JEE Main 2026 B.Arch Exam Pattern (Paper 2): Check Total Marks & Section-wise Weightage

Summary: Are you curious about the JEE Main Paper 2 exam pattern 2026? The NTA will reveal all on their official site! While we await the schedule, dive into the JEE Mains Paper 2 pattern for 2026 to get a head start on your preparations.

Download Free Study Material for JEE Mains Paper 2 by Creative Edge

Understanding the JEE Main Paper 2 exam pattern is essential for aspirants planning to pursue Architecture (B.Arch) or Planning (B.Planning) through the JEE Main entrance examination. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), JEE Main Paper 2 is divided into two formats - Paper 2A for B.Arch and Paper 2B for B.Planning, each having a distinct structure, question distribution, and evaluation method.

The JEE Main Paper 2 exam pattern 2026 explains the number of sections, types of questions, marking scheme, exam duration, mode of examination, and total marks for both Paper 2A and Paper 2B. While Paper 2A includes Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing, Paper 2B consists of Mathematics, Aptitude, and Planning-based questions. Knowing the exact JEE Main Paper 2 exam pattern and syllabus helps students plan their preparation strategy, manage time effectively during the exam, and avoid surprises on test day.

In this guide, you will find a detailed breakdown of the JEE Main Paper 2 sections & questions, marking scheme, official NTA guidelines, comparison between Paper 2A and Paper 2B, and important updates for the JEE Main Paper 2 exam pattern 2026.

Discover insights into JEE Main Paper 2 Exam Pattern for B. Arch and B. Plan programs.

Latest Updates JEE Mains Paper 2 (B.Arch) Session 1:

Date of JEE B.Arch 2026 Examination - 29 January 2026

Timing of JEE Mains Paper 2 (B.Arch) Exam - First shift (09:00 A.M. to 12:30 Р.М.)

Centre, Date and Shift - As indicated in the Admit Card

Official Website(s) - JEE Main Official Website 

Examination City Intimation slip of JEE (Main) 2026 Session-1 - 08 January 2026. Use the login credentials from the website https://jeemain.nta.nic.in and check/download the slip.

What is the JEE Main Paper 2 Exam Pattern?

The JEE Main Paper 2 exam pattern defines the structure of the entrance exam for architecture and planning aspirants conducted by NTA. JEE Main Paper 2 is divided into Paper 2A (B.Arch) and Paper 2B (B.Planning). Paper 2A consists of three sections - Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing, while Paper 2B includes Mathematics, Aptitude, and Planning-based questions.

The exam is conducted for 3 hours (180 minutes), with Mathematics and Aptitude held in computer-based mode (CBT) and Drawing conducted in offline mode for B.Arch candidates. The JEE Main Paper 2 exam pattern 2026 includes section-wise question distribution, marking scheme (+4 for correct answers, −1 for incorrect MCQs), total marks, and mode of examination as prescribed in the official NTA Information Bulletin.

JEE Main Paper 2 Exam Pattern 2026 - Quick Overview

This year the JEE Main Paper 2 Exam is scheduled in two sessions - session 1 is to be held on 29th January 2026 and session 2 between April 1 to April 10, 2026.

As per the official JEE Main NTA website, the JEE Main 2026 Paper 2 exam pattern is as follows:

Parameter	Details
Exam Name	JEE Main Paper 2 2A- B.Arch 2B – B.Plan
Conducting Authority	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Exam Duration	3 Hours (180 Minutes)
Mode of Exam	Computer-Based Test (Maths & Aptitude), Offline Drawing
Total Sections	3 (Mathematics, Aptitude, Drawing)
Total Questions	77
Total Marks	400
Language of Paper	English, Hindi & Regional Languages
Negative Marking	Yes (- 1 for wrong answers of objective questions)

The JEE Main B Arch 2026 exam pattern will include three sections: Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing. With Aptitude & Maths sections in both B. Arch and B. Plan having a negative marking of -1 mark for each wrongly answered question.

Also Read | JEE Main B.Arch Paper 2025 PDF

Highlights of JEE Main 2026 Paper 2 Exam Pattern

Both B.Arch and B.Planning papers are conducted online except for the Drawing section in B.Arch. The drawing part is performed offline, i.e., pen and paper.

• Paper 2A will have 77 questions.
• Each subject shall include 20 MCQs and 5 numerical questions. 
• Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Plan) will be conducted separately for 400 marks each.
• The exam shall be conducted in 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu.

How Students Can Verify the Official JEE Main Paper 2 Exam Pattern 2026

1. Visit the official NTA portal: https://jeemain.nta.nic.in
2. Click on “Information Bulletin” / “Candidate Information”
3. Download the latest JEE Main brochure PDF
4. Refer to the Paper 2 (B.Arch) exam pattern section for exact structure and marking scheme

This ensures students are following the most accurate and updated JEE Main Paper 2 exam pattern 2026.

Check: How to download the JEE Main Admit Card

Sample Questions for JEE Mains Paper 2 by Creative Edge

JEE Main Paper 2 A Exam Pattern 2026 - B.Arch

As per the official brochure, the 2026 B. Arch entrance exam will mainly test your mathematics, aptitude, and drawing skills.

The JEE Main paper will have 77 questions, including 25 questions (20 MCQs & 5 Numerical Value Questions) from mathematics, 50 questions from aptitude, and two questions on drawing. The mathematics and aptitude exam will be computer-based, while the drawing section will be pen and paper based.

Each question carries four marks, and there is negative marking for Sections A and B of the mathematics section.

Particulars	JEE Mains Paper 2 Pattern 2026 Details
Mode of Examination	Computer-based examination except for Drawing section in B.Arch
Medium of Examination	13 languages
Duration of Examination	3 hours for general, 4 hours for PwD aspirants
Number of Sections	Mathematics; Aptitude test; Drawing test
Type of Questions	Mathematics - Multiple-choice questions and questions with numerical values as answers;
	Aptitude - Multiple-choice questions
	Drawing - Drawing aptitude
Number of questions	77
Total Marks for JEE Mains Paper 2	400 Marks

Check: Jee Main Paper 2 Rank Predictor Tool

JEE Main Paper 2 A B.Arch Pattern 2026 - Sections, Number of Questions & Total Marks 

Check out the table below to know the detailed marking scheme for the B. Arch program

As the session 1 exam is approaching, knowing the marking scheme will help enhance your last-minute preparation for the JEE Main Paper 2 Exam.

JEE Main Paper 2A (B. Arch)
Question Distribution Paper 2 (2026)	Subject	Number of Questions	Marks
	Part I: Mathematics	20 (Section A) and 05 (Section B)	100
	Part II: Aptitude test	50	200
	Part III: Drawing Test	02	100
	Total	77	400

JEE Main Paper 2 Marking Scheme 2026 - B.Arch 

Question Type	Correct Answer	Incorrect Answer	Unattempted
MCQ	+4	-1	0
Numerical (NAT)	+4	-1	0
Drawing Questions	Evaluated on creativity, composition, accuracy	—	—

Method of determining merit:

• Conversion of the raw score in Mathematics, Aptitude Test, Drawing Test, and total into NTA Scores.
• Overall merit shall be prepared by merging the NTA Scores of both shifts of the two sessions.

All information related to the JEE Main Paper 2 exam pattern 2026 is based on the official guidelines released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in the JEE Main Information Bulletin.

Check: Important drawing questions with answers for JEE Main Paper 2 Exam

JEE Main Paper 2 Tie Breaking Procedure (B.Arch) 

When two or more candidates score the same total marks in JEE Main Paper 2 (B.Arch), the National Testing Agency (NTA) applies a tie breaking procedure to decide the final rank. This process compares section-wise performance in a fixed order until the tie is resolved.

Understanding the JEE Main Paper 2 tie breaking procedure helps students know which section carries more ranking importance.

Tie-Break Level	Comparison Rule	What It Means for Students
Level 1	Higher marks in Mathematics section	Candidate with better Maths score gets higher rank
Level 2	Higher marks in Aptitude section	If Maths is equal, Aptitude score is compared
Level 3	Higher marks in Drawing section	If still tied, Drawing marks are compared
Level 4	Fewer incorrect answers in the exam	Candidate with better accuracy ranks higher
Level 5	Older candidate (date of birth)	Senior candidate gets preference
Level 6	Application number / random process (if needed)	Used only if tie still remains

Check: JEE Main Paper 2 Cut-Off

Common Student Doubts on JEE Main B Arch 2026 Exam Pattern Tie Breaking Policy:

1. Does Drawing marks affect tie-breaking in JEE Main Paper 2?
Yes. If both Maths and Aptitude scores are equal, Drawing marks are used to break the tie.

2. Is percentile used for tie breaking in JEE Main Paper 2?
No. Tie-breaking is based on section-wise marks and accuracy, not percentile.

3. Are tie-breaking rules same every year?
Yes. As per official NTA brochures, the JEE Main Paper 2 tie breaking procedure remains consistent unless officially revised.

Stay updated: JEE Main Paper 2 (B Arch) Exam Date 2026

JEE Main Paper 2 A (B.Arch) Pattern - Previous Years Comparison Table

Has the JEE Main Paper 2 exam pattern changed in 2026?

No. According to the official JEE Main Information Bulletin released by NTA, the Paper 2 (B.Arch) exam pattern for 2026 remains the same as previous years in terms of sections, number of questions, marking scheme, and exam duration.

This means:

✔ Same number of sections
✔ Same question distribution
✔ Same marking scheme
✔ Same exam duration
✔ Same CBT + offline format

Students can confidently prepare using previous year JEE Main Paper 2 papers and pattern strategy.

Must Read | Top Architecture Colleges Accepting JEE Mains Score 2026

Download PYPs with Solutions for JEE Mains Paper 2

JEE Main 2026 Paper 2 B Exam Pattern - B.Planning

To pursue B. Planning programs, you must appear for the JEE Main Paper 2B.

As per the JEE Main Paper 2 Question Pattern, the question paper for JEE Main Paper 2 includes 105 questions, each with four marks. Also, there is a negative mark for each wrong answer.

Check out the detailed JEE paper 2 paper pattern from the post below and enhance your preparation for the JEE Main Paper 2 Exam 2026.

Particulars	JEE Main Paper 2 Exam Pattern Details
Mode of Examination	Computer-based examination
Medium of Examination	13 languages
Duration of Examination	3 hours for general, 4 hours for PwD aspirants
Number of Sections	Mathematics; Aptitude test; Planning test
Type of Questions	Mathematics - Multiple-choice questions and questions with numerical values as answers
	Aptitude - Multiple-choice questions
	Planning - Multiple-choice questions
Number of Questions	100 Questions
JEE Paper 2 Total Marks	400 Marks

Check: JEE Main Paper 2 Important Topics 

JEE Main Paper 2 B Exam Pattern 2026: Number of Questions, Section-Wise Weightage & Marking Scheme (B.Plan)

According to the JEE Main Paper 2 exam pattern, the mathematics section includes 30 questions (20 MCQs and ten numerical value questions), 50 questions from aptitude, and 25 questions from the planning section.

The exam is for 400 marks. In the mathematics section, you have to attempt only 25 questions out of 30.

The below table explains the marking scheme for the B.Planning course. As per the JEE Main Paper 2 Exam Pattern, you can attempt five out of 10 numerical questions in the mathematics section.

Paper 2B (B. Planning)
Subject-wise distribution of Questions, Total	Subject	Number of Questions	Marks
	Part-I: Mathematics	20 (Section A) and 05 (Section B)	100
Number of Questions, and Marks	Part-II: Aptitude Test	50	200
	Part-III: Planning	25	100
	Total	100	400

Marking Scheme for B.Plan - JEE Main Paper 2 Exam Pattern 2026

Question Type	Correct Answer	Incorrect Answer	Unattempted
MCQ	+4	-1	0
Numerical (NAT)	+4	-1	0
Drawing Questions	Evaluated on creativity, composition, accuracy	—	—

Method of determining merit:

• Conversion of the raw score in Mathematics, Aptitude Test, Drawing Test, and total into NTA Scores.
• Overall merit shall be prepared by merging the NTA Scores of both shifts of the two sessions.

All information related to the JEE Main Paper 2 exam pattern 2026 is based on the official guidelines released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in the JEE Main Information Bulletin.

Check: Trends and difficulty level of JEE Main Paper 2 Exam

JEE Main 2026 B. Planning Exam Pattern: Tie-Breaking Procedure

If you and other aspirants score the same marks in the B. planning exam, the NTA will follow the tie-breaking procedure as explained below while preparing the merit list:

• Authorities will consider those who have NTA Scores in the mathematics section.
• High NTA Score in the aptitude section.
• High NTA Score in the planning-based questions.
• The one with fewer wrong answers in all subjects of the test.
• NTA will consider the ones with the slightest wrong answers in the aptitude test.
• The one with fewer wrong answers is in the mathematics section.
• The one with fewer wrong answers in the planning-based questions.
• Those who are older will be given first preference.
• Application number in ascending order.

Check: Important aptitude questions for JEE Main Paper 2 exam

JEE Main 2026 Paper 2 Negative Marking

Sections A and B of the mathematics section will also have negative marking forms this year.

• For every correct answer, you will be awarded +4 marks.
• For every wrong question, you will lose a -1 mark.
• No marks will be awarded or detected for unattempted questions.
• If the question is incorrect or dropped, candidates will be awarded four marks (+4) for all who attempted it.
• Candidates are advised to use the constants provided (if any) in the questions for their calculations and round off the answer to the nearest integer.

JEE Main 2026 Paper 2 Exam Pattern: Language Medium of Paper

The JEE Main Paper 2 exam is conducted in 13 languages per the revised JEE paper 2 pattern. Check out the table below to know the medium of the JEE Main Paper 2 Question Paper.

Language	Exam Centres
English	All Examination Centres
Hindi	All Exam Centres in India
English and Assamese	Exam Centres in Assam
English and Bengali	Exam Centres in West Bengal, Tripura and Andaman & Nicobar Island
English and Gujarati	Exam Centres in Gujarat, Daman, Diu, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli
English and Kannada	Exam Centres in Karnataka
English and Marathi	Exam Centres in Maharashtra
English and Malayalam	Exam Centres in Kerala and Lakshadweep
English and Odia	Exam Centres in Odisha
English and Punjabi	Exam Centres in Punjab, Chandigarh, and Delhi
English and Tamil	Exam Centres in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andaman & Nicobar Island
English and Telugu	Exam Centres in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
English and Urdu	All Exam Centres in India

Check: JEE Main Paper 2 Exam Day Instructions

Score 100%ile in JEE Mains Paper 2! Practice with Free Mock Tests

Tips to Improve Your JEE Main 2026 Paper 2 Preparation

For students targeting JEE Main 2026 Paper 2 (B.Arch & B.Plan), understanding the revised exam pattern, including the new negative marking scheme, is crucial. This guide focuses on strategic preparation for JEE Main and effective resource utilization to ace the exam.

• Familiarize with JEE Paper 2 Pattern: Know the structure for B.Arch and B.Plan, emphasizing mathematics, aptitude, and drawing/planning sections.
• Study Material: Utilize recommended books and digital resources. Practice with previous years' papers and sample questions.
• Mock Tests: Regularly simulate exam conditions with mock tests to improve time management and identify weak areas.
• Revision: Allocate time for revising concepts and clearing doubts. Use study groups for a more interactive learning experience.
• Well-being: Maintain a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and manage stress to ensure peak performance during preparation and exams.

Ideal Section-wise Time Allocation for JEE Main Paper 2 Exam 2026:

Section	Suggested Time Allocation
Mathematics	60-70 minutes
Aptitude	70-80 minutes
Drawing	60-70 minutes
Buffer / Review	10 minutes
Total	180 minutes

Refer: JEE Main Counselling 2026

JEE Main Paper 2 (B.Arch) Pattern Comparison Table

Exam Feature	2024 (Official Brochure)	2025 (Official Brochure)	2026 (Latest Official Brochure)	Change Observed
Exam Name	JEE Main Paper 2 (B.Arch)	JEE Main Paper 2 (B.Arch)	JEE Main Paper 2 (B.Arch)	No change
Conducting Authority	National Testing Agency (NTA)	National Testing Agency (NTA)	National Testing Agency (NTA)	No change
Exam Duration	3 Hours (180 minutes)	3 Hours (180 minutes)	3 Hours (180 minutes)	No change
Mode of Exam	CBT (Maths + Aptitude), Offline (Drawing)	CBT (Maths + Aptitude), Offline (Drawing)	CBT (Maths + Aptitude), Offline (Drawing)	No change
Total Sections	3 (Maths, Aptitude, Drawing)	3 (Maths, Aptitude, Drawing)	3 (Maths, Aptitude, Drawing)	No change
Mathematics Questions	25 (20 MCQs + 5 NAT)	25 (20 MCQs + 5 NAT)	25 (20 MCQs + 5 NAT)	No change
Aptitude Questions	50 MCQs	50 MCQs	50 MCQs	No change
Drawing Questions	2 subjective	2 subjective	2 subjective	No change
Total Questions	77	77	77	No change
Total Marks	400	400	400	No change
Marking Scheme (Objective)	+4 / −1	+4 / −1	+4 / −1	No change
Negative Marking (NAT)	No negative marking	No negative marking	No negative marking	No change

Has the JEE Main Paper 2 exam pattern changed in 2026?

No. According to the official JEE Main Information Bulletin released by NTA, the Paper 2 (B.Arch) exam pattern for 2026 remains the same as previous years in terms of sections, number of questions, marking scheme, and exam duration.

This means:

✔ Same number of sections
✔ Same question distribution
✔ Same marking scheme
✔ Same exam duration
✔ Same CBT + offline format

Students can confidently prepare using previous year JEE Main Paper 2 papers and pattern strategy.

Refer: JEE Main Marks vs Percentile vs Rank

Boost Your JEE Mains Paper 2 Prep with Free Demo Classes

Key Takeaways

• The JEE Main 2026 exam for Paper 2 has undergone significant modifications, most notably the addition of negative marking in Section B for both the B.Arch and B.Plan programs.
• Understanding the entire JEE main paper 2 exam pattern, which includes the type and number of questions, the marking scheme, and the medium of paper, is essential for candidates who want to do well.
• As the exam approaches, applicants must use resources such as study materials, live classes, and mock tests to improve their preparation and adapt to changes in the pattern to maximize their success.

Preparing for JEE Main Paper 2 for B.Arch program at IITs in 2026? We can help you with exact strategic roadmap, study material and crucial feedback required to ace this exam.

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