It is that usual February moment again—the one where lakhs of JEE Main aspirants click on the refresh button on the NTA website, their hearts beating with excitement, calculator in hand. And February 4, 2026, is no different either. With the National Testing Agency (NTA) finally releasing the provisional answer key and response sheet for JEE Main 2026 Session 1, aspirants now have their first opportunity to assess how they have performed—not only in terms of marks but also in terms of their future plans.The answer key has been released for Paper 1 (BE/BTech) and can be accessed on the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in. Alongside this, aspirants can also access their recorded responses and, if needed, raise objections within a stipulated time period that ends on February 6, 2026, at 11:50 pm.Why the JEE Main answer key is important beyond curiosityFor many students, this is the point where preparation meets reflection. The provisional answer key gives candidates a chance to estimate their expected raw score out of 300, much before the arrival of percentiles or ranks. This is a very important milestone in determining whether to go all out for Session 2, or to focus on JEE Advanced or to explore alternative engineering options.In simple terms, the answer key is less about validating the past and more about planning the future.JEE Main score calculator 2026: Understanding your probable scoreOnce the answer key and response sheet are in front of you, the next step is calculation. For Paper 1 (BE/BTech), JEE Main follows a clear marking scheme: four marks are awarded for every correct answer, one mark is deducted for every incorrect response, and unattempted questions carry zero marks.
JEE Main score calculator 2026: Step-by-step (this is the part that matters)
And finally, to the question on everyone’s mind: “How much did I actually score?”Step 1: Understand the scoring systemFor Paper 1 (BE/BTech):• +4 marks for each correct answer• -1 mark for each incorrect answer• 0 marks for unattempted questions(No negative marking for numerical questions if unattempted.)Step 2: Compare answers carefullyCompare your response sheet with the provisional answer key side by side:• Mark correct answers• Strike off incorrect answers• Ignore unattempted questionsTake your time and be precise—one miscalculation and your expectations will go haywire.Step 3: Crunch the numbersUse this straightforward formula:Estimated JEE Main score = (Correct answers × 4) – (Incorrect answers × 1)That’s it. This will give you your raw score out of 300.Step 4: Break down the score (career perspective)• 220+: Solid NIT/IIIT/IIT (through Advanced) prospect• 180-220: NITs, top state colleges, serious Advanced preparation territory• 140-180: Good GFTIs, private colleges, Session 2 scope for improvement• Below 140: Time to reassess, work on fundamentals, and aggressively target Session 2Note: Percentile ranking will come later, but this score will give you an idea of your current standing.Raising objections: When and how it makes senseIf a candidate thinks that an answer in the provisional key is wrong, NTA has an online facility to raise objections against it. The procedure includes logging in to the website jeemain.nta.nic.in, clicking on “Challenge(s) regarding Answer Key,” selecting the question ID, selecting the correct option, uploading the supporting proof in a single PDF, and paying a non-refundable fee of ?200 per question. All objections need to be made online before the February 6 deadline.How to raise objections:1. Log in to jeemain.nta.nic.in2. Click on “Challenge(s) regarding Answer Key”3. Select the question ID4. Select the correct option5. Upload supporting proof (single PDF)6. Save your claim7. Pay Rs 200 per question8. Submit and keep confirmationKeep these in mind:• Fee is non-refundable• No objections after Feb 6, 11:50 pm• No individual updates on acceptance/rejection• Final answer key is prepared after expert reviewWhy this phase matters more than you thinkThis answer key isn’t just a scorecard—it’s a career checkpoint.• It helps you decide Session 2 intensity• It shapes JEE Advanced confidence• It informs college shortlisting• It brings emotional closure (or motivation)We have seen students turn average Session 1 scores into stellar Session 2 results—but only when they read the data honestly.The takeaway students often missEvery year, students treat the answer key like a verdict. In reality, it is a diagnostic report. It tells you what worked, what didn’t, and how sharply you need to pivot. Some of the strongest JEE results have come from students who used this exact phase to recalibrate rather than panic.Now that the dust has settled on JEE Main 2026 Session 1, the best strategy is to calculate, think, and remind yourself that engineering careers are built over time—not in January.
