The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) has released the notification for the IIT JAM 2026 exam, and aspirants of the Biotechnology (BT) paper are advised to review previous years’ cut-offs to strategise their preparation. The Joint Admission Test for Masters (JAM) is a highly competitive national-level entrance exam for admissions into postgraduate programs such as M.Sc., M.Sc. (Tech.), MS (Research), M.Sc.-M.Tech. Dual Degree, Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., and M.Sc.-Ph.D. Dual Degree across premier institutes. Checking the IIT JAM BT past year cut-offs gives candidates a clear idea of the minimum marks required to qualify for admissions and improves their chances of securing seats in top institutes.
IIT JAM BT Previous Year Cut-off
The IIT JAM BT cut-off represents the minimum score a candidate must obtain to be eligible for admission. Scoring above this threshold not only ensures qualification but also increases the likelihood of securing admission to preferred programs.
IIT JAM BT Cut-off Trends
Analysing trends over the past few years reveals:
- General category: Cut-offs ranged from 24 to 44, showing high fluctuation due to exam difficulty and overall candidate performance.
- OBC-NCL/EWS category: Cut-offs are roughly 10% lower than General category marks.
- SC/ST/PwD category: Cut-offs are significantly lower, usually around 50% of the General category marks.
Understanding these trends helps candidates set realistic target scores and manage preparation strategies effectively.
Factors Influencing IIT JAM BT Cut-off
Several key factors determine the cut-off marks each year:
- Number of Test-Takers: A higher number of candidates increases competition, potentially raising cut-off marks.
- Difficulty Level of Exam: Harder exam papers often lead to lower cut-offs, while easier papers can result in higher cut-offs.
- Available Seats: Fewer seats typically push cut-offs higher, while more vacancies may reduce the qualifying marks.
- Overall Candidate Performance: If many candidates score high marks, the cut-off generally increases.
These factors collectively influence the minimum marks needed for different categories each year.
How does the IIT JAM BT Cut-off Help Aspirants?
Candidates can use past year cut-offs to:
- Set target scores for preparation.
- Analyse category-specific trends.
- Plan attempts and time management strategies for exam sections.
- Estimate the chances of admission into top institutes offering JAM programs.
After the JAM results are announced, qualified candidates must satisfy the Eligibility Requirements (ERs) and Minimum Educational Qualifications (MEQs) to apply online through the official JAM portal to their preferred programs. Candidates also provide their choice of programs in order of preference while applying.
