The hardest shift of the JEE Main 2026 January session exam is the Jan 23 shift 2. Scroll down to know why this shift is said to be the toughest shift and find a subject-wise comparison for all other shifts. In this article, we have provided a detailed analysis of the toughest shift of the JEE Main 2026 session 1 exam.
Toughest Shift in JEE Main 2026 January Session: Shift-wise Analysis
Toughest Shift of JEE Mains 2026 January Session Exam - NTA conducted the JEE Mains 2026 exam for session 1 in a total of 10 shifts to accommodate all the students. The toughest shift for JEE Mains 2026 is Jan 23 shift 2 exam. This conclusion is based on the students' reactions and opinions of subject matter experts. The toughest shift for JEE Mains 2026 - Jan 23 shift 2 is followed closely by the Jan 22 shift 2 exam. This year, the trends have shifted; the JEE Mains exam is nothing like the previous years. Chemistry, which is usually considered the easiest subject comparatively, has been rated difficult and lengthy across all shifts. Students barely got time for the maths section after the chemistry and physics section as the questions were extremely lengthy. Students should know about the toughest and easiest shifts for JEE Mains 2026 for a better understanding of the JEE Main 2026 marks vs percentile of that shift.
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✔ Out of the 10 completed shifts, January 23 Shift 2 is considered the toughest.
✔ January 22 Shift 2 ranks as the second toughest shift.
✔ This is based on students’ reactions and expert analysis of memory-based questions.
✔ Tougher shifts usually result in lower marks required for higher percentiles.
- Which Is Toughest Shift in JEE Main 2026 January Session?
- Why is JEE Mains Jan 23 Shift 2 Toughest?
- Toughest Shift of JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam: Analysis
- Why Knowing the Toughest Shift of JEE Main 2026 Matters?
- Is There Any Fixed Pattern for the Toughest Shift?
- Toughest Shift of JEE Main: Past Year Trends
- What Does Tough Shift Actually Mean?
- JEE Main Rank Predictor
- JEE Main College Predictor by Shiksha
- JEE Main January 2026 Shift-Wise Questions with Answer Key Solutions
Which Is Toughest Shift in JEE Main 2026 January Session?
The JEE Mains 2026 Session 1 exam has been completed. This year, all the shifts of the JEE Main session 1 exam 2026 have been on the tougher side. However, the Jan 23 shift 2 exam is widely regarded as the hardest shift of the JEE Main 2026 exam. This is followed by the JEE Mains Jan 22 shift 2 paper, which is considered the second toughest shift in JEE Main 2026.
Commonly asked questions
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.
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.
Why is JEE Mains Jan 23 Shift 2 Toughest?
Candidates can check below the reasons why JEE Main Jan 23 shift 2 is the toughest shift for JEE Mains 2026. A common trend for all the shifts is given below.
| Subject |
Difficulty level |
Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Maths |
Moderate and lengthy |
Coordinate Geometry, Straight Lines and Circles, Conic Sections (Ellipse and Parabola), Trigonometry, Calculus, Vectors & 3D Geometry, Matrices and Determinants, Sequences and Series, Probability, Relations, Quadratic Equations |
| Physics |
Tricky and difficult |
Fluid mechanics, errors in measurement, units and dimensions, viscosity |
| Chemistry |
Moderate and lengthy |
Biomolecules, coordination compounds, GOC |
Toughest Shift of JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam: Analysis
Candidates can check the following space to understand the subject-wise and overall difficulty level of each shift in the exam. Towards the end of the session 1 exam, students will be able to identify the toughest shift of the JEE Mains January session 2026. 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 | Overall - Easy to Moderate
|
Overall - Moderate to Difficult
|
| January 23 | Overall - Moderate & Lengthy
|
Overall - Moderate to Hard
|
| January 24 | Overall - Moderate & Lengthy
|
Overall - Moderate
|
| January 28 | Overall - Moderate
|
Overall- Easiest Shift (Easy to Moderate)
|
Commonly asked questions
The difficulty level of JEE Main exam is a little high than the class 12 board exams. Students who are studying in class 12 can score good marks in JEE Main by studying a little extra for the JEE. Students who have studied NCERT textbooks of Physics Chemistry and Mathematics thoroughly can get good marks. The joint Entrance Examination, popularly known as JEE Main is for admission into NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs for B.Tech and architecture courses in India.
Students who are preparing for JEE Main 2026 must start their preparation by studying NCERT books. It will help in building strong foundation of concepts. Study chapters that have high weightage in JEE Mains and also topics that have been asked in recent years. In the last month before exam, solve mock tests and previous year papers.
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Why Knowing the Toughest Shift of JEE Main 2026 Matters?
Knowing which shift was easier or more challenging in JEE Main 2026 can also be helpful in understanding the normalisation process. For an easier shift, candidates require more marks to get a higher percentile. In case of a tougher shift, students can get a better percentile even at lower scores. This is why knowing which is the toughest shift helps students know about not just their performance but the performance of other students.
Is There Any Fixed Pattern for the Toughest Shift?
There is no fixed pattern for any particular shift being the toughest. In some years, students found the initial days to be the easiest shifts in JEE Main, while in others, they were found to be the toughest. Based on previous JEE Main sessions, difficulty has fluctuated across days and shifts without following a consistent pattern. Sometimes the first two days were relatively easier, while in other attempts, a mid-session paper turned out to be the most demanding. Hence, predicting the toughest shift in JEE Main is neither accurate nor useful.
Commonly asked questions
Candidates can check JoSAA opening and closing ranks on the official website. They have to enter the details asked to check the list of courses and colleges based on the OR and CR of each counselling round.
JEE Main difficulty level is similar to class 12 board exams. Syllabus of JEE Main is similar to class 11 and 12 syllabus. The questions asked in exam are tricky and need an in-depth understanding of subjects. They need to have conceptual understanding of every topic to score well in exam. Those who study NCERT can get a decent score in JEE Mains.
A score of 70 marks in JEE Mains is considered average to below-average for General category students. This corresponds to a percentile around 88 to 91.
Toughest Shift of JEE Main: Past Year Trends
Looking at recent years, a common observation among students has been that the first one or two days of the exam tend to feel easier. In such sessions, high percentiles required comparatively higher raw scores. For instance, in some January sessions, scoring around 180 marks was necessary to touch 99 percentile mark when the paper difficulty was moderate to easy. However, this does not mean that having a later shift is bad. When the paper is tougher, the marks required for the same percentile drop significantly. This is where the percentile system comes into play and ensures fairness despite changing difficulty levels.
What Does Tough Shift Actually Mean?
A tougher shift does not mean that the candidates will have a bad rank or lower chances of selection. A tougher paper makes it easy to get a good percentile for students who are well-prepared.
- In a tough paper, the overall average scores are lower
- Fewer students score very high marks
- The JEE Main cutoffs in terms of raw marks reduce
- Even moderate scores can fetch strong percentiles
Commonly asked questions
As per the provisional answer keys released by NTA, Arnav Gautam has secured 300 out of 300 marks in the JEE Main 2026 session 1 exam. Another student who has claimed to have scored 300/300 in JEE Main 2026 is Pasala Mohith.
A good score in JEE Main 2026 will be the score that either qualifies you for JEE Advanced or for admission to NIT/IIIT/GFTI of your choice.
The best way to handle tough topics in any subject is to study the concepts of that particular topic. The conceptual understanding of any topic gives us the clarity to solve theoretical as well as numerical questions from that topic. NCERT text books are the best material to understand the core concepts.
JEE Main Rank Predictor
Students can calculate their rank using the rank predictor of JEE Main. The rank predictor of JEE Main 2026 helps candidates in understanding and minimising their anxiety regarding the result of JEE Main 2026. The algorithm used in the rank predictor of JEE Main 2026 is programmed to provide ranks on the basis of the past few years and student details.
Also Read: JEE Main marks vs percentile
JEE Main College Predictor by Shiksha
After having an idea about their probable rank or percentile, students start looking at which colleges will be available for admission. The JEE Main college predictor 2026 tool offered by Shiksha is quite helpful in understanding which NITs, IIITs, and other colleges are likely available for admissions based on previous closing ranks. This is particularly helpful in situations where the student feels that the paper is quite tough, and as such, their percentile is low despite performing quite well.
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JEE Main January 2026 Shift-Wise Questions with Answer Key Solutions
| Date |
Shift 1 |
Shift 2 |
|---|---|---|
| January 21, 2026 |
||
| 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 |
||
| January 24, 2026 |
||
| January 28, 2026 |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 28 Shift 1 Question Papers with Answer Key Solutions |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 28 Shift 2 Question Papers with Answer Key Solutions |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
No, interview round for BSc admission at BIT Mesra is part of BITCHEM which is not required for candidates who are open to pusuing BSc at Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra. Candidates who apply through JEE Main will not be required to appear in BITCHEM.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Candidates wishing to take admission in BTech at IIIT Bhagalpur have to appear in JEE Main. Along with that, candidates also have to participate in JOSAA/ CSAB counselling process. Seat allocation is done when candidates clear cutoff ranks released on the official JoSAA website.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
If candidates have identical Common Rank List (CRL) in JEE (Main) - 2026 Paper-I even after applying NTA's tie-breaking measures, the following order of additional tie-breaking criteria shall be adopted for seat allocation in JAC Delhi:
1. Date of Birth (preference to the elder candidate).
2. Random d
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Candidates wishing to take admission in BTech at Ramaiah Institute of Science and Management have to appear in JEE Main, JEE Advanced, CUET-UG, SAT, KCET, COMEDK. So, yes even if you have not appeared in JEE, you can produce score card of any of the above mentioned exams.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The East Point Group of Institutions accepts many exams for the BE course. The accepted exams are JEE Main, COMEDK, and KCET. Students can appear in any of these exams to get admission at EPGI. Students need to fulfil the eligibility criteria as well.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
With 57.8 percentile in JEE Main and 73% boards, getting CSE/AI in top government colleges is unlikely. But you still have good chances in private colleges through UPTAC/AKTU or direct admission.
Possible options:
KIET Group of Institutions
ABES Engineering College
Galgotias College of Engineering a
H
Beginner-Level 1
Answered a week ago
Amrut Institute offer admission in BTech and Diploma in Engineering based on merit in last qualifying exam. So, no JEE Main is not compulsory to take admission in Amrut Institute courses.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
With a JEE Main rank of 291970, you can get into NIT Calicut if you belong to the SC Home State quota category.
For this category, the highest rank admissible was 543879 (as per the last round of NIT Calicut cutoff 2025). See the table below to know which courses you can opt for.
| Course | NIT Calicut JEE Main cutoff 2025 |
|---|---|
| B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering | 343880 |
| B.Tech. in Biotechnology | 386381 |
| B.Tech. in Civil Engineering | 405588 |
| B.Tech. in Production Engineering | 449781 |
| B.Tech. in Energy Engineering | 543879 |
To know the accepte
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
JEE (Main) cutoff for BTech in Computer Science and Engineering in Sagar Institute of Science Technology and Research, Bhopal in the closing round has ranged between 3,75,232 to 10,07,060 from 2021 to 2023.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, students can get EIT Faridabad scholarship with 97.6 percentile in JEE Main. Applicants can get scholarship on the basis of scores in entrance exam. Check the table below to know eligiblity of scholarships offered on the basis of JEE Main scores:
| Eligibility Criteria | Scholarship (on tuition fee) |
|---|---|
| 95.01 percentile and above | 50% |
| 90.01 - 95 prcentile | 35% |
| 85.01 - 90 percentile | 25% |
| 80.01 - 85 percentile | 20% |
G
Contributor-Level 10