IIT JAM Mathematics 2026 has 60 questions across three sections - 30 MCQs, 10 Multiple Select Questions, and 20 Numerical Answer Type questions - totalling 100 marks in 3 hours. Download the last 10 years of IIT JAM MA question papers with solutions, then check the topic wise weightage table before solving.
Official website: jam.iitb.ac.in
- IIT JAM 2026 Mathematics (MA) date: February 2026 | Conducted by IIT Bombay
- Total questions: 60 | Total marks: 100 | Duration: 3 hours
- Section A (MCQ): 30 questions - 10 of 1 mark and 20 of 2 marks | Negative marking applies
- Section B (MSQ): 10 questions of 2 marks each | No negative marking
- Section C (NAT): 20 questions - 10 of 1 mark and 10 of 2 marks | No negative marking
- Section B and C carry 50 marks with zero negative marking - attempt every question in both
IIT JAM Mathematics Sample Papers 2026 - Download PDF
| Sample Paper | PDF Download |
|---|---|
| IIT JAM Mathematics Sample Paper 1 | Download PDF |
| IIT JAM Mathematics Sample Paper 2 | Download PDF |
| IIT JAM Mathematics Sample Paper 3 | Download PDF |
| IIT JAM Mathematics Sample Paper 4 | Download PDF |
| IIT JAM Mathematics Sample Paper 5 | Download PDF |
| IIT JAM Mathematics Sample Paper 6 | Download PDF |
| IIT JAM Mathematics Sample Paper 7 | Download PDF |
| IIT JAM Mathematics Sample Paper 8 | Download PDF |
| IIT JAM Mathematics Sample Paper 9 | Download PDF |
| IIT JAM Mathematics Sample Paper 10 | Download PDF |
PDFs will be updated as new papers are added. Bookmark this page.
For year-wise PYQs, start with 2024 and 2023 - they best match the current three-section pattern.
| Year | Paper Available | Solutions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Mathematics (MA) | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2025 | Mathematics (MA) | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2024 | Mathematics (MA) | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2023 | Mathematics (MA) | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2022 | Mathematics (MA) | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2021 | Mathematics (MA) | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2020 | Mathematics (MA) | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2019 | Mathematics (MA) | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2018 | Mathematics (MA) | Available | Collegedunia |
IIT JAM Mathematics Exam Pattern and Marks Distribution 2026
Only Section A has negative marking. Sections B and C are zero-penalty zones - always attempt every question in both.
| Section | Type | Questions | Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | MCQ | 10 x 1 mark + 20 x 2 marks | 50 | 1/3 and 2/3 respectively |
| Section B | MSQ | 10 x 2 marks | 20 | None |
| Section C | NAT | 10 x 1 mark + 10 x 2 marks | 30 | None |
| Total | - | 60 | 100 | - |
- MSQ requires all correct options selected - partial selection earns zero
- NAT uses a virtual keypad - no options shown, no guessing
- General category cutoff is typically 16 to 22 marks depending on the year
IIT JAM Sample Papers with MSQ Format - Why 2020 Onwards Papers Matter Most
IIT JAM Mathematics added MSQs in 2018. Papers before 2018 had only MCQs and NATs and do not reflect the current structure. Focus on 2020 to 2026 papers first - they have the right section balance and enough MSQ examples to train precision.
Note: In MSQ, selecting three out of four correct options earns zero - partial selection is penalised as a full miss.
IIT JAM Mathematics Topic Wise Weightage - High Scoring Topics to Focus in Sample Papers
Real Analysis and Linear Algebra cover roughly 30 to 38 marks most years. Build these two before moving to other topics.
| Topic | Approx. Marks | Difficulty | What to Watch For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Analysis | 18-22 | Moderate-Hard | Series convergence, uniform continuity, Riemann integration |
| Linear Algebra | 12-16 | Moderate | Rank-nullity, eigenvalues, diagonalizability |
| Multivariable Calculus | 8-12 | Moderate | Double integrals, Jacobians, partial derivatives |
| Abstract Algebra | 8-10 | Moderate-Hard | Normal subgroups, quotient groups, homomorphisms |
| Ordinary Differential Equations | 6-8 | Easy-Moderate | Exact equations, variation of parameters |
| Complex Analysis | 6-8 | Moderate-Hard | Cauchy's theorem, Laurent series, residues |
| Probability and Statistics | 5-8 | Easy-Moderate | Standard distributions, expectation, correlation |
| Vector Calculus | 4-6 | Easy-Moderate | Green's theorem, Stokes' theorem, curl |
| Partial Differential Equations | 4-6 | Moderate | Heat equation, wave equation, characteristics |
| Numerical Methods | 2-4 | Easy | Newton-Raphson, Simpson's rule, bisection |
Do not skip Numerical Methods and Vector Calculus. They carry 6 to 10 marks combined and most questions need only 2 to 3 steps.
IIT JAM Mathematics Sample Paper Video Solutions 2026 - Watch Before You Start Solving
One expert walkthrough before you solve shows the right order of steps - not just the answer, but how to pace across all three section types.
Watch: IIT JAM 2025 Mathematics Full Paper Solutions (Playlist)
This playlist covers the 2025 paper section by section - the closest walkthrough to the current 2026 format.
How to Use IIT JAM Mathematics Sample Papers to Clear in First Attempt
Solving without review repeats mistakes. Use this method instead.
- Attempt Section C (NAT) first. No negative marking and calculation-heavy - do it when focus is highest.
- Log every wrong answer by topic. After three papers you will see which 2 or 3 topics cost marks most.
- For MSQ, list all options you think are correct before selecting - stops impulsive partial picks.
- Track Section A accuracy separately. Below 75%, negative marking makes guessing a net loss.
IIT JAM Mathematics NAT and MSQ Strategy - The Skill That Separates Qualifiers from the Rest
Sections B and C carry 50 marks with zero negative marking. Most students who miss the cutoff leave these marks unclaimed.
- Attempt every NAT question. A blank and a wrong answer both score zero - a reasoned attempt can land in the accepted range.
- For MSQ, eliminate options you are certain are wrong first. Ruling out 2 of 4 cleanly makes selection much safer.
- Carry units through every NAT step - most errors come from dropping a factor mid-step, not a wrong method.
- Round off only at the final step - rounding intermediate values creates cumulative error outside the accepted range.
IIT JAM Mathematics 30 Day Preparation Plan Using Sample Papers
- Week 1 - Solve the 2024 paper untimed. Mark questions you could not start in 2 minutes and map each to its topic - this becomes your weak-topic list.
- Week 2 - Revise your top 3 weak topics, then solve 2023 timed (3 hours strict). Track NAT questions finished versus left blank.
- Week 3 - Solve 2022 and 2021 on separate days. Cut Section A negative marks - aim above 75% accuracy before attempting any uncertain question.
- Week 4 - One full paper daily from the numbered sample papers. Stop 2 days before your exam and review your error log only.
FAQs on IIT JAM Mathematics Sample Papers 2026
Ques. How many IIT JAM Mathematics sample papers are enough to qualify?
Ans. 8 to 12 full papers with a topic-error log beats 25 papers without review. IIT JAM rewards analysis over volume.
Ques. Which IIT JAM Mathematics year papers should I start with?
Ans. Start with 2024 and 2023. These match the current three-section structure. Papers before 2018 had no MSQ section.
Ques. Are IIT JAM Mathematics PYQ questions repeated across years?
Ans. Exact repetition is rare, but concept clusters come back - uniform continuity, rank-nullity, and group homomorphisms appear in similar forms each year.
Ques. Where to download IIT JAM Mathematics sample papers with answer key PDF for free?
Ans. Collegedunia hosts the last 10 years of papers with solutions. The official organizing IIT releases the answer key within 2 to 3 days of the exam.
Ques. Is Section C NAT scoring in IIT JAM Mathematics predictable from previous year papers?
Ans. Yes. NAT questions draw from Real Analysis convergence, ODE solutions, and Linear Algebra computations - most need 3 to 6 steps, not open-ended derivations.
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