Joint Admission test for Masters (JAM) is a common admission test conducted every year for admission into Master of Science (M.Sc.) and other post-graduate science programs at Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and National Institutes of Technology(NITs), organized by alternating institutes every year. JAM has been conducted since 2004. The 2021 edition has been organized by Indian Institute of Science.

Eligibility

As of 2022, the eligibility criteria for JAM include having a bachelor’s degree. There is no percentage criteria to apply for the exam. The Foreign candidates can also apply for the JAM Exam after having a qualifying degree with the Minimum Educational Qualifications (MEQs) as specified by the Admitting Institute should be submitted by September 30, 2022.

Exam pattern

The JAM 2022 Examination for all the seven Test Papers will be carried out as ONLINE Computer Based Test (CBT) where the candidates will be shown the questions in a random sequence on a computer screen. For all the seven Test Papers, the duration of the examination will be of 3 hours. The medium for all the Test Papers will be English only. There will be a total of 60 questions carrying a total of 100 marks. The entire paper will be divided into three sections A, B and C. All sections are compulsory. Questions in each section will be of different types as given below:

⨀ Section–A contains a total of 30 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) involving 10 questions of one mark each and 20 questions of two marks each. Each MCQ has four choices out of which only one choice is the correct answer. Candidates can mark the answer by clicking the choice.

⨀ Section–B contains a total of 10 Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) carrying two marks each. Each MSQ is similar to MCQ but with the difference that MSQ may have one or more than one correct choice(s) out of the four given choices. The candidate gets full credit only if he/she selects all the correct answer(s) and no wrong answers. Candidates can mark the answer(s) by clicking the choice(s).

⨀ Section–C contains a total of 20 Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions involving 10 questions of one mark each and 10 questions of two marks each. For these NAT type questions, the answer is a signed real number, which needs to be entered using the virtual numeric keypad on the monitor. No choices will be shown for NAT questions.

∎ In all sections, questions not attempted will result in zero mark. In Section-A (MCQ), wrong answer will result in negative marks. For each wrong answer to 1-mark questions, 1/3 mark will be deducted and similarly for each wrong answer to 2-mark questions, 2/3 mark will be deducted. In Section-B (MSQ), there are no negative and no partial marking provisions. There is no negative marking in Section-C (NAT) as well.

∎ There is a provision for using online virtual calculator. The candidates, therefore, should not bring any calculator with them.

∎ Mobile phones and any other electronic devices are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall. Charts, graph sheets, and tables are also NOT allowed inside the examination hall.

∎ A scribble pad will be provided for rough work. The candidate has to write his/her name and registration number before using it. The candidate can possess only one scribble pad at any point of time. A second scribble pad is given only upon returning the first one. The scribble pad has to be returned at the end of the examination.

∎ The candidates are required to select the answer for MCQ and MSQ type questions using the mouse. The answer for NAT questions can be entered using a virtual numeric keypad (the keyboard of the computer will be disabled).

∎ At the end of 3 hours, the computer will automatically end the examination.