JEE Main 2025 Shift 1 (April 7) Live Paper Analysis: Maths Proves Lengthy, Experts Weigh In
JEE Main 2025 April 7 Shift 1 Paper Analysis: Maths Tough, Chemistry Scoring, Physics Balanced
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2025 continued its Session 2 on April 7, with BTech/BE candidates appearing for Paper 1 in two shifts across centres nationwide. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting the exam in a computer-based mode from April 2 to 8 for Paper 1. Paper 2, for B.Arch and B.Planning aspirants, is scheduled for April 9.
The morning shift (Shift 1) ended smoothly at 12 noon. Test centres reported no major technical issues. Students shared their experiences soon after stepping out, and expert insights followed, offering a clearer picture of the day’s exam.
Overall Difficulty: Maths Leads in Toughness
Most students found Mathematics the most difficult section. It included lengthy calculations and complex multi-step problems, which made time management a real challenge. Many couldn’t attempt all the questions within the three-hour window.
Unexpectedly, Calculus had fewer questions than usual. Instead, the section focused heavily on 3D Geometry, Vectors, and Conic Sections. Matrices and Determinants had minimal representation. This shift in topic distribution reflects a new trend in the Session 2 papers.
Experts pointed out that while all questions stayed within the syllabus, the nature and length made the paper tougher. Speed and accuracy played a crucial role — and maintaining both proved difficult.
Physics: Balanced and Based on NCERT
Physics provided some relief. Most students and coaching institutes rated it as easy to moderate. The section contained many formula-based numericals and fewer tricky conceptual questions. Students who focused on NCERT and understood core concepts performed well.
Key topics included Mechanics, Modern Physics, Electrostatics, Ray Optics, and Units & Measurements. These areas dominated the section and offered scoring opportunities. On the other hand, topics like EMI, AC, and Rotation Mechanics were either missing or barely appeared — a trend consistent since April 2.
Experts from coaching institutes like Aakash and FIITJEE noted that the section relied heavily on NCERT concepts. Students with a clear conceptual understanding benefited the most.
Chemistry: Most Scoring Section of the Paper
Chemistry stood out as the easiest and most scoring section. Students reported that most questions were theoretical and directly taken from NCERT. Those who memorized reactions, trends, and properties well found this section a good chance to boost their scores.
Inorganic Chemistry dominated the section, while Organic Chemistry had fewer questions — a pattern that has held across several shifts. Most questions were statement-based, asking students to identify correct or incorrect options.
Students completed this section quickly and used the extra time to tackle lengthy Maths problems. Many called Chemistry a confidence-booster.
Exam Pattern Remains the Same
Despite changes in topic emphasis, the overall exam pattern stayed the same. Each subject had two parts — Section A with 20 multiple-choice questions and Section B with 10 numerical questions (out of which any 5 had to be attempted). All questions carried equal marks, so accuracy was key across the paper.
The exam followed the computer-based test (CBT) format. Candidates were required to bring their admit card and a valid photo ID. The first shift ran from 9 am to 12 noon, while the second shift took place from 3 pm to 6 pm.
Student Reactions: Mixed but Mostly Fair
Many students felt both relieved and exhausted after Shift 1. Most agreed the paper was fair, though Maths added significant pressure. “Maths was just too lengthy — I knew how to solve most questions, but I couldn’t manage time,” said Ananya, a candidate from Delhi. Others shared similar experiences, highlighting the relative ease of Physics and Chemistry.
What’s Next for Candidates?
With only a couple of exam days left in Session 2, candidates preparing for upcoming shifts should observe these trends. While EMI, AC, and Rotation haven’t appeared prominently yet, skipping them could be risky. These chapters may still show up in the upcoming shifts.
JEE Advanced Eligibility and What to Focus On
According to NTA rules, the top 2.5 lakh candidates in JEE Main 2025 will qualify for JEE Advanced — the gateway to the IITs. Given the trend so far, students should focus on depth of understanding, time-bound problem-solving, and especially strong Maths preparation.
Coaching centres will soon release answer keys and question paper discussions. These will help students estimate their scores and use rank predictors to plan their next steps.
The second shift of the April 7 exam is currently in progress. A detailed Shift 2 analysis will follow later today, offering more insight into the consistency of difficulty and topic distribution across both sessions.
