The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 examinations continued on January 23, with over 10 lakh engineering aspirants appearing in two shifts — Shift 1 (9 AM–12 PM) and Shift 2 (3 PM–6 PM). Students and coaching experts have shared memory-based questions, allowing an early analysis of difficulty, subject-wise trends, and marks vs percentile expectations.

Shift 1 Analysis: Easy to Moderate Paper

The morning shift was largely rated easy to moderate, though Mathematics emerged as the most challenging section. Students reported lengthy calculations and multi-step problems, requiring careful time management.

Chemistry questions were mostly conceptual, covering topics such as chemical bonding, organic chemistry, and ionic equilibrium. Physics was comparatively easier, with most questions testing direct concepts, allowing students to attempt a high number of questions confidently.

Key takeaway: For Shift 1, the difficulty order was Mathematics > Chemistry > Physics, and performance in Mathematics is expected to heavily influence percentile rankings.

Shift 2 Analysis: Slightly Tougher

The afternoon shift followed a similar pattern but was slightly tougher. Mathematics included more application-based questions, while Chemistry had a greater emphasis on inorganic and conceptual problems. Physics remained moderate, with questions requiring conceptual clarity and problem-solving.

Students observed that time management was crucial, especially in Mathematics, and a strong understanding of fundamental concepts helped in attempting Chemistry and Physics questions with confidence.

Memory-Based Questions Overview

Both shifts tested students on key topics across subjects:

Mathematics:

• Relations and Functions

• Trigonometry

• Matrices & Determinants

• Vector & 3D Geometry

• Calculus (Integral & Differential)

• Sequence & Series

Chemistry:

• Basic concepts and Chemical Bonding

• Organic Chemistry (GOC and Reaction Mechanisms)

• Ionisation Energy and Periodic Trends

• Chemical & Ionic Equilibrium

• Inorganic Chemistry (Shift 2 emphasis)

Physics:

• Electrostatics and Current Electricity

• Optics and Wave Phenomena

• Motion, Mechanics, Moment of Inertia, Angular Momentum

• Thermodynamics and Heat (Shift 2 had some tricky problems)

Marks vs Percentile: Early Predictions

Experts have shared preliminary percentile predictions based on the memory-based analysis:

As expected, Mathematics performance will play a decisive role in determining top percentiles, while students performing well in Physics and Chemistry can secure good overall scores.

Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

The exam pattern for both shifts remained consistent:

• 25 questions each in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry

• MCQs: +4 marks correct, −1 mark incorrect

• Numerical questions: +4 marks, no negative marking

Student Reactions

• Shift 1: Students found Mathematics lengthy but Physics easier and Chemistry moderate.

• Shift 2: Mathematics and Chemistry were comparatively tougher, with more application-based questions.

• Many students noted the importance of conceptual clarity and time management, especially in Mathematics.

Key Takeaways

• Well-prepared students were able to attempt a significant number of questions in both shifts.

• Mathematics is expected to determine percentile thresholds for top ranks.

• Students should review memory-based questions, analyze mistakes, and focus on weaker areas for upcoming sessions.

• Official answer keys and normalized results by NTA will confirm exact scores and percentiles.

Conclusion: January 23 exams reflected a moderate overall difficulty, with Mathematics being the differentiating factor for high percentile aspirants. As the session progresses, students are advised to continue practicing, manage time efficiently, and stay updated with memory-based questions and official announcements.