Have you scored 87 percentile in JEE Main and are unsure what it means for your rank and college options? It can be confusing, but you’re not alone.
An 87 percentile means you’ve done better than 87% of the candidates, but what does that mean for NITs, IIITs, or other colleges? While top NITs might be hard to reach at this score, there are still plenty of options, from state government engineering colleges to private universities.
If you’re also planning to boost your score in the next attempt, a focused strategy can make a real difference.
This article will clearly explain your expected rank, list colleges accepting 87 percentile, and provide practical tips to improve your percentile. Let’s break it down!
What is Percentile in JEE Main?
The percentile score in JEE Main represents how a candidate has performed relative to others who appeared for the exam. It shows the percentage of candidates who scored lower than you.
For example:
- If you scored 87 percentile, it means you performed better than 87% of the total candidates.
- It does not mean you scored 87% of the total marks.
This is a key difference because percentile ranks candidates in comparison to others, not based on their actual scores.
Why Does JEE Main Use Percentile Instead of Marks?
JEE Main is conducted in multiple sessions across different days and shifts. Since each session may have varying levels of difficulty, directly comparing marks would be unfair.
To solve this, NTA (National Testing Agency) uses a normalization process and calculates percentiles to ensure a level playing field.
The formula used for calculating the percentile score is:
Percentile Score = (Number of candidates who scored below you ÷ Total number of candidates) × 100
Let’s look at an example:
- Suppose 10,00,000 candidates appeared for JEE Main.
- If you scored 87 percentile, this means you outperformed 87% of the total candidates.
- The number of candidates who scored below you would be:
87% of 10,00,000 = 8,70,000.
So, your rank would be roughly around 1,30,000 (we’ll explain the rank calculation in detail later).
How is Percentile Calculated for Multiple Sessions?
Since JEE Main happens in multiple sessions:
- Raw marks (your actual score based on correct and incorrect answers) are calculated first.
- NTA converts these raw marks into percentile scores for each session.
- The highest scorer in each session gets a 100 percentile.
- The percentiles for the rest of the candidates are calculated based on how many scored below them.
For example:
- If your raw score was 150 out of 300 in a tough session, your percentile might be 90.
- The same 150 marks in an easier session might only fetch you an 85 percentile.
This method ensures fairness, so students from tougher sessions are not at a disadvantage.
Key Points to Remember about JEE Mains Percentile
- Percentile does not show your marks. It shows how you performed compared to others.
- The 100 percentile score means you are the top performer in your session.
- Two students with the same marks can have different percentiles if they appeared in different sessions.
- The overall merit list is prepared after combining the percentiles of all sessions through a special formula.
Expected Rank for 87 Percentile in JEE Main
Typically, for 87 percentile, the rank falls between 1,25,000 to 1,35,000, depending on the total number of test-takers. If fewer candidates appear, your rank will be lower, and if more appear, it will be higher. With 87 percentile in JEE Main, your expected rank can be calculated using the formula:
Rank = (100 – Percentile) × Total Candidates ÷ 100
If 10 lakh candidates appeared, your approximate rank would be:
(100 – 87) × 10,00,000 ÷ 100 = 1,30,000
This estimate helps you understand your position and plan for counseling, whether through JoSAA or state-level processes.
Factors Affecting Rank in JEE Main
Your JEE Main rank is influenced by several factors beyond just your raw score. Let’s break down the key elements that determine your final rank:
1) Total Number of Candidates Appearing: The more candidates appear for the exam, the higher your rank will be for the same percentile. For example, 87 percentile might correspond to a rank of 1,30,000 if 10 lakh students appear, but if 12 lakh students take the exam, the same percentile could push your rank to 1,56,000.
2) Session-wise Normalization: JEE Main is conducted in multiple sessions. Since question paper difficulty can vary, normalization is used to ensure fairness. Even if you score the same raw marks as someone in a different session, your percentile might differ due to this process.
3) Your Percentile Score: Your percentile score shows how you performed relative to others.
The formula used is: Percentile = (Number of candidates who scored below you ÷ Total number of candidates) × 100.
4) Tiebreaker Rules: When two candidates get the same percentile, JEE Main uses a tiebreaker system:
- Higher Maths marks = better rank.
- If Maths scores are the same, higher Physics marks.
- If still tied, higher Chemistry marks.
- If all subject scores match, the older candidate gets the better rank.
5) Category of the Candidate: JEE Main ranks are also given category-wise (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, etc.). Your category rank can impact your chances during counseling, especially for reserved seats in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
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 |
Strategies to Improve Percentile in JEE Main
If you’ve scored 87 percentile in JEE Main and are aiming to push it higher in the next attempt, you need a clear and effective strategy. Increasing your percentile requires focused preparation, smart time management, and regular practice. Let’s break down practical strategies that can help you improve your score.
1) Assess Your Strengths and Weaknesses
The first step to improving your JEE Main percentile is understanding where you stand.
- Review your scorecard: Look at your section-wise marks in Maths, Physics, and Chemistry.
- Identify weak areas: Find the topics where you lost the most marks or struggled with time.
- Recognize strong points: Note the topics where you scored well so you can build on them.
Tip: Divide topics into three categories — Strong, Moderate, and Weak. Focus on turning weak topics into moderate ones and moderate topics into strong ones.
2) Create a Realistic Study Plan
A structured study plan is crucial for boosting your percentile.
Daily schedule:
- 4-5 hours of self-study daily, apart from coaching or school hours.
- 1-2 subjects per day to avoid burnout.
- Short breaks after every 1.5 hours to stay focused.
Weekly goals:
- Revise 2-3 weak topics each week.
- Solve at least 2 full-length mock tests weekly.
Subject-wise focus:
- Maths: Prioritize high-weightage chapters like Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, and Algebra.
- Physics: Focus on Mechanics, Electrostatics, and Modern Physics.
- Chemistry: Divide time equally between Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry.
3) Master Time Management
In JEE Main, time management can make or break your score.
During preparation:
- Set timers while solving practice papers.
- Allocate time for each subject based on your strengths.
- Use the Pomodoro technique — study for 50 minutes, take a 10-minute break.
During the exam:
- 1 hour for Maths: solve easy questions first, then tackle harder ones.
- 45 minutes for Physics: focus on formula-based questions to save time.
- 45 minutes for Chemistry: quickly finish Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, then move to Organic.
Practicing under timed conditions will prepare you for the real exam pressure.
4) Solve Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs)
JEE Main often repeats question patterns, so solving previous years’ papers is a must.
- Start with papers from the last 10 years.
- Identify frequently asked concepts and give them extra attention.
- Analyze your mistakes after each paper and revisit the concepts you struggled with.
Tip: Treat these papers like real exams — solve them in one sitting with a timer.
5) Take Regular Mock Tests
Mock tests simulate the real JEE Main exam and help you identify areas for improvement. Consistent practice with full-length tests boosts your confidence, sharpens your time management skills, and highlights your weak areas.
- Attempt 2-3 full-length tests per week.
- Use NTA’s official mock test platform for accuracy.
- Focus on both accuracy and speed after each test.
How to analyze mock tests:
- Check wrong answers: Identify whether mistakes happened due to silly errors, concept gaps, or time pressure.
- Track time spent: Ensure you’re not wasting too much time on a single question. Balance speed with precision.
- Record your scores: Keep a log of your mock test scores and track your progress. Set a target for gradual improvement, aiming to boost both your percentile and confidence with each test.
The right test series combined with proper analysis will push you closer to your goal. Consider enrolling in high-quality test series like the Phodu Club JEE Mains Test Series. Known for their well-structured papers, realistic difficulty levels, and detailed solutions, these tests closely mirror the actual exam pattern and are great for assessing your preparation.
6) Revise Smartly
Revision is not just re-reading notes — it should be targeted and strategic.
Subject-wise revision:
- Maths: Practice formulas daily and solve application-based problems.
- Physics: Focus on formulas, laws, and derivations. Use short notes for quick revision.
- Chemistry: Create a reaction chart for Organic Chemistry and memorize periodic table trends for Inorganic Chemistry.
Last-month strategy:
- Prioritize high-scoring topics — Modern Physics, Algebra, Thermodynamics, etc.
- Avoid starting new chapters at the last minute.
- Revise short notes and concept maps daily.
7) Use Quality Study Materials
Good resources can make a big difference. Stick to reliable books and avoid using too many references.
Recommended books:
- Maths: RD Sharma, Cengage, and previous year papers.
- Physics: HC Verma (Concepts of Physics), DC Pandey.
- Chemistry: NCERT for Inorganic, OP Tandon for Physical, and MS Chauhan for Organic.
Online resources:
- NTA Abhyas App for mock tests.
- YouTube channels for doubt-solving and crash courses.
8) Focus on High-Weightage Topics
Instead of trying to master everything, focus more on chapters with higher weightage.
High-Weightage Topics in JEE Mains Physics
| Chapter Name | Approximate Weightage |
| Current Electricity | 9.90% |
| Magnetic Effect of Current and Magnetism | 6.60% |
| Alternating Current | 6.60% |
| Kinetic Theory of Gases & Thermodynamics | 6.60% |
| Kinematics | 6.60% |
| Work, Energy, and Power | 6.60% |
| Law of Motion | 6.60% |
| Centre Of Mass | 6.60% |
| Rotational Dynamics | 6.60% |
| Modern Physics | 6.60% |
| Wave Optics | 6.60% |
| Electrostatics | 3.30% |
| Capacitors | 3.30% |
| Simple Harmonic Motion | 3.30% |
| Sound Waves | 3.30% |
| Elasticity | 3.30% |
| Error in Measurement | 3.30% |
| Circular Motion | 3.30% |
| Electromagnetic Waves | 3.30% |
| Semiconductors | 3.30% |
High-Weightage Topics in JEE Mains Chemistry
| Chapters | Approximate Weightage |
| Transition Elements & Coordination Compounds | 9.90% |
| Periodic table, p-Block Elements | 9.90% |
| Atomic Structure | 6.60% |
| Chemical Bonding | 6.60% |
| Chemical And Ionic Equilibrium | 6.60% |
| Solid-State | 6.60% |
| Nuclear Chemistry | 6.60% |
| Thermodynamics & the Gaseous State | 6.60% |
| Mole Concept | 3.30% |
| Redox Reactions | 3.30% |
| Electrochemistry | 3.30% |
| Chemical Kinetics | 3.30% |
| Solution & Colligative Properties | 3.30% |
| General Organic Chemistry | 3.30% |
| Stereochemistry | 3.30% |
| Hydrocarbon | 3.30% |
| Alkyl Halides | 3.30% |
| Carboxylic Acids & their Derivatives | 6.60% |
| Carbohydrates and amino acids | 6.60% |
| Aromatic Compounds | 6.60% |
High-Weightage Topics in JEE Mains Mathematics
| Chapter Name | Approximate Weightage |
|---|---|
| Sequences & Series | 6.60% |
| Straight Lines | 6.60% |
| 3-D Geometry | 6.60% |
| Determinants | 6.60% |
| Sets | 3.30% |
| Permutations & Combinations | 3.30% |
| Probability | 3.30% |
| Complex Numbers | 3.30% |
| Binominal Theorem | 3.30% |
| Limits | 3.30% |
| Differentiability | 3.30% |
| Indefinite Integration | 3.30% |
| Definite Integration | 3.30% |
| Differential Equations | 3.30% |
| Height & Distance | 3.30% |
| Trigonometric Equations | 3.30% |
| The Area under the Curve | 3.30% |
| Quadratic Equations | 3.30% |
| Vectors | 3.30% |
| Tangents and Normals | 3.30% |
| Maxima and Minima | 3.30% |
| Statistics | 3.30% |
| Parabola | 3.30% |
| Ellipse | 3.30% |
| Hyperbola | 3.30% |
Mastering these topics increases your chances of scoring higher since they often carry more marks.
9) Stay Consistent and Positive
Improving your percentile is not about overnight success — it requires consistent effort.
- Track your progress: Keep a journal noting your test scores, weak topics, and goals.
- Avoid burnout: Take short breaks, exercise, and maintain a healthy routine.
- Stay motivated: Surround yourself with positive influences, whether it’s friends, teachers, or motivational videos.
A positive mindset keeps you focused and helps you push through tough days.
Conclusion
Scoring 87 percentile in JEE Main puts you ahead of a large number of candidates, but it may not be enough for top NITs or IIITs. Still, there are good options available in state government engineering colleges, private universities, and even some newer NITs under the home-state quota.
If you’re aiming for better colleges, the key is to analyze your weak areas, manage your time effectively, and practice with mock tests. With a clear plan and consistent effort, you can improve your score in the next attempt.
Remember, JEE Main is not just about one result. It’s about how you use your current score to plan ahead. Whether you choose to take admission now or prepare for a higher percentile, stay focused and keep pushing forward. Your journey doesn’t end here. It’s just the beginning.
