Paper 2 is the second of the two compulsory Computer-Based Tests (CBT) that make up JEE Advanced 2026 and appearing in both papers is mandatory for eligibility in the rank list. This page provides the complete JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 exam analysis, including subject-wise difficulty level for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, topic-wise weightage, student reactions, marking scheme, and expected cutoff compiled by Aakash’s expert faculty team.
Candidates who appeared in today’s JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 can use this analysis to estimate their scores across both papers and understand their overall JEE Advanced 2026 performance. For Paper 1 analysis, also read the JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 1 Exam Analysis (English) and JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 1 Exam Analysis (Hindi) by Aakash experts.
| JEE Advanced 2026 Important Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Complete Paper 2 Solutions | View PDF | Question Paper + Answer Key |
| Physics Solutions | Download PDF | Detailed Physics Answer Key |
| Chemistry Solutions | Download PDF | Organic, Inorganic & Physical Chemistry |
| Mathematics Solutions | Download PDF | Calculus, Algebra & Coordinate Geometry |
| JEE Advanced Rank Predictor | Check Rank | Predict Expected Rank |
| JEE Advanced College Predictor | Predict College | IIT Admission Chances |
JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 Overview
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | JEE Advanced 2026 – Paper 2 |
| Conducting Body | IIT Roorkee |
| Date of Exam | May 17, 2026 |
| Exam Timings (Paper 2) | 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM (IST) |
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Total Questions | 54 (18 per subject) |
| Total Marks (Paper 2) | 180 |
| Total Marks (Both Papers Combined) | 360 |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Overall Difficulty Level (Paper 2) | Difficult |
JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 Overall Difficulty Level
Based on student feedback collected after JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 and analysis by Aakash’s expert faculty, Paper 2 was rated Difficult overall — a step above Paper 1, which was rated Moderate to Difficult. This is consistent with the well-established trend across multiple years where JEE Advanced Paper 2 is tougher than Paper 1. The paper placed heavier emphasis on multi-concept integration, abstract problem framing, and longer derivations — particularly in Mathematics and Physics.
Historically, JEE Advanced Paper 2 difficulty has been higher in 2023, 2024, and 2025 compared to Paper 1. The JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 difficulty level follows this same pattern. Students who appeared in Paper 2 confirmed that fatigue from Paper 1 combined with increased complexity made Paper 2 significantly more demanding.
| Subject | Difficulty Level – Paper 2 | Overall Remark |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Difficult | Toughest section; lengthy numericals and conceptual depth |
| Chemistry | Moderate | Balanced; slightly tougher than Paper 1 Chemistry |
| Mathematics | Moderate to Difficult | Lengthy; Calculus and Algebra heavy; time-consuming |
JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 Physics Analysis
The JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 Physics section was rated Difficult — the most challenging subject in Paper 2 and tougher compared to Physics in Paper 1. Unlike Paper 1 where Chemistry was the easiest, Paper 2 Physics raised the bar significantly with questions requiring multi-concept application, longer numerical setups, and precision in approach.
JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 Physics – Key Highlights:
- Electrostatics and Current Electricity again featured strongly with conceptually deep, multi-step problems — consistent with Paper 1 and the broader JEE Advanced 2026 Physics pattern.
- Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer had a higher weightage in Paper 2 compared to Paper 1, with numerical and graphical questions testing thermodynamic cycles and processes.
- Kinematics and Laws of Motion appeared with questions that were longer and more calculation-intensive than expected.
- Ray Optics and Wave Optics were prominent, with questions involving refraction, interference, and diffraction that required careful conceptual application.
- Modern Physics questions were present and moderate in difficulty — covering Photoelectric Effect, Nuclear Physics, and Atomic Structure.
- Several students reported that Physics questions in JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 required careful reading and multi-step derivations — making it the most time-consuming section.
| Topic | Weightage (Approx.) | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Electrostatics & Current Electricity | High | Difficult |
| Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer | Moderate to High | Moderate to Difficult |
| Kinematics & Laws of Motion | Moderate | Difficult |
| Ray Optics & Wave Optics | Moderate to High | Moderate to Difficult |
| Modern Physics | Moderate | Moderate |
| Rotational Motion & Mechanics | Moderate | Difficult |
Aakash Expert Verdict – Physics (Paper 2): Physics was the most demanding section of JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2. The increased difficulty compared to Paper 1 Physics placed a premium on students who had practiced a wide variety of question types across Electrostatics, Mechanics, and Optics. Time management within the Physics section itself was a critical challenge.
JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 Chemistry Analysis
The JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 Chemistry was rated Moderate — slightly more demanding than Paper 1 Chemistry but still the most approachable subject in Paper 2. The section maintained a balanced distribution across Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry, which is consistent with the JEE Advanced 2025 Paper 2 Chemistry pattern where all three divisions were fairly represented.
JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 Chemistry – Key Highlights:
- Organic Chemistry received higher weightage in Paper 2 compared to Paper 1 — questions from Amines, Biomolecules, Polymers, Oxygen-containing Compounds, and Named Reactions featured prominently.
- Inorganic Chemistry included questions from Coordination Compounds, Periodic Table trends, and d & f Block Elements — moderate difficulty, largely NCERT-aligned.
- Physical Chemistry covered Thermodynamics, Chemical Kinetics, Electrochemistry, and Solutions — requiring both formula application and conceptual understanding.
- The Chemistry section in Paper 2 was more balanced across all three divisions compared to some previous years, making it a reliable scoring section for students with thorough preparation.
- Some Organic Chemistry questions on multi-step synthesis and stereochemistry were reported to be slightly tricky — differentiated Paper 2 from Paper 1’s Chemistry.
| Topic | Weightage (Approx.) | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Organic Chemistry (Amines, Polymers, Named Reactions) | High | Moderate |
| Inorganic Chemistry (Coordination, d-f Block) | Moderate | Easy to Moderate |
| Physical Chemistry (Thermodynamics, Kinetics) | Moderate to High | Moderate |
| Electrochemistry & Solutions | Moderate | Moderate |
| Stereochemistry & Mechanisms | Low to Moderate | Moderate to Difficult |
Aakash Expert Verdict – Chemistry (Paper 2): Chemistry remained the most scoring subject in JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2, though it was slightly more demanding than Paper 1. Students who had revised Organic Chemistry thoroughly — particularly Named Reactions and multi-step synthesis — found this section manageable. A score of 30–42 out of 60 is a realistic target for a well-prepared student.
JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 Mathematics Analysis
The JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 Mathematics was rated Moderate to Difficult — maintaining the tradition of Mathematics being the most calculation-intensive subject in JEE Advanced. While slightly different in framing from Paper 1 Mathematics, Paper 2 Mathematics presented its own set of lengthy and abstract questions from Calculus, Algebra, and Coordinate Geometry.
JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 Mathematics – Key Highlights:
- Calculus — including Definite Integrals, Area under Curves, and Differential Equations — dominated the Mathematics section with the highest weightage and some of the most complex questions.
- Algebra — Complex Numbers, Matrices, Probability, and Permutation & Combination — featured prominently with multi-step problems requiring careful approach.
- Coordinate Geometry — Circles, Parabola, Ellipse — had moderately difficult questions, consistent with the JEE Advanced trend of making Coordinate Geometry conceptually demanding.
- Vectors and 3D Geometry had 2–3 questions, rated moderate to difficult; some requiring multi-step vector calculations.
- Functions and Limits — a historically tricky area in JEE Advanced — appeared with questions that were not straightforward and demanded strong analytical skills.
- Probability and Combinatorics featured questions that were deceptively tricky and required careful setup before calculation.
| Topic | Weightage (Approx.) | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Calculus (Integral, Differential Equations) | Very High | Difficult |
| Algebra (Complex Numbers, Probability, Matrices) | High | Moderate to Difficult |
| Coordinate Geometry (Circles, Parabola, Ellipse) | Moderate | Moderate to Difficult |
| Vectors & 3D Geometry | Moderate | Moderate |
| Functions & Limits | Moderate | Difficult |
| Probability & Combinatorics | Moderate | Moderate to Difficult |
Aakash Expert Verdict – Mathematics (Paper 2): Mathematics in JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 was demanding but slightly more structured in approach compared to Paper 1 Mathematics. Students who maintained composure and focused on Calculus and Algebra first were better placed to score well. Attempting 10–13 questions correctly with accuracy is considered a good performance in Paper 2 Mathematics.
JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2: Marking Scheme
| Section | Question Type | Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section I | Single Correct MCQ | +3 | -1 |
| Section II | One or More Correct MCQ | +4 (Full) / Partial Marks | -2 (if incorrect) |
| Section III | Numerical Value Type | +4 | 0 (No negative marking) |
| Section IV | Matching List / Paragraph | +3 | -1 |
JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 vs Paper 1: Difficulty Comparison
| Subject | Paper 1 Difficulty (2026) | Paper 2 Difficulty (2026) | Tougher Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | Moderate to Difficult | Difficult | Paper 2 |
| Chemistry | Easy to Moderate | Moderate | Paper 2 |
| Mathematics | Difficult | Moderate to Difficult | Paper 1 |
| Overall | Moderate to Difficult | Difficult | Paper 2 |
JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 Good Attempts
| Subject | Good Attempts (out of 18) | Expected Score Range |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 8–11 | 20–38 out of 60 |
| Chemistry | 10–13 | 30–42 out of 60 |
| Mathematics | 9–12 | 24–40 out of 60 |
| Overall | 27–36 | 74–120 out of 180 |
JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 Student Reactions
- “Physics was really tough this time” — Students across multiple exam centres rated Physics as the most demanding section, with lengthy multi-step numericals and conceptual questions.
- “Chemistry helped me recover” — Many students found Chemistry in Paper 2 manageable and used it to compensate for time lost in Physics.
- “Maths was better structured than Paper 1” — A section of students found Paper 2 Mathematics slightly more predictable in topic framing compared to Paper 1, though equally calculation-intensive.
- “Fatigue was real” — Multiple students mentioned that appearing in both Paper 1 and Paper 2 on the same day, with only a 2.5-hour break, significantly affected their concentration in Paper 2.
- Overall, the JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 difficulty level was higher than Paper 1, aligning with expert expectations and the consistent multi-year trend.
JEE Advanced 2026 Overall Analysis: Paper 1 + Paper 2 Combined
| Subject | Combined Difficulty (Both Papers) | Most Scoring Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Difficult | Paper 1 |
| Chemistry | Easy to Moderate | Paper 1 |
| Mathematics | Difficult | Paper 2 |
| Overall JEE Advanced 2026 | Moderate to Difficult | — |
Use the Aakash JEE Advanced 2026 Rank Predictor to calculate your expected rank based on your combined Paper 1 and Paper 2 score. To explore IIT options based on your anticipated rank, use the Aakash JEE Advanced College Predictor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 Exam Analysis
Q1. What was the overall difficulty level of JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2?
Answer: The overall JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 difficulty level was rated Difficult — higher than Paper 1 which was Moderate to Difficult. Physics was the toughest section in Paper 2, followed by Mathematics (Moderate to Difficult) and Chemistry (Moderate). This is consistent with the multi-year JEE Advanced trend where Paper 2 is tougher than Paper 1.
Q2. Which subject was toughest in JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2?
Answer: Physics was the toughest subject in JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2. Questions required multi-concept application, longer numerical setups, and involved topics such as Electrostatics, Thermodynamics, Kinematics, and Optics. The increased difficulty compared to Paper 1 Physics made it the most time-consuming section of Paper 2.
Q3. What topics were covered in JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 Mathematics?
Answer: JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 Mathematics covered Calculus (Definite Integrals, Differential Equations, Area under Curves), Algebra (Complex Numbers, Matrices, Probability, Permutation & Combination), Coordinate Geometry (Circles, Parabola, Ellipse), Vectors and 3D Geometry, Functions and Limits, and Probability and Combinatorics — consistent with JEE Advanced’s emphasis on multi-step Calculus and Algebra.
Q4. Was JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 harder than Paper 1?
Answer: Yes. Based on student feedback and Aakash expert analysis, JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 was harder than Paper 1 overall. Physics was notably tougher in Paper 2, and Chemistry was slightly more demanding than in Paper 1. Mathematics remained at a similarly challenging level across both papers. This is consistent with the trend seen in JEE Advanced 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Q5. What are good attempts in JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2?
Answer: Based on the JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 difficulty level, Aakash experts consider the following as good attempts for Paper 2: Physics — 8 to 11 questions (out of 18); Chemistry — 10 to 13 questions; Mathematics — 9 to 12 questions. An overall attempt of 27–36 questions with high accuracy, yielding 74–120 marks out of 180, is a strong performance in Paper 2.
Q6. Where can I download JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 solutions PDF?
Answer: Candidates can download the JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2 solutions PDF and subject-wise answer keys for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from the Aakash official website. Use the Important Links table at the top of this page for direct access to Paper 1 solutions, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics answer keys. For rank estimation, use the Aakash JEE Advanced Rank Predictor and for college choices, use the Aakash JEE Advanced College Predictor.
