JEE Main 2026: Best Order to Solve Questions Paper - Complete Guide

The best way to tackle the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) question paper is different for every student. It depends on your strengths, comfort level, and how you handle exam pressure.

Each student has their own way of answering questions, so your strategy should be personal, not copied from others.

Let's look at the key points you need to know:

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1. It's Different for Everyone

The order you choose to solve the paper is completely up to you. What works for one student may not work for another.

Some students like starting with Mathematics, while others feel better beginning with Chemistry or Physics. The important thing is to use your strengths instead of doing what your friends do.

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2. Identify your strongest subject:

Before you finalize your strategy, identify which subject you're most confident in:

• Think about which subject makes you feel most comfortable
• Review your mock test scores and previous practice papers
• Pick the subject where you can score high marks quickly
• Starting with your strongest subject gives you an early confidence boost and helps you save time

This psychological advantage can create positive momentum that carries through the entire exam.

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3. Practice Different Orders in Mock Tests

The best way to find your ideal strategy is through trial and error with mock tests and previous year papers:

• Try starting with Physics in some tests, Chemistry in others, and so on
• Notice which order makes you feel most comfortable
• Track which sequence gives you the best overall score
• Remember, there's no universal "best order" – what matters is maximizing your marks in the time available

4. Know the Time You'll Need

While every student works at their own pace, here's a general time breakdown that can help with planning:

• Mathematics: Around 1 hour and 15 minutes (takes the longest)
• Physics: About 55-60 minutes (medium difficulty)
• Chemistry: Around 45-50 minutes (usually the quickest)

Don't try to divide your time equally among all three sections. Instead, adjust based on how long each section naturally takes you. For instance, if you're starting with Chemistry, aim to finish it in 45 minutes rather than spending a full hour on it.

5. Develop a strategy for yourself: 

After enough practice, establish with finality some sort of sequence that works best for you. For example:

• Chemistry → Physics → Mathematics
• Mathematics → Physics → Chemistry

Any order is fine; it doesn't matter which order you follow, just make sure it aligns with your confidence and time allocation.

A solid plan will also take into account your approach to challenging or ambiguous questions. Avoid dwelling on a single question for too long – if a question is too difficult, time-consuming, or you feel unsure or confused, mark it and move on. It's better to get all the marks you need than to get stuck on a single challenging question. Finally, if time permits, always reserve some time (at least 10-15 minutes) at the end of the exam to review all the questions you marked, or to go back and double-check previous answers.

Finally, you should remain calm throughout the exam. Many students waste valuable time worrying about time or difficult questions. Staying calm will help you think logically and improve your accuracy. Another tip is to break each topic into smaller timeframes. For example, solve all the easy and medium questions first, and then work on the difficult ones later. This way, you won't miss out on scoring opportunities if you're short on time.

Ultimately, you should rely on the strategy you adopted during your mock tests. The JEE Main exam promotes consistency, clarity, and confidence, so if your plan helps you complete the paper with focus, it's the right one. The order is much less important than your execution under time pressure.

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