JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 Exam Analysis: How Difficult Was Each Section?

The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Shift 1 examination held on January 22 has now concluded, and students across the country have shared their feedback. Based on student reactions and expert reviews, the paper was designed to test concept clarity, application skills, and time management. While some sections were manageable, others proved challenging, especially under time pressure.

Overall Difficulty Level of Jan 22 Exam Examination

Overall, the difficulty level of the January 22 paper was rated moderate to difficult. Many students felt that the exam followed the latest JEE Main pattern and stayed within the prescribed syllabus. However, lengthy questions and calculation-heavy problems made it tough for candidates to attempt all questions comfortably within the given time.

The paper required a balanced approach, where students with strong fundamentals and good exam strategy performed better.

Physics Section Analysis

The Physics section was considered moderate in difficulty by most candidates. Questions were largely based on standard concepts from Class 11 and Class 12, and many were numerical in nature.

• Topics such as Mechanics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Modern Physics, and Thermodynamics appeared frequently.

• Formula-based questions were present, but several required proper understanding rather than direct substitution.

• Some numerical problems were time-consuming, which slowed down attempts for a few students.

Overall, Physics was seen as scoring for well-prepared candidates, though speed played an important role.

Chemistry Section Analysis

The Chemistry section was rated moderate, with a fairly even distribution of questions from Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry.

• NCERT-based questions dominated, especially in Inorganic Chemistry.

• Organic Chemistry included reaction-based and concept-driven questions.

• Physical Chemistry involved calculations, which required accuracy and careful reading.

Students felt that Chemistry could be handled well with strong NCERT preparation, but tricky options and statement-based questions increased the difficulty slightly.

Mathematics Section Analysis

The Mathematics section was the toughest part of the paper for many students.

• Questions were lengthy and calculation-intensive, making time management difficult.

• Topics like Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, Algebra, and Probability carried significant weight.

• While the concepts were familiar, solving the problems required multiple steps and careful calculations.

Due to the time-consuming nature of the questions, many students were unable to attempt all Mathematics questions.

Section-Wise Difficulty Comparison

Based on overall feedback, the difficulty order was:

1. Mathematics – Most difficult and time-consuming

2. Chemistry – Moderate with tricky options

3. Physics – Relatively easier but numerical-heavy

Final Student Reactions and Expert View

Most students believe that the January 22 JEE Main paper rewarded conceptual understanding rather than rote learning. Accuracy, calmness, and smart question selection were key to performing well.

Experts suggest that this paper sets a balanced benchmark for upcoming shifts and highlights the importance of strong fundamentals and time management for future sessions.

Written by Simran

Simran is currently working as a Senior Content Writer at Findmycollege , where she creates engaging and research-driven learning resources for students. She has completed her Graduation in Journalism from Delhi University. With 4 years of experience in the EdTech industry, she has previously contributed to leading platforms like Leverage Edu and Aakash. Her expertise lies in simplifying Engineering and Medical entrance exam content to guide aspirants in their preparation journey. Beyond writing, Simran enjoys sketching, watching movies, and finding creative inspiration in everyday life.

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