As per the official JEE Main 2026, Session 2 for Paper 1 was scheduled between 2 April and 9 April 2026, with the first shift from 9 AM to 12 noon and the second shift from 3 PM to 6 PM. NTA also uses a shift-wise percentile normalisation process, which means paper difficulty affects how raw marks convert into percentile.
The team at Akash has carefully reviewed the paper pattern, subject difficulty, and early student feedback to prepare this analysis. At the same time, NTA does not publish an official marks vs percentile chart before the results. So, every range on this page is approximate and should be used as a planning guide, not as a final score prediction.
JEE Main Rank Predictor 2026
JEE Main April 2 Shift 2 Marks vs Percentile: Expected Range
If you are checking JEE Main April 2 shift 2 marks vs percentile right after the exam, the main thing to remember is that this paper was not seen as extremely difficult. Because of that, the marks needed for the top percentiles may stay slightly lower than a tough paper, but not dramatically low either.
Across the reviewed estimates, the safest conclusion is that 99 percentile for Shift 2 is likely to begin around 165 marks and may stretch towards 175 marks. For the 95th percentile band, most estimates range from 118 to 128 marks. For the 90 percentile band, the expected zone is roughly 97 to 107 marks.
| Percentile | Expected marks range | What it means |
| 99 percentile | 165-175 | Strong score for a relatively competitive shift |
| 95 percentile | 118-128 | Solid standing, but the final result will depend on normalisation |
| 90 percentile | 97-107 | Useful benchmark for broad performance planning |
Important note: These figures are approximate. NTA releases percentiles through the official result, not through an advance marks chart.
JEE Main April 2 Shift 2 Analysis: Subject-Wise Difficulty
The JEE Main April 2 shift 2 analysis becomes easier to understand when you break the paper down by subject. This shift did not look brutal overall, but it was not effortless either. The pressure mostly came from the Mathematics section.
Physics
Physics was generally seen as moderate. It was moderate and mostly concept-led, with a few formula-application questions
Chemistry
Chemistry was the scoring section for many students, with NCERT comfort helping, though some found parts of it less direct than expected. It was easy to moderate.
Mathematics
Mathematics was the section that slowed students down and shaped the paper’s final fairness. It was difficult, engthy and calculation-heavy, with time management becoming important
Easiest and Toughest Shift April 2 JEE Main: Shift 2 vs Shift 1
A common question after day one is about the easiest and toughest shift April 2 JEE Main. The answer is not absolute, because difficulty can feel different from student to student. Still, the broad trend from the early review is useful.
Shift 1 was often seen as more straightforward in Chemistry, while Shift 2 felt more balanced but slightly tighter because of Maths. That is why the April 2 shift 2 vs shift 1 JEE Main difficulty comparison is important. The second shift may not have been the toughest paper of Session 2, but it did feel a little more demanding than Shift 1 for many students.
| Area | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Takeaway |
| Overall level | Moderate | Moderate | Close, but Shift 2 felt a bit tighter |
| Physics | Easy to moderate | Moderate | Shift 2 looked a shade less forgiving |
| Chemistry | Easy to moderate | Easy to moderate | Shift 1 looked more promising for many students |
| Mathematics | Moderate to tough | Moderate to difficult | Both were lengthy, but Shift 2 still carried pressure |
Marks Required for 99 Percentile April 2 Shift 1 and Shift 2
Students also keep searching for the marks required for 99 percentile April 2 shift 1, because that gives a useful comparison point. On present estimates, Shift 1 may sit around 175 to 185 marks for 99 percentile, while Shift 2 may sit a little lower, near 165 to 175 marks.
This does not mean the difference is fixed. It only suggests that the second paper may have been slightly less score-friendly at the top end. So, if you are comparing marks required for 99 percentile April 2 shift 1 with Shift 2, the second shift looks marginally more favourable in percentile conversion.
| Percentile | Shift 1 expected marks | Shift 2 expected marks | Reading |
| 99 percentile | 175-185 | 165-175 | Shift 2 may need slightly fewer marks |
| 95 percentile | 125-135 | 118-128 | Shift 2 again trends a little lower |
| 90 percentile | 100-110 | 97-107 | A difference exists, but it is not huge |
Expected Percentile for 150 Marks April 2 JEE Main
The expected percentile for 150 marks April 2 JEE Main is one of the most useful checkpoints for students. A score of 150 does not place you in the absolute top bracket, but it still keeps you in a competitive range.
For Shift 2, 150 marks are likely to place you around the 97.5 to 98.3 percentile. The exact number will depend on how many students appeared in the shift and how NTA’s normalisation process finally settles. So the expected percentile for 150 marks April 2 JEE Main should be treated as a range, not a single fixed value.
| Marks range | Expected percentile | Broad rank idea | How to read it |
| 160+ | 98.5 to 99+ | Around 12,000 to 25,000 or better | Strong position for the shift |
| 150-159 | 97.5 to 98.3 | Around 20,000 to 35,000 | Competitive range with scope for good options |
| 140-149 | 96.8 to 97.8 | Around 25,000 to 45,000 | Decent but sensitive to final normalisation |
| 130-139 | 95.5 to 96.8 | Around 35,000 to 60,000 | Useful benchmark for planning next steps |
April 2 Shift 2 vs Shift 1 JEE Main Difficulty and Normalisation
The April 2 shift 2 vs shift 1 JEE Main difficulty discussion matters because percentile is shift-based. NTA’s official bulletin says percentile is calculated within the shift by taking the number of candidates who scored equal to or less than a candidate, dividing that by the total number of candidates who appeared in that shift, and then multiplying by 100.
That is why raw marks across shifts should never be compared in a direct way. A 150 in a slightly tougher shift can produce a percentile similar to a higher score in an easier shift. This is also why students should not panic if Shift 2 felt a bit more demanding than Shift 1.
Instead, they should:
- Use raw marks only as an estimate.
- Wait for the official NTA scorecard for the final percentile.
- Read Shift 2 results in the context of shift difficulty, not in isolation.
JEE Main April 2 Shift 2 Marks vs Percentile Key Dates
Students often search for paper links, answer keys, and score-related documents right after the exam. The table below keeps those items in one place. Use the official portal first whenever a document is released.
| Resource | Download PDF/link label | Where to check |
| JEE Main 2026 Session 2 updates | Download official update PDF | Official JEE Main website |
| Information Bulletin | Download JEE Main 2026 Bulletin PDF | Official JEE Main website |
| Admit card and city intimation | Get the official exam document PDF | Official JEE Main website |
Final Take on JEE Main April 2 Shift 2 Marks vs Percentile
To sum up, JEE Main April 2 shift 2 marks vs percentile looks slightly more favourable than Shift 1 at the same score levels, mainly because the second paper appears a touch less score-friendly at the top end. The strongest estimate right now is that the 99th percentile may fall near 165 to 175 marks, while 150 marks may place a student in the high 97 to low 98 percentile band.
The safest approach is simple. Use this page to estimate your position, but wait for the official result before making final decisions on rank, cut-off, or college choice. Until then, keep your focus on what the paper actually suggests about your preparation and your next move.
FAQs
Is the JEE Main April 2 shift 2 marks vs percentile chart official?
No. NTA does not release an advance marks vs percentile chart for a specific shift. The ranges used here are expert estimates based on paper difficulty, student feedback, and earlier marks to percentile trends.
What does the JEE Main April 2 shift 2 analysis say about the paper level?
The overall reading is moderate. Physics looked moderate, Chemistry was relatively scoring for many students, and Mathematics was the most time-consuming section. That mix is why the shift felt competitive but not extreme.
What are the marks required for 99 percentile April 2 shift 1 and Shift 2?
Current estimates place Shift 1 near 175 to 185 marks for 99 percentile and Shift 2 near 165 to 175 marks. These are approximate figures and can change after final normalisation.
What is the expected percentile for 150 marks April 2 JEE Main?
For the second shift, 150 marks is likely to place a student somewhere around the 97.5 to 98.3 percentile. The final figure depends on the shift performance data released in the results.
Which was the easiest and toughest shift April 2 JEE Main?
The two shifts were fairly close, but Shift 1 looked more scoring to many students because Chemistry seemed simpler there. Shift 2 felt slightly tighter because Maths shaped the paper more strongly.
