Scored 140 marks in JEE Mains and wondering what’s next? You’re not alone! Many students reach this score and feel confused about their percentile, rank, and college options. The big question is: Can you get into a good NIT, IIIT, or GFTI? Or should you prepare for the next attempt to improve your score?
In this article, we’ll break down what 140 marks mean in terms of percentile, JEE Advanced qualification, and admission possibilities. You’ll also learn about the colleges and branches you can get at this score, along with strategies to improve your percentile if you plan to attempt JEE Mains again.
If you’re feeling uncertain about your next step, don’t worry! This guide will give you all the answers you need to make an informed decision about your engineering future. Let’s get started!
Expected Percentile for 140 Marks in JEE Mains
Scoring 140 marks in JEE Mains places students in a competitive percentile range. For most JEE Mains sessions in recent years, 140 marks typically result in a 94–97 percentile. However, the exact percentile for 140 marks varies each year due to factors like exam difficulty, number of candidates, and normalization. Based on recent trends, here is the expected percentile for 140 marks in JEE Mains.
- Easier Sessions: Around 92–94 percentile
- Moderate Sessions: Around 94–95 percentile
- Difficult Sessions: Around 95–96 percentile
Since JEE Mains is conducted in multiple shifts, normalization plays a role. In a tougher session, 140 marks may give a higher percentile, while in an easier session, the same marks may result in a lower percentile.
| Marks | Expected Percentile |
| 150 marks | 97.08+ percentile |
| 149 marks | 97+ percentile |
| 148 marks | 96.91+ percentile |
| 147 marks | 96.83+ percentile |
| 146 marks | 96.74+ percentile |
| 145 marks | 96.66+ percentile |
| 144 marks | 96.57+ percentile |
| 143 marks | 96.48+ percentile |
| 142 marks | 96.39+ percentile |
| 141 marks | 96.29+ percentile |
| 140 marks | 96.2+ percentile |
- In easier papers, 140 marks might give a lower percentile (around 94%).
- In tougher papers, the same score can result in a higher percentile (around 96%).
The percentile difference between shifts can be 0.5 to 1%, depending on difficulty.
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 Percentile Calculation in JEE Mains
JEE Mains percentile is calculated based on various factors that influence how a student’s score is ranked among all test-takers. Understanding these factors can help students predict their percentile more accurately and plan their strategy for better results. Below are the key factors that affect percentile calculation in JEE Mains:
1) Total Number of Candidates Appearing in the Exam
JEE Mains is conducted multiple times a year, and the number of candidates appearing in a session directly impacts percentile calculation.
- If more students appear, the competition increases, and achieving a higher percentile becomes tougher.
- If fewer students appear, scoring the same marks may lead to a better percentile.
Since different sessions have different numbers of candidates, percentile variation occurs from one session to another.
2) Difficulty Level of the Exam Paper
JEE Mains is conducted in multiple shifts, and each shift may have a different difficulty level. Although the National Testing Agency (NTA) normalizes scores, the variation in difficulty can affect how percentiles are distributed.
- If your shift had a tougher paper, even a slightly lower score might result in a higher percentile.
- If your shift had an easier paper, a high score might not guarantee a high percentile.
This is why normalization is used to balance the percentile ranking across different shifts.
3) Normalization Process and Its Impact
Since JEE Mains is conducted in multiple shifts, NTA uses a normalization process to ensure fairness in percentile calculation.
- Scores are normalized based on relative performance, not absolute marks.
- The highest scorer in each shift is assigned a percentile of 100, and other candidates are ranked accordingly.
- Even if a student scores the same marks in different shifts, their percentile may differ because of the variation in the highest marks scored in that particular shift.
For example, 140 marks in an easier shift may lead to a lower percentile than 140 marks in a tougher shift due to normalization.
4) Distribution of Marks Among Students
The way marks are distributed among students significantly affects percentile ranking.
- If a large number of students score in a similar range, even a small increase in marks can lead to a big jump in percentile.
- If scores are spread out, percentile differences become smaller between students.
For example, if many students score between 120 and 150 marks, the percentile difference between 140 and 145 marks can be huge.
5) Highest Marks in the Session
Percentile is calculated in relation to the highest marks scored in a given session.
- If the top scorer in a session gets 300 marks, then a student scoring 140 will have a lower percentile.
- If the top scorer gets only 250 marks, the same 140 marks will result in a higher percentile.
This factor varies with every session and is beyond a student’s control.
List of NITs Accepting 140 marks in JEE Mains
Admission to NITs and IIITs is based on rank and category-wise cutoff. A 140-mark score usually results in a rank between 30,000 to 40,000. With this rank, admission to top NITs for core branches like CSE, ECE, or Mechanical is difficult. However, students can get admission into other branches or new NITs.
Here are some possible options:
| NIT Name | Academic Program Name | Quota | Expected Cut off Percentile |
| Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar | Civil Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Durgapur | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Durgapur | Civil Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat | Civil Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Raipur | Electrical Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology Bhopal | Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra | Civil Engineering (5 Years) | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Warangal | Mathematics (5 Years) | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur | Mining Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Raipur | Civil Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat | Mathematics (5 Years) | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Uttarakhand | Electronics and Communication Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Andhra Pradesh | Chemical Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Arunachal Pradesh | Electrical Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra | Sustainable Energy Technologies | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Silchar | Civil Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Rourkela | Life Science (5 Years) | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Hamirpur | Civil Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Warangal | Chemistry (5 Years) | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Agartala | Engineering Physics (5 Years) | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Patna | Chemical Technology (5 Years) | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Patna | Civil Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Goa | Electrical and Electronics Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Agartala | Mechanical Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Hamirpur | Materials Science and Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat | Industrial Chemistry | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Dr. B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar | Industrial and Production Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology Bhopal | Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Sikkim | Mechanical Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Rourkela | Chemical Engineering (5 Years) | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Rourkela | Ceramic Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Nagaland | Electrical and Electronics Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Srinagar | Mechanical Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Mizoram | Electrical Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Nagaland | Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Manipur | Electrical Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Puducherry | Civil Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Durgapur | Bio Technology | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur | Civil Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar | Bio Technology | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Durgapur | Biotechnology (5 Years) | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Durgapur | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Rourkela | Bio Technology | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar | Instrumentation and Control Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Rourkela | Chemistry (5 Years) | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Patna | Mechanical Engineering with Specialization in Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering (5 Years) | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Meghalaya | Mechanical Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Uttarakhand | Civil Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar | Mechanical Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur | Production and Industrial Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Patna | Civil Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Raipur | Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Patna | Civil Engineering with Specialization in Construction Technology and Management (5 Years) | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Rourkela | Mining Engineering (5 Years) | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur | Mining Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur | Civil Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat | Industrial Chemistry | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Meghalaya | Civil Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Andhra Pradesh | Civil Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur | Metallurgy and Materials Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Agartala | Chemical Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Patna | Material Science and Engineering (5 Years) | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Manipur | Mechanical Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology Arunachal Pradesh | Mechanical Engineering | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| National Institute of Technology, Uttarakhand | Electrical and Electronics Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur | Civil Engineering | Home State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
| Dr. B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar | Textile Technology | Other State | 96.5 to 97 percentile |
Strategies for Increasing Marks for Next Attempt JEE Mains
1) Reviewing Past Performance
One of the most effective ways to improve your JEE Mains rank is to learn from your past mistakes. Regularly reviewing your performance in mock tests and previous attempts will help you identify areas where you went wrong. T
Focus on Mistakes Made in Mock Tests and Real Exams
The first step in improving your rank is to go over your mock test results as well as previous exam attempts. While doing this, focus on the specific errors you made.
- Conceptual Mistakes: Often, students make mistakes due to a lack of clarity in basic concepts. For example, misunderstanding a basic formula or concept in physics or chemistry can lead to incorrect answers.
- Calculation Mistakes: Mistakes like sign errors, wrong assumptions, or missing out on important steps while solving problems are common. To avoid these, practice solving problems with more focus and under time constraints to improve your speed and accuracy.
Categorizing Mistakes by Subject and Topic
When reviewing past performances, it is also helpful to categorize your mistakes by subject and topic. This will help you prioritize areas that need the most improvement. For example, if you consistently make mistakes in mechanics (a topic in Physics), you should allocate more time to mastering it.
2) Focused Preparation on High-Weightage Topics
In JEE Mains, certain topics have a higher weightage than others. These topics are consistently tested in the exam and can significantly impact your overall score if you master them.
High-Weightage Topics in JEE Mains Physics
| Chapter Name | No. of Questions In JEE Mains | Weightage |
| Current Electricity | 3 | 9.90% |
| Magnetic Effect of Current and Magnetism | 2 | 6.60% |
| Alternating Current | 2 | 6.60% |
| Kinetic Theory of Gases & Thermodynamics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Kinematics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Work, Energy, and Power | 2 | 6.60% |
| Law of Motion | 2 | 6.60% |
| Centre Of Mass | 2 | 6.60% |
| Rotational Dynamics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Modern Physics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Wave Optics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Electrostatics | 1 | 3.30% |
| Capacitors | 1 | 3.30% |
| Simple Harmonic Motion | 1 | 3.30% |
| Sound Waves | 1 | 3.30% |
| Elasticity | 1 | 3.30% |
| Error in Measurement | 1 | 3.30% |
| Circular Motion | 1 | 3.30% |
| Electromagnetic Waves | 1 | 3.30% |
| Semiconductors | 1 | 3.30% |
High-Weightage Topics in JEE Mains Chemistry
| Chapters | No. of Questions In JEE Mains | Weightage |
| Transition Elements & Coordination Compounds | 3 | 9.90% |
| Periodic table, p-Block Elements | 3 | 9.90% |
| Atomic Structure | 2 | 6.60% |
| Chemical Bonding | 2 | 6.60% |
| Chemical And Ionic Equilibrium | 2 | 6.60% |
| Solid-State | 2 | 6.60% |
| Nuclear Chemistry | 2 | 6.60% |
| Thermodynamics & the Gaseous State | 2 | 6.60% |
| Mole Concept | 1 | 3.30% |
| Redox Reactions | 1 | 3.30% |
| Electrochemistry | 1 | 3.30% |
| Chemical Kinetics | 1 | 3.30% |
| Solution & Colligative Properties | 1 | 3.30% |
| General Organic Chemistry | 1 | 3.30% |
| Stereochemistry | 1 | 3.30% |
| Hydrocarbon | 1 | 3.30% |
| Alkyl Halides | 1 | 3.30% |
| Carboxylic Acids & their Derivatives | 1 | 6.60% |
| Carbohydrates and amino acids | 1 | 6.60% |
| Aromatic Compounds | 1 | 6.60% |
High-Weightage Topics in JEE Mains Mathematics
| Chapter Name | No. of Questions In JEE Mains | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Sequences & Series | 2 | 6.60% |
| Straight Lines | 2 | 6.60% |
| 3-D Geometry | 2 | 6.60% |
| Determinants | 2 | 6.60% |
| Sets | 1 | 3.30% |
| Permutations & Combinations | 1 | 3.30% |
| Probability | 1 | 3.30% |
| Complex Numbers | 1 | 3.30% |
| Binominal Theorem | 1 | 3.30% |
| Limits | 1 | 3.30% |
| Differentiability | 1 | 3.30% |
| Indefinite Integration | 1 | 3.30% |
| Definite Integration | 1 | 3.30% |
| Differential Equations | 1 | 3.30% |
| Height & Distance | 1 | 3.30% |
| Trigonometric Equations | 1 | 3.30% |
| The Area under the Curve | 1 | 3.30% |
| Quadratic Equations | 1 | 3.30% |
| Vectors | 1 | 3.30% |
| Tangents and Normals | 1 | 3.30% |
| Maxima and Minima | 1 | 3.30% |
| Statistics | 1 | 3.30% |
| Parabola | 1 | 3.30% |
| Ellipse | 1 | 3.30% |
| Hyperbola | 1 | 3.30% |
3) Importance of Mock Tests
Mock tests are a vital part of JEE Mains preparation, as they help simulate real exam conditions, improve time management, and boost performance. To make the most of mock tests, follow these strategies:
- Practice Under Timed Conditions: Always take mock tests within the actual exam duration (3 hours). This will help you manage time effectively and build endurance for the real exam.
- Analyze Performance: After each test, review your mistakes and identify weak areas. Focus on correcting conceptual gaps, calculation errors, and improving time management.
- Increase Frequency: In the final month before the exam, aim for 3-4 full-length mock tests per week. This ensures consistent practice and helps fine-tune your strategy.
For comprehensive practice, consider Phodu Club’s JEE Mains Test Series, which mirrors the actual exam, offers detailed performance analysis, and helps track progress. This tailored approach ensures you are well-prepared to excel in the exam.
4) Resource Recommendations
Choosing the right study resources can make a big difference in your preparation. It’s important to use books that not only provide a comprehensive understanding of the concepts but also offer a variety of practice questions.
Recommended Books for JEE Mains Physics
| Name of the Book | Author/Publication |
| NCERT Textbook | NCERT |
| Concepts of physics (Vol. 1 and 2) | HC Verma |
| Fundamentals of Physics | Halliday, Resnick, & walker |
| Understanding PhysicsIt’s a set of the following books:Electricity & Magnetism Mechanics (Vol. 1 & 2) Optics & Modern Physics Waves & Thermodynamics | D C Pandey – Arihant Publications |
| Understanding Physics | Freedman and Young |
| Problems in Physics | SS Krotov |
| Physics Vol-1 and Vol-2 by for Theory and Non-Trivial Problems | Resnick Halliday |
| Problems on General Physics | I E Irodov |
Recommended Books for JEE Mains Chemistry
| Name of the Book | Author/Publication |
| NCERT Textbook | NCERT |
| Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations | R C Mukherjee |
| Organic Chemistry | O P Tandon |
| Concise Inorganic Chemistry | J. D. Lee |
| Concept of Physical Chemistry | P Bahadur |
| Physical Chemistry | P.W. Atkins |
| Organic Chemistry | Morrison & Boyd |
| Numerical Chemistry 22/e | P Bahadur |
Recommended Books for JEE Mains Mathematics
| Name of the Book | Author/Publication |
| NCERT Textbook | NCERT |
| Objective Mathematics | RD Sharma |
| Plane Trigonometry | S L Loney |
| Algebra | Dr S K Goyal – Arihant Publications |
| Differential Calculus | Amit M Agarwal – Arihant Publications |
| Integral Calculus | Amit M Agarwal – Arihant Publications |
| The Elements of Coordinate Geometry | S L Loney |
| Play with Graphs | Amit M Agarwal – Arihant Publications |
| Complete Mathematics for JEE Main | Tata McGraw Hill |
| New Pattern Mathematics for JEE Main | Arihant Publications |
5) Revision Schedule
Creating and adhering to a strict revision schedule is one of the most effective ways to prepare for JEE Mains. Regular revision will help reinforce your learning and prevent you from forgetting key concepts.
- Daily and Weekly Study Plan: Your revision schedule should be designed to cover both theory and practice problems. In addition to your daily study sessions, allocate specific days for revision. Each week, focus on reviewing the most challenging topics or concepts.
- Time for Concept Revision: Ensure that you regularly revise the formulas, important concepts, and derivations. This is especially important in subjects like Physics and Mathematics, where recalling formulas quickly can save you valuable time during the exam.
Conclusion
Scoring 140 marks in JEE Mains is a solid achievement, but what comes next is important. With a percentile around 94-96, you have a good chance of qualifying for JEE Advanced and securing a seat in NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, or state universities. However, top NITs and IIITs for core branches like CSE and ECE may be out of reach.
If you are satisfied with your options, focus on choosing the best college and branch based on cutoffs and preferences. If you want a better percentile and college, consider preparing for the next JEE attempt. Work on weak areas, improve time management, and take mock tests to boost your score.
The key is to make a well-informed decision that aligns with your goals. Whether you take admission or aim higher, stay motivated and keep pushing forward. Your engineering journey is just beginning!
