Will JEE Main 2026 be Tough? Check Last 5 Years’ Paper Analysis to Understand Paper Difficulty Trends
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JEE Main 2026 candidates appearing for session 1 can check five-year difficulty-level trends to better understand what to expect this year. Check last 5 year’s JEE Main analysis here
Will JEE Main 2026 be Tough?
JEE Main 2026: National Testing Agency is going to conduct session 1 exam of JEE Main from January 21 to 29, 2026 for BTech, BArch and BPlanning admissions. Candidates must be well prepared for JEE Main and know expected difficulty level of exam. After exam ends, they can get to know JEE Mains 2026 question paper solutions, students' reactions, paper analysis, toughest shift of exam and more.
Considering past years’ JEE Main exam trends and analysis, expected difficulty level of JEE Main 2026 session 1 is likely to be moderate to slightly difficult. Until JEE Main 2026 exam analysis releases for session 1, candidates can check previous year JEE Main exam analysis and expected difficulty level.
Expected JEE Main 2026 Difficulty Level Based on Last 5 Year’s Analysis
Considering past years’ JEE Main exam trends and analysis, the expected difficulty level of JEE Main 2026 session 1 is likely to be moderate to slightly difficult. The Mathematics section is expected to remain lengthy, with multi-step and application-based problems. Chemistry section may continue to focus on NCERT-based, factual, and conceptual questions. Physics can be moderately challenging, with higher weightage from topics such as Modern Physics, Electromagnetism, and Current Electricity, along with numerical and conceptual questions requiring strong fundamentals.
Last 5 Years’ Paper Analysis to Understand JEE Main Difficulty Trends
Candidates can go through this table to know last 5 year’s difficulty level for all sessions of JEE Mains exam
| Years |
Sessions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
Session 1 |
Physics - Moderately difficult Mathematics - Challenging Chemistry- Comparatively easy |
| 2025 |
Session 2 |
Physics - Moderate Mathematics - Moderately difficult Chemistry - Moderately challenging |
| 2024 |
Session 1 |
Physics- Moderately easy Mathematics - Moderately difficult Chemistry - Moderately easy |
| 2024 |
Session 2 |
Physics - Moderately easy Mathematics - Moderate Chemistry- Moderately easy |
| 2023 |
Session 1 |
Physics - Easy to moderate Mathematics - Moderate Chemistry - Easy |
| 2023 |
Session 2 |
Physics - Easy to moderate Mathematics - Moderate Chemistry - Easy |
| 2022 |
Session 1 |
Physics - Moderate Mathematics - Moderately difficult Chemistry - Moderate |
| 2022 |
Session 2 |
Physics - Moderate Mathematics - Moderately difficult Chemistry - Moderate |
| 2021 |
In 2021, JEE Main was held in 4 sessions due to COVID-19. So, candidates can check JEE Main difficulty level of all sessions below
| Year |
Sessions |
JEE Main Difficulty Level |
| 2021 |
Session 1 |
Easy to moderate |
| Session 2 |
Moderately difficult |
|
| Session 3 |
Moderately difficult |
|
| Session 4 |
Moderate |
JEE Main 2025 Exam Difficulty Level
Based on JEE Main 2025 session 1 overall paper analysis, Mathematics was most challenging section compared to Physics and Chemistry. Maths paper was lengthy and calculation-intensive, demanding strong time-management skills. Majority of JEE Main questions from all three subjects were from class 12 syllabus, with relatively fewer questions from class 11. Additionally, some theory-based and concept-driven questions were asked from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
JEE Main session 2 exam 2025 was moderate difficult, though variations were seen across different shifts. Student feedback highlighted that Mathematics remained time-consuming, while Physics was comparatively easier in most shifts. Chemistry was considered balanced and manageable, with direct and NCERT-based questions.
Commonly asked questions
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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Sanjana Surbhi is education focused content specialist with over five years of experience in education sector. She covers engineering and government exams. She holds Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Patn
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