The JEE Main Paper 1 Shift 2 held on 12th January 2019 was part of the first January session conducted by NTA in fully computer-based mode. The paper had a total of 90 questions, equally divided among Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, and carried a total of 360 marks. Students described this shift as balanced, with Chemistry being the easiest, Mathematics moderately tough, and Physics ranging between conceptual and tricky.
I’m writing about this particular shift because it offers good practice value for aspirants preparing for JEE in current or upcoming sessions. Understanding the structure, difficulty level, and topic distribution of this paper helps students focus their revision efforts more smartly. Papers like these are also useful for self-evaluation. When I was helping a batch of students revise for the 2020 attempt, this exact shift was used as a mock test, and it helped highlight key weak points. Going through the paper under timed conditions and reviewing the solutions is one of the most effective ways to build exam confidence and subject accuracy.
Overview of the Exam
- Date of Exam: 12 January 2019
- Shift: Evening (Shift 2)
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Total Questions: 90 (30 each from Physics, Chemistry, Maths)
- Total Marks: 360
- Duration: 3 hours
- Marking Scheme: +4 for correct answers, -1 for wrong answers
Section-Wise Breakdown
Physics
Physics had a mix of theory and calculation-based questions. Some questions were time-consuming, especially from Mechanics and Electrodynamics.
Frequently Asked Topics:
- Work, Energy and Power
- Electrostatics
- Semiconductors
- Kinematics
- Laws of Motion
Tip: Focus on NCERT + problem-solving from standard books like HC Verma and DC Pandey.
Chemistry
Chemistry was again the scoring section. Most questions came straight from NCERT, especially in Organic and Inorganic.
High-Weightage Topics:
- Coordination Compounds
- Environmental Chemistry
- Biomolecules
- Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids
- Equilibrium
Tip: Go through NCERT line by line. Make short revision notes for quick recall during final days.
Mathematics
Mathematics in this shift was slightly lengthy but manageable with practice.
Key Chapters Covered:
- Complex Numbers
- Limits and Continuity
- Integration
- 3D Geometry
- Permutations and Combinations
Tip: Speed and accuracy are both critical. Solve questions from past 10 years and keep revising formulas.
Download PDF
Click here to download JEE Main 2019 Paper 1 Shift 2 (12th Jan) PDF