JEE Main 2026 April 4 Shift 1 Analysis: Exam ‘moderately difficult’; maths toughest, chemistry easiest

The National Testing Agency (NTA) concluded Day 2, Shift 1 of JEE Main 2026 on April 4 from 9 am to 12 noon. As per initial analysis, the paper was of moderate difficulty. The Shift 2 exam is scheduled to take place from 3 pm to 6 pm. JEE Main 2026 April 2 Exam LIVE

As per the experts from Careers360, the paper was considered similar in level to the April 2 second shift and slightly easier compared to the January session exams. Among the subjects, Mathematics was the toughest, followed by Physics, while Chemistry was the easiest section.

Overall, the difficulty trend remained Maths > Physics > Chemistry, and the questions were well-distributed across all sections, maintaining a balanced paper structure.

Also read JEE Main 2026 April 2 Shift 1 Analysis: Paper 'easy to moderate'; students find maths challenging

JEE Main 2026 day 2 shift 1: Section-wise analysis

Based on student feedback and expert reviews, here’s a detailed section-wise analysis of the JEE Main 2026 April 4 Shift 1 exam.

JEE Main Physics analysis

As per the experts from Careers360, the Physics section in the JEE Main 2026 April 4 morning shift was rated easy overall and was comparatively simpler than Mathematics. The paper level was similar to the April 2 shift and easier than the January 2026 session. Most students were able to complete the section within 45 to 50 minutes, with many finding the questions straightforward and manageable. Overall, Physics was less time-consuming and emerged as a high-scoring section for candidates.

JEE Main Mathematics analysis

The Mathematics section was overall difficult and comparatively tougher than both Physics and Chemistry. However, it was slightly easier than the April 2 evening shift and also less challenging than the January 2025 session. The section was notably lengthy and time-consuming, with several questions focusing on conceptual understanding rather than direct formula-based solving, which required students to have strong clarity of core JEE concepts.

JEE Main Chemistry analysis

The Chemistry section was rated easy and emerged as the most scoring among the three subjects. It was easier than both Physics and Mathematics and also simpler compared to the April 2 morning and evening shifts, while remaining similar in level to the January 2026 session. The paper had a higher weightage from Physical Chemistry, followed by Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, making the overall distribution Physical > Inorganic > Organic.

Also read JEE Main 2026 April 2 Shift 2 Analysis: Physics easy, maths tricky, say students

JEE Main 2026 April 4 shift 1 paper: Questions asked

The question paper included several important topics across all three subjects which are:

Physics:

● 1 Question From Thermodynamics.

● 1 Question From Kinematics( Projectile Motion).

● 2 Question From Work Energy and Power

● 1 Question From Rotational Motion

● 1 Question from SHM

Maths:

● 2 Questions from Functions

● 3 Questions from Coordinate Geometry

● 2 Questions from Vector & 3D Geometry

● 3 Questions from Matrices & Determinants

● 1 Question from Sequence & Series

● 1 Question from Quadratic Equations

Chemistry:

● 1 from chemistry kinetics

● 1 from redox reaction

● 1 question from the mole concept

● 2 questions from coordination compounds

● 1 question from thermodynamics