding the marking scheme is crucial for accurate score calculation:

Official Marking Scheme

Response Type	Marks Awarded
Correct Answer	+4 marks
Incorrect Answer	-1 mark (Negative marking)
Unattempted Question	0 marks
Multiple Answers Marked	0 marks (treated as incorrect)

Subject-wise Distribution

• Physics: 30 questions (20 MCQs + 10 Numerical, attempt any 5)
• Chemistry: 30 questions (20 MCQs + 10 Numerical, attempt any 5)
• Mathematics: 30 questions (20 MCQs + 10 Numerical, attempt any 5)
• Total Questions: 90 (75 to be attempted)
• Maximum Marks: 300 marks

Score Calculation Formula

JEE Main Raw Score = (Number of Correct Answers × 4) – (Number of Incorrect Answers × 1)

Example Calculation

Let’s say a student attempted:

• Correct answers: 60
• Incorrect answers: 10
• Unattempted: 5

Calculation:

• Marks from correct answers = 60 × 4 = 240
• Negative marking = 10 × 1 = 10
• Total Raw Score = 240 – 10 = 230 marks

Subject-wise Score Calculation

It’s advisable to calculate your score separately for each subject to identify your strengths and weaknesses:

Physics Score = (Correct in Physics × 4) – (Incorrect in Physics × 1) Chemistry Score = (Correct in Chemistry × 4) – (Incorrect in Chemistry × 1) Mathematics Score = (Correct in Mathematics × 4) – (Incorrect in Mathematics × 1)

Total Score = Physics Score + Chemistry Score + Mathematics Score

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Comprehensive Shift-wise Paper Analysis: JEE Main 2026 Session 1

January 21, 2026 – Shift 1 (Morning: 9 AM – 12 PM)

Overall Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult

Physics Analysis (Shift 1 – Jan 21)

• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Nature: Formula-intensive with conceptual twists
• Key Topics:
  • Modern Physics (3-4 questions) – Photoelectric effect, atomic structure
  • Electrostatics and Capacitors (4-5 questions) – Medium difficulty
  • Current Electricity (3 questions) – Circuit analysis based
  • Rotational Motion (2-3 questions) – Lengthy calculations
  • Thermodynamics (2 questions) – Conceptual
  • Waves and Optics (4 questions) – Moderate
• Student Feedback: Questions were theory-heavy with NCERT-based concepts. Numerical questions required strong calculation skills.
• Time Management: Average time required – 50-55 minutes

Chemistry Analysis (Shift 1 – Jan 21)

• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
• Nature: NCERT-focused with direct questions
• Key Topics:
  • Organic Chemistry (12 questions) – Name reactions, mechanisms
  • Physical Chemistry (8 questions) – Mole concept, equilibrium, electrochemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry (5 questions) – Periodic table, coordination compounds
• Student Feedback: Most straightforward section. Students with strong NCERT preparation found it scoring.
• Time Management: Average time required – 40-45 minutes

Mathematics Analysis (Shift 1 – Jan 21)

• Difficulty Level: Difficult
• Nature: Lengthy, calculation-intensive, and time-consuming
• Key Topics:
  • Calculus (10-12 questions) – Integration, differential equations
  • Algebra (7-8 questions) – Complex numbers, matrices
  • Coordinate Geometry (5-6 questions) – Circle, parabola, hyperbola
  • Vector and 3D Geometry (3-4 questions) – Moderate difficulty
  • Probability (2 questions) – Conceptual
• Student Feedback: Most challenging section. Questions required multiple steps and strong conceptual clarity. Several students couldn’t complete this section.
• Time Management: Required 60-65 minutes minimum

Overall Shift 1 Verdict: Mathematics pulled down the overall performance. Students who managed time well in Chemistry and Physics could attempt more Mathematics questions.

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January 21, 2026 – Shift 2 (Evening: 3 PM – 6 PM)

Overall Difficulty Level: Moderate

Physics Analysis (Shift 2 – Jan 21)

• Difficulty Level: Moderate to Tough
• Nature: Conceptual with numerical application
• Key Topics:
  • Mechanics (8-9 questions) – Work-energy, momentum
  • Electromagnetism (6-7 questions) – Magnetic effects, electromagnetic induction
  • Modern Physics (4 questions) – Slightly easier than Shift 1
  • Heat and Thermodynamics (3 questions) – Graph-based
  • Optics (3-4 questions) – Ray optics dominated
• Student Feedback: Slightly tougher than Shift 1. Required strong problem-solving skills.
• Time Management: Average time required – 55 minutes

Chemistry Analysis (Shift 2 – Jan 21)

• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
• Nature: Balanced distribution across all three branches
• Key Topics:
  • Organic Chemistry (11 questions) – GOC, named reactions
  • Physical Chemistry (9 questions) – Chemical kinetics, solutions
  • Inorganic Chemistry (5 questions) – Metallurgy, qualitative analysis
• Student Feedback: Similar to Shift 1, scoring section for well-prepared students.
• Time Management: Average time required – 45 minutes

Mathematics Analysis (Shift 2 – Jan 21)

• Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
• Nature: Slightly easier than Shift 1 but still time-consuming
• Key Topics:
  • Calculus (11 questions) – Limit, continuity, differentiability
  • Algebra (6-7 questions) – Quadratic equations, sequences
  • Coordinate Geometry (6 questions) – Straight line, circle
  • Trigonometry (3 questions) – Equations and identities
  • Statistics (2 questions) – Mean, variance
• Student Feedback: More manageable than Shift 1 but still required efficient time management.
• Time Management: Required 55-60 minutes

Overall Shift 2 Verdict: Comparatively balanced paper. Students found it slightly easier than Shift 1, particularly in Mathematics.

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January 22, 2026 – Shift 1 (Morning: 9 AM – 12 PM)

Overall Difficulty Level: Moderate

Physics Analysis (Shift 1 – Jan 22)

• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
• Nature: Formula-based with direct applications
• Key Topics:
  • Current Electricity (5 questions) – Easy circuit problems
  • Electrostatics (4 questions) – Capacitor combinations
  • Magnetic Effects (4 questions) – Moving charges, magnetic field
  • Mechanics (6 questions) – Kinematics, laws of motion
  • Modern Physics (3 questions) – Standard formulas
  • SHM and Waves (3 questions) – Moderate
• Student Feedback: Most student-friendly Physics paper so far. Good scoring potential.
• Time Management: Average time required – 45-50 minutes

Chemistry Analysis (Shift 1 – Jan 22)

• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Nature: Slightly tricky Organic Chemistry
• Key Topics:
  • Organic Chemistry (12 questions) – Reaction mechanisms, isomerism
  • Physical Chemistry (8 questions) – Equilibrium, thermodynamics
  • Inorganic Chemistry (5 questions) – Transition elements, coordination
• Student Feedback: Organic Chemistry had some tricky questions requiring deeper understanding.
• Time Management: Average time required – 50 minutes

Mathematics Analysis (Shift 1 – Jan 22)

• Difficulty Level: Difficult
• Nature: Highly calculative and conceptual
• Key Topics:
  • Calculus (12 questions) – Definite integration, area under curves
  • Algebra (6 questions) – Binomial theorem, permutation-combination
  • Coordinate Geometry (5 questions) – Ellipse, hyperbola
  • Vector Algebra (4 questions) – Scalar and vector products
  • Probability (2 questions) – Conditional probability
• Student Feedback: Again the most challenging section. Required advanced problem-solving.
• Time Management: Required 60+ minutes

Overall Shift 1 Verdict: Physics was the saving grace. Mathematics remained the toughest nut to crack.

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January 22, 2026 – Shift 2 (Evening: 3 PM – 6 PM)

Overall Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult

Physics Analysis (Shift 2 – Jan 22)

• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Nature: Mixed conceptual and numerical
• Key Topics:
  • Rotational Dynamics (4 questions) – Moment of inertia, angular momentum
  • Electromagnetism (6 questions) – Lengthy calculations
  • Optics (4 questions) – Interference, diffraction
  • Thermodynamics (4 questions) – PV diagrams, efficiency
  • Modern Physics (4 questions) – Photoelectric effect
  • Mechanics (3 questions) – Projectile, circular motion
• Student Feedback: Balanced paper with good mix of easy and tough questions.
• Time Management: Average time required – 50-55 minutes

Chemistry Analysis (Shift 2 – Jan 22)

• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
• Nature: NCERT-centric
• Key Topics:
  • Organic Chemistry (10 questions) – Nomenclature, reactions
  • Physical Chemistry (10 questions) – Atomic structure, chemical bonding
  • Inorganic Chemistry (5 questions) – P-block elements
• Student Feedback: Most scoring section across all shifts.
• Time Management: Average time required – 40-45 minutes

Mathematics Analysis (Shift 2 – Jan 22)

• Difficulty Level: Difficult
• Nature: Time-consuming with multi-step solutions
• Key Topics:
  • Calculus (10 questions) – Application of derivatives, maxima-minima
  • Algebra (8 questions) – Matrices, determinants
  • Coordinate Geometry (5 questions) – Conic sections
  • 3D Geometry (4 questions) – Direction ratios, plane
  • Trigonometry (2 questions) – Inverse functions
• Student Feedback: Continued the trend of being the toughest section.
• Time Management: Required 60+ minutes

Overall Shift 2 Verdict: Similar difficulty pattern – easy Chemistry, moderate Physics, tough Mathematics.

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January 23, 2026 – Shift 1 (Morning: 9 AM – 12 PM)

Overall Difficulty Level: Moderate

Physics Analysis (Shift 1 – Jan 23)

• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Nature: Conceptual understanding required
• Key Topics:
  • Mechanics (7 questions) – Friction, work-energy theorem
  • Current Electricity (5 questions) – Kirchhoff’s laws
  • Modern Physics (5 questions) – Bohr’s model, X-rays
  • Magnetism (4 questions) – Bar magnet, earth’s magnetism
  • Heat Transfer (3 questions) – Conduction, radiation
  • Wave Optics (3 questions) – Young’s double slit
• Student Feedback: Manageable with standard preparation.
• Time Management: Average time required – 50 minutes

Chemistry Analysis (Shift 1 – Jan 23)

• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Nature: Balanced across all branches
• Key Topics:
  • Organic Chemistry (11 questions) – Aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids
  • Physical Chemistry (9 questions) – Solutions, colligative properties
  • Inorganic Chemistry (5 questions) – D and F block elements
• Student Feedback: Required memorization of reactions and properties.
• Time Management: Average time required – 45-50 minutes

Mathematics Analysis (Shift 1 – Jan 23)

• Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
• Nature: Analytical and lengthy
• Key Topics:
  • Calculus (11 questions) – Continuity, differentiability
  • Coordinate Geometry (7 questions) – Pair of straight lines
  • Algebra (5 questions) – Complex numbers, theory of equations
  • Probability (4 questions) – Random variables
  • Trigonometry (2 questions) – General solutions
• Student Feedback: Slightly easier than previous Mathematics sections but still challenging.
• Time Management: Required 55-60 minutes

Overall Shift 1 Verdict: More balanced compared to earlier shifts. Good attempt could be made across all three subjects.

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January 23, 2026 – Shift 2 (Evening: 3 PM – 6 PM)

Overall Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

Physics Analysis (Shift 2 – Jan 23)

• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
• Nature: Standard questions with direct formulas
• Key Topics:
  • Mechanics (8 questions) – Easy numerical problems
  • Electrostatics (5 questions) – Gauss law, potential
  • Modern Physics (4 questions) – De Broglie wavelength
  • SHM (4 questions) – Spring mass system
  • Thermal Physics (3 questions) – Kinetic theory
  • Sound Waves (3 questions) – Doppler effect
• Student Feedback: One of the easiest Physics papers. High scoring potential.
• Time Management: Average time required – 45 minutes

Chemistry Analysis (Shift 2 – Jan 23)

• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Nature: Direct NCERT questions
• Key Topics:
  • Organic Chemistry (12 questions) – Very straightforward
  • Physical Chemistry (8 questions) – Mole concept, stoichiometry
  • Inorganic Chemistry (5 questions) – Periodic properties
• Student Feedback: Easiest Chemistry paper. Students could score 100+.
• Time Management: Average time required – 40 minutes

Mathematics Analysis (Shift 2 – Jan 23)

• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Nature: Relatively student-friendly
• Key Topics:
  • Calculus (10 questions) – Standard integration problems
  • Algebra (7 questions) – Sequences and series
  • Coordinate Geometry (6 questions) – Circle and parabola
  • Vector Algebra (4 questions) – Easy vector operations
  • Statistics (2 questions) – Basic concepts
• Student Feedback: Most manageable Mathematics paper so far.
• Time Management: Required 50-55 minutes

Overall Shift 2 Verdict: Golden shift! Students who got this shift had the best opportunity to score high. Overall easy to moderate across all subjects.

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General Observations Across All Shifts (January 21-29, 2026)

Physics:

• Difficulty ranged from Easy to Moderate
• Formula-based questions dominated
• Modern Physics consistently featured in all shifts
• Time required: 45-55 minutes on average

Chemistry:

• Most scoring and predictable section
• NCERT mastery was sufficient for 80%+ accuracy
• Organic Chemistry had maximum weightage
• Time required: 40-50 minutes on average

Mathematics:

• Consistently the toughest and most time-consuming section
• Calculus dominated with 10-12 questions per shift
• Required strong conceptual clarity and calculation speed
• Many students couldn’t complete this section
• Time required: 55-65+ minutes

Key Takeaways:

1. Time Management was crucial – students who finished Chemistry quickly could give more time to Mathematics
2. Shift-wise difficulty variation was significant – some shifts were noticeably easier
3. Normalization will play a major role in final percentile calculation due to difficulty differences
4. Mathematics consistently emerged as the differentiating factor between average and top scores

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JEE Main Answer Key 2026 by Coaching Institutes

While NTA’s official answer key is the final authority, leading coaching institutes across India release their own answer keys immediately after each shift. These help students get an early estimation of their performance.

Career Point Kota – JEE Main 2026 Answer Key

About Career Point Kota: Career Point has been a pioneer in JEE Main preparation for over three decades, with a proven track record of producing top rankers. Their expert faculty team releases comprehensive shift-wise answer keys with detailed solutions.

What Career Point Offers:

• ✅ Immediate post-exam answer key release (within 2-3 hours of exam)
• ✅ Detailed video solutions for all difficult questions
• ✅ Subject-wise analysis by expert faculty
• ✅ Expected vs actual cut-off predictions
• ✅ Performance analysis tools
• ✅ Free rank predictor based on their answer key

How to Access: Visit the official Career Point website or eCareerPoint portal to download shift-wise answer keys and solutions.

Other Leading Coaching Institute Answer Keys

1. Allen Kota

• Known for accurate answer keys
• Provides comprehensive video solutions
• Releases detailed exam analysis reports

2. Motion Education

• Quick release within hours of exam
• Shift-wise difficulty analysis
• Expert commentary on paper pattern

3. Resonance

• Detailed solutions PDF available
• Comparison with previous years
• Expected cut-off trends

4. Aakash Institute

• Subject-wise expert analysis
• Video explanations for tough questions
• Historical accuracy in predictions

5. FIITJEE

• Comprehensive answer key with solutions
• Percentile predictor tools
• Batch-wise performance analysis

Important Note: While coaching institute answer keys are helpful for early estimation, always cross-verify with NTA’s official provisional answer key once released. In case of discrepancies, NTA’s answer key is final and binding.

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Understanding JEE Main Normalization Process

Since JEE Main is conducted in multiple shifts across different days, NTA uses a normalization process to ensure fairness among all candidates. Here’s what you need to know:

Why Normalization?

Different shifts may have varying difficulty levels. A student scoring 180/300 in a tough shift might deserve a higher percentile than someone scoring 190/300 in an easier shift. Normalization ensures equitable comparison.

How Normalization Works

NTA uses a percentile-based normalization formula that considers:

• Your raw score in your specific shift
• The difficulty level of your shift compared to others
• The performance distribution of all candidates in your shift

Formula for Percentile Calculation

Percentile Score = (100 × Number of candidates with raw score ≤ your score) / Total number of candidates

Impact on Final Score

• Your raw score is what you calculate using the answer key
• Your normalized score or percentile is what appears in the result
• Ranks are determined by percentiles, not raw scores
• In case of a tie in percentiles, inter-se merit criteria is applied

Example:

• Candidate A: 200 marks in difficult shift → 98.5 percentile
• Candidate B: 210 marks in easy shift → 98.2 percentile
• Candidate A ranks higher despite lower raw score

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Expected Cut-off Trends for JEE Main 2026

Based on previous years’ data and this year’s paper analysis, here are the expected qualifying percentile cut-offs:

Category-wise Qualifying Percentiles (Expected)

Category	Expected Qualifying Percentile
General (UR)	89-90 percentile
General-EWS	79-80 percentile
OBC-NCL	74-75 percentile
SC	44-45 percentile
ST	39-40 percentile
PwD	0.1 percentile (across all categories)

Expected Rank vs Percentile Correlation

Percentile	Expected Rank Range	Admission Prospects
99.9+	Top 1,000	Top NITs, IIITs
99.5-99.9	1,000 – 5,000	Good NITs, IIIT Hyderabad
99-99.5	5,000 – 10,000	Mid-tier NITs, Top GFTIs
98-99	10,000 – 20,000	Lower NITs, Good State Colleges
95-98	20,000 – 50,000	Some NITs, IIITs, State Colleges
90-95	50,000 – 1,00,000	GFTIs, Private Colleges

Note: These are preliminary estimates. Final cut-offs depend on total number of candidates, difficulty level normalization, and seat availability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• 1. When will the JEE Main 2026 final answer key be released?

  The final answer key is expected to be released on February 11, 2026, after considering all challenges received during the objection window (Feb 4-6).

   

• 2. Can I challenge the answer key even if I’m not 100% sure?

  Technically yes, but it’s not advisable. Each challenge costs ₹200 (non-refundable if rejected), so challenge only when you have solid proof and documentation supporting your claim.

   

• 3. How accurate are coaching institute answer keys?

  Reputed coaching institutes like Career Point, Allen, and Motion have historical accuracy of 95-98%. However, NTA’s official key is the final authority.

   

• 4. Will negative marking be changed if I challenge a question successfully?

  If your challenge is accepted and the question is found to have multiple correct answers or no correct answer, ALL candidates get benefit – either bonus marks or removal of negative marking.

   

• 5. What is the success rate of challenges?

  Historically, only 2-5% of challenges are accepted by NTA. Challenges must have very strong academic justification to be accepted.

   

• 6. Can I download answer keys for all shifts?

  You can only download the answer key for the shift and session you appeared in. However, coaching institutes publish answer keys for all shifts publicly.

   

• 7. How long does it take to get the refund if my challenge is accepted?

  If your challenge is accepted, the ₹200 fee is refunded within 7-10 working days to the original payment source.

   

• 8. What documents are accepted as proof for challenges?

  Standard textbooks (NCERT, reference books), peer-reviewed research papers, official scientific publications, and authentic academic sources are accepted. Wikipedia and general websites are NOT accepted.

   

• 9. If I scored low in Session 1, should I focus on Session 2?

  Absolutely! Your best score between both sessions will be considered for admissions. Many students improve significantly in Session 2 with focused preparation.

   

• 10. How do I know if my objection was accepted?

  NTA doesn’t individually notify about each challenge. Check the final answer key when released – if it differs from the provisional key for your challenged question, your objection was likely considered.

Score vs Percentile: What to Expect in JEE Main 2026

Understanding the relationship between raw scores and percentiles is crucial for realistic self-assessment.

Estimated Score vs Percentile Table

Raw Score Range	Expected Percentile	Approx. Rank
280-300	99.99+	Top 100
260-280	99.95-99.99	100-500
240-260	99.8-99.95	500-2,000
220-240	99.5-99.8	2,000-5,000
200-220	99-99.5	5,000-10,000
180-200	98-99	10,000-20,000
160-180	96-98	20,000-40,000
140-160	93-96	40,000-70,000
120-140	89-93	70,000-1,10,000
100-120	82-89	1,10,000-1,80,000
80-100	72-82	1,80,000-2,80,000
60-80	58-72	2,80,000-4,20,000

Important Disclaimers:

• These are rough estimates based on previous trends
• Actual percentiles depend on normalization
• Shift difficulty significantly impacts these numbers
• Final ranks depend on total appeared candidates

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What’s Next After Checking the Answer Key?

For Students Satisfied with Session 1 Performance

1. Calculate Your Score Accurately: Use multiple coaching institute answer keys for cross-verification
2. Use Rank Predictors: Available on Career Point, Allen, and other coaching websites
3. Research Colleges: Based on expected rank, shortlist potential colleges and branches
4. Prepare for JEE Advanced: If expecting 99+ percentile, start JEE Advanced preparation immediately
5. Stay Updated: Keep checking for result announcement and counseling notifications

For Students Planning to Improve in Session 2 (April)

1. Identify Weak Areas: Use the answer key to analyze subject-wise and topic-wise performance
2. Learn from Mistakes: Understand why you got questions wrong – conceptual gap or silly mistakes?
3. Revise Strategy: Allocate more time to weaker subjects
4. Practice Time Management: Take more full-length mock tests
5. Focus on High-Weightage Topics: Prioritize topics that appeared frequently across shifts
6. Join Test Series: Enroll in Career Point’s or other reputed test series
7. Stay Motivated: Remember, Session 2 is a fresh opportunity

Recommended Resources for Session 2 Preparation

eCareerPoint Offerings:

• ✅ Complete video lecture series by Kota’s top faculty
• ✅ Chapter-wise practice questions with solutions
• ✅ Full-length mock tests simulating actual exam
• ✅ Previous years’ papers (2019-2026) with solutions
• ✅ Doubt-clearing sessions
• ✅ Performance analytics and improvement tracking

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Important Links & Resources

Official NTA Links

• Official Website: jeemain.nta.nic.in
• Answer Key Download: jeemain.nta.nic.in (Login Required)
• Challenge Answer Key: jeemain.nta.nic.in (Objection Portal)
• Result Portal: jeemain.nta.nic.in (Result Link – Active from Feb 12)

Coaching Institute Answer Keys

• Career Point Kota: Download Session 1 shift-wise answer keys
• Allen Career Institute: Immediate answer key and analysis
• Motion Education: Video solutions and paper analysis
• Resonance: Comprehensive answer key PDF

Useful Tools & Calculators

• JEE Main Rank Predictor 2026: Estimate your All India Rank
• College Predictor: Find colleges based on expected rank
• Marks vs Percentile Calculator: Convert raw score to percentile
• Previous Year Cut-offs: Analyze trends from 2019-2025
• Counseling Information: JoSAA, CSAB, State Counseling details

Stay Connected with eCareerPoint

📱 WhatsApp Channel: Join for instant updates on results, counseling, and admission news 📲 Telegram Group: Get shift-wise analysis, daily current affairs, and study materials 📧 Email Alerts: Subscribe for important notifications 🎥 YouTube Channel: Watch detailed video solutions and expert analysis