JEE Main 2025 Scorecard: What Happens If a Given Answer Is Incorrect? Full Guide to NTA’s Marking Rules

JEE Main Result 2025: Understanding What Happens If a Question or Answer is Wrong – A Complete Student-Friendly Guide

The JEE Main 2025 results are eagerly awaited by lakhs of students across India. However, there's always confusion around what happens if an answer is wrong, or if the question itself is incorrect.

If you're also unsure about how the National Testing Agency (NTA) handles these issues in their marking system, this blog will break it down in simple, easy-to-follow points. Let’s explore the full picture together.

 1. What Is the JEE Main Exam and Who Conducts It?

• JEE Main is a national-level entrance test for admission to engineering colleges like NITs, IIITs, and other top institutions.

• It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which is responsible for preparing the questions, holding the exam, and publishing the results.

 2. How Does the Marking System Work in JEE Main?

• For correct answers, students are awarded +4 marks.

• For wrong answers, 1 mark is deducted (i.e., -1).

• No marks are given or deducted for questions that are not attempted.

• This is known as the negative marking system.

 3. What If the Question Itself Is Found to Be Wrong?

• Sometimes, even after careful setting, an error in a question or its options may go unnoticed during the exam.

• If many students report an error, NTA examines it through subject experts.

• If the question is confirmed to be flawed, NTA takes fair action:

  • Either bonus marks are given to all who attempted it.

  • Or, in some cases, everyone is awarded marks, whether they attempted or not.

 4. Where Can Students Report a Problem in the Answer Key?

• After the exam, NTA releases the provisional answer key on their official website.

• Students can check their responses vs the key, and if they believe something is wrong, they can raise objections.

• Objections can be submitted through the NTA portal by paying a fee per question (usually ₹200).

 5. What Happens After Objections Are Raised?

• A panel of subject experts reviews all the challenges submitted by students.

• If they find that a particular question or answer was indeed incorrect:

  • The answer key is updated.

  • The final answer key is published based on the corrections.

  • Marks are re-evaluated using the updated answers.

 6. Can Marks Be Reduced Because of Objections?

• If the final answer key is changed, your marks might increase or remain the same.

• However, if you had selected a previously correct option that was later found incorrect, and bonus marks are not given to all, your score may decrease.

• So, it’s a good idea to double-check before challenging an answer.

 7. What If You Didn’t Attempt a Wrong Question? Will You Get Marks?

• In many cases, if a question is cancelled due to errors, all candidates may get full marks, even if they didn’t attempt it.

• But this depends on the type of error and NTA’s final decision.

 8. How Will This Affect My Final Score?

• Your final score is calculated only after all corrections have been made.

• The marks from cancelled or incorrect questions (if any) are added equally for all.

• Your percentile and rank are based on this updated score.

 9. Why Does This System Matter for You?

• Every mark in JEE Main matters, especially for students aiming for top engineering colleges.

• Even a difference of 1-2 marks can impact your rank, and whether you qualify for JEE Advanced.

• That’s why it’s important to understand the marking policy clearly.

 10. What Should Students Do When They Suspect an Error?

• Don’t panic! Follow these steps:

  1. Download the answer key and match with your responses.

  2. Note down the question ID and your objection clearly.

  3. Log in to the official NTA portal and submit the challenge.

  4. Pay the required fee and wait for the final response.

 11. How Much Time Do You Get to Raise Objections?

• Usually, NTA gives 2 to 3 days to raise objections after releasing the provisional answer key.

• It's important to act quickly and correctly during this period.

 12. Can Technical Glitches Be Reported?

• If you faced issues during the exam, like screen freezing, timer errors, or system crashes, you can also report these.

• While these are rare, NTA has a Grievance Redressal system in place.

• Such complaints are handled separately from answer key objections.

 13. Where Can You Track Official Updates?

• Always visit the official JEE website: jeemain.nta.nic.in

• All announcements about answer keys, results, scorecards, and grievances are made there.

 14. What Teachers and Coaching Centers Say

• Many coaching institutes help students review the answer key.

• If you're unsure about raising a challenge, you can consult your teacher or mentor.

• Coaching centers also publish unofficial solutions and video analysis that can help.

 15. Stay Calm, Stay Focused – Final Advice for Students

• Don’t worry if you find a mistake in the key—NTA has a transparent and fair correction process.

• Your final marks will reflect any corrections made in your favor.

• Focus on your preparation for future rounds like JEE Advanced or counseling.

Final Words: Be Informed, Be Confident

Errors in answer keys or question papers can happen, but the National Testing Agency has clear rules to make sure students are not treated unfairly. By knowing how the process works, you stay one step ahead.

So if you’re a JEE Main 2025 aspirant, keep checking updates, review the answer key carefully, and act responsibly if you spot a mistake. Your score matters—and so does being informed!

If you’d like a PDF guide or infographic on NTA’s full marking system, just let me know—I’d be happy to help!