This combined January 22 exam analysis puts Shift 1 (Morning) and Shift 2 (Afternoon) side by side. Difficulty level, subject-wise load, and time pressure, everything compared in one clean view, without the guesswork. Here, we will cover
- which shift was tougher
- how aspirants can access Aakash’s question paper solutions and answer keys
- how to utilise these resources for performance review
- takeaways for students from the two shifts of JEE Main 2026 Jan 22
Overall Difficulty Level: JEE Main 2026 Session 1 January 22 Exam Shift-wise Comparison
| Shift | Overall Difficulty | Key Characteristic |
| Shift 1 (9 AM – 12 PM) | Easy to Moderate | Lengthy paper, strong time pressure |
| Shift 2 (3 PM – 6 PM) | Moderate | Conceptual balance, fewer surprises |
Verdict: Shift 2 was slightly tougher overall due to its more conceptual Chemistry and balanced Physics section. Shift 1 felt easier on paper but became challenging due to length and time management, especially in Physics.
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 January 22 Exam: Subject-wise Difficulty Comparison
Let’s look into a side by side comparison of the 3 subjects for both shifts of JEE Main 2026 Session 1 January 22 Exam:
Mathematics
| Shift | Difficulty | Nature of Questions |
| Shift 1 | Easy to Moderate | Direct, doable, less intimidating |
| Shift 2 | Easy to Moderate | Lengthy, formula-based, time-consuming |
Common Topics: Vectors, 3D Geometry, Algebra, Probability
Insight: Mathematics was scoring in both shifts. Shift 2 required better time control due to longer calculations.
Physics
| Shift | Difficulty | Nature of Questions |
| Shift 1 | Moderate to Hard | Calculation-heavy, concept-driven |
| Shift 2 | Easy to Moderate | Balanced numericals and theory |
Common Topics: Magnetism, Current Electricity, Mechanics, Modern Physics
Insight: Physics was the most time-consuming section in Shift 1, making it the deciding factor for high percentiles.
Chemistry
| Shift | Difficulty | Nature of Questions |
| Shift 1 | Easy | Mostly NCERT-based, factual |
| Shift 2 | Moderate | Conceptual, statement-based, Organic-heavy |
Common Topics: Coordination Compounds, Chemical Bonding, Organic Chemistry
Insight: Chemistry was the biggest differentiator. Shift 1 was clearly more scoring, while Shift 2 tested reading accuracy and conceptual clarity.
Which Shift Was Tougher?
- Shift 1: Easier syllabus-level difficulty but lengthy and physics-heavy.
- Shift 2: Conceptually tighter, especially in Chemistry, with balanced pressure across subjects.
Final Call: January 22 Shift 2 can be considered marginally tougher than Shift 1.
Normalisation ensures fairness across shifts, so students should focus on accuracy rather than overattempting.
Student Reactions
| Aspect | Shift 1 | Shift 2 |
| Most Scoring Section | Chemistry | Mathematics |
| Most Difficult Section | Physics | Chemistry |
| Time Pressure | High | Moderate |
| Overall Feedback | Manageable but long | Balanced and predictable |
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme (Both Shifts)
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
- Questions per Subject: 20 MCQs + 10 NATs (Attempt any 5)
- Marking Scheme:
- +4 for correct answers
- −1 for incorrect MCQs
- No negative marking for NATs
Download JEE Main 2026 January 22 Question Papers & Answer Keys by Aakash
Since JEE Main is a computer-based test, official papers are not released immediately. Aakash provides memory-based question papers with detailed solutions prepared by subject experts.
How to Download Aakash Question Paper Solutions
- Visit the Aakash digital learning or exam analysis section.
- Open JEE Main 2026 January Session – Question Papers & Solutions.
- Select January 22 – Shift 1 or Shift 2.
- Download subject-wise PDFs for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- Match your responses to estimate scores and identify weak areas.
These solutions help students understand approach, accuracy, and time strategy, not just final answers.
Good Attempts & Expected Score Range (Indicative)
- Safe Attempts: 55–60 questions
- Good Score: 160+ marks
- 99 Percentile Range: 190–200 marks
- Top Scores: 210+ with strong accuracy
Expected Category-wise Cut-off (Percentile):
- General: 93–95
- OBC-NCL / EWS: 80–82
- SC: 60–62
- ST: 47–50
What This Means for Upcoming Shifts
- Prioritise NCERT thoroughly for Chemistry.
- Choose Maths questions smartly to manage time.
- Strengthen conceptual chapters in Physics.
- Use memory-based papers to spot repeated patterns.
Every shift has its own challenge. Normalisation balances it out.
Final Takeaway
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 January 22 Exam tested different skills across shifts. Shift 1 rewarded speed and discipline. Shift 2 rewarded conceptual clarity and balance. Students preparing for upcoming shifts should use this combined analysis and Aakash’s solutions to fine-tune strategy without panic.
Focus on accuracy. Stay calm. Trust the process.
FAQs
Q1. Was January 22 Shift 1 actually an easy paper?
Not exactly easy. Think easy to moderate, but long. Maths and Chemistry helped students score, but Physics ate up time. If time slipped, percentiles slipped too.
Q2. How tough was JEE Main 2026 January 22 Shift 2?
Shift 2 sat comfortably in the moderate zone. Chemistry asked you to think, not recall. Maths tested patience more than concepts. Physics stayed fair, provided basics were clear.
Q3. Which subject gave the best scoring chances?
- Shift 1: Chemistry. NCERT did most of the work.
- Shift 2: Mathematics. Long, yes. Difficult, no — if time was managed well.
Q4. Will shift difficulty affect my final result?
No. And this is important. JEE Main uses normalisation to balance score differences across shifts. A tougher paper does not mean a weaker result. Accuracy still wins.
Q5. Are Aakash solutions good for score calculation?
Yes. They focus on approach, logic, and exam-ready methods, not just final answers. Perfect for analysing mistakes and improving strategy.
Q6. How should aspirants use this analysis for upcoming shifts?
Use it to stay realistic. Identify scoring sections. Control time. Avoid blind over-attempting. JEE Main rewards calm thinking more than panic speed.
