JEE Main 2026 April 2 Shift 2 Paper Analysis: Difficulty, Weightage & Student Reactions
JEE Mains & Advanced
Students looking for complete JEE Main 2026 question papers of all shifts can access them here: before going through the detailed analysis of April 2 Shift 2.
The JEE Main 2026 Session 2 exam held on April 2, Shift 2 (3 PM – 6 PM) was conducted in CBT mode for B.E./B.Tech aspirants. The paper consisted of 75 questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics for a total of 300 marks with the +4 / −1 marking scheme.
This shift was considered slightly tougher than Shift 1, mainly because Physics and Mathematics were more calculation-intensive.
Overall Difficulty Level
| Parameter | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Overall Paper Level | Moderate to Difficult |
| Easiest Section | Chemistry |
| Most Difficult Section | Mathematics |
| Time Pressure | High in Maths & Physics |
| Question Nature | Calculation heavy + conceptual |
| Class 11 vs 12 Weightage | More from Class 12 |
Section-Wise Difficulty Analysis
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Nature of Questions | Student Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | Moderate | Numerical & concept mixed | Time taking |
| Chemistry | Easy to Moderate | NCERT based | Scoring section |
| Mathematics | Moderate to Difficult | Lengthy, multi-step problems | Very time consuming |
Mathematics Detailed Analysis
Mathematics was lengthy and required strong calculation speed.
| Major Chapters Asked | Question Trend |
|---|---|
| Definite Integration | Lengthy calculations |
| Application of Derivatives | Concept based |
| Conic Sections | Standard but calculative |
| Algebra | Mixed variety |
| Vectors & 3D | Easy but time consuming |
| Probability | Direct formula based |
Key Observation: Students struggled to complete Maths on time.
Physics Detailed Analysis
Physics in Shift 2 was tougher than Shift 1 due to deeper numericals.
| Major Chapters Asked | Question Trend |
|---|---|
| Current Electricity | Numerical heavy |
| Magnetism | Conceptual numericals |
| Thermodynamics | Formula application |
| Optics | Ray optics focus |
| Modern Physics | Direct questions |
Key Observation: Required careful calculations and time.
Chemistry Detailed Analysis
Chemistry remained the most scoring section in this shift.
| Branch | Important Topics | Question Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Inorganic | Coordination Compounds, p-Block | Direct NCERT |
| Organic | Amines, Biomolecules | Reaction based |
| Physical | Chemical Kinetics, Solutions | Numerical |
Key Observation: Students confident with NCERT performed very well.
Difficulty Order (As per Students)
Mathematics > Physics > Chemistry
Chapter-Wise Weightage Snapshot
| Subject | High Weightage Chapters |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | Calculus, Conics, Algebra, Vectors |
| Physics | Current Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Thermodynamics |
| Chemistry | Coordination Compounds, Amines, Kinetics, p-Block |
Student Reactions
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“Maths was very lengthy.”
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“Physics numericals took time.”
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“Chemistry saved time and marks.”
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“Paper felt tougher than morning shift.”
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“Time management was the biggest challenge.”
Good Attempts Estimate
| Subject | Good Attempts |
|---|---|
| Physics | 18–21 questions |
| Chemistry | 21–23 questions |
| Mathematics | 13–16 questions |
| Overall Good Attempts | 52–58 questions |
Expected Marks vs Percentile (Estimated)
| Marks Range | Expected Percentile |
|---|---|
| 220+ | 99.7+ |
| 200–220 | 99+ |
| 170–200 | 98+ |
| 150–170 | 97+ |
| 130–150 | 95+ |
Final Verdict
-
Shift 2 was slightly tougher than Shift 1
-
Mathematics and Physics required serious time management
-
Chemistry was most scoring
-
Students with accuracy and calm approach performed best in this shift
FAQs –
Q1. What was the overall difficulty level of April 2 Shift 2?
The paper was moderate to difficult, slightly tougher than the morning shift.
Q2. Which section was the toughest in this shift?
Mathematics was the toughest and most time-consuming section.
Q3. Which section was the most scoring?
Chemistry was the most scoring due to direct NCERT-based questions.
Q4. How was Physics in Shift 2 compared to Shift 1?
Physics in Shift 2 was more calculation-heavy and time-taking than Shift 1.
Q5. Was the paper dominated by Class 11 or Class 12 topics?
There was more weightage from Class 12 topics.
Q6. Which Mathematics chapters had higher presence?
Calculus, Conic Sections, Algebra, Vectors & 3D, and Probability were prominent.
Q7. Which Physics topics were important in this shift?
Current Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Thermodynamics, and Modern Physics.
Q8. Which Chemistry topics were asked more?
Coordination Compounds, Amines, Chemical Kinetics, p-Block, and Solutions.
Q9. What were considered good attempts in this shift?
Around 52–58 questions with good accuracy.
Q10. Was time management important?
Yes, especially for Mathematics and Physics, where students felt time pressure.
Q11. What strategy worked best for this paper?
Starting with Chemistry, then Physics, and leaving Mathematics for the end helped many students.
Q12. Who performed best in this shift?
Students with strong calculation speed, accuracy, and NCERT clarity performed best.