JEE Main 2026 session 1 examination are quite low and easily achievable. According to the exam, the exam difficulty and expert analysis. The exam was difficult, very time-consuming and long compared to the Last ones.
Difficulty Level of JEE Main 2026 Jan 23 Shift 1 Paper
- The maths section was lengthy and hard, and involved a lot of calculations.
- The physics portion is in moderate level, with a mix of conceptual clarity and numerical application.
- The chemistry was quite unexpectedly very time-consuming.
Watch Now: JEE Main 2026 Expected Marks vs Percentile 23 January Shift 1 Expert Analysis
Expected Percentile vs Marks – JEE Main 2026 Jan 23 Shift 1
Based on the paper difficulty level and student performance trends, the expected percentile mapping is as follows:
For 99.9 Percentile
- Expected Marks: 210 – 217
- Scoring in the high percentile in low marks because the maths portion is Time-consuming
For 99 Percentile
- Expected Marks: 155 – 163
- Small mark differences can significantly impact rank
For 95 Percentile
- Expected Marks: 97 – 99
- A strong percentile considering the paper’s difficulty
- Suitable for students targeting good NITs and state colleges
Expected Cutoff
- Estimated Cutoff Marks: ~85+
- Represents the minimum qualifying threshold
- The cutoff is lower due to the tough Maths section
Final Words
The JEE Main 2026 January 23 Shift 1 paper proved to be challenging, particularly in Mathematics. Due to the difficulty level, percentile inflation at lower marks is expected, and cutoffs are likely to remain on the lower side.
Students are advised to wait for the official answer key and response sheet before concluding, but this analysis gives a realistic early estimate of where they stand.








