JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 Toughest and Easiest Exam Shift

JEE Main Matrix JEE Academy January 29, 2026

Toughest and Easiest Shift of JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1

The JEE Main Exam 2026 was finally completed, which plays a crucial role for the numerous students to become successful engineers. After the completion of all shifts between 21 and 29 January, most of the candidates experienced variations in overall difficulty levels.

An effective identification of the toughest and easiest JEE Main exam 2026 shifts is very difficult and crucial to understand the calculation of percentile, the normalisation process, and the expected cutoff range. So, this analysis provides you with details regarding the easiest and toughest JEE Main exam 2026 shift by analysing cut-offs and percentiles of each shift. Apart from this, the blog will also offer practical tips to manage tougher shifts in JEE Main Session 2.

Overview of JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1

JEE Main exam 2026 was completed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) between 21 Jan and 29 Jan 2026 in multiple shifts. In JEE Main 2026 Session 1, approximately 10,36,000 students appeared, which is equal to 96.26%. Each exam day had two shifts, ensuring fair distribution of candidates.

Matrix Academy JEE faculty analysed that the overall difficulty level of JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 was moderate, with some shifts more towards the tougher side and a few being comparatively easier. A common pattern identified in Chemistry was mostly NCERT-based, with an easy to moderate difficulty level. Physics was mostly calculation-heavy in some shifts, while Mathematics was the most difficult and time-consuming across all the shifts.

JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 All Shift Analysis

The JEE Main exam 2026 Session 1 was conducted by NTA between 21 Jan 2026 and 29 Jan 2026, where a detailed shift-wise analysis of JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 can be checked from the direct links provided below:

Toughest Shift of JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 (28 Jan Shift 1)

Matrix Academy experts analysed the JEE Main Exam 2026 toughest shift by conducting a deep level of research and conversation with hundreds of students. Their research identified 28 January Shift 1 as the toughest according to student feedback and expert analysis. Most of the candidates found the paper difficult, lengthy, and time-consuming, especially in the Mathematics section. The Mathematics section involves multi-step calculations and tricky concepts, where Physics includes numerical problems requiring strong conceptual clarity, while Chemistry has several application-based, lengthy questions.

Most of the students reported that they left many unanswered questions despite knowing the concepts. The JEE Main Exam 2026, 28 Jan Shift 1 demands accuracy, speed, and depth of understanding, which makes this shift challenging for various students.

Why 28 Jan Shift 1 is the Toughest

Mathematics was significantly more complex and difficult, with numerous lengthy problems from calculus and algebra. Some students reported that they were only able to attempt 5 to 7 questions in an hour.
Most of the Physics questions were conceptually designed, especially from mechanics and electrostatics, which require precise calculations and extra time from students.
Chemistry was considerably easier in comparison with other subjects and NCERT-based, but the Organic and Inorganic sections had multiple tricky conceptual questions.
The length of the overall exam is also a major factor in making this shift the toughest shift, which consumes extra time of the students by increasing pressure on candidates and impacting overall attempt accuracy.

Easiest Shift of JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 (22 Jan Shift 1)

JEE Division experts from Matrix Academy identified that the 22 January 2026 shift was the easiest because most of the students find this shift exam paper straightforward and directly linked with the NCERT-based 11^th and 12^th class syllabus.

The Physics section was simply formula-oriented, Chemistry questions were mostly theoretically oriented and doable in time, and Mathematics was lengthy but quietly easier in comparison with the difficulty level of other shifts’ papers of this shift.

Why 22 Jan Shift 1 is the Easiest

The ease of 22 Jan Shift 1 stemmed from its balanced and predictable question paper. Physics questions were mostly direct and formula-based, Chemistry was NCERT-driven with minimal surprises, and Mathematics had fewer tricky problems. Multiple expert analyses highlighted that the paper tested fundamental understanding rather than complex applications. Students also reported better time management due to clarity in questions. Since many candidates scored well, this shift is expected to have a relatively higher cut-off for similar percentiles compared to tougher shifts.

The 22 Jan JEE Main Exam Shift was identified as an easy shift because of the balanced and predictable approach of questions from all 3 sections, such as Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
The Physics questions were mostly direct and formula-oriented, Chemistry was NCERT-based with direct and simple questions, and Mathematics had fewer tricky problems, which are also time-consuming.
The overall difficulty level of the exam tested fundamental understanding of students instead of complex application-based questions.
Most of the students considered this shift easier, so it is expected to have a relatively higher cut-off for similar percentiles compared to tougher shifts.

Impact on Expected Cut-off & Percentile

A variation in the difficulty level of each shift clearly creates an impact on the cut-offs, normalisation, and overall exam percentile. It is commonly identified that easier JEE Main exam shifts demand generally high scores, while tougher shifts demand low marks. As per this mechanism, students from 22 Jan Shift 1 (easier) may face a stricter normalisation process, while students from 28 Jan Shift (toughest) may benefit during percentile calculation. A detailed analysis of each shift expected cut-off & percentile is as follows-

JEE Main 2026 Exam Date	Shift	99%ile	98%ile	97%ile	96%ile	95%ile	Cutoff Marks
21 Jan 2026	Shift 1	170–172	150–152	136–138	127–129	116–118	110–112
21 Jan 2026	Shift 2	174–176	155–157	140–142	132–134	122–124	114–116
22 Jan 2026	Shift 1	180–182	162–164	148–150	140–142	130–132	122–124
22 Jan 2026	Shift 2	160–162	142–144	128–130	120–122	110–112	102–106
23 Jan 2026	Shift 1	166–168	148–150	132–136	126–128	116–118	108–110
23 Jan 2026	Shift 2	156–158	138–140	122–126	116–118	106–108	98–100
24 Jan 2026	Shift 1	150–152	134–136	116–120	110–112	100–102	94–96
24 Jan 2026	Shift 2	146–148	128–130	112–116	106–108	96–98	88–90
28 Jan 2026	Shift 1	174–180	160–162	146–148	138–140	128–130	123–124
28 Jan 2026	Shift 2	166–168	148–150	134–136	126–128	116–118	112–114

Tips to handle the Tough JEE Main Shifts for JEE Main Session 2

Some of the practical tips from JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 to handle tough JEE Main Shifts in Session 2 are as follows-

1. Strengthening Conceptual Clarity:

Session 1 of the JEE Main Exam 2026 was clearly based on conceptual understanding rather than rote learning or memorisation. Tough shifts in the JEE Main exam test students’ application-based knowledge, especially in subjects like Mathematics and Physics. By developing strong fundamentals to solve questions, you can solve difficult questions with confidence.

2. Practising Time-Bound Mock Tests:

You should practice with the maximum number of mock tests to learn the skill of performing under real exam conditions. In the JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1, most of the students had a complaint that the paper was lengthy and demanded extra time to solve it. Here, mock tests are very useful that improvs speed, accuracy, and time management to solve the exam paper in the given time.

3. Focus on High-Weightage Topics

By treating the JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 as a learning session, you should focus on identifying and mastering high-weightage chapters from each subject to ensure maximum scoring opportunities, even if the paper is tough and lengthy.

4. Developing Smart Question Attempting Approach

Your focus is on developing the skills related to solving time-consuming questions initially. For this, you can attempt easier and moderate questions first to maximise your score efficiently.

5. Staying Calm by Maintaining Accuracy

In JEE Main Session 1 Exam 2026, students who panic make mistakes, whereas staying calm and reading each question logically can improve their overall final score.

After understanding the variation in difficulty levels across shifts, students can refine their approach by following a smart JEE Main 2026 preparation plan.

Conclusion

The JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 clearly highlights that the difficulty level in shift-wise exams can create an impact on the student performance, normalisation process, percentile, and cut-off marks. Based on Matrix Academy analysis, we identified that 28 Jan Shift 1 was considered the toughest and 22 Jan Shift 1 was the easiest by most of the students. Based on the JEE Main Session 1, Session 2 preparation should be based on conceptual clarity, with consistent practice and smart exam time management.

FAQs

Which was the toughest shift in JEE Main 2026 Session 1?

Based on student reactions and paper analysis, January 28 Shift 1 is the toughest in JEE Main Session 1. This shift was toughest due to the lengthier and more difficult questions comparatively.

Which was the easiest shift of JEE Main 2026 Session 1?

The easiest shift of JEE Main 2026 Session 1 based on student feedback is Jan 22 Shift 1. The physics section was easy whereas chemistry and maths were moderate and less lengthier than other shifts.

How is the toughest and easiest shift of JEE Main decided?

The easiest and toughest shift is decided based on many factors. These include Student feedback, subject-wise difficulty level, number of lengthy or tricky questions and overall attempt vs accuracy ratio. After analysing all these factors, experts come up with the easiest and toughest shifts.

Will NTA officially declare the toughest or easiest shift?

No, NTA will not declare the toughest or easiest shift of JEE Main 2026 Session 1. But NTA will declare the official cut-off marks and percentile, which will give insights into which shift was the toughest and which was the easiest.

Can tougher shifts in the JEE Main Exam 2026 reduce chances of qualifying for JEE Advanced?

No, if any shift is tougher than others, this does not reduce the chances of qualifying for JEE Advanced or hamper your marks. NTA follows normalisation so that students who have appeared for tougher shifts will not be at a disadvantage.

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