Analysis of JEE Advanced 2017

In first round approximately 2,20.000 students,including all categories shortlisted in JEE Main, qualified to appear in JEE Advanced examination. Around 1 lakh students in general category have competed neck to neck for one of 5500 Seats in 23 IIT’s (Total undergraduate seats in all categories are 11032). The Exam has been conducted across 120 cities in India and 6 cities in foreign countries.

Last year's scenario

In last year’s Paper 1, each subject contained 5 Multiple Choice questions having single option correct (+3, -1), 8 questions of one or more correct type with 50% negative marks (+4, -2) with the main difference being that there was scope of partial marks if no incorrect option was darkened. For each correct option, there was one mark awarded. A collective of  5 numerical based questions were present  with no negative marking (+3,0). Even Paper 2 each subject had 6 Single Correct Multiple Choice Questions (+3, -1); 8 Questions Multiple Choice one or more correct with marking like Paper 1 and two paragraphs with 2 questions each with marking scheme (+3, 0) i.e. no negative marking. 

Current Analysis

This year’s Paper 1 is a 3 Hour paper comprising of 54 questions with Maximum Marks of 183. Each subject contained 7 questions of one or more correct with marking, similar to that of last year (+4, -2) with parallel scope of partial marks 1 for each correct (with no incorrect marking in the question),5 numerical based questions akin to last year (+3,0)with no negative marking, 6 questions from two tables (3 questions from each table consisting of 4 rows and three columns) with each question having 4 options with single correct (+3, -1) (Full 3 marks only if all three columns for the given question are correctly matched ).This new avatar of match type has been introduced this year. (Last year match the following type questions were not there. In the past Match the following/Match List type had two columns.) Students must carefully match all three columns with concept clarity and analytical skills. Fortunately, overall paper 1 is balanced between easy to moderate barring 1 or 2 questions in chemistry which needed study beyond NCERT. There are one to two questions in Physics which required to be carefully analysed for comprehension of language across choices to be able to converge on correct answer(s) compatible with underlying concept(s).

Paper 2 this year is 3 Hour paper comprising of 54 Questions with Maximum Marks of 183. Each subject has 7 MCQ with 4 options single correct (+3, -1),7 questions of one or more correct with marking like paper 1 (+4, -2) with similar scope of partial marks 1 for each correct (with no incorrect marking in the question) and two paragraphs with 2 questions each with marking scheme (+3, 0) i.e. no negative marking. An exhaustive solution of paper 2 is in progress at time of this press release.

Prima facie this year cut-offs per subject and overall are expected to be about 10 % per subject &around 35 % overall, mirroring that of 2014 as against 10% per subject & 20 % overall in 2016; 7% per subject & 24.5% overall in 2015.

Students who have been under a regular regime of practise and hence, has developed deep conceptual understanding & analytical abilities by steady preparation of solving problems, should have no difficulty in cracking the papers. 

R. L. Trikha

Guest Author Director, FITJEE