Every JEE Advanced aspirant wants to crack the exam and secure a seat in an IIT. But just clearing the exam is not enough. The real challenge is scoring high enough to get admission to a good IIT and a preferred branch.

JEE Advanced is unpredictable. Some years, cutoffs go down because of tough questions. Other years, a relatively easier paper pushes the cutoffs up. This is why understanding the minimum score required is a game changer for anyone preparing seriously.

So, how many marks do you actually need? How much should you score per subject? Let’s break it down.

How JEE Advanced Cutoffs Work

The minimum score required for IIT admission depends on several factors. Cutoffs are different for different categories. Look:

• Every category has a different minimum cutoff.
• There is a minimum mark requirement for each subject.
• There is also an overall minimum score requirement.

Expected Cutoff for JEE Advanced 2025

Category-Wise Minimum Scores (Expected)

This is not the admission cutoff. It’s just the minimum qualifying marks required to be considered for ranking.

Factors That Decide Cutoffs

The minimum marks required change every year. Some of the major factors that influence the cutoffs are:

• Difficulty Level of the Exam: If the paper is tough, cutoffs drop. If it is easier, cutoffs rise.
• Number of Candidates Appearing: More candidates mean higher competition and higher cutoffs.
• Performance of Students: If a large number of students score well, the cutoff increases.
• Seat Availability: More seats lead to lower cutoffs. Fewer seats make it tougher to get in.

Subject-Wise Minimum Marks Over the Years

Students must clear the subject-wise cutoff along with the overall cutoff. The table below shows the minimum marks per subject in past years:

Subject-Wise Minimum Scores Over the Years

Looking at this data, the expected minimum marks per subject for JEE Advanced 2025 will likely be between 5 and 7 for the general category.

What Score Do You Need to Get a Good IIT?

Here is a rough estimate based on previous trends:

• To get into IIT Bombay’s Computer Science branch: A rank within 70 is needed.
• To secure Electrical Engineering at IIT Delhi: A rank within 300 is required.
• For Mechanical Engineering at IIT Kanpur: A rank within 1000 is needed.
• For Civil Engineering at IIT Madras:  A rank within 1500 is required.

To achieve these ranks, a score of 250+ is needed for top branches at IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIT Madras. For lower-ranked IITs, a score of 150-200 is often enough.

How to Score More Than the Minimum Required Marks?

Here are some strategies that will help:

1. Prioritize Important Topics

Not all topics are equally important. Some carry more weight than others. Subjects like Mathematics require strong conceptual understanding. Topics like Integration, Probability, and Coordinate Geometry should never be ignored.

2. Solve Previous Years’ Papers

Looking at past trends, the format of JEE Advanced does not change much. Solving past papers helps in understanding the level of difficulty and the type of questions that appear frequently.

3. Take Mock Tests Under Real Exam Conditions

A high score depends on accuracy and speed. Mock tests help in improving both. Time management plays a crucial role in the exam. Practicing under timed conditions helps in handling pressure on exam day.

4. Work on Weak Areas

Everyone has weak areas. Instead of avoiding them, concentrate and work on improving them. Strong topics will help boost your score, but weak topics can literally stop you from clearing the cutoff. So, pour in some hard work and excel in the areas that give you a tough time. 

5. Maintain Consistency

Studying for JEE Advanced is a long journey. A few months of preparation will not be enough. Daily practice is key to cracking the exam.

Final Words

So, there you have it. You cannot just aim for the minimum score and expect a seat in an IIT. This exam is brutal, and only high scores will get you where you want to be. Work smart, avoid silly mistakes, and hit those mock tests like a machine. If you want IIT, don’t just qualify, dominate the scoreboard!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if I clear the minimum cutoff but do not get an IIT seat?

Clearing the cutoff makes you eligible for ranking. However, securing a seat in an IIT relies on your rank. If your rank is not high enough, you may not get admission into your dream college.

2. Can I get into an IIT with just the minimum qualifying marks?

The minimum cutoff is just for qualifying. It does not guarantee an IIT seat. A much higher score is needed for securing a good branch in a top IIT.

3. Are cutoffs the same for all IITs?

The qualifying cutoff remains the same for all IITs, but admission cutoffs differ. Top IITs have higher cutoffs compared to newer IITs.