JEE Advanced 2025 Exam Analysis: IIT Kanpur administered the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2025 on May 18, 2025. It was attended by 1,87,223 enrolled candidates. The examination was conducted in two shifts: Paper 1 from 9 AM to 12 PM and Paper 2 from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

Overall Exam Difficulty

According to Ajay Sharma, National Academic Director at Aakash Educational Services Limited, JEE Advanced 2025 was found to be moderate in overall difficulty by the majority of students and subject matter experts. The exam was found to be well-organised, with a balanced mix of questions across subjects.

Out of the three major subjects:

- Chemistry was found to be the easiest,

- Physics was found to be moderate and marginally tough, and

- Mathematics was found to be the toughest, due to long and computation-based questions.

Exam Pattern Overview

Paper 1 Structure

Every subject in Paper 1 consisted of 16 questions, spread over four sections:

- Section I: 4 Single Correct Questions (+3 marks, -1 for incorrect)

- Section II: 3 Multiple Correct Questions (+4 marks, -2 for incorrect)

- Section III: 6 Numerical Answer Type Questions (+4 marks, no negative marking)

- Section IV: 3 Match the Following Questions (+4 marks, -1 for incorrect)

Total Marks per Subject: 60

Total Marks for Paper 1: 180

Paper 2 Structure

Each subject also consisted of 16 questions in Paper 2, spread over three sections:

- Section I: 4 Single Correct Questions (+3 marks, -1 for wrong)

- Section II: 4 Multiple Correct Questions (+4 marks, -2 for wrong)

- Section III: 8 Numerical Answer Type Questions (+4 marks, no penalty)

Total Marks per Subject: 60

Total Marks for Paper 2: 180

Overall Exam Metrics

- Total Questions (Both Papers): 96

- Maximum Marks: 360

Subject-wise Analysis

Physics

Physics was overall considered easy to moderate. Paper 1 was considered easier than Paper 2. All questions asked for solid conceptual understanding and moderate computation. Some questions in Paper 2 were a bit longer and took more time, needing strong problem-solving abilities.

Chemistry

Chemistry was the most scoring and student-friendly section in both papers. The questions were predominantly conceptual and straightforward with negligible calculation. The paper had a proper balance between Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry, which was liked by students.

Mathematics

Mathematics was the most difficult part of the exam. Paper 1 was quite feasible, but Paper 2 had a greater level of complexity with long, complicated, and numerically oriented problems. Time management was absolutely necessary to excel in this part.

Ranking of Difficulty Level (Hardest to Easiest)

According to comprehensive student feedback and academic experts, the subjects are ranked here in ascending order of difficulty:

Chemistry < Physics < Mathematics

Nitin Vijay, Founder and CEO of Motion Education, reported that JEE Advanced 2025 was of moderate to difficult level of difficulty. Based on initial student feedback, he said, “Mathematics was found to be the most challenging section, with lengthy, difficult, and time-consuming questions requiring conceptual clarity and profound thinking. Physics was reported as moderate to challenging, with questions requiring understanding and accuracy, while Chemistry was comparatively easier in both sessions, allowing students to conserve time during the exam. Paper 2 proved to be tougher than Paper 1, particularly as eight number value-type questions were provided with no options. As compared to previous years, no paragraph-type questions were posed. Maths and Physics proved to be time-consuming and tough in Paper-2, whereas Chemistry proved to be a comparatively easier level of difficulty."