JEE Main Session 1 Shift-Wise Analysis 2026: Toughest & Easiest Shifts Explained
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JEE Main Session 1 shift-wise analysis 2026 helps students understand which shifts were toughest or easiest, how subject-wise difficulty varied, and how normalization will impact final percentile and rank.
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exam was conducted between 21 January and 28 January 2026 across multiple shifts. Since the exam follows a normalization process, students from tougher shifts can score a higher percentile even with lower raw marks.
Based on student feedback, subject-wise paper review, time pressure, and historical normalization trends, this page identifies the toughest JEE Main Session 1 shift, the easiest shift, and explains what it means for your result and Session 2 strategy.
✔ Toughest Shift: 23 January 2026 – Shift 2 (Evening)
✔ Easiest Shift: 22 January 2026 – Shift 1 (Morning)
✔ Toughest Subject: Mathematics
✔ Most Scoring Subject: Chemistry
✔ Overall Difficulty: Moderate to Tough
✔ Normalization Impact: Tougher shifts likely get percentile advantage
- Gauge the potential impact of normalization on your score.
- Set realistic benchmarks for the upcoming results.
- Refine your approach and focus areas for Session 2.
- Interpreting raw marks vs percentile
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JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Shift-Wise Analysis: Toughest Shift, Difficulty & Normalization Impact
This analysis is prepared using the following parameters:
- Student feedback
- Subject-wise paper structure review
- Time-to-attempt analysis
- Historical normalization trends
The goal is to present a neutral, structured, and reliable difficulty comparison for JEE Main 2026 Session 1
2. How Difficulty Is Evaluated (Methodology)
Each shift is analysed on four parameters:
- Physics Difficulty – Conceptual depth + Calculation load
- Chemistry Difficulty – NCERT dependency + Conceptual traps
- Mathematics Difficulty – Length, calculation intensity, time pressure
- Overall Difficulty – Combined impact on attempts and accuracy
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JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Final Verdict (Shift-Wise)
- Toughest Shift: 23 January – Shift 2 (Evening)
- Easiest Shift: 22 January – Shift 1 (Morning)
- Most Difficult Subject: Mathematics
- Most Scoring Subject: Chemistry
- Overall Difficulty Range: Moderate to Tough
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Shift-Wise Difficulty Comparison (Physics, Chemistry, Maths)
Overall, JEE Main 2026 Session 1 difficulty ranged from Moderate to Moderate-Tough, with Mathematics consistently being the most time-consuming section across shifts.
“Higher score = tougher”
| Day (2026) | Shift | Physics | Chemistry | Mathematics | Overall | |
| Jan 21 | Shift 1 (morning) | 5 — Moderate. Physics reported as scoring but conceptual/long in parts. | 6 — Moderate → Calculation heavy. Chemistry slightly trickier in places (organic/PC focus). | 7 — Moderate to Tough. Maths was lengthy/time-consuming + multi-step ques. | 6 — Moderate. Morning felt tougher mainly due to long Maths. | |
| Jan 21 | Shift 2 (evening) | 4 — Easy to Moderate. Physics felt easier/scoring in evening. | 4 Easy to Moderate. Chemistry more straightforward for most students. | 6 — Moderate. Still time-consuming but fewer trick questions than morning. | 5 — Easy to Moderate. Evening was generally kinder than morning. | |
| Jan 22 | Shift 1 (morning) | 5 — Moderate. Physics consistent with prior shifts (doable). | 5 — Moderate. Mix of conceptual + routine numerical. | 6 — Moderate. Maths somewhat lengthy; several multi-part items. | 5 — Moderate. Overall balanced but time-management mattered. | |
| Jan 22 | Shift 2 (evening) | 5 — Moderate. Physics steady but some lengthy numerical. | 6 — Moderate → Moderate to Tough. Chemistry had a few tricky conceptual statements. | 7 — Moderate to Tough. Maths described as more difficult/time-intensive than morning. | 6 — Moderate → Slightly Tough. Evening harder mainly because Maths rose in difficulty. | |
| Jan 23 | Shift 1 (morning) | 4 — Easy to Moderate. Physics called formula-based and scoring. | 5 — Moderate. Chemistry conceptually fair; a few statement-type Qs. | 6 Moderate to Tough. Maths longer; several time-taking problems. | 5 — Moderate. On balance this morning shift was manageable but not trivial. | |
| Jan 23 | Shift 2 (evening) | 7 — Moderate to Tough. Several coaching reports called evening Physics tougher/lengthy. | 6 — Moderate. Chemistry reasonably balanced but some conceptual traps. | 6 — Moderate. Maths was lengthy/time-consuming (but not the absolute hardest seen). | 6 — Moderate → Tough. Evening (23rd) is widely mentioned as one of the tougher shifts. | |
| Jan 24 | Shift 1 (morning) | 5 Moderate. Physics similar to other mornings (concept + calculation mix). | 6 Moderate → calculation heavy. Chemistry included longer numerical in parts. | 6 — Moderate. Maths again time-consuming. | 6 Moderate. Length/time vs conceptual balance made it slightly tiring. | |
| Jan 24 | Shift 2 (evening) | 6 — Moderate → Moderate to Tough. A few tricky physics numerical reported. | 5 — Moderate. Chemistry comparatively scoring in some sections. | 6 — Moderate. Maths moderate but lengthy for many. | 6 — Moderate. Evening not drastically different; time-management mattered. | |
| Jan 28 | Shift 1 (morning) | 6 — Moderate. Multiple reports: Physics moderate; some tougher numerical. | 6 — Moderate. Chemistry moderate with a few calculations’ heavy parts. | 7 — Moderate to Tough. Maths repeatedly reported as the toughest section of the day (lengthy). | 7 —Moderate to Tough. Shift-1 on 28th was called lengthier and slightly tougher than earlier shifts. | |
| Jan 28 | Shift 2 (evening) | 5 — Easy to Moderate. Physics reported easier than morning in some outlets. | 5 — Moderate. Chemistry steady/scoring for many. | 7 — Moderate to Tough. Maths again the most time-consuming. | ||
Based on student feedback, coaching institute reviews, and normalization trends
3. Final Verdict (MyExams.AI Analysis)
This analysis is prepared by MyExams.AI academic research team using post-exam student feedback, coaching institute reviews, and historical NTA normalization data from previous JEE Main sessions.
✔ Toughest Shift: January 23 – Shift 2
✔ Easiest Shift: January 22 – Shift 1
✔ Toughest Subject: Mathematics
✔ Most Scoring Subject: Chemistry
✔ Overall Difficulty Level: Moderate to Tough
4. Short summary (one-line takeaways)
- Maths was the single most consistent pain-point across almost all shifts usually the longest, often the decisive subject (scores 6–7 in most shifts).
- Physics tended to be more scoring in morning shifts and occasionally tougher in evening shifts (evening Jan 23 being a clear example).
- Chemistry was the most stable/scoring subject overall, with occasional calculation-heavy stretches (score mostly 5–6).
- Shifts compared: morning shifts were sometimes lengthier conceptually; several evening shifts were slightly tougher because Maths pushed difficulty up. Overall, most shifts fall in the Moderate → Moderate-to-Tough band with a few shifts being noticeably tougher
5. Impact of Tough Shifts on Result & Normalization
A tougher shift does NOT mean lower percentile.
| Parameter | Effect |
| Raw Marks | Lower |
| Percentile | Often Higher |
| Normalization | Benefits tougher shifts |
| Rank | Depends on relative performance |
Note: Students from tougher shifts often gain advantage after normalization.
6. Key Strategic Correlation (KSC Insight)
“Our in-depth analysis at MyExams.AI reveals a critical pattern we call the “Math-Percentile Anchor.” In JEE Main 2026 Session 1, we observed a Strong correlation observed between Mathematics difficulty and normalization benefit. between Mathematics difficulty and the “Normalization Bonus.” Essentially, Mathematics acted as the ultimate decider. In shifts like Jan 23 (Evening), where Math was exceptionally lengthy, students who maintained even 45-50% accuracy in Math saw a disproportionate jump in their overall percentile compared to those who scored higher in easier shifts. If you were in a tough shift, do not panic over low raw marks. The data suggests that the “Difficulty Delta” in Math will likely pull the 99percentile cutoff down by nearly 15-20 marks compared to the easier Jan 22 morning session.’’
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Updated for JEE Main 2026 normalization trends
7. JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Marks vs Percentile vs Rank (Shift-Wise Estimate)
Raw marks vary heavily based on shift difficulty. In a “Tough Shift’’ (like Jan 23 – Shift 2), you might score a 99 percentile at lower marks compared to an “Easy Shift.’’
| Target Percentile | Approx. Raw Marks (Tough Shift) | Approx. Raw Marks (Easy Shift) | Expected CRL Rank Range |
| 99.9% | 230+ | 255+ | 1 – 1,500 |
| 99.0% | 185 – 195 | 210 – 220 | 14,000 – 16,000 |
| 98.0% | 165 – 175 | 190 – 200 | 28,000 – 32,000 |
| 97.0% | 145 – 155 | 170 – 180 | 42,000 – 46,000 |
| 95.0% | 120 – 130 | 145 – 155 | 70,000 – 75,000 |
| 90.0% | 95 – 105 | 115 – 125 | 1,40,000 – 1,50,000 |
8. Key Takeaways for Students
- Do not judge your performance only by marks
- Shift difficulty plays a major role in percentile
- Tougher shifts usually have lower cutoffs
- Accuracy mattered more than attempts
- Mathematics was the deciding subject in Session 1
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 – Frequently Asked Questions
1 Does a tough JEE Main Session 1 shift reduce percentile?
A. Not at all. The NTA uses a normalization process to ensure fairness. If your shift was objectively harder, you will achieve a higher percentile even with lower raw marks compared to students in easier shifts.
2 Which subject was the biggest “rank decider’’ in JEE Main 2026 Session 1?
A. Mathematics remained the most challenging and time-consuming section across almost all shifts. Because many students find Mathematics tough, scoring even slightly above average in this section can significantly boost your overall percentile.
3 How many marks are required for 99 percentiles in JEE Main 2026?
A. Based on early analysis, for a moderate shift, a score between 195 and 205 should ideally fetch a 99 percentile. However, for the toughest shifts (like Jan 23 Evening shift), this could drop to 185-190.
4 When will the official JEE Main 2026 Session 1 results be announced?
A. NTA usually releases the results within 10 to 14 days after the final exam day. Students can expect the Session 1 scorecards by the second week of February 2026.
5. Which was the toughest shift in JEE Main 2026 Session 1?
A: Based on combined student feedback, subject-wise difficulty, and time-pressure analysis, 23 January 2026 – Shift 2 (Evening) emerged as the toughest shift, mainly due to lengthy Mathematics and tougher Physics compared to other shifts.
6. Does a tougher shift mean lower percentile in JEE Main?
A: No. JEE Main uses a normalization process. Students appearing in tougher shifts often receive a higher percentile at lower raw marks, ensuring fairness across all sessions.