The JEE Advanced 2015, the gateway to the IITs – the dream destination
for millions of Indians, is scheduled to be conducted on the 24th of
May. On the basis of their performance in the JEE Main 2015, over 1.5 lakh
candidates were deemed eligible to appear for the JEE Advanced. Those eligible
candidates who wished to appear for the JEE Advanced were required to apply
online and register for this exam. With the registrations now over and the exam
just a few days away, candidates (and parents) are curious to know about the
expected cutoffs in this exam. In this article, let us take
a look at past years’ trends so that we can identify this year’s likely cutoffs.
JEE Advanced Paper pattern: Before
we look at the cutoffs for this exam, let us try to understand the pattern of
this exam. The JEE Advanced 2013 exam had two papers, both of which had three.
In both the papers, parts 1, 2, and 3 contained 20 questions each in Physics,
Chemistry, and Mathematics respectively.
In Paper 1, each part had three sections. Section 1 had 10 multiple
choice questions each having one correct answer with 2 marks for every correct
answer and no negative marks for incorrect answers; Section 2 had 5 multiple
choice questions each having one or more correct answer(s) with 4 marks for
each correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer; Section 3 had 5 integer
answer type questions with 4 marks for each correct answer and -1 for every
incorrect answer.
In Paper 2, each part had three sections. Section 1 had 8 multiple
choice questions each having one or more correct answer with 3 marks for each
correct answer; Section 2 had 8 multiple choice questions each with only one
correct answer with 3 marks for each correct answer; Section 3 had 4 multiple
choice questions each having one correct answer with 3 marks for each correct
answer. There were negative marks for wrong answers in all the Sections.
Altogether, candidates could have scored between −30 to 180 marks in
Paper 1 and between −60 to 180 marks in Paper 2.
The JEE Advanced 2014 exam had two Papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2, each
containing three parts, Physics,
Chemistry and Mathematics. Each part in each paper had 20 questions
each. In Paper 1, each part had two sections, the first being multiple choice
questions with one or more options correct type and the second being questions
with only one integer correct type. The two sections had ten questions each.
In Paper 2, each part had three sections: Section 1 consisted of multiple
choice questions with only one correct option (10 questions); Section 2
comprised comprehension type questions with only one correct option (6
questions) and Section 3 comprised questions of matching list type with one
correct option (4 questions).
In both papers, all questions carried 3 marks for the correct answer.
In Paper 1, there was no negative marking for wrong answers whereas in Paper 2,
wrong answers carried -1 mark.
Thus a candidate could have scored anything between 0 to 180 in Paper 1
and -60 to 180 in Paper 2. Thus, the total marks obtained by a candidate could
have been anywhere between -60 to 360.
The JEE Advanced 2015 exam also comprises two separate papers. It is
expected that the composition of these papers will be along similar lines as
the composition of the 2013 & 2014 papers.
Marks scored by candidates: A
few interesting trends emerge when we look at the marks scored by candidates
who appeared for the JEE Advanced 2013 and the JEE Advanced 2014.
In the JEE Advanced 2013, the maximum mark scored was 332 while the
minimum mark scored was −70. The rounded off average marks secured by
candidates in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics were 26, 22, and 20
respectively.
Thus, no candidate scored the maximum possible marks (360). Only 23
candidates scored above 300 marks. 326 candidates scored above 250 marks.
The maximum marks scored out of 120 in Physics, Chemistry, and
Mathematics were 120, 118, and 113 marks. Six candidates scored 120 out of 120
marks in Physics.
In the JEE Advanced 2014, the maximum mark scored was 334 while the
minimum mark scored was -32. The average marks in Physics, Chemistry and
Mathematics were 25.02, 30.01 and 24.88 respectively.
Once again, no candidate was able to score the maximum possible marks
(360). Only 26 candidates scored aggregate marks more than or equal to 300.
More than 400 candidates scored above 250 marks.
The maximum marks scored in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics were 117,
111 and 117 respectively. Thus, no candidate could score full marks in any
subject.
Cutoffs in JEE Advanced 2013 and
2014: The cutoffs for the various categories were kept at the same level in
both these exams. Thus, for general category candidates, in order to be
considered for the common merit list, the subject wise and aggregate cutoffs
were 12 marks per subject and 126 marks respectively. For OBC category
candidates, the corresponding subject wise and aggregate cutoffs were 11 marks
per subject and 113 marks respectively. For SC and ST category candidates, the corresponding
subject wise and aggregate cutoffs were 6 marks per subject and 63 marks
respectively.
Going by the trends of the last two years, it is
expected that cutoffs will not change drastically this year. Cutoffs are likely
to remain at the same level as in 2014 and in 2013 unless there is some major
change in the paper pattern and/or difficulty level.
Thus, students have their work cut out for them. Scoring even 126 marks
(out of 360) in one of the toughest entrance tests is not going to be a
cakewalk. Students need to ensure that they have good conceptual understanding
and have practiced a lot of problems. This would enable them to do well in the
JEE Advanced 2015.
Do note that in order to have a good chance of getting into
the most coveted IITs and getting a desired branch, candidates should ideally
aim to score much higher than the qualifying marks. Thus, general category
candidates should aim to score at least around 193 marks. Correspondingly, OBC
category candidates should aim for 156 marks while SC category candidates
should target 122 marks and ST category candidates should aim for at least 77
marks.