JEE Main Paper 2 Exam Pattern 2027: B.Arch and B.Planning

The JEE Main Paper 2 exam pattern covers two papers: Paper 2A for B.Arch and Paper 2B for B.Planning. Each is out of 400 marks and shares the same Mathematics and Aptitude sections. The third part is a pen-and-paper Drawing Test in 2A and a computer-based Planning section in 2B.

This page uses the pattern in the JEE (Main) 2026 Information Bulletin, the latest official version as of October 2026. NTA will confirm the 2027 pattern in the new bulletin. Knowing where the marks sit helps you split your time: the Aptitude Test alone is worth half the paper.

JEE Main Paper 2 Exam Pattern

Paper 2A (B.Arch) Pattern

Parts I and II are on computer. Part III is done on an A4 drawing sheet in the same sitting, so plan your time to leave enough for both drawing questions.

Paper 2B (B.Planning) Pattern

Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

• Correct answer: +4 marks for MCQs and numerical questions.

• Wrong answer: -1 mark, including in Section B numerical questions.

• Unanswered: 0 marks.

• Drawing Test: Two questions evaluated out of 100 marks, with no negative marking.

• Numerical answers: Round off to the nearest integer as instructed in the bulletin.

What this means for you

• Each question is worth 4 marks: Except in Drawing, every question carries the same weight, so do not spend five minutes on one hard Mathematics problem.

• Aptitude decides ranks: 200 marks across 50 questions makes speed and accuracy in Aptitude the biggest lever on your score.

• Wrong guesses are costly: Four wrong guesses wipe out one correct answer. Guess only when you can rule out two options.

• Drawing is safe marks: With no negative marking and 100 marks, attempt both drawing questions fully even if one is weaker.

Worked Example: Raw Score in Paper 2A

Suppose you attempt 20 Mathematics questions with 14 correct, and 45 Aptitude questions with 36 correct. Your drawings are marked 55 out of 100.

Raw marks are then converted into NTA Scores (percentiles) within your shift, so the same raw score can map to slightly different percentiles across shifts. This example is for illustration only.

Exam Timing and Shifts

These are the 2026 timings. Eligible PwD candidates get 20 minutes of compensatory time per hour (4 hours for one paper and 4 hours 10 minutes for both, as per the 2026 bulletin). Your actual date and shift will be on your admit card.

Sessions, NTA Score and Tie-breaking

JEE Main is held in two sessions, usually January and April. You can take one or both. Raw marks are converted into NTA Scores, and the better Total NTA Score from the two sessions is used for your rank.

1. Paper 2A ties: Broken by Mathematics NTA Score, then Aptitude, then Drawing, then the lower ratio of wrong to correct answers.

2. Paper 2B ties: Broken by Mathematics NTA Score, then Aptitude, then Planning, then the lower ratio of wrong to correct answers.

Language of the Paper

The 2026 paper was offered in 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. The choice depends on your exam centre, and the English version prevails in case of a difference.

Time Management Strategy

• Paper 2A: A workable split is about two hours for Mathematics and Aptitude and around 60 minutes for the two drawings; test it in mocks and adjust.

• Paper 2B: Do Planning and Aptitude first if they are your stronger areas, and leave time for Mathematics numericals.

• Both papers: With 30 extra minutes for two Part III sections, keep each section's time fixed in advance.

follow the official JEE (Main) website.