The Joint Admission Test for Masters (JAM) 2025 is a computer-based test that will be conducted in seven subjects. The exam is held annually for admission to various Master's programs, primarily in M.Sc., M.Sc.-Ph.D. dual degree, and other post-graduate programs at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other participating institutions. The exam is meant to test the knowledge of all the candidates in a variety of subjects. These include Biotechnology (BT), Chemistry (CY), Economics (EN), Geology (GG), Mathematics (MA), Mathematical Statistics (MS), and Physics (PH). All of the test papers for this exam will be held in English, and the Computer Based Test (CBT) will be followed.
IIT JAM 2025 Structure of the Exam
The JAM 2025 exam will consist of 60 questions divided into three sections (A, B, C). Each section will have different types of questions, and the total marks for the exam will be 100. The duration of the examination is three hours. Eligible candidates with disabilities (PwD) will be given one hour of compensatory time and can avail the assistance of a scribe as per the guidelines of the Government of India. Below is the breakdown of the exam sections and their respective question types:
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- This section contains a total of 30 MCQs.
- Distribution of marks:
- 10 questions carry 1 mark each.
- 20 questions carry 2 marks each.
Each question will have four choices, out of which only one choice is correct. Incorrect answers will be penalized, with the following negative marking scheme:
- For 1 mark questions, 1/3 mark will be deducted for incorrect answers.
- For 2 mark questions, 2/3 marks will be deducted for incorrect answers.
Candidates must select the correct answer by clicking one of the choices. Any unattempted question will result in zero marks.
Section B: Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)
- This section will contain a total of 10 MSQs.
- Each MSQ carries 2 marks.
MSQs are similar to MCQs, but the main difference is that each MSQ may have one or more correct answers. Candidates must select all the correct options and no incorrect options to get full credit. There is no negative marking for MSQs, and partial marking is not allowed.
Section C: Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions
- This section will consist of a total of 20 NAT questions.
- The distribution of marks is as follows:
- 10 questions carry 1 mark each.
- 10 questions carry 2 marks each.
For NAT questions, the answer is a real number which needs to be entered using the virtual numeric keypad displayed on the screen. There will be no options provided, and candidates will have to type the answer using the keypad. There is no negative marking for NAT questions.
IIT JAM 2025 Question Breakdown
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 60 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Number of Sections | 3 (A, B, C) |
| Total Time | 3 hours |
IIT JAM 2025 Section-Wise Details
| Section | Total Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A (MCQs) | 30 | 1 mark (10 questions), 2 marks (20 questions) | 50 | Yes, 1/3 mark for 1-mark, 2/3 mark for 2 marks questions |
| Section B (MSQs) | 10 | 2 marks | 20 | No |
| Section C (NAT) | 20 | 1 mark (10 questions), 2 marks (10 questions) | 30 | No |
IIT JAM 2025 Important Features of the Exam
- Computer-Based Test, or CBT: Every question is displayed randomly on a computer and candidates will answer by providing the appropriate options for MCQs and MSQ or by giving the correct numerical answer to NAT questions.
- Negative Marking: Only for MCQs. For 1-mark and 2-mark questions, any wrong answer will carry a penalty as mentioned above.
- No Negative Marking for MSQs and NATs: Candidates are not penalized for incorrect answers or unattempted questions in MSQs and NAT sections.
- Virtual Calculator: Available online throughout the exam are virtual calculators. Candidates are not allowed to have personal calculators.
- Scribble Pad : Candidates will be provided a scribble pad for doing rough work. Name and registration number on it must be written before using the pad, which after an exam must be returned to the invigilator.
- Mock Test and Previous Papers: There will be a mock test available on the official website of JAM 2025 for practice purposes so that the candidates can get accustomed to the format of the examination. There are also previous years' question papers available for reference.
IIT JAM 2025 Test Paper Schedule and Fees
The JAM 2025 Examination will be held on February 02, 2025. The exam will be conducted in two sessions:
- Forenoon Session (FN): 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
- Chemistry (CY)
- Geology (GG)
- Mathematics (MA)
- Afternoon Session (AN): 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
- Biotechnology (BT)
- Economics (EN)
- Mathematical Statistics (MS)
- Physics (PH)
Candidates can appear for one or two test papers, provided they are not scheduled in the same session.