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By rohit.pandey1
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Updated on 5 Jan 2026, 16:36 IST
Candidates preparing for JEE Main 2026 often look for clarity on how marks convert into percentile and rank after the result is declared. Since JEE Main is conducted in multiple sessions, the relationship between JEE Main marks, percentile, and All India Rank (AIR) is not fixed and changes every year based on several factors.
On this page, students can check a trend-based analysis of JEE Main marks vs percentile vs rank for 2026, prepared using previous year data and normalization patterns. The analysis includes expected marks-to-percentile ranges, percentile-to-rank conversion, and shift-wise variations, helping candidates estimate their probable performance in the exam. The tables and explanations provided here are indicative and meant for performance evaluation and counselling planning.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) declares JEE Main results in the form of percentile scores, not raw marks. These percentile scores are calculated using a normalization process to account for variations in difficulty level across different shifts and sessions of the exam. As a result, the raw marks obtained by a candidate are converted into a normalized percentile score, which is then used to prepare the final rank list. The actual percentile and rank secured by a candidate are mentioned in the official JEE Main result.
In JEE Main, percentile is the most important metric, as it determines the final rank used for JoSAA and CSAB counselling.
| Term | Definition (Exam-Accurate & Snippet-Friendly) |
| JEE Main Marks | JEE Main Marks are the raw scores obtained by a candidate out of 300 marks in a particular session of the JEE Main examination. These marks are calculated based on the official marking scheme, including correct, incorrect, and unattempted questions. |
| JEE Main Percentile | JEE Main Percentile indicates the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or less than a candidate in the same session after normalization. It reflects relative performance across shifts and is not the same as raw marks. |
| JEE Main Rank (AIR) | JEE Main Rank, also called All India Rank (AIR), is prepared based on the normalized percentile score, not raw marks. Percentiles from all sessions are combined to generate the final rank used for admissions. |
The table below shows the expected relationship between JEE Main marks, percentile, and All India Rank (AIR) based on previous year trends and normalization patterns. These ranges are indicative and may vary depending on shift difficulty and the total number of candidates appearing in JEE Main.
| Marks Range (Out of 300) | Expected Percentile Range | Estimated AIR (Rank) |
| 285 – 300 | 99.99 – 100 | 1 – 150 |
| 270 – 284 | 99.94 – 99.98 | 151 – 900 |
| 250 – 269 | 99.80 – 99.93 | 901 – 3,000 |
| 230 – 249 | 99.60 – 99.79 | 3,001 – 6,000 |
| 215 – 229 | 99.40 – 99.59 | 6,001 – 9,000 |
| 200 – 214 | 99.10 – 99.39 | 9,001 – 13,500 |
| 185 – 199 | 98.80 – 99.09 | 13,501 – 18,000 |
| 170 – 184 | 98.20 – 98.79 | 18,001 – 27,000 |
| 155 – 169 | 97.50 – 98.19 | 27,001 – 37,500 |
| 140 – 154 | 96.50 – 97.49 | 37,501 – 52,500 |
| 125 – 139 | 95.00 – 96.49 | 52,501 – 75,000 |
| 110 – 124 | 93.00 – 94.99 | 75,001 – 1,05,000 |
| 95 – 109 | 90.00 – 92.99 | 1,05,001 – 1,50,000 |
| 80 – 94 | 85.00 – 89.99 | 1,50,001 – 2,25,000 |
| 65 – 79 | 75.00 – 84.99 | 2,25,001 – 3,75,000 |
Many students search directly for percentile to rank conversion. The table below helps interpret percentile scores in terms of approximate rank.
| Percentile Score | Expected Rank Range |
| 99.9+ | 1 – 100 |
| 99.5 – 99.9 | 100 – 1,000 |
| 99.0 – 99.5 | 1,000 – 2,500 |
| 98.0 – 99.0 | 2,500 – 6,000 |
| 97.0 – 98.0 | 6,000 – 10,000 |
| 95.0 – 97.0 | 10,000 – 25,000 |
| 90.0 – 95.0 | 25,000 – 70,000 |
| Below 90 | Above 70,000 |
This conversion helps students understand where they stand nationally, irrespective of the session they appeared in.
One of the biggest misconceptions among aspirants is assuming that marks directly decide rank. In reality, normalization plays a key role.
As a result, 120 marks in an easier shift may result in a lower percentile compared to the same marks in a tougher shift.
| Marks | Percentile Range (Across Shifts) |
| 120 | 84 – 88 |
| 150 | 92 – 95 |
| 180 | 95 – 97 |
| 200 | 97 – 98.5 |
This variation explains why rank prediction is never exact and should always be viewed as a range.
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JEE Main is conducted in multiple sessions, and the difficulty level of question papers varies across shifts. To ensure fairness, the National Testing Agency (NTA) follows a statistical normalization process and awards percentile scores instead of directly comparing raw marks.
Percentile Score = (Number of candidates in the session who scored equal to or less than a candidate ÷ Total number of candidates in that session) × 100
Key Highlights
Student Insight: This is why two candidates with the same marks can receive different percentiles and ranks.
In JEE Main, the National Testing Agency (NTA) calculates separate percentile scores for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. These subject-wise percentiles do not directly decide the All India Rank (AIR) but help students understand which subject is strengthening or limiting their overall performance.
To improve performance in the next attempt, candidates should revise topics strictly as per the JEE Main 2026 syllabus, focusing on high-weightage chapters from each subject.
Physics generally shows moderate score compression, meaning small mark differences can lead to noticeable percentile changes in the 85+ range.
| Physics Marks Range | Expected Percentile Range |
| 95 – 100 | 99.5 and above |
| 90 – 94 | 99.0 – 99.4 |
| 85 – 89 | 98.0 – 98.9 |
| 80 – 84 | 97.0 – 97.9 |
| 75 – 79 | 95.5 – 96.9 |
| 70 – 74 | 93.5 – 95.4 |
| 65 – 69 | 91.0 – 93.4 |
| 60 – 64 | 88.0 – 90.9 |
| 55 – 59 | 84.0 – 87.9 |
| 50 – 54 | 79.0 – 83.9 |
Chemistry often records higher average percentiles, as many students find it more scoring and less time-consuming compared to Physics and Mathematics.
| Chemistry Marks Range | Expected Percentile Range |
| 95 – 100 | 99.5 and above |
| 90 – 94 | 99.0 – 99.4 |
| 85 – 89 | 98.0 – 98.9 |
| 80 – 84 | 97.0 – 97.9 |
| 75 – 79 | 95.0 – 96.9 |
| 70 – 74 | 92.5 – 94.9 |
| 65 – 69 | 89.0 – 92.4 |
| 60 – 64 | 85.0 – 88.9 |
| 55 – 59 | 80.0 – 84.9 |
| 50 – 54 | 74.0 – 79.9 |
Mathematics typically has the widest score distribution, making it the most decisive subject for top percentile brackets and rank differentiation.
| Mathematics Marks Range | Expected Percentile Range |
| 95 – 100 | 99.5 and above |
| 90 – 94 | 99.0 – 99.4 |
| 85 – 89 | 98.0 – 98.9 |
| 80 – 84 | 97.0 – 97.9 |
| 75 – 79 | 95.0 – 96.9 |
| 70 – 74 | 92.0 – 94.9 |
| 65 – 69 | 88.5 – 91.9 |
| 60 – 64 | 84.0 – 88.4 |
| 55 – 59 | 78.5 – 83.9 |
| 50 – 54 | 72.0 – 78.4 |
To be eligible for JEE Advanced 2026, candidates must meet the minimum cutoff percentile fixed by NTA. The following cutoffs are expected ranges based on recent year trends. Understanding the JEE Main exam pattern is equally important, as the number of questions, section-wise distribution, and marking scheme directly influence the final score and percentile.
Actual cutoffs may vary depending on exam difficulty and total candidates.
| Category | Expected Cutoff Percentile |
| General (UR) | 93.2 – 93.8 |
| Gen-EWS | 81.5 – 82.5 |
| OBC-NCL | 79.8 – 80.8 |
| SC | 60.5 – 62.5 |
| ST | 46.8 – 48.0 |
To understand the rising competition, here is how the marks required for a 99+ percentile have evolved over the last three years.
The table below presents a year-wise comparison of marks required for key percentile ranges based on recent JEE Main results.
| Percentile Range | 2025 Marks (Approx.) | 2024 Marks (Approx.) | 2023 Marks (Approx.) |
| 99.9 and above | 260 – 270 | 265 – 275 | 262 – 272 |
| 99.5 and above | 230 – 240 | 235 – 245 | 232 – 242 |
| 99.0 and above | 190 – 200 | 195 – 205 | 192 – 202 |
| 98.0 and above | 160 – 170 | 165 – 175 | 162 – 172 |
| 97.0 and above | 140 – 150 | 145 – 155 | 142 – 152 |
| 95.0 and above | 115 – 125 | 120 – 130 | 117 – 127 |
| 90.0 and above | 85 – 95 | 90 – 100 | 87 – 97 |
These historical trends should be used as a reference point, not a fixed benchmark. Actual marks-to-percentile conversion for JEE Main 2026 may vary depending on exam conditions.
A “good score” depends on the student’s target.
Instead of focusing only on marks, students should evaluate percentile bands and rank ranges.
Students should note that JEE Main rank prediction is inherently approximate. Final ranks depend on multiple dynamic factors.
Key Takeaway:
Rank should always be interpreted as a range, not a fixed number.
After understanding your expected percentile and rank, the next step is strategic planning.
This structured approach helps avoid last-minute confusion during counselling.
In case two or more candidates secure the same NTA percentile, ranks are decided using a predefined tie-breaking hierarchy. As per the latest guidelines applicable for JEE Main 2026, the age criterion has been removed.
Important Note:
If the tie still persists, identical ranks may be assigned as per NTA policy.
Understanding these points helps students interpret results more realistically.
The JEE Main rank vs marks vs percentile relationship is dynamic and influenced by several factors, including paper difficulty, number of candidates, and normalization. Instead of chasing exact numbers, students should focus on ranges, trends, and strategic decision-making.
This analysis provides a reliable framework to interpret JEE Main results and plan the next steps with clarity and confidence.
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JEE Main marks are the raw scores obtained out of 300 in a session.
Percentile shows the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or less than a candidate after normalization.
Rank (AIR) is prepared using the normalized percentile, not raw marks.
JEE Main percentile is calculated session-wise using normalization. It represents the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or below a candidate in the same session, ensuring fairness across different shifts.
JEE Main rank is based on the percentile score, not raw marks. Percentiles from all sessions are combined to prepare the All India Rank (AIR).
Based on previous year trends, 190–210 marks may correspond to 99 percentile in JEE Main 2026. Actual marks can vary depending on shift difficulty and number of candidates.
A 99 percentile in JEE Main generally corresponds to a rank range of 10,000–15,000, depending on total candidates and normalization.
Because JEE Main is conducted in multiple shifts, paper difficulty varies. Normalization adjusts scores, so the same marks in different shifts can result in different percentiles.
Around 120 marks may fall in the 90–92 percentile range based on trends. Whether it is a “good score” depends on the student’s target institutes, category, and counselling requirements.
For top NITs and popular branches, a 99+ percentile is generally required. For mid-tier NITs and IIITs, 95–98 percentile may be competitive depending on category and quota.
No, subject-wise percentiles (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) do not directly decide rank. Only the overall percentile is used to calculate AIR, but subject-wise scores help analyse strengths and weaknesses.
Rank predictions are approximate, not exact. They depend on factors like normalization, shift difficulty, total candidates, and topper performance.
In case of a tie, NTA applies tie-breaking rules, giving preference to higher scores in Mathematics, then Physics, then Chemistry, followed by other criteria as per official guidelines.
If a candidate appears in both January and April sessions, the best percentile score is considered for preparing the final merit list.
Marks vs percentile varies every year due to changes in: