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Sunday, 25 October

JEE Main · Chemistry · Class 12

Polymers: JEE Main previous year questions

This chapter is not in NTA's JEE Main 2026 syllabus. It had 46 questions in the shifts Lumi analysed; they are kept here for reference.

Questions
46
in 46 of 108 shifts · 5 of 8 years
Average a shift
0.4
of 25 Chemistry · 0.0 since 2024 -0.6
Typical range
0.0–0.7
questions a shift; fewest 0.0, most 0.8
Syllabus
Dropped
NTA JEE Main 2026 syllabus
  • Typical range (fact)
  • Average a shift (fact)
  • Weighted estimate (model)

Questions are counted per shift, out of the 25 each subject has, in the shifts Lumi analysed; papers that offered 30 a subject (2017, 2021–2024) are scaled to 25. Typical range: the middle six of the eight years (2017, 2020–2026), leaving out the single highest and lowest year. The average and the range are historical fact. The weighted estimate is a model: each year's share, with recent years counting more (half-life three years), and chapters NTA dropped from the syllabus set near zero. It is a guide to effort, not a forecast of the paper.

Key findings

Polymers at a glance

  1. 01

    39%

    of the 51 ideas in Lumi's map of the chapter have not been asked or touched on in the shifts analysed.

  2. 02

    2%

    of its questions asked for a numerical answer, 0.1 times the Chemistry average.

  3. 03

    0%

    of its questions were rated hard, against 6% across all Chemistry questions in the same shifts.

Questions a shift, year by year

Out of the 25 Chemistry questions in a shift. Years differ in how many shifts Lumi analysed, so each year is scaled to one shift.

0240.8’170.3’200.5’210.7’220.6’230’240’250’26

Raw count: 2017: 1 in 1 shift · 2020: 3 in 12 shifts · 2021: 13 in 24 shifts · 2022: 20 in 24 shifts · 2023: 9 in 12 shifts · 2024: 0 in 18 shifts · 2025: 0 in 8 shifts · 2026: 0 in 9 shifts.

Kind of question

SHARE OF QUESTIONS
  • Recall, single correct48%
  • Match the list33%
  • Two statements4%
  • Assertion–reason4%
  • Diagram based4%
  • Numerical answer2%
  • Conceptual2%
  • Application2%

Most common asks: match list on polymers and monomers (7); identify monomers of polymer (3); match list on polymers and uses (2).

Profile

This chapter in numbers

Where it ranks, how steady it is, and what it costs to study.

Syllabus
Dropped
NTA JEE Main 2026
Last asked
2023
Share of Chemistry
1.4%
of its questions, all shifts analysed
Busiest year
2017
0.8 questions a shift
Year to year
Swings a lot
varies by about 0.3 questions a shift
Long-run direction
-0.09
questions a shift, per year
Easy questions
78%
0% rated hard
Numerical answer
2%
0.1× the Chemistry rate
With a figure
13%
graph, diagram or structure
Foundation for others
20%
of its ideas are used in other chapters

Difficulty, year by year

Each question rated easy, medium or hard. Each bar is that year’s split, so years compare directly; the number is the questions in that year’s analysed shifts (1 to 24 shifts a year).

  • 20171
  • 20203
  • 202113
  • 202220
  • 20239
  • 2024
  • 2025
  • 2026
  • Easy
  • Medium
  • Hard

What it asks you to do

SHARE OF QUESTIONS
  • Recall91%
  • Conceptual4%
  • Application2%
  • Calculation2%

Coverage

How much of the chapter JEE Main has used

We split the chapter into 51 ideas. In the 108 shifts analysed, JEE Main built a question around 22 of them. Most of the chapter has never been the main idea of a question, so past questions alone leave most of it out.

Asked as the main idea
22
Touched on in a question
9
Never asked
20

Topics

What repeats, topic by topic

This chapter's questions per topic in each year's analysed shifts. The number is the count; the shade is scaled to one shift, so a year with more analysed shifts (1 to 24 a year) does not look darker.

’17’20’21’22’23’24’25’26
020+questions in that year’s analysed shifts, shaded per shift
  • Polymers

    As a topic: 46 questions in 5 of 8 years, most often single correct, 2% numerical answer.

Drill down

Topic, idea, question

Open a topic to see every idea JEE Main tested inside it, then open an idea to read the questions. Each row shows its 8 years.

  • Open46 · 100%313209

    22 ideas inside

    • OpenRepeated9 · 20%243
    • OpenRepeated4 · 9%22
    • OpenRepeated3 · 7%2
    • OpenRepeated3 · 7%2
    • OpenRepeated3 · 7%2
    • Open2 · 4%2
    • Open2 · 4%2
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • Open2 · 4%2
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • Open2 · 4%2
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%

Squares are the 8 years with analysed shifts, 2017 to 2026. A number is the questions that year when there is more than one; the shade is scaled to one shift, so a year with more analysed shifts (1 to 24 a year) does not look darker. Share is of the level above.

Ideas

The exact ideas JEE Main has asked

Inside the topics, 22 different ideas were tested; 12 came more than once. These are the repeats, then the ideas new since 2024.

Dots are the 8 years with analysed shifts, 2017 to 2026.

Every question

All 46 Polymers questions

Newest first, shift by shift. The newest 40 show their opening words; older ones name the idea they tested. Each opens with its options and the official answer.

JEE Main 20239 questions

  1. 6 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q79Polymer used in orlon is:EasySingle correct
  2. 10 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q77Match List I with List II List I (Polymer) List II (Type / Class) (A) Nylon-2-Nylon-6 (I) Thermosetting polymer (B) Buna-N (II)…EasyMatch the list
  3. 10 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q78Buna-S can be represented as:EasySingle correct
  4. 11 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q78The polymer X - consists of linear molecules and is closely packed. It is prepared in the presence of triethylaluminium and titanium…EasySingle correct
  5. 11 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q80Given below are two statements : Statement I : Ethene at 333 to 343K and 6-7 atm pressure in the presence of AlEt3\mathrm{AlEt_3} and…MediumTwo statements
  6. 12 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q80Match List I with List II LIST I (Examples) / LIST II (Type) A. 2-chloro-1,3- butadiene - I. Biodegradable polymer B. Nylon 2-nylon 6 -…EasyMatch the list
  7. 13 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q79Match the following Column-A | Column-B a) Nylon 6 | I. Natural Rubber b) Vulcanized Rubber | II. Cross Linked c) cis-1, 4-polyisoprene |…EasyMatch the list
  8. 13 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q80Match List I with List II LIST I | LIST II A. Weak intermolecular forces of attraction | I. Hexamethylenediamine + adipic acid B. Hydrogen…MediumMatch the list
  9. 15 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q78Match List I with List II: List I - (Monomer) (A) Tetrafluoroethene (B) Acrylonitrile (C) Caprolactam (D) Isoprene List II - (Polymer) (I)…EasyMatch the list

JEE Main 202220 questions

  1. 25 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q77Melamine polymer is formed by the condensation of :EasyDiagram basedHas a figure
  2. 25 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q77Match List I with List II : List I Polymer | List II used for items A. Nylon 6,6 | I. Buckets B. Low density polythene | II. Non-stick…EasyMatch the list
  3. 26 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q78Vulcanization of rubber is carried out by heating a mixture ofEasySingle correct
  4. 27 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q76Match List I with List II. List I (Polymers) | List II (Commercial names) A. Phenol-formaldehyde resin | I. Glyptal B. Copolymer of…MediumMatch the list
  5. 27 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q75Match List - I with List - II. List - I (Polymer) (A) Neoprene (B) Teflon (C) Acrilan (D) Natural rubber List - II (Monomer) (I)…EasyMatch the list
  6. 28 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q77Terylene polymer is obtained by condensation of :EasySingle correct
  7. 28 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q46Match **List I** with **List II** List I (Polymer) | List II (Nature) A. −[CH2−C(Cl)=CH−CH2]n−-\left[\mathrm{CH_2-C(Cl)=CH-CH_2}\right]_n- | I. Thermosetting…MediumMatch the listHas a figure
  8. 29 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q78Which of the following is NOT a natural polymer?EasySingle correct
  9. 30 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q48Given below are two statements: Statement I: In Nylon 6, the monomer unit is caprolactam. Statement II: The monomer unit in Nylon 6 is…EasyTwo statements
  10. 24 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q77Which of the following is an example of polyester ?EasySingle correct
  11. 24 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q78Which of the following is not an example of a condensation polymer?EasySingle correct
  12. 25 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q88The Novolac polymer has mass of 963 g. The number of monomer units present in it are ________MediumNumerical value
  13. 26 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q78Which of the following sets are correct regarding polymer ? (A) Copolymer : Buna–S (B) Condensation polymer : Nylon–6,6 (C) Fibres :…EasyOther
  14. 27 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q78Match List - I with List - II. List - I (Polymer) (A) Bakelite (B) Glyptal (C) PVC (D) Polystyrene List - II (Used in) (I) Radio and…EasyMatch the list
  15. 27 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q77Which is true about Buna-N?EasySingle correct
  16. 28 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q78Which one of the following is NOT a copolymer ?EasySingle correct
  17. 28 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q78Given below are two statements, one is Assertion (A) and other is Reason (R). Assertion (A) : Natural rubber is a linear polymer of…EasyAssertion–reason
  18. 29 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q77The polymer, which can be stretched and retains its original status on releasing the force isEasySingle correct
  19. 29 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q77Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R. Assertion A: Dacron is an example of…EasyAssertion–reason
  20. 30 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q78Match List - I with List - II. List - I Polymer (a) Acrilan (b) Neoprene (c) Polystyrene (d) Buna-N List - II Repeat Unit (i)…EasyMatch the listHas a figure

JEE Main 202113 questions

  1. 3 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q47Match List I with List II : List I - Polymer : A. Bakelite ; B. HDP ; C. LDP ; D. Rayon List II - Type : I. Branched chain ; II. Linear ;…EasyMatch the list
  2. 3 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q49Select the odd groupMediumSingle correct
  3. 26 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q49The polymer formed on heating Novolac with formaldehyde is :EasySingle correct
  4. 31 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q49Monomer of Novolac is :EasySingle correct
  5. 31 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q48Which among the following is not a polyester ?EasySingle correct
  6. 24 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q48Match List I with List II. List I (Monomer Unit) List II (Polymer) (a) Caprolactum (i) Natural rubber (b) 2-Chloro-1,3-butadiene (ii)…EasyMatch the list
  7. 24 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q48In polymer Buna-S : ‘S’ stands for :EasySingle correct
  8. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q49Which statement is correct ?MediumSingle correct
  9. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q48The structure of Neoprene is :EasyDiagram basedHas a figure
  10. 22 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q49Match List - I with List - II : List - I List - II (a) Chloroprene (i) [figure: skeletal structure drawn in lines only: a vertical stub…MediumMatch the listHas a figure
  11. 25 Jul 2021, Shift 1 · Q48[figure: polymer repeating unit −(CH2-(\mathrm{CH_2}-C6H3(OH)-CH2\mathrm{CH_2}-C6H3(OH)-CH2)−\mathrm{CH_2})-, phenol rings joined through CH2…EasySingle correctHas a figure
  12. 25 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q48Nylon-2-nylon-6 Monomers · Easy · Single correct
  13. 16 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q49Urea-Formaldehyde Resin · Easy · Single correct

JEE Main 20203 questions

  1. 8 Jan 2020, Shift 2 · Q43Novolac to Bakelite Transition · Medium · Single correct
  2. 9 Jan 2020, Shift 2 · Q42PHBV Monomers · Medium · Single correct
  3. 6 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q27Homopolymers vs Copolymers (Buna-S and Buna-N) · Easy · Match the list

JEE Main 20171 question

  1. 2 Apr 2017 (offline) · Q53Nylon-6 Preparation · Easy · Single correct

Questions from the official JEE Main papers published by NTA. Chapter, topic and idea tags, counts and notes are Lumi’s. Pattern: Asked most years.

More Chemistry, Class 12

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