Are you wondering what an 84 percentile in JEE Main really means for your future? You are not alone. Every year, thousands of students like you check their results and feel confused about what their percentile score actually means. You might be asking yourself: Is 84 percentile good? Can I get into a good college with this score? What should I do next?
These questions are common among students preparing for engineering admissions. Your percentile is important because it decides your rank and the colleges you can apply to. While 84 percentile is above average, it may not be enough for top colleges like NITs and IIITs. But that does not mean you have no options.
In this article, we will explain your expected rank, the colleges you can get, and tips to improve your percentile in the next attempt.
What is Percentile in JEE Mains?
JEE Main uses a percentile system to rank students based on their performance. The percentile score is not the actual percentage of marks obtained but shows the relative performance compared to other students.
A score of 84 percentile is considered above average because it is higher than more than half of the students appearing for the exam. However, for admission into government colleges, this score may not be sufficient.
What is the Rank for 84 Percentile in JEE Mains?
Based on previous years’ data, the expected rank range for an 84 percentile score is 1,80,000 to 2,10,000. However, this rank is only an estimate and may vary slightly every year.
JEE Main 80 to 84 Percentile Marks vs Rank 2025
| Percentile Range | Expected Marks Range | Expected Rank Range |
| 85+ percentile | 89.1 to 90 marks | 1,72,001 to 1,80,000 ranks |
| 84.5+ percentile | 87.7 to 89.1 marks | 1,80,001 to 1,86,000 ranks |
| 84+ percentile | 86.4 to 87.7 marks | 1,86,001 to 1,92,000 ranks |
| 83.5+ percentile | 85.1 to 86.4 marks | 1,92,001 to 2,00,000 ranks |
| 83+ percentile | 83.9 to 85.1 marks | 2,00,001 to 2,05,000 ranks |
| 82.5+ percentile | 82.6 to 83.9 marks | 2,05,001 to 2,10,000 ranks |
| 82+ percentile | 81.4 to 82.6 marks | 2,10,001 to 2,17,000 ranks |
| 81.5+ percentile | 80.1 to 81.4 marks | 2,17,001 to 2,25,000 ranks |
| 81+ percentile | 78.9 to 80.1 marks | 2,25,001 to 2,30,000 ranks |
| 80.5+ percentile | 77.8 to 78.9 marks | 2,30,001 to 2,35,000 ranks |
| 80+ percentile | 76.6 to 77.8 marks | 2,35,001 to 2,40,000 ranks |
JEE Main Marks vs Rank vs Percentile 2025 (Expected)
| Marks out of 300 | Rank | Percentile |
| 288- 294 | 20-11 | 99.99826992- 99.99890732 |
| 280-284 | 44-22 | 99.99617561 – 99.99790569 |
| 270-279 | 107-63 | 99.99034797 – 99.99417236 |
| 252- 268 | 522-106 | 99.95228621- 99.99016586 |
| 231-249 | 1385-546 | 99.87388626-99.95028296 |
| 215-230 | 2798-1421 | 99.74522293-99.87060821 |
| 202-214 | 4666-2862 | 99.57503767- 99.73930423 |
| 190-200 | 6664- 4830 | 99.39319714- 99.56019541 |
| 175-189 | 10746-7151 | 99.02150308 – 99.3487614 |
| 161-174 | 16163-11018 | 98.52824811-98.99673561 |
| 149-159 | 21145-16495 | 98.07460288-98.49801724 |
| 132-148 | 32826-22238 | 97.0109678-97.97507774 |
| 120-131 | 43174-33636 | 96.0687115-96.93721175 |
| 110-119 | 54293-44115 | 95.05625037-95.983027 |
| 102-109 | 65758-55269 | 94.01228357-94.96737888 |
| 95-101 | 76260-66999 | 93.05600452 -93.89928202 |
| 89-94 | 87219-78111 | 92.05811248 -92.88745828 |
| 79-88 | 109329-90144 | 90.0448455 -91.79177119 |
| 62-87 | 169542-92303 | 84.56203931-91.59517945 |
| 41-61 | 326517-173239 | 70.26839007-84.22540213 |
| 1-42 | 1025009-334080 | 66.6590786-69.5797271 |
Factors Affecting Rank in JEE Main
Scoring well in JEE Main is not only about getting high marks. Your final rank depends on many factors. Some students get confused when their marks do not match their expected rank. This happens because the JEE Main ranking process is not just based on marks but also on how others perform and the difficulty level of the exam. Here are the main factors that affect your rank in JEE Main:
1) Impact of Session and Normalization
JEE Main is conducted in multiple sessions across different days. Each session has a separate set of question papers. The difficulty level of these papers is not always the same. Some students may get an easy paper, while others may face a tougher one. This can create a difference in marks among students.
To solve this problem, NTA uses a normalization process. Normalization adjusts marks based on the difficulty level of different sessions. If your paper was difficult compared to other sessions, your normalized percentile may increase even if your raw marks are low. Similarly, if your session was easier, your normalized percentile may decrease even if your raw marks are high.
This normalization process is important to ensure fairness for all students. However, it sometimes causes confusion. Students with similar marks from different shifts may get different percentiles. This is why comparing marks directly with friends is not always accurate. Always check your percentile and rank after normalization.
2) Exam Difficulty and Candidate Performance
The difficulty level of the exam plays a big role in deciding your rank. JEE Main papers can vary in difficulty each year and even within the same year across different sessions.
When the exam is tough, students generally score lower marks. In such cases, even 70–80 marks can give a good percentile. When the exam is easy, students score higher marks, so the cutoff and percentile increase. In such cases, you may need 100+ marks to reach a similar percentile.
Your rank is always relative to other students’ performance. Even if you find the paper easy, others may perform better, which can lower your percentile. That is why never rely only on your feeling after the exam. Wait for the result to see how you performed compared to others.
3) Performance Differentiation Among Top-Scoring Candidates
The competition is very high among students scoring above 90 percentile. A small increase in marks can cause a big jump in percentile and rank.
For example, a student with 130 marks may get 94 percentile, while a student with 140 marks may get 96 percentile. This 10-mark difference leads to a 2 percentile jump, which can mean thousands of rank differences.
As you move closer to 98–99 percentile, the competition becomes tougher. Every single mark becomes important. Students preparing for 98+ percentile need to focus on accuracy and speed to avoid losing marks due to silly mistakes.
Understanding these factors can help you analyze your performance better and plan your preparation wisely.
Is 84 Percentile a Good Score in JEE Main?
For students aiming for NITs, IIITs, or other top government colleges, 84 percentile is not a very good score. Based on historical data, students with this score usually get a rank between 1,86,001 and 1,92,000.
With this rank, it is very difficult to secure admission into top government engineering colleges. However, students can still find admission in private colleges or state government colleges.
College Options at 84 Percentile in JEE Mains
Getting a seat in NITs or IIITs with 84 percentile is very challenging. The closing ranks for most core engineering branches like Computer Science, Electronics, and Mechanical are much lower than 1,80,000. However, some lower-ranked NITs or special category reservations may provide opportunities for admission.
List of NIT Colleges Between 80-90 Percentile in JEE Main
| College Name | NIRF Ranking | Popular Courses | Annual B.Tech Course Fees (Approx.) |
| National Institute of Technology (NIT), Durgapur | 44th in the Engineering category93rd in the Overall category | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology | INR 1.79 Lakhs |
| National Institute of Technology (NIT), Jalandhar | 58th in the Engineering category101–150th in the overall category | Instrumentation and Control Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering | INR 1.64 Lakhs |
| National Institute of Technology (NIT), Raipur | 71st in the engineering category36th in the architecture category | Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Mechanical Engineering | INR 71,110 |
| National Institute of Technology (NIT), Meghalaya | 72nd in the Engineering category | Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering | INR 1.55 Lakhs |
| National Institute of Technology (NIT), Agartala | 82nd in the Engineering category | Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering | INR 1.51 Lakhs |
| National Institute of Technology (NIT), Puducherry | 97th among engineering colleges | Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering | INR 1.45 Lakhs |
| National Institute of Technology (NIT), Goa | 101–150 in the Engineering category | Electronics and Communication Engineering | INR 1.33 Lakhs |
| National Institute of Technology (NIT), Hamirpur | 101–150 in the Engineering category | Electronics and Communication Engineering | INR 1.8 Lakhs |
List of Colleges Other than NITs Accepting 80-90 Percentile in JEE Main
| College Name | Courses |
| IIITM Gwalior | Computer Science and Engineering |
| IIIT Allahabad | Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering |
| University of Engineering and Management, Jaipur | Civil Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering |
| BITS Ranchi | Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering |
| KIIT University | Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automobile Engineering, Information Technology, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering |
| Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar | Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering |
| Jaipur Engineering College, Jaipur | Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Information Technology, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Engineering |
| CMR Institute of Technology, Kolkata | Computer Science Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering |
| College of Engineering, Pune | Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering |
Preparation Tips to Get 99+ Percentile in JEE Mains
If a student is not satisfied with their 84 percentile score, they can attempt JEE Main again. Here are some preparation tips to improve the percentile in the next attempt:
1) Start Early and Build a Strong Foundation
One of the most important steps in preparing for JEE Main is starting early. The earlier you begin, the more time you’ll have to understand complex concepts and revise them multiple times. Ideally, you should start your preparation a year or at least six months before the exam. The first few months should be dedicated to building a strong foundation in core subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Focus on mastering the basics of each subject, as JEE Main tests your understanding of fundamental concepts rather than memorization.
2) Create a Realistic Study Plan
A well-structured study plan is essential to ensure that you cover all the topics on time and leave enough space for revision. Break your preparation into smaller, manageable chunks. Allocate specific hours for each subject, focusing more time on subjects or chapters you find difficult. Make sure to include regular breaks to avoid burnout.
Also, prioritize topics based on their weightage in the exam. For example, in Mathematics, topics like Calculus, Algebra, and Coordinate Geometry are highly important, while in Physics, Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism often carry more marks. Prioritizing your time based on the importance of topics ensures that you are always prepared for the most commonly tested sections.
3) Practice Regularly with Mock Tests and Previous Papers
Practice is key when it comes to JEE Main. You can study all day, but without practice, it will be difficult to apply the knowledge in an exam setting. Make it a habit to solve previous years’ question papers and take regular mock tests. These will help you understand the exam pattern, time constraints, and the level of difficulty.
Phodu Club’s JEE Main Test Series offers comprehensive mock tests that closely follow the actual exam format. With regular participation in these tests, you can sharpen your time management skills and get a realistic feel of the exam environment. Additionally, the detailed analysis provided after each test helps you identify areas of improvement to maximize your score.
4) Focus on Conceptual Understanding Over Rote Learning
JEE Main is not a test of rote learning but of understanding concepts. Therefore, it’s important to focus on building a deep understanding of each topic rather than just memorizing formulas or equations. For example, instead of simply memorizing formulas for thermodynamics or optics in Physics, try to understand how the concepts are applied in different situations.
In Mathematics, understanding the derivations and logic behind formulas will help you tackle complex problems. In Chemistry, instead of just memorizing reactions, try to understand their mechanisms and applications. This kind of understanding will help you not just in JEE Main but also in further studies and your career as an engineer.
5) Strengthen Weak Areas and Revise Regularly
Everyone has areas where they struggle more than others. Identifying and addressing these weak areas is essential to improving your overall score. For instance, if you find Mathematics challenging, dedicate extra time to practicing math problems, particularly those that you find difficult. Similarly, if you have difficulty with Organic Chemistry, focus on understanding reaction mechanisms and key concepts in that area.
Once you’ve worked on strengthening your weak points, make sure to regularly revise what you’ve learned. Revision helps to solidify your knowledge and ensures that you don’t forget important concepts closer to the exam. A good revision strategy involves revisiting old topics while also practicing new problems to keep your skills sharp.
6) Use Quality Study Materials and Resources
Selecting the right study materials can make a significant difference in your preparation. Stick to trusted and well-known books and resources. For Mathematics, books like IIT Mathematics by M.L. Khanna or Problems in Calculus of One Variable by I.A. Maron are popular choices. In Physics, Concepts of Physics by H.C. Verma is highly recommended for understanding fundamental concepts. For Chemistry, Organic Chemistry by Morrison and Boyd is a great resource, while for Inorganic Chemistry, J.D. Lee is widely used.
In addition to books, consider using online resources like video lectures, online courses, and interactive apps designed for JEE preparation. These can help clarify complex concepts and provide additional practice questions.
7) Stay Healthy and Manage Stress
A lot of students overlook the importance of maintaining good physical and mental health during their preparation. Preparing for JEE Main can be stressful, and if you’re not taking care of your health, it can affect your performance. Ensure you get enough sleep, eat nutritious food, and exercise regularly. A healthy body supports a sharp mind, which is essential for absorbing complex information and performing well in exams.
Incorporating relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing exercises can also help you manage stress. Stress management is crucial, especially as the exam date approaches. Keeping a calm and focused mind can greatly improve your exam performance.
8) Stay Motivated and Positive
Preparing for an exam like JEE Main can be challenging, but staying motivated and maintaining a positive attitude is crucial. Set small, achievable goals and celebrate your progress. Rewarding yourself after completing study milestones helps keep you motivated. Surround yourself with supportive friends and family who encourage you and understand the importance of your preparation.
If you feel overwhelmed or discouraged, take short breaks to clear your mind. Avoid burnout by balancing study with relaxation and activities you enjoy. Keep reminding yourself of your ultimate goal: gaining admission to BIT Sindri and pursuing a career in engineering.
Conclusion
Scoring 84 percentile in JEE Main is above average, but it may not be enough for top engineering colleges like NITs and IIITs. However, students can still explore state government colleges and private universities for admission.
If a student wants to improve their score, they can attempt JEE Main again with better preparation strategies. Regular practice, mock tests, and a strong focus on weak areas can help in achieving a higher percentile in the next attempt.
