Easiest Shift of JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam: Paper Analysis & Difficulty Levels
Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) Main 2026 ( JEE Main )
Exam On - 21 Jan '26 - 29 Jan '26
Candidates can check this article to know which is the easiest shift in JEE Main 2026 exam for the January session. In this article, we deeply cover the day-wise, shift-wise difficulty level in JEE Main 2026 to understand which is the easiest shift for JEE Mains 2026 session 1 exam. This analysis will help to know the expected marks vs percentile for a given shift.
Easiest Shift in JEE Main 2026 Exam Session 1: Detailed Analysis for Marks vs Percentile Calculation
Easiest Shift of JEE Mains 2026 January Session Exam - JEE Mains exam 2026 for session 1 is being conducted on January 21, 22, 23, 24, 28 and 29. Of these, the B.E/B.Tech exam will be held on the first five days in two shifts on each day. This makes a total of 10 shifts in JEE Main 2026. It is not possible to ensure the same difficulty level across all shifts. A particular shift will seem easiest in comparison to all other shifts.
Get Real-time Updates: JEE Main 2026 Jan 23 Live
But the analysis of the easiest shifts for JEE Mains is important for the calculation of marks vs percentile for a particular shift. The easiest shift for JEE Main 2026 session 1 will result in a fierce neck to neck competiton to secure the highest percentile. An easier paper means more marks will be required for a higher percentile. Like this, the toughest shift in JEE Main 2026 also has the opposite affect in percentile as it is. This is why it is essential to know which is the easiest shift in JEE Main 2026. Candidates can use this information to determine their expected JEE Main marks vs percentile.
Easiest Shift of JEE Main 2026 January Session Exam
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting the JEE Main 2026 session 1 exam on January 21, 22, 23, 24, 28 and 29, 2026. The exam is held in two shifts each day, resulting in a total of 10 shifts during the January session. Despite efforts to maintain uniformity, difficulty level of question papers often varies slightly from one shift to another. In every session, a few shifts are perceived as comparatively easier, with more direct questions, familiar concepts, and balanced subject difficulty. Candidates can check the following space to understand the subject-wise and overall difficulty level of each shift in the exam. The table below will be updated as per the students’ reactions and the JEE Mains 2026 paper analysis by subject experts.
| Exam Day | Shift 1 | Shift 2 |
|---|---|---|
| January 21 | Overall - Moderate
|
Overall - Moderate
|
| January 22 | Will be available soon | Will be available soon |
| January 23 | Will be available soon | Will be available soon |
| January 24 | Will be available soon | Will be available soon |
| January 28 | Will be available soon | Will be available soon |
- Is There Any Fixed Pattern for the Easiest Shift?
- Easiest Shift of JEE Main in Previous Year
- What Does an “Easy Shift” Actually Mean?
- What Does an Easy Shift Actually Mean?
- JEE Main January 2026 Shift-Wise Questions with Answer Key Solutions
Is There Any Fixed Pattern for the Easiest Shift?
There is no fixed pattern for any particular shift being the easiest shift of JEE Main. In some years, morning shifts were found to be more straightforward, while in other sessions, an afternoon shift had easier Mathematics or formula-based Physics questions. Difficulty levels vary based on question design rather than the exam schedule. Thus, predicting the easiest shift in advance is unreliable.
Easiest Shift of JEE Main in Previous Year
Based on trends from earlier JEE Main sessions, students report that one or two shifts during the first half of the exam window feel easier. In such shifts, achieving a 99 percentile often required higher scores in the range of 180-190 marks, depending on the overall paper level. The easiest shifts usually have-
- More NCERT-based questions
- Less lengthy calculations
- Balanced distribution of easy-to-moderate questions
What Does an “Easy Shift” Actually Mean?
An easy shift does not automatically mean better results for everyone. In fact, it increases competition within the shift. In a relatively easier paper:
Clearing the JEE Main exam in first attempt is not a difficult task. Several students clear JEE Main while in class 12. One thing that makes it easy to clear JEE Main with class 12 is that students are in regular touch of most JEE syllabus. To score good marks in JEE Main in the first attempt, it is advised that you study class 11 and 12 topics thoroughly, clear all the concepts and solve mock test papers. Also, NCERT books which you study in class 11 and 12 are the best books for JEE Main preparation. Students must study NCERT properly and solve all the questions in the book and do not memorize the concepts as some students do rather understand the concepts.
What Does an Easy Shift Actually Mean?
An easy shift does not automatically mean better results for everyone. In fact, it increases competition within the shift.
- Average scores tend to be higher
- More students attempt a larger number of questions
- Cutoffs in terms of raw marks increase
- Small mistakes can impact percentile significantly
JEE Main January 2026 Shift-Wise Questions with Answer Key Solutions
The JEE Main 2026 January question paper with solutions will be available here for all shifts.
| Date |
Shift 1 |
Shift 2 |
|---|---|---|
| January 21, 2026 |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 2 Question Papers with Answer Key |
|
| January 22, 2026 |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 Shift 1 Question Papers with Answer Key Solutions |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 Shift 2 Question Papers with Answer Key Solutions |
| January 23, 2026 |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 23 Shift 1 Question Papers with Answer Key Solutions (Available Soon) |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 23 Shift 2 Question Papers with Answer Key Solutions (Available Soon) |
| January 24, 2026 |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 24 Shift 1 Question Papers with Answer Key Solutions (Available Soon) |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 24 Shift 2 Question Papers with Answer Key Solutions (Available Soon) |
| January 28, 2026 |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 28 Shift 1 Question Papers with Answer Key Solutions (Available Soon) |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 28 Shift 2 Question Papers with Answer Key Solutions (Available Soon) |
| January 29, 2026 |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 29 Shift 1 Question Papers with Answer Key Solutions (Available Soon) |
- |
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The time period required to complete the JEE Main preparation depends mainly on the students. Every student has their own pace of study. Ideally, 6-month time is good enough to complete the JEE Main preparation. Students who have started preparing from class 11 or 12 can easily prepare for JEE Main in 6 months considering the topics of JEE syllabus have already been studied in classes 11 and 12.
JEE Main preparation is most effective with classes 11 and 12 as almost 90-95 percent of topics are similar in both exams. This way students can easily complete the entire JEE Main syllabus as well as the syllabus of classes 11 and 12. After the board exams, students get 1-2 months' time where they can focus entirely on JEE Main. Students who have started late for the JEE Main exam can make a 6-month plan where in the first three months they have to focus on revising the syllabus studied in classes 11 and 12. In the next two months focus on solving questions of JEE Main and analyzing the mistakes being made, if any. The last month should be focused on solving mock tests and JEE Main previous year question papers.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Approximately 2.0 to 2.5 Lacs candidates have appeared on day 1 of the JEE main 2026 Jan session 1 exam.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
OUAT Entrance Exam, JEE Main and NEET are undergraduate-level entrance exams. The syllabus is the same as the Class 12 Board exam for the Science stream. But, the difficulty of JEE Main and NEET are much higher than the OUAT Entrance Exam. As JEE Main and NEET are entrance exams for Engineering and
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 days ago
JEE Main 2026 shift 1 exam reporting time is 7 am. The exam centre gates will close at 8:30 am. No candidate will be allowed after this deadline.
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
JEE Main memory-based answer keys are unofficial answer sheets created by coaching institutes immediately after an exam, compiled from students' recollections of questions and correct answers, used by aspirants to estimate scores before the official NTA key release, and help in challenging official
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
DY Patil Pimpri JEE Main cutoff 2025 was released for admission to the BE/BTech courses for all categories and rounds under the All India quota. The cutoff was published in the form of opening and closing ranks.
For the General AI category, the overall cutoff ranged from 44299 to 167084, wherein B.E
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
JEE Main application process will start with online registration through IIT Kanpur official website. Its process includes filling application form, uploading documents, and paying application fee through online payment modes.
J
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, NTA has released the JEE Main 2026 admit card for the January 22 exam. Candidates can download the admit card from jeemain.nta.nic.in.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, NTA has released the JEE Main session 1 admit card for Jauary 21, 22, 23 and 24 exams.
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 5 days ago
NTA has released JEE Main 2026 session 1 admit card for exams on January 21, 22, 23 and 24. For the January 28 and 29 exams, the admit card will be issued soon. Once released, candidates can check the admit card on jeemain.nta.nic.in.
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
No, JEE Main is not mandatory for Techno Bengal Institute of Technology admissions. Students can instead appear for the WBJEE exam. The institute considers both entrance tests. Students can visit the Techno Bengal Institute of Technology website for more details.
M
Contributor-Level 10