JEE Advanced 2026 Expected Difficulty Level: Paper Toughness by IIT Roorkee

2 minute read

Sanhita Kundu

Update on 16 Sep, 2025, 02:35 PM IST

JEE Advanced 2026 is going to take place around May 2026. This year, IIT Roorkee will conduct the exam. JEE Advanced is considers as one of the most competitive and challenging engineering entrance tests in India. This tests candidates not only on knowledge but also on problem-solving speed, analytical reasoning, and time management. While students are keen to know how difficult the papers will be, the final difficulty depends on both IIT Roorkee, as the organizer, and the Joint Admission Board (JAB), which controls the question paper format, marking scheme, and syllabus distribution. By analyzing past trends and qualification data, aspirants can plan their preparation effectively and set realistic goals.

 

Table of Contents
  1. How IIT Roorkee Will Conduct JEE Advanced 2026
  2. JEE Advanced Exam: Past Trends – Qualification Rates
  3. JEE Advanced 2026: Subject-Wise Expected Toughness
  4. JEE Advanced: Paper-Wise Difficulty Observations
  5. Expected Question Types in JEE Advanced 2026
  6. Data-Driven Preparation Strategy for JEE Advanced 2026
  7. Conclusion

 

How IIT Roorkee Will Conduct JEE Advanced 2026

IIT Roorkee will host the exam, but the difficulty level, question formats, and evaluation guidelines are supervised by the Joint Admission Board (JAB).

Responsibility

Authority

Exam conduction

IIT Roorkee

Question paper design

Joint Admission Board (JAB)

Syllabus and marking scheme

JAB

Final decision on difficulty level

JAB

Key points:

  • Minor variations in question style can occur across years.
  • Major shifts in pattern or difficulty are rare.
  • Questions may range from conceptual problems to lengthy calculations.
  • Assertion-reason, numerical problems, match-the-following, and multiple-choice formats are common.

 

JEE Advanced Exam: Past Trends – Qualification Rates

The table below shows the qualification percentage over recent years. It reflects how competitive the exam has been and helps students understand the challenges they may face.

Year

Registered Candidates

Appeared Candidates

Qualified Candidates

Qualification %

2025

187,223

180,422

54,378

30.14%

2024

186,584

180,200

48,248

26.77%

2023

189,744

180,372

43,773

24.27%

2022

160,038

155,538

40,712

26.17%

2021

151,193

141,699

41,862

29.54%

Insights:

  • The qualification percentage has remained between 24% and 30%.
  • The exam’s difficulty level fluctuates but remains consistently tough.
  • Students need both conceptual clarity and strategic time management to succeed.

Check: JEE Advanced 2026 Exam Pattern

 

JEE Advanced 2026: Subject-Wise Expected Toughness

Based on past patterns and expected trends, each subject presents its own set of challenges:

Subject

Expected Difficulty

Key Topics

Preparation Focus

Mathematics

Most difficult

Algebra, Probability, Coordinate Geometry

Long problems, accuracy, calculation speed

Physics

Moderate to difficult

Mechanics, Electricity, Modern Physics

Multi-concept problems, assertion-reason questions

Chemistry

Relatively easier

Organic and Physical Chemistry, NCERT fundamentals

Accuracy, conceptual clarity, time balancing

Highlights:

  • Mathematics demands extended problem-solving and deeper conceptual understanding.
  • Physics requires multi-step reasoning and a solid grasp of formulas and laws.
  • Chemistry, while comparatively easier, must not be overlooked, as it includes conceptual traps.

Also Check: JEE Advanced 2026 Exam Pattern

 

JEE Advanced: Paper-Wise Difficulty Observations

Recent years have seen differences in difficulty levels between the two papers.

Year

Paper 1 Difficulty

Paper 2 Difficulty

Remarks

2025

Moderate to difficult

Tough, lengthy numericals

Paper 2 required extra time and accuracy

2024

Moderate

Tough

Similar trend of Paper 2 being more calculation-heavy

2023

Difficult

Moderate

Alternating pattern observed

2022

Moderate

Difficult

Heavy calculations in Paper 2

Takeaway: Students should plan for one paper being significantly harder than the other and manage their exam schedule accordingly.

 

Expected Question Types in JEE Advanced 2026

The exam is known for its variety of question formats across subjects.

Subject

Question Types

Special Notes

Mathematics

MCQs, numerical value, assertion-reason

Long questions from probability and algebra dominate

Physics

Assertion-reason, match-the-following, paragraph-based

Requires conceptual clarity and reasoning ability

Chemistry

MCQs, reasoning, numerical

NCERT-based, but tricky conceptual questions may appear

Additional Notes:

  • Numerical questions often consume more time.
  • Assertion-reason questions test logical consistency.
  • Paragraph-based problems require careful reading and interpretation.

 

Data-Driven Preparation Strategy for JEE Advanced 2026

Preparation based on past trends can make a significant difference.

Preparation Aspect

Strategy

Syllabus coverage

Complete all topics; don’t skip sections based on trends

Practice material

Use past papers, mock tests, and topic-wise question sets

Time management

Allocate extra time for Paper 2; practice speed drills

Accuracy

Prioritize solving fewer questions correctly over attempting all

Subject focus

Focus on Algebra, Probability, Mechanics, and Electricity

Important Notes:

  • Balance speed with accuracy; guesswork can lower scores.
  • Avoid over-reliance on expected patterns; JAB can surprise candidates.
  • Track progress by comparing mock test scores with past qualification benchmarks.

 

Conclusion

JEE Advanced 2026 is set to remain a highly competitive exam with moderate to high difficulty, especially in Mathematics and Physics. IIT Roorkee will organize the exam, but the final structure and challenge level are governed by the Joint Admission Board (JAB). Past trends show fluctuating qualification rates and subject-wise difficulty, making it essential for aspirants to focus on thorough preparation, strategic time management, and conceptual clarity.

 

Students aiming to succeed must:

  • Cover the full syllabus,
  • Practice with past papers,
  • Focus on key topics like Algebra, Probability, Mechanics, and Electricity,
  • Maintain accuracy under pressure,
  • And stay prepared for unexpected challenges.
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