JEE Main Do's & Don'ts: Everything You Must Follow on Exam Day
Every year, a small but real number of well-prepared candidates lose their JEE Main attempt not because of a tough paper, but because of an avoidable mistake—a missed document, the wrong dress choice, or arriving a few minutes late. This page lists every important JEE Main do and don’t, from registration to exam-hall conduct, so preparation is the only thing between you and your best score.
Before Exam Day: Registration & Preparation Do's and Don'ts
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
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Fill your application form carefully and double-check every field before final submission
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Don’t rush through the form — corrections later are limited and time-bound |
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Keep scanned photo, signature, and certificates ready in the exact specified format |
Don’t upload blurry, outdated, or incorrectly sized photographs |
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Note down your Application Number and password securely |
Don’t lose or forget your login credentials — recovery can take time
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Download and check your admit card the moment it’s released |
Don’t wait till the last day to download or print your admit card |
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Practice previous year papers and full mock tests
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Don’t cram new topics in the final week before your exam |
JEE Main Documents: Do's and Don'ts
Do carry:
- Printed JEE Main admit card (mandatory — screenshots are not accepted)
- Filled and signed self-declaration form
- One valid original photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence, or Class 12 Board Admit Card)
- A recent passport-size photograph matching your registration photo
- PwD/PwBD certificate, if applicable
Don’t:
- Carry a photocopy or expired ID as your only proof of identity
- Forget to sign the self-declaration form before arriving
- Assume the centre will issue a duplicate admit card — it won’t
JEE Main Dress Code: Do's and Don'ts
The dress code exists purely to make frisking and security checks fast and smooth — dressing simply is the easiest way to avoid delays at entry.
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
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Wear light, comfortable clothing — half-sleeve shirts, t-shirts, kurtas, simple pants or jeans |
Avoid full sleeves with buttons, layered clothing, or thick-soled shoes
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Choose sandals or slippers over closed shoes |
Don’t wear boots, sports shoes, or heavy footwear
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Keep accessories minimal or none |
Don’t wear jewellery, watches (analog or smart), rings, bracelets, or earrings
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Tie hair simply without large accessories |
Avoid caps, scarves, stoles, or dupattas with metallic embroidery |
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Carry a transparent water bottle if permitted by your centre |
Don’t carry any electronic device, even if switched off
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Exception: Sikh candidates are permitted to wear the Kara and Kirpan as religious articles, as clarified in NTA’s exam day guidelines. This is the one specific relaxation to the otherwise strict no-metal, no-accessory rule.
Inside the Exam Hall: Conduct Do's and Don'ts
Do | Don’t |
Reach the centre well before the reporting time on your admit card | Don’t arrive after the gate closing time — late entry is not permitted under any circumstance |
Complete biometric verification calmly at entry and every re-entry | Don’t resist or delay biometric/frisking checks; they’re mandatory for every candidate |
Read on-screen instructions carefully before starting | Don’t skip the mock test/tutorial screen shown before the actual exam begins |
Use the rough sheets provided for all calculations | Don’t write anything on the admit card or bring your own paper |
Report any issue (wrong subject, wrong medium, technical glitch) to the invigilator immediately | Don’t try to “manage” a mismatched question paper on your own flag it right away |
Stay seated and focused for the full duration | Don’t leave your seat without permission, even briefly |
Submit your signed rough sheets and admit card before leaving | Don’t walk out of the hall without formally submitting your rough work and admit card |
Exam Day Do's and Don'ts for Better Performance
- Do attempt questions from your strongest subject first to build confidence early
- Do manage time strictly; don’t let one lengthy Maths question consume disproportionate time
- Do attempt all compulsory numerical questions in Section B, since none are optional anymore
- Don’t panic if a shift or paper feels tough; NTA’s percentile normalization accounts for difficulty differences across shifts
- Don’t discuss the paper with others between your own shifts; if you’re appearing across multiple days, it can affect focus and confidence unnecessarily
- Do eat a light meal before the exam; heavy meals can cause drowsiness and cost you focus during the 3-hour test
Most Common Mistakes That Cost Candidates Their Attempt
- Wearing prohibited items unknowingly (metallic buttons, thick-soled shoes, a wristwatch worn out of habit)
- Forgetting the printed admit card or self-declaration form at home
- Reaching after the gate closing time due to underestimating travel time
- Carrying a phone “just to check the address” and getting flagged at security
- Not reading the mock/tutorial screen and losing valuable time figuring out the interface during the actual exam
Most of these have nothing to do with preparation level — they’re entirely avoidable with a five-minute checklist the night before.
Quick Exam Day Checklist
- [ ] Admit card + self-declaration form + valid photo ID, all printed and ready
- [ ] Dress code followed — no jewellery, no metallic items, comfortable footwear
- [ ] No electronic devices packed, even by habit
- [ ] Travel time planned with a buffer for traffic or delays
- [ ] Light meal before leaving for the centre
Getting your exam-day logistics right is just as important as your preparation itself. Check our JEE Main Admit Card and Exam Date guides for the full timeline, or explore our JEE Maths courses to make sure your preparation matches your exam-day readiness.
Frequenlty Asked Questions
You may be denied entry to the exam centre entirely, or face significant delays during frisking NTA’s dress code exists specifically to make security checks quick and hassle-free.
No. Electronic devices are prohibited inside the exam hall regardless of whether they’re switched on or off.
Report it to the invigilator immediately rather than attempting to proceed; this is specifically flagged in NTA’s official exam day guidelines.
Yes, this is a specific exception clarified by NTA, despite the otherwise strict no-jewellery, no-metal-item rule.
Along with the standard documents, diabetic candidates can carry sugar tablets and light snacks like fruits, generally with prior intimation or permission from centre staff.
Exam Overview
- JEE Main 2027
- JEE Main Registration
- JEE Main Application Form
- JEE Main Eligibility Criteria
- JEE Main Exam Pattern
- JEE Main Syllabus
- JEE Main Exam Date
- JEE Main Admit Card
- JEE Main Previous Year Papers
- JEE Main Paper Analysis
- JEE Main Sample Papers
- Best Books for JEE MAIN
- JEE Main Do’s & Don’ts
- JEE Main Tips and Tricks