Careers360 Logo
ask-icon
share
    Toughest Shift of JEE Mains 2026 Till Now: January & April Session Shift-Wise Difficulty Analysis

    Toughest Shift of JEE Mains 2026 Till Now: January & April Session Shift-Wise Difficulty Analysis

    K Guna SahitiUpdated on 07 Apr 2026, 10:30 AM IST

    Toughest Shift of JEE Mains Till Now - The National Testing Agency is conducting the JEE Main 2026 April session exam in multiple days and shifts. In session 2, so far, students have mixed reactions towards the difficulty level of the different shifts. Some found April 2 shift 1 to be the toughest shift of JEE Mains till now. Across both sessions of the JEE Main 2026 exam, the January 23, shift 2 was considered the toughest. As there Since there are three more shifts to be held in JEE Main 2026, the final analysis related to the exam will be updated here. Meanwhile, check the shift-wise difficulty level below.
    Related- JEE Main 2026 Answer Key

    Live | Apr 7, 2026 | 10:22 AM IST

    This Story also Contains

    1. Toughest Shift of JEE Mains Till Now
    2. Shift Wise Difficulty Level of JEE Main 2026- April Session
    3. Shift Wise Difficulty Level of JEE Main 2026- January Session
    4. How Toughest Shift of JEE Mains 2026 Can Affect the Result?
    Toughest Shift of JEE Mains 2026 Till Now: January & April Session Shift-Wise Difficulty Analysis
    Toughest Shift of JEE Mains 2026 (Jan & April) – Shift-Wise Difficulty Analysis

    JEE Main exam allows candidates to pursue undergraduate BTech courses across India. Check the article to know complete details regarding the toughest shift of JEE Mains till now.

    Toughest Shift of JEE Mains Till Now

    There is no concrete evidence regarding the toughest shift of JEE Mains 2026 till now. Many students still consider the Jan 23rd shift 2 exam to have been the most challenging. In session 2, JEE Main April 6 shift 1 paper and April 4 shift 1 are also flagged as difficult by many candidates. However, since the interpretation of the toughness of an exam depends on individual capability, such analysis is subjective.

    Shift Wise Difficulty Level of JEE Main 2026- April Session

    Check the below given tables for the JEE Main 2026 difficulty level for each shift of April attempt

    JEE Main 2026 April 6 Shift 1 Analysis

    Parameter

    Overall

    Mathematics

    Physics

    Chemistry

    Difficulty Level

    Moderate

    Difficult (Lengthy)

    Easy to Moderate (Lengthy)

    Moderate to Tough

    Relative Difficulty

    Maths toughest

    Toughest & most time-consuming

    Easiest section

    Between Physics & Maths

    Nature of Questions

    Balanced (Concept + Formula)

    Conceptual, lengthy & calculative

    Calculation-based, lengthy

    NCERT-based + some calculative

    Key Topics

    Vector & 3D, Conic Sections, Matrices, Statistics, Integral Calculus

    Optics, Current Electricity, Modern Physics, NLM, Rotational Motion, Electrostatics, SHM

    Biomolecules, Chemical Bonding, Mole Concept, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Periodic Table

    Class Weightage

    Balanced

    Mixed (11 + 12)

    Mostly Class 12

    Inorganic & Organic from NCERT

    Overall Trend

    Moderate paper; tougher than 5 April, easier than January

    Very lengthy & time-consuming

    Lengthy but doable

    NCERT-based, slightly lengthy but scoring

    JEE Main 2026 April 5 Shift 2 Analysis

    Parameter

    Overall

    Mathematics

    Physics

    Chemistry

    Difficulty Level

    Easy to Moderate

    Moderate (Lengthy)

    Easy to Moderate

    Easy to Moderate

    Relative Difficulty

    Maths toughest

    Toughest section

    Easier than Maths

    Easiest section

    Nature of Questions

    Balanced (Concept + Formula)

    Conceptual, lengthy & calculative

    Mostly direct, formula-based

    NCERT-based + statement-based

    Key Topics

    Vectors & 3D, Coordinate Geometry, Integral Calculus, Matrices, Statistics, Sequence & Series

    Units & Dimensions, Kinematics, Rotational Motion, Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Ray Optics, Modern Physics

    Biomolecules, Chemical Kinetics, GOC, Electrochemistry, Solutions, Coordination Compounds, Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, p-Block

    Class Weightage

    Class 12 dominant

    Mixed (Class 11 + 12)

    Mostly Class 12

    Inorganic > Physical > Organic

    Overall Trend

    Similar to other April shifts, easier than January session

    Lengthy but manageable

    Scoring and less time-consuming

    Slightly lengthy due to statement-based questions but scoring

    JEE Main 2026 April 5 Shift 1 Analysis

    Parameter

    Overall

    Mathematics

    Physics

    Chemistry

    Difficulty Level

    Easy to Moderate

    Moderate (Lengthy)

    Easy to Moderate

    Easy

    Relative Difficulty

    Maths toughest

    Toughest section

    Easier than Maths

    Easiest section

    Nature of Questions

    Balanced (Concept + Formula)

    Conceptual, lengthy & calculative

    Mostly direct, formula-based

    NCERT-based, direct

    Key Topics

    Vectors & 3D, Conics, Calculus, Functions, Differential Equations

    Optics (Microscope), Current Electricity, Modern Physics, EMI, Electrostatics

    D & F Block, Biomolecules, Chemical Bonding, Amines, Coordination Compounds

    Class Weightage

    Class 12 dominant

    Mixed (Class 11 + 12)

    Mostly Class 12

    Inorganic & Organic dominant

    Overall Trend

    Similar to other April shifts, easier than January session

    Lengthy but easier than tougher April shifts

    Scoring and less time-consuming

    Very easy and highly scoring

    JEE Main 2026 April 4 Shift 2 Analysis

    Parameter

    Overall

    Mathematics

    Physics

    Chemistry

    Difficulty Level

    Easy to Moderate

    Moderate (Lengthy)

    Easy to Moderate

    Easy to Moderate

    Relative Difficulty

    Maths toughest

    Toughest but easier than morning

    Slightly easier

    Easiest section

    Nature of Questions

    Formula + Concept-based

    Concept-driven, time-consuming

    Direct, formula-based

    NCERT-based, slightly calculation-heavy

    Key Topics

    Vectors & 3D, Matrices, Mixed topics

    Optics, Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Semiconductors

    Chemical Bonding, Electrochemistry, Biomolecules

    Class Weightage

    Class 12 dominant

    Mixed

    Mostly Class 12

    Inorganic-heavy

    Overall Trend

    Easiest shift of April session, easier than Jan and morning shift

    Lengthy but easier than morning

    Scoring but slightly lengthy

    Very easy and highly scoring

    JEE Main 2026 April 4 Shift 1 Analysis

    Parameter

    Overall

    Mathematics

    Physics

    Chemistry

    Difficulty Level

    Easy to Moderate

    Moderate

    (Lengthy)

    Moderate

    Moderate

    Relative Difficulty

    Maths toughest

    Toughest (more lengthy )

    Easiest in this shift

    Between Physics & Maths

    Nature of Questions

    Formula + Concept-based

    Concept-driven, time-consuming

    Direct, formula-based

    Calculation-heavy (Physical focused)

    Key Topics

    Conics, Vectors & 3D, Calculus

    Optics, Rotational Motion, Fluids, Modern Physics

    Electrochemistry, Coordination, Amines

    Class Weightage

    Class 12 dominant

    Mixed

    Mostly Class 12

    Physical-heavy

    Overall Trend

    Similar to morning shift, easier than Jan

    Harder than morning shift

    Scoring but slightly lengthy

    Tougher than morning, time-consuming

    JEE Main 2026 April 2 Shift 2 Analysis

    Parameter

    Overall

    Mathematics

    Physics

    Chemistry

    Difficulty Level

    Easy to Moderate

    Tougher (Lengthy)

    Moderate

    Moderate

    Relative Difficulty

    Maths toughest

    Toughest (more lengthy than morning)

    Easiest in this shift

    Between Physics & Maths

    Nature of Questions

    Formula + Concept-based

    Concept-driven, time-consuming

    Direct, formula-based

    Calculation-heavy (Physical focused)

    Key Topics

    Conics, Vectors & 3D, Calculus

    Optics, Rotational Motion, Fluids, Modern Physics

    Electrochemistry, Coordination, Amines

    Class Weightage

    Class 12 dominant

    Mixed

    Mostly Class 12

    Physical-heavy

    Overall Trend

    Overall moderate and similar to April 2 shift

    Harder than morning shift

    Scoring but slightly lengthy

    Tougher than morning, time-consuming

    JEE Main 2026 April 2 Shift 1 Analysis

    Parameter

    Overall

    Mathematics

    Physics

    Chemistry

    Difficulty Level

    Easy to Moderate

    Moderate (Lengthy)

    Easy

    Very Easy

    Relative Difficulty

    Maths toughest

    Toughest section

    Easier than Maths

    Easiest section

    Nature of Questions

    Concept-based + Assertion

    Application-based, Time-consuming

    Direct + Conceptual

    NCERT-based, Direct

    Key Topics

    Vectors, 3D, Statistics, Calculus

    Electrostatics, Ray Optics, Kinematics

    Coordination, Bonding, Salt Analysis

    Class Weightage

    Class 12 > Class 11

    Mixed

    More Class 12

    Inorganic-heavy

    Overall Trend

    Easier than Jan session

    Lengthy

    Scoring

    Highly scoring

    Shift Wise Difficulty Level of JEE Main 2026- January Session

    The given table mentions the shift-wise JEE Main difficulty level for the January attempt.

    Date & Shift

    Physics

    Chemistry

    Mathematics

    Overall Difficulty

    Jan 21 – Shift 1 (Morning)

    Easy to Moderate

    Tough

    Moderate

    Moderate

    Jan 21 – Shift 2 (Evening)

    Easy

    Moderate

    Moderate to Hard (Lengthy)

    Moderate

    Jan 22 – Shift 1 (Morning)

    Moderate to Difficult

    Moderate

    Moderate (Lengthy)

    Moderate

    Jan 22 – Shift 2 (Evening)

    Moderate

    Moderate to Tough

    Difficult (Very Lengthy)

    Moderate to Difficult

    Jan 23 – Shift 1 (Morning)

    Easy (but tricky/time-taking)

    Moderate

    Moderate (Lengthy)

    Moderate

    Jan 23 – Shift 2 (Evening)

    Easy to Moderate

    Moderate

    Moderate to Difficult

    Easy to Moderate

    Jan 24 – Shift 1 (Morning)

    Moderate & Lengthy

    Easy to Moderate

    Moderate to Difficult (Lengthy)

    Moderate

    Jan 24 – Shift 2 (Evening)

    Easy

    Moderate to Difficult

    Moderate (Lengthy)

    Moderate

    Jan 28 – Shift 1 (Evening)

    Moderate to Hard

    Moderate to Difficult

    Easy to Moderate

    Moderate

    Jan 28 – Shift 2 (Evening)

    Easy

    Moderate (Lengthy)

    Easy

    Moderate (easier than Shift 1)

    How Toughest Shift of JEE Mains 2026 Can Affect the Result?

    The JEE Main 2026 result will be in the form of percentiles and ranks. Aspirants who appeared in the JEE Mains toughest shift 2026 may get fewer marks compared to those who took part in the easiest shift. Hence, the percentile is calculated using the normalisation. This process is used to ensure that candidates who took part in the tough shifts of JEE Main 2026 are not disadvantaged, nor are those whose exam was easy advantaged. Since the percentile is calculated shift-wise, a 100 percentiler is someone who achieved the highest score in his/her particular shift.

    JEE Main Syllabus: Subjects & Chapters
    Select your preferred subject to view the chapters

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: What is the toughest shift of JEE Mains till now?
    A:

    So far, Jan 23rd shift 2 exam is assumed to be the toughest shift of JEE Mains till now.

    Q: Which is the hardest shift in JEE Mains?
    A:

    Jan 23rd shift 2 exam is considered the hardest shift in JEE Mains 2026.

    Q: Which shift is toughest in JEE 2026 till today?
    A:

    Based on student reviews, Jan 23 shift 2 is considered to be the toughest shift in JEE 2026 till today. Also, some found April 4, shift 1 and April 6 shift 1 to be tough.

    Q: Is January 28 shift 1 hard or easy?
    A:

    JEE Main January 28 shift 1 was mostly easy.

    Q: How was 4 April shift 1 2026?
    A:

    JEE Main 4 April shift 1 2026 was moderately challenging. 

    Articles
    |
    Upcoming Engineering Exams
    Ongoing Dates
    HITSEEE Application Date

    5 Nov'25 - 22 Apr'26 (Online)

    Ongoing Dates
    SMIT Online Test Application Date

    15 Nov'25 - 12 Apr'26 (Online)

    Certifications By Top Providers
    Online Certificate Course on Cyber Laws
    Via Indian Law Institute, New Delhi
    Basic Programming using Python
    Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
    Software Engineering Essentials
    Via Technical University of Munich, Munich
    Material Science
    Via Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
    B.Tech Engineering Technology
    Via Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
    Principles of Digital Communications
    Via Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
    Udemy
     1525 courses
    Swayam
     817 courses
    NPTEL
     773 courses
    Coursera
     697 courses
    Edx
     608 courses
    Explore Top Universities Across Globe

    Questions related to JEE Main

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to JEE Main ?

    Hello Susmitha,

    You can check the JEE Main 2026 April 4th & 5th shift analysis to understand the exam difficulty level, question trends, and subject-wise weightage.

    You can find the link below: https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-main-2026-april-4-paper-analysis-shift-1-2-difficulty-level

    Hope this helps!

    Hello Rahul kaushik,

    You can check expert tips on how to crack JEE Main 2026 in the first attempt and explore the best colleges in Raipur, Chhattisgarh for better guidance and decision-making.

    You can find the link below:
    How to crack JEE Mains 2026 in First Attempt - Experts Tricks