JEE Main 2023 was conducted across 22 shifts in two sessions — January and April — making it the year with the highest number of shifts in recent history.
The exam introduced more competency-based questions, especially in Physics and Mathematics, focusing on application rather than direct recall. The overall difficulty was moderate to tough, with Physics being the toughest, Chemistry moderate, and Mathematics moderate to tough. The general cutoff was around 90.8 percentile.
You can also explore JEE Main previous year question papers (2022–2024) to understand how difficulty has evolved across years.
2023 retained the same NTA structure but marked a shift toward competency-based and reasoning-focused questions.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 90 (75 compulsory + 15 optional) |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Marking Scheme | +4 correct, −1 wrong (MCQs); no negative for numericals |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Key Change | Higher proportion of competency-based questions |
| Sessions | January (Jan 24 – Feb 1) and April (Apr 6 – 15) |
For comparison with the latest format, see JEE Main 2024 exam pattern.
All 2023 papers include solutions, difficulty grading, and topic-wise segregation. Solving multiple shifts gives exposure to varied question types within the same pattern.
JEE Main 25 Jan 2023 Shift 2
Physics PDF | Chemistry PDF | Maths PDF
Physics-heavy paper with strong Thermodynamics focus.
JEE Main 31 Jan 2023 Shift 2
Physics PDF | Chemistry PDF | Maths PDF
Balanced difficulty across all subjects.
JEE Main 1 Feb 2023 Shift 1
Physics PDF | Chemistry PDF | Maths PDF
Chemistry easier, with moderate Maths.
JEE Main 8 Apr 2023 Shift 2
Physics PDF | Chemistry PDF | Maths PDF
Tough Maths with heavy Coordinate Geometry focus.
JEE Main 11 Apr 2023 Shift 2
Physics PDF | Chemistry PDF | Maths PDF
Physical Chemistry numericals dominated.
| Subject | Key Topics | Approx Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Mechanics, Thermodynamics | 10 Mechanics, 5 Thermodynamics |
| Chemistry | Physical Chemistry numericals | 9 Physical Chemistry |
| Mathematics | Coordinate Geometry, Vectors | 10 Coordinate Geometry, 8 Vectors |
2023 saw Physics emerge as the toughest subject, unlike 2022 where Chemistry was easier. Strengthen fundamentals using Physics syllabus breakdown and Organic Chemistry roadmap.
After completing 2023 papers, move to JEE Main 2024 Question Papers for the highest difficulty level.
If you are starting fresh, begin with 2022 papers and progress step by step.
At Giraffe Learning, preparation follows actual exam progression — 2022 → 2023 → 2024 — with guided analysis, mock tests, and detailed discussions.
Explore JEE coaching in Bangalore for structured preparation.
22 shifts across January and April sessions.
Moderate to tough, with Physics being the toughest subject and cutoff around 90.8 percentile.
Yes. More application-based questions made 2023 tougher than 2022.
Yes, including step-by-step explanations and time-saving approaches.
Start with Physics, then Mathematics (Coordinate Geometry & Vectors), and finally Chemistry.