What Are the Total Attempts for JEE Mains?

If you're preparing for the JEE Mains, one of the first things you need to figure out is how many times you can attempt this exam.

The number of attempts allowed plays a huge role in how you plan your preparation, how much pressure you feel in each session, and when to take a drop year, if needed.

In this complete guide, we’ll explain:

• The official rule on total JEE Mains attempts
• Attempts per year vs overall attempts
• Attempt limits for General, OBC, SC/ST, and EWS
• Best practices to use all your attempts wisely
• FAQs and scenarios you might face

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What Is JEE Mains?

JEE Mains (Joint Entrance Examination Mains) is a national-level entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

It’s the qualifying exam for admission into:

• NITs
• IIITs
• GFTIs
• And eligibility for JEE Advanced (for IITs)

The exam is conducted in two sessions every year, typically in January and April.

This multi-session format gives students more than one chance to perform better in the same year.

What Are the Total Attempts Allowed for JEE Mains?

According to the NTA rules, you can appear for JEE Mains:

• 2 times a year (January and April sessions)
• For 3 consecutive years after passing Class 12

This gives a total of 6 maximum attempts.

Quick Summary:

• ✅ 2 sessions per year × 3 years = 6 total attempts
• ✅ You can choose to appear in either one or both sessions per year
• ✅ Only the best score of the year is used for ranking and admissions

Who Is Eligible for These Attempts?

You are eligible to attempt JEE Mains if:

• You have passed Class 12 in one of the last 3 years
• You had Physics and Mathematics in Class 12
• Your board is recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU)

Whether or not you use all 6 chances, your eligibility ends after 3 years from your board exam year.

Let’s say you passed Class 12 in 2023. You’re eligible for:

• JEE Mains 2023 (Jan + April)
• JEE Mains 2024 (Jan + April)
• JEE Mains 2025 (Jan + April)

That’s 6 sessions in total. After that, you are no longer eligible, even if you skipped earlier sessions.

Does Category Affect the Number of Attempts?

No. The number of attempts is the same across all categories.

Whether you're from:

• General
• OBC
• SC/ST
• EWS
• PwD

You still get:

• 3 years of eligibility
• 2 sessions per year
• 6 attempts total

However, your cut-offs and rank eligibility will be different, especially for SC/ST and OBC categories, but your attempt count stays the same.

Are the Two Sessions Considered One Attempt?

No. Each session is treated as a separate attempt.

• January attempt is independent
• April attempt is another full chance

That means if you appear in both January and April in the same year, you’ve used 2 out of your 6 total attempts.

If you only appear in April and skip January, you’ve used 1.

So yes, you should plan carefully how many times you want to show up.

Should You Appear in Both Sessions Each Year?

Absolutely. Here’s why:

• You get two chances in a year
• NTA uses the best score of the two for ranking
• You get experience from the first attempt
• You reduce pressure in the second session
• If anything goes wrong (health, performance), the next attempt saves you

Skipping one session means throwing away a golden opportunity.

Even if you’re not fully ready, use the first session to test your performance in a real environment.

Can You Skip Attempts?

Yes, you can skip any session. But:

• Your eligibility window still closes after 3 years
• You lose the chance to improve your score in that skipped session
• You reduce your chances of getting a better rank

So while skipping is allowed, it’s not recommended unless you have a serious reason.

Attempt Strategy: How to Plan All 6 Chances

Here’s a smart way to plan all six attempts:

Year 1 (Class 12)

• January: Treat it as a rehearsal
• April: Full effort after Class 12 boards

Year 2 (Drop year)

• January: Target full syllabus + mock test practice
• April: Attempt with refined preparation and time management

Year 3 (Final eligible year)

• January: Polish attempt, test everything
• April: Final shot — go all in

The key is to not waste any attempt, especially the first 4, because they prepare you for the final ones.

Common Misconceptions

1. "Can I appear for JEE Mains 6 times if I fail each time?"

Yes — your performance doesn’t affect your eligibility. You get 6 attempts regardless of your score.

2. "Will my last score be considered?"

No. The best score of that year (out of Jan and April) is used for ranking.

3. "Does failing Class 12 affect attempt count?"

Your eligibility starts the first time you pass Class 12. If you repeat Class 12 for better marks, your attempt count doesn’t reset.

Can You Appear After a Diploma?

No. Diploma holders are not eligible for JEE Mains. However, they may apply for JEE Advanced directly (for IIT admission), if they qualify.

JEE Mains requires a valid Class 12 qualification with Physics and Math.

How Are Attempts Counted for JEE Advanced?

Different rule.

For JEE Advanced (which comes after JEE Mains), you get:

• 2 attempts in 2 consecutive years

That means:

• If you appeared for JEE Mains in 2023 and qualified
• You can give JEE Advanced in 2023 and 2024
• Only if you passed Class 12 in 2023 or 2022

So while JEE Mains allows 6 attempts, JEE Advanced limits it to just 2.

What If You Don’t Qualify in Any of Your 6 Attempts?

Once your 3-year eligibility is over, you can no longer apply for JEE Mains.

In such a case, you can:

• Explore private engineering colleges through other entrance exams
• Apply for B.Sc. or diploma-based engineering programs
• Look into study abroad options (SAT, CUET, etc.)

But there are no exceptions or extensions to the 3-year limit.

Best Practices to Use All Attempts Wisely

• Always appear in both sessions each year
• Take mocks seriously; they simulate real pressure
• Use the first year to understand the exam structure
• Don’t repeat mistakes, analyse performance after each attempt
• Plan drops only if you're committed to daily preparation
• Track cut-off trends and target scores accordingly
• Always use NTA’s final answer keys for correction
• Take care of mental health. 6 attempts don’t mean infinite energy

Final Checklist: Total Attempts for JEE Mains

Here’s everything you need to remember:

• ✅ 2 sessions/year: January and April
• ✅ 3-year eligibility window
• ✅ 6 total attempts allowed
• ✅ No age limit, but Class 12 year matters
• ✅ Best score of each year is used
• ✅ Skipping sessions doesn’t extend eligibility
• ✅ Attempt count is the same for all categories
• ✅ Use each attempt strategically

Final Thoughts

Your total attempts for JEE Mains are limited, but your approach can be limitless.

Whether you're starting your first session or preparing for your sixth, remember that each attempt is a learning opportunity.

You don’t need to crack it on your first try, but you do need to treat every session seriously. That mindset is what separates top rankers from the rest.

So, use your 6 chances wisely. Plan, prepare, and power through.

You've got this.