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By Ankit Gupta
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Updated on 22 Jan 2026, 11:54 IST
The JEE Main 2026 Shift 1 Mathematics paper held on January 22 was moderately difficult and quite lengthy. Key areas of focus included Coordinate Geometry, Vectors, and Calculus. Many of the questions required detailed calculations, with students needing around 70-90 minutes to complete the section. Effective time management and accuracy were essential for performing well.
This session adhered to the typical JEE Main pattern, remaining well within the prescribed syllabus.
| Particular | Details |
| Exam Date | 22 January 2026 |
| Shift | Morning (Shift 1) |
| Timing | 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Section | Mathematics |
| Overall Level | Moderate to Lengthy |
| Nature of Questions | Calculation-intensive, Step-by-step problems |
According to the feedback from students, the paper was not conceptually difficult, but it was time-consuming. Most of the questions required step-by-step solutions, with very few direct or formula-based questions. Strong knowledge of Geometry and Calculus was crucial for success.
Do check: JEE Mains 2026 22 Jan Shift 1 Physics Exam Analysis
The questions were evenly distributed across topics from both Class 11 and Class 12 syllabi. However, Class 11 topics seemed to have a slightly higher weightage. Coordinate Geometry, Vectors, and Calculus were the dominant topics in the paper.
| Topic | Number of Questions |
| Calculus | Relatively few |
| Vector Algebra & 3D Geometry | 2-3 |
| Quadratic Equations | 1 |
| Sequence & Series | 1 |
| Permutations & Combinations (PnC) & Probability | 1 |
| Straight Lines | 2 |
| Circles | 1 |
| Matrices (Lengthy) | 1 |
| Sets & Relations | 2 |
| Arithmetic & Geometric Progression | Included |
| Conic Sections (Parabola, Ellipse, Hyperbola) | 3 |
| Application of Derivatives | 1 |
| Binomial Theorem | Included |
| Trigonometry | Included |
| Coordinate Geometry | Dominated the paper |
| Vectors & 3D Geometry | Major portion |
| Calculus Focus | Mostly from limits and continuity |
| Algebra | Relatively light and scoring |
Do check: JEE Mains 2026 22 Jan Shift 1 Chemistry Exam Analysis
The paper contained a balanced mix of Class 11 and Class 12 topics. However, Class 11 topics, especially Coordinate Geometry, Sets & Relations, and Probability, had a slight edge.
| Exam Date | Shift | Watch Analysis |
| JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis - 21st Jan | Shift 1 | https://youtube.com/live/WC258w31m74 |
| JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis - 21st Jan | Shift 2 | https://youtube.com/live/vheaiJrR2_Q |
| JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis - 22nd Jan | Shift 1 | https://youtube.com/live/m7cM98ZSCDU |
| JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis - 22nd Jan | Shift 2 | https://youtube.com/live/7vt5a2WxPqE |
| JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis - 23rd Jan | Shift 1 | https://youtube.com/live/xYTg1l5FRoc |
| JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis - 23rd Jan | Shift 2 | https://youtube.com/live/nA2n-Edi6XA |
| JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis - 24th Jan | Shift 1 | https://youtube.com/live/UgMXlgNqnu4 |
| JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis - 24th Jan | Shift 2 | https://youtube.com/live/USPLcU-gh3A |
| JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis - 28th Jan | Shift 1 | https://youtube.com/live/lMPvB2_Y3xM |
| JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis - 28th Jan | Shift 2 | https://youtube.com/live/mbWlQ6YqvLo |
If you're planning to appear in the upcoming shifts, focus on the following tips to improve your performance:

By following these tips and focusing on the areas mentioned above, you can tackle the upcoming shifts with confidence. Stay calm, manage your time effectively, and maintain accuracy for the best results.

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The overall difficulty of the paper was moderate. While the questions weren’t conceptually tough, they were lengthy and required careful calculations, making time management essential. The paper was not extremely hard but demanded a good grasp of key concepts and problem-solving techniques.
The paper saw a heavy focus on Coordinate Geometry, Vectors & 3D Geometry, and Calculus. Coordinate Geometry, in particular, had a significant presence, while Vectors and 3D Geometry were also central. The Calculus questions mostly involved limits and continuity.
Most candidates required between 70 to 90 minutes to complete the Mathematics section. Time management was crucial, as the paper was lengthy, and students reported feeling pressured in the final 30 minutes. Focusing on accuracy rather than attempting every question was key to success.
For upcoming shifts, students should focus on Coordinate Geometry, Vectors & 3D Geometry, and Calculus. It’s also essential to revise formulas for Limits, Continuity, and Integration, and practice solving lengthy numerical problems. Mock tests under time constraints are highly recommended to improve speed and accuracy.
The paper had a balanced mix of Class 11 and Class 12 topics. Class 11 topics, particularly Coordinate Geometry, Sets & Relations, and Probability, were emphasized more. For Class 12, Vectors & 3D Geometry and Calculus were heavily featured.