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What is IIT JAM and All About IIT JAM EXAM

IIT JAM 2023 Exam, Eligibility Criteria, Syllabus, Preparation Tips

Joint Admission test for Masters (JAM) is a common admission test which is 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 alternatively by these institutes every year. JAM has been conducting since year 2004.

As per 2021, the eligibility criteria for IIT JAM is to have a bachelor’s degree with an average mark of 55% in the general category, and 50% for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Persons with Disabilities. They are open to foreign nationals

IIT JAM exam is computer-based. The exam is for three hours and is conducted only in the English language.

It includes 60 questions: 30 multiple choice questions (MCQ), 10 multiple select questions (MSQ), and 20 numerical answer type (NAT) questions. Total marks are 100, 50 for MCQ, 20 for MSQ, and 30 for NAT. Negative marks are only given for mistakes in the MCQ part.

ParticularsDetails
Duration of the Test3 hours
Number of questions in total60
Number of Section3 (Sec A, B, and C)
Question TypeMCQ, MSQ, and NAT
Overall Marks100

 

Section Wise Marks

SectionTotal number of QuestionsNumber of Marks per QuestionTotal MarksNegative Marking
Section A101101/3
202402/3
Section B10220No Negative Marking
Section C10110No Negative Marking
10220No Negative Marking

The IIT JAM Exam paper is divided into three sections. The marking scheme for the different sections are given below:

      SectionsType of QuestionsNegative Marking
     Section A10 MCQs – 1 Mark for Each1/3
20 MCQs – 2 Marks for Each2/3
     Section B10 MCQs – 2 Marks for EachNo Negative Marking
     Section C20 NATs – 2 Marks for EachNo Negative Marking
      60 questions for 100 marks 

IIT JAM Syllabus covers various topics with subtopics for the entrance examination. Section-wise details for the subject of Geology in the IIT JAM syllabus are mentioned below in a table.

TopicSubtopic
The Planet EarthAll the topics included in this section are Origin of the Solar System and the Earth; Geosphere and Earth’s composition; Shape and size of the earth; Earth-moon system. Apart from that Formation of continents and oceans; Dating rocks along with the age of the Earth; details of Volcanism and volcanic landforms; Interior of the earth; Earthquakes; Earth’s magnetism and gravity, Isostasy; Elements of Plate tectonics; Orogenic cycles, etc
GeomorphologyIn this section, there are Weathering and erosion; Transportation and deposition because of wind, ice, river, sea, and resulting landforms, Contractually controlled landforms, etc.
Structural GeologyUnder this unit, all the areas are Concept of stratum; Contour; Outcrop patterns; details of Maps and cross-sections; Dip and strike. Also, there are Classifications and origins of folds, faults, joints, unconformities, foliations and lineation, shear zones. It also includes Stereographic and equal-area projections of planes and lines; computation of true thickness of beds from outcrops and bore-holes, etc.
PalaeontologyThis section covers the most important steps in the evolution of life forms; Fossils and their way of preservation and utility; Morphological characters, major evolutionary trends as well as different ages of animal groups such as Brachiopoda, Mollusca, Trilobita, Graptolitoidea, Anthozoa, Echinodermata, etc. It also covers Gondwana plant fossils along with the primary idea of vertebrate fossils only in India.
StratigraphyThis topic includes concepts of stratigraphy; classification of Litho-, chrono- and biostratigraphy; distribution and classification of the stratigraphic horizons of India from Archaean to Recent, etc
MineralogyHere in this section, all the areas are Symmetry and all kinds of forms in common crystal classes; details of Physical properties of minerals; Isomorphism and polymorphism, Classification of minerals; Structure of silicates. Besides that, Mineralogy of some of the most customary rock-forming minerals; Mode of occurrence of minerals in rocks. Transmitted polarized light microscopy and optical properties of uniaxial and biaxial minerals are also included.
PetrologyFrom definition to the classification of all the areas are rocks; Igneous rocks-forms of igneous bodies; Crystallization from magma; association and genesis of igneous rocks; Sedimentary rocks –texture, structure, and others; size and shape of sedimentary bodies. Metamorphic rock covering facies, zones, and texture. Characteristic mineral assemblages of pelites in the Barrovian zones and mafic rocks in common facies, etc
Economic GeologyWith this section all the areas are Properties of common economic minerals; common or normal processes of mineral deposit’s formation; Physical characters; Mode of development and dispensation of metallic as well as for non-metallic mineral deposits in India; Coal and petroleum occurrences in India.
Applied GeologySome topics included in this section are details of Ground Water; Principles of Engineering Geology, etc.
EventsDates
Start date of JAM 2023 application formAugust 25, 2023
Last date to submit the JAM application formOctober 14, 2023
Last date to remit the application formOctober 14, 2023
Availability of JAM correction windowOctober 20 to 25, 2023
JAM Mock TestNovember 16, 2023
JAM Admit card releaseJanuary 4, 2023
JAM 2021 Entrance ExamFebruary 13, 2023
Release of the JAM response sheetTo be notified
Release of the JAM provisional answer keyTo be notified
Release of the final answer keyTo be notified
JAM 2021 result announcementMarch 22, 2023
Release of the JAM 2023 scorecardTo be notified
Submission of JAM 2023 admission formApril 11
Last date to submit the admission formsApril 25
Last date for receipt of the request for a change in the category in proper format/rectification of defective documentsTo be notified
First admission list of IIT JAMJune 1
Second admission list of IIT JAMJune 16
Third JAM admission listJune 25
 Final JAM admission listJuly 5
Conclusion of the admissionJuly 11

IIT JAM Geology 2022 Preparation Plan in Steps

To begin the IIT JAM 2023 preparation process, candidates should review the procedures below.
Step 1: Thoroughly familiarise yourself with the IIT JAM syllabus.
Step 2: Learn about the IIT JAM exam format and scoring system.
Step 3: Obtain the best books and other study materials for the IIT JAM.
Step 4: Create a monthly schedule, a weekly schedule, and a daily schedule.
Step 5: Solve question papers, sample papers, and mock tests from previous years.