New day, new shift, new surprises. Every shift carries a little surprise of its own. The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 January 23 exam was not behind too. Conducted in two shifts, both tested students’ preparation in different ways. Shift 1 drained time steadily. Shift 2 pushed conceptual depth and stamina much harder.
This combined January 23 exam analysis compares Shift 1 (Morning) and Shift 2 (Afternoon) across:
- difficulty level
- subject-wise analysis
- time pressure
We will walk you through:
- Which shift was tougher on January 23
- Subject-wise comparison of both shifts
- Student reactions and pressure points
- How to access Aakash’s question paper solutions and answer keys
- What aspirants should take away for upcoming shifts
Overall Exam Difficulty Level: January 23 Shift 1 & 2 Comparison
| Shift | Overall Difficulty | Key Characteristic |
| Shift 1 (9 AM – 12 PM) | Moderate to Tough | Long paper, heavy time pressure |
| Shift 2 (3 PM – 6 PM) | Moderate to Hard | Conceptual depth, extreme length |
Verdict: Both shifts were demanding. However, Shift 2 felt tougher overall due to its advanced-level Physics, statement-heavy Chemistry, and uniformly long sections.
JEE Main 2026 Exam January 23: Subject-wise Difficulty Comparison
Mathematics
| Shift | Difficulty | Nature of Questions |
| Shift 1 | Tough | Lengthy, multi-step, calculation-driven |
| Shift 2 | Moderate | Straightforward but very time-consuming |
Common Topics: Vectors, 3D Geometry, Calculus, Algebra, Sequences & Series
Insight: Maths demanded patience in both shifts. Shift 1 felt tougher conceptually, while Shift 2 tested speed and selection.
Physics
| Shift | Difficulty | Nature of Questions |
| Shift 1 | Moderate | Conceptual with numericals |
| Shift 2 | Tough | Advanced-level numericals, very lengthy |
Common Topics: Modern Physics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Ray Optics
Insight: Physics became the biggest differentiator on January 23, especially in Shift 2 where depth mattered more than formulas.
Chemistry
| Shift | Difficulty | Nature of Questions |
| Shift 1 | Moderate & Lengthy | d-block, analytical questions |
| Shift 2 | Moderate & Tricky | Statement-based, concept-mixed |
Common Topics: d-Block Elements, Organic Chemistry, Chemical Kinetics
Insight: Chemistry was no longer a breather on January 23. Both shifts required careful reading and strong NCERT fundamentals.
Which Shift Exam Was Tougher on 23, January 2026?
- Shift 1: Tough mainly due to length and Maths-heavy workload.
- Shift 2: Tough due to conceptual Physics, long Chemistry, and overall exhaustion factor.
Final Call: January 23 Shift 2 can be considered the tougher paper of the day.
Normalisation ensures fairness, but Shift 2 demanded greater endurance and accuracy.
Student Reactions: January 23
| Aspect | Shift 1 | Shift 2 |
| Most Difficult Section | Mathematics | Physics |
| Most Time-Consuming | Chemistry | Physics & Chemistry |
| Easiest Section | Physics | Mathematics |
| Overall Feedback | Very long | Extremely tiring |
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme (Both Shifts 1 & 2)
- 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 Exam 2026 January 23 Question Papers & Answer Keys by Aakash Experts
Since JEE Main is a computer-based exam, official papers are not released immediately. Aakash provides memory-based question papers with detailed solutions, prepared by experienced 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 23 – Shift 1 or Shift 2.
- Download subject-wise PDFs for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- Match responses to estimate scores and identify weak areas.
These solutions focus on approach, accuracy, and time strategy—not just final answers.
Good Attempts & Expected Score Range (Indicative)
- Safe Attempts: 45–50 questions
- Good Score: 145+ marks
- 99 Percentile Range: Around 180–190 marks
- Top Scores: 200+ with strong accuracy
Expected Category-wise Cut-off (Percentile):
- General: 92–95
- OBC-NCL / EWS: 78–82
- SC: 58–62
- ST: 45–50
What This Means for Upcoming JEE Main Shifts
- Don’t treat Chemistry as a free-scoring section anymore.
- Maths rewards smart selection, not brute attempts.
- Physics demands concept depth, especially numericals.
- Use memory-based papers to track how difficulty is evolving.
- Normalisation works, but accuracy still decides ranks.
Final Takeaway
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 January 23 exam was a clear shift towards time-heavy, concept-first testing. Shift 1 tested control. Shift 2 tested stamina.
Students preparing for upcoming shifts should use this combined analysis and Aakash’s solutions to refine their strategy calmly.
Focus on accuracy. Manage energy. Trust the process.
FAQs
Q1. Was January 23 tougher than January 22?
Yes. Both shifts on January 23 were more time-consuming and concept-driven compared to January 22.
Q2. Which shift was tougher on January 23?
Shift 2 was tougher due to advanced Physics and statement-based Chemistry.
Q3. Did Chemistry remain NCERT-based on January 23?
NCERT helped, but careful reading and concept clarity were equally important.
Q4. Will tougher shifts affect percentiles?
No. Normalisation adjusts scores based on shift difficulty.
Q5. Are Aakash solutions enough for analysis?
Yes. They help identify approach gaps, accuracy issues, and time-management errors.
