IIT JAM
Admission to about 3,000 M.Sc, joint M.Sc-PhD, M.Sc-M.Tech, M.Sc-PhD dual-degree and other postgraduate seats at IITs and IISc. Scores are also used by NITs, IISERs, IIEST and other centrally funded institutes through the Centralised Counselling for M.Sc./M.Sc.(Tech) (CCMN).
Eligibility
Candidates who hold a bachelor's degree, or are in its final year, can appear. No minimum aggregate is required to sit the test. Admission requires the institute-specific subject prerequisites and normally 55% aggregate (50% for SC/ST/PwD). There is no age limit or cap on attempts, and candidates may take up to two papers held in different sessions.
Age limit: No age limit
Exam pattern
Computer-Based Test (CBT) in English, 3 hours, 60 questions, 100 marks, with seven papers: Biotechnology, Chemistry, Economics, Geology, Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics and Physics. Section A has 30 MCQs (10 × 1 mark, 20 × 2 marks); Section B has 10 Multiple Select Questions (MSQs, 2 marks each); Section C has 20 Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions (10 × 1, 10 × 2). Only Section A carries negative marking (−1/3 and −2/3); MSQ and NAT questions have no negative marking and no partial credit.
Syllabus at a glance
Undergraduate (B.Sc honours level) syllabus of the chosen paper. Mathematics covers real analysis, linear and abstract algebra, calculus, differential equations and vector calculus. Physics covers mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics, modern physics and mathematical methods. Chemistry covers physical, organic and inorganic chemistry. Other papers follow their own published syllabi.
Upcoming dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Admit card download | Early Jan 2027 | expected |
| JAM 2027 examination | 14 Feb 2027 (Sunday): forenoon 9:30-12:30 (CY, GG, MA); afternoon 2:30-5:30 (BT, EN, MS, PH) | confirmed |
| Result declaration | 18 Mar 2027 | confirmed |
| Admission applications on JOAPS | Apr 2027 | expected |
Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.
Free prep material
Standard books
- Introduction to Electrodynamics - David J. Griffiths (Physics)
- An Introduction to Mechanics - Kleppner & Kolenkow (Physics)
- Real Analysis - S.C. Malik & Savita Arora (Mathematics)
- Contemporary Abstract Algebra - Joseph A. Gallian (Mathematics)
- Physical Chemistry - Peter Atkins & Julio de Paula (Chemistry)
- Organic Chemistry - Clayden, Greeves & Warren (Chemistry)
How toppers play it
- MSQ and NAT questions are worth 60 of the 100 marks and carry no negative marking. Attempt every one of them, but remember MSQs give no partial credit, so mark only the options you are sure of.
- In Section A, guess only when you can eliminate two options, because the 2-mark MCQs cost 2/3 of a mark when wrong.
- Solve the last 10-12 years of official JAM papers for your subject; topics like real analysis and group theory (Mathematics) or mechanics and electromagnetism (Physics) recur heavily.
- Check each target IIT's subject prerequisites in the brochure early, because a strong rank is wasted if your B.Sc subjects do not qualify you for the course.
- Fill both JOAPS (IITs/IISc) and CCMN (NITs/IISERs) after results to maximise options.