JEE Main Paper 2 Marking Scheme 2027: Marks, Negative Marking & Scoring Strategy

The JEE Main Paper 2 marking scheme awards +4 for a correct answer, −1 for a wrong answer, and 0 for an un-attempted one - on all objective questions (MCQs and numerical) in both B.Arch (Paper 2A) and B.Planning (Paper 2B).

The exam is 400 marks: Mathematics 100, Aptitude 200, and Drawing (B.Arch) or Planning (B.Planning) 100. The Drawing Test is evaluated separately with no negative marking. Because wrong answers cost a mark, your score is (Correct × 4) − (Wrong × 1) for the objective sections.

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This article offers an in-depth look at the JEE Main Paper 2 marking scheme - a critical factor for anyone aiming for architecture (B.Arch) and planning (B.Planning) seats at NITs, SPAs and other participating institutes through JoSAA counselling.

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What Is JEE Main Paper 2? - Overview

JEE Main Paper 2 is the national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for students seeking admission into architecture and planning courses across India.

It is divided into:

• Paper 2A for B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture): For students interested in architecture design, building aesthetics, spatial creativity.
• Paper 2B for B.Planning (Bachelor of Planning): For students interested in urban planning, infrastructure, city development.

The major difference between the two papers is the third section:

• Paper 2A (B.Arch) includes a Drawing Test to evaluate creativity, visualization, perspective, and sketching skills.
• Paper 2B (B.Planning) replaces drawing with Planning-Based Questions focused on analytical thinking, urban planning awareness, and logical application.

JEE Main Paper 2 scores are accepted by:

• NITs
• SPAs
• centrally funded technical institutions
• and several architecture/planning colleges across India.

Before planning your attempt strategy, confirm you meet the JEE Main Paper 2 eligibility criteria.

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Detailed JEE Main Marking Scheme for JEE Main Paper 2 

With the exception of the B.Arch drawing part, the 2027 format of JEE Mains Paper 2 is primarily computer-based. The JEE main paper 2 examination lasts three hours and is available in different languages. 

Subject	Type of Questions	No. of Questions	Marking	Total Marks
Mathematics	20 MCQ (Section A) + 5 Numerical (Section B)	25	+4 / −1	100
Aptitude Test	MCQ	50	+4 / −1	200
Drawing Test	Drawing/sketching tasks	2	Evaluated out of 100 (no negative marking)	100
Total	—	77	—	400

Map this marking scheme to what’s actually tested in the JEE Main Paper 2 syllabus so your prep matches the marks on offer.

Subject	Type of Questions	No. of Questions	Marking	Total Marks
Mathematics	20 MCQ (Section A) + 5 Numerical (Section B)	25	+4 / −1	100
Aptitude Test	MCQ	50	+4 / −1	200
Planning	MCQ	25	+4 / −1	100
Total	—	100	—	400

The JEE Main Marking scheme provides +4 marks for correct answers and -1 for incorrect ones across MCQs and numerical value questions. The drawing test in B.Arch assesses two questions, each valued at 50 marks. 

Once you can calculate your raw score, see how it converts to a rank in our JEE Main marks vs percentile vs rank guide.

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Detailed Question-Wise Marking Rules

According to the official JEE Main official Information Bulletin, the marking scheme for JEE Main Paper 2A (B.Arch) and Paper 2B (B.Planning) is expected to remain the same for JEE Main Paper 2 2027.

Question Type	Correct	Wrong	Un-attempted
MCQ (single correct)	+4	−1	0
Numerical Value (Section B)	+4	−1	0
Drawing Test (Paper 2A, 2 Qs / 100 marks)	Evaluated on idea, perspective, proportion, shading & composition	No negative marking	0
If NTA finds more than one correct option	+4 to anyone marking any correct option	—	—
If a question is dropped by NTA	+4 awarded to all candidates	—	—

For the full structure, duration and language options, see the complete JEE Main Paper 2 exam pattern.

Is There Negative Marking in JEE Main Paper 2?

Yes, negative marking is applicable in JEE Main Paper 2 for both B.Arch (Paper 2A) and B.Planning (Paper 2B).

As per the official NTA brochure, candidates lose 1 mark for every incorrect answer in MCQs and Numerical Value Questions.

Section	Negative Marking?	Rule
MCQs	✅ Yes	−1 for every wrong answer
Numerical Value Questions	✅ Yes	−1 for incorrect numerical answer
Drawing Test (B.Arch)	❌ No	Subjective evaluation
Unattempted Questions	❌ No	0 marks deducted

The best way to test your attempt strategy against real negative marking is to solve JEE Main Paper 2 previous year papers under timed conditions.

How Is the JEE Main Paper 2 Score Calculated?

Your raw score in the objective sections (Mathematics, Aptitude, and Planning for B.Planning) is calculated with one simple formula:

Objective Score = (Correct Answers × 4) − (Wrong Answers × 1)

Un-attempted questions neither add nor subtract marks. The Drawing Test (B.Arch) is evaluated separately out of 100, with no negative marking, and added to your objective score for a total out of 400.

Worked Example:

Suppose a B.Arch candidate attempts 65 of the 75 objective questions (Maths + Aptitude), getting 50 correct and 15 wrong:

Attempt	Calculation	Marks
50 correct	50 × (+4)	+200
15 wrong	15 × (−1)	−15
10 un-attempted	10 × 0	0
Objective score	200 − 15	185 / 300

If this candidate then scores 70/100 in the Drawing Test, their total is 185 + 70 = 255 / 400.

Why accuracy matters more than attempts:

Every wrong answer effectively costs you 5 marks compared to a correct one - you lose the +4 you could have earned and take an extra −1. This is exactly why a student who attempts fewer questions with high accuracy usually outscores one who attempts more questions carelessly.

How Are Ties Resolved in JEE Main Paper 2?

When two or more candidates score the same total NTA score, NTA breaks the tie using a fixed order of criteria. Knowing this shows you which sections carry the most weight when ranks are close — and why Mathematics accuracy can be decisive.

Order	Tie-Breaking Criterion
1	Higher NTA score in Mathematics
2	Then, higher NTA score in the Aptitude Test
3	Then, higher NTA score in Drawing (B.Arch) / Planning (B.Planning)
4	Then, the candidate with the lower ratio of wrong to correct answers across the whole paper
5	If a tie still remains, candidates are assigned the same rank

What this means for you: in a close rank battle, JEE Maths is the first differentiator and your overall accuracy (criterion 4) is the final one - another reason to minimize wrong answers rather than guess blindly.

JEE Main Paper 2 Marking Scheme vs Previous Years

A comparison of the official JEE Main 2024, 2025, and 2026 information bulletins shows that NTA has now largely stabilized the Paper 2 marking scheme and exam structure. The recent trend clearly indicates a stronger focus on following:

• aptitude accuracy
• numerical precision
• standardized evaluation
• and consistent paper pattern implementation.

Aspect	Earlier Trend	2024-2026 Trend	Impact on Students
NTA Standardization	Students earlier faced more uncertainty due to evolving post-pandemic patterns	JEE Main Paper 2 pattern remained highly consistent across 2024, 2025, and 2026	Preparation became more predictable and mock-friendly
Overall Marking Scheme	+4/−1 structure existed earlier but implementation evolved gradually	Consistent +4 for correct answers and −1 for wrong answers across years	Accuracy became more important than aggressive attempts
Numerical Value Questions	Earlier optional numericals reduced pressure slightly	All numerical questions now compulsory in Paper 2 sections	Students must prepare entire syllabus thoroughly
Aptitude Accuracy Importance	Students relied more heavily on drawing performance earlier	Aptitude section now plays a major role in rank differentiation	Logical speed and accuracy became critical
JEE Main Paper 2 Drawing Section Trend	Traditional sketching-heavy approach dominated earlier	Drawing remains important, but visualization and presentation quality matter more now	Balanced creative + practical preparation required
Question Framing Style	More direct and memory-based aptitude questions earlier	More application-oriented and analytical questions under NTA	Conceptual clarity became more important
Paper Pattern Stability	Frequent structural changes during earlier transition phase	2024-2026 structure remained almost identical	Easier long-term preparation planning
Negative Marking Impact	Students attempted more risky guesses earlier	Strict negative marking increased emphasis on smart attempts	Elimination strategy and accuracy became essential

Build this into a full timeline with our JEE Main Paper 2 study plan.

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Smart Attempt Strategy Based on the JEE Main Paper 2 Marking Scheme

Because every wrong answer costs you a mark, Paper 2 rewards smart attempts, not maximum attempts. The −1 penalty means a correct answer is worth 5 marks more than a wrong one - so your goal is high accuracy, not high volume. Here's how to play the marking scheme to your advantage.

1. Attempt in the Right Order

• Start with Aptitude - it's the biggest section (200 marks) and the quickest to score, especially architectural GK and visualization. Building momentum here settles your nerves early.
• Clear the easy and moderate questions first across every section before touching the hard ones - lock in guaranteed marks before time pressure builds.
• Flag doubtful questions for review and return to them later with a clearer head, rather than getting stuck.

2. Guess Only When the Odds Are in Your Favour

• In MCQs, eliminate first. If you can rule out two options, a calculated guess is worth the risk. Blind guessing is not.
• Be extra careful with numerical questions. They have no options to eliminate, so a random attempt is pure risk under negative marking - attempt only when you've actually worked it out.
• Never guess out of ego. One stubborn hard question can cost you three easy ones elsewhere.

3. Control Your Accuracy and Your Clock

• Balance speed with accuracy - rushing causes silly mistakes, overthinking wastes time. Aim for controlled pacing, not frantic solving.
• Watch your error count. Even 8-10 wrong answers can noticeably pull down your percentile. Treat each attempt as a decision, not a reflex.
• Reserve the final 10-15 minutes to review flagged questions and catch calculation slips or marking errors.

4. Handle the Drawing Section Separately (B.Arch)

• Fix a time budget per drawing so the second task isn't rushed - don't let one sketch eat the clock.
• Plan a quick rough layout before detailing; it improves proportion, composition and overall balance.
• Keep it clean. With no negative marking here, neat, clear presentation is pure upside - evaluators reward clarity.

The one-line rule: attempt what you know, eliminate before you guess, and never let negative marking turn a good paper into an average score. In mocks, students with high accuracy almost always out-rank students with high attempt counts.

To see how the marking scheme played out in real papers, read our JEE B.Arch question paper analysis.

JEE Main Paper 2 Sample Papers with Solutions

Best Preparation Strategy Based on the JEE Main Paper 2 Marking Scheme

Your JEE Main Paper 2 2027 preparation should mirror how the paper is marked - Aptitude carries the most marks, every objective section has negative marking, and Drawing is scored separately with none. Here's a section-wise plan built around exactly that.

Section	How to Prepare	Why It Matters for Your Score
Aptitude (200 marks)	Practise visualization, spatial ability, reasoning and architectural awareness daily with timed sets. Master elimination techniques.	Half the paper - fast accuracy here moves your rank more than any other section.
Mathematics (100 marks)	Build concepts first, then solve numerical-value questions under time pressure. Practise mental maths and approximation.	Numericals also carry −1, so accuracy beats volume and Maths is the first tie-breaker.
Drawing / Planning (100 marks)	B.Arch - practice perspective, composition, shading and scene creation under timed conditions. B.Planning: build urban-planning and awareness concepts.	Drawing has no negative marking - clean, complete answers are pure upside.
Mock Tests & PYQs	Attempt full-length mocks in real exam conditions; solve recent previous-year papers; analyse every attempt before the next.	Trains section-switching and exposes the repeated patterns NTA actually tests.
Accuracy & Error Control	Maintain an error notebook, track recurring mistakes, and review flagged questions in the last 10-15 minutes.	Reducing silly errors directly lifts percentile in the negatively marked sections.

The balanced-prep rule: don't rely on drawing or any single strength. A top rank needs steady accuracy across Maths and Aptitude and a clean Drawing/Planning performance, exactly the balance the marking scheme rewards.

Wondering what score you need? See how marks translate into ranks and seats in the JEE Main Paper 2 cut-off.

Expert Advice and Tips for JEE Main 2027 Paper 2 

Experts and previous toppers underline the need of a comprehensive preparation strategy. This includes regular problem-solving exercise, building a solid foundation in Mathematics and Aptitude, and improving drawing and planning skills.

Mock tests and previous years' papers are essential for learning the exam pattern and time management. 

Candidates should check the official JEE Mains website for updates, thoroughly understand the JEE Main marking scheme, and use a wide range of preparation resources available both online and offline, such as mock tests, sample papers, and educational forums dedicated to JEE preparation.

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Conclusion

JEE Main Paper 2 2027 rewards students who understand the marking scheme and play it smartly - every wrong MCQ or numerical answer costs −1, so accuracy matters as much as attempts.

Build a balanced plan across Mathematics, Aptitude and Drawing/Planning, practise under real timing, and let your accuracy - not your attempt count - drive your score.

Preparing for JEE B.Arch in 2027? Join the best JEE B.Arch online coaching from Creative Edge for a structured roadmap, mentor feedback on your drawings and aptitude, and a scoring strategy built around the official marking scheme.