Understand the exam
Exam overview
National admission test for specified postgraduate science and related programs at participating institutes.
IIT-JAM
Admission
Postgraduate
National
Joint Admission Test for Masters
Last updated · Confirm dates, fees and eligibility on the official website before you apply.
National admission test for specified postgraduate science and related programs at participating institutes.
Who can appear
Eligibility to appear
Graduation
An eligible bachelor degree with the minimum educational qualifications specified by the admitting program. JAM test eligibility and an institute program's subject prerequisites are separate checks. Verify both the current brochure and admission list.
Eligibility to appear is not the same as eligibility to be admitted. Individual institutions add their own criteria on top of the exam's rules.
Overview
What this exam is
The joint admission test for master's programmes in the sciences at the Indian Institutes of Technology, the Indian Institute of Science and other participating institutes. It is the main route from a bachelor's degree in science into a postgraduate programme at these institutions.
Subjects
What the paper tests
One subject paper chosen from the sciences - physics, chemistry, mathematics, biotechnology, geology, economics or mathematical statistics - at bachelor's degree depth. The paper mixes multiple choice, multiple select and numerical answer questions, with different marking rules for each.
PreparationPlan
How to prepare
Depth matters more than breadth here; the questions test whether you understood your undergraduate subject rather than whether you covered it. Note that qualifying the test and being eligible for a particular programme are separate checks - some programmes require specific subjects you may not have taken, so verify before you build hopes around a department.
AdmissionProcess
Who can take it, and how it runs
Who can appear. Bachelor's degree in the relevant science subject.
How often. Once a year.
Format. Computer-based.
Conducted by. IITs on rotation.
Dates, eligibility and the paper pattern change from year to year. Check the current official notification before you plan around any of this.
Where the score is used
Courses connected to this exam
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Does qualifying guarantee admission?
No. Test eligibility and programme eligibility are separate checks - some programmes require specific undergraduate subjects you may not have taken. Verify the requirements of the department you want before building hopes around it.
Which paper should I choose?
The subject you studied at bachelor's level and understand deeply. The paper tests whether you genuinely understood your undergraduate subject rather than whether you covered a syllabus, so depth beats breadth.
How does the marking work?
The paper mixes multiple choice, multiple select and numerical answer questions with different marking rules for each. Understand those rules before the examination, particularly for the multiple select section.
What does it lead to?
Master's programmes in the sciences at the IITs, IISc and other participating institutes - and from there, research, doctoral study or industry. It is the main route from a science bachelor's into these institutions.
What is Joint Admission Test for Masters used for?
M.Sc admission at IITs, IISc and other participating institutes.
Who is eligible to appear for Joint Admission Test for Masters?
Bachelor's degree in the relevant science subject. Confirm this against the current official notification, because eligibility rules are revised between sessions.
How often is Joint Admission Test for Masters held, and in what format?
Once a year. Computer-based.
Who conducts Joint Admission Test for Masters?
IITs on rotation.