Scored 68 marks in JEE Mains and unsure about what comes next? You’re not alone. Every year, thousands of students face the same questions — what will be my percentile, which colleges can I get into, and how should I plan ahead?
The truth is, 68 marks may not guarantee a seat in top NITs, but it doesn’t mean your engineering goals are out of reach. There are still plenty of options — from state engineering colleges to private institutions — and strategies to improve your score if you’re planning a reattempt.
This guide will clearly explain your expected percentile, the colleges that accept your score, and practical steps to boost your preparation. Let’s break it down step by step, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
JEE Mains Scoring: A Brief Overview
Understanding how JEE Mains scoring works is crucial for knowing where you stand and what to expect in terms of your rank and college options. Let’s break down the process into three main parts: raw score, normalization, and percentile calculation.
1) Raw Score
The raw score is the most straightforward part of JEE Mains scoring. It is calculated based on your correct and incorrect answers in the exam.
The marking scheme is simple:
- +4 marks for every correct answer
- -1 mark for every incorrect answer
- 0 marks for unanswered questions
The raw score is calculated using the formula:
Raw Score = (Number of Correct Answers × 4) – (Number of Incorrect Answers × 1)
For example, if you answered 25 questions correctly and got 7 wrong, your raw score would be:
(25 × 4) – (7 × 1) = 100 – 7 = 93 marks
This raw score forms the basis for the next steps — normalization and percentile calculation.
2) Normalization Process
JEE Mains is conducted in multiple sessions to accommodate the large number of students appearing for the exam. Each session might have a slightly different level of difficulty. To ensure fairness, the National Testing Agency (NTA) uses a process called normalization. Normalization adjusts your raw score based on the relative difficulty of your session compared to others.
Here’s how it works:
- If your session was tougher than others, your normalized score may go up slightly.
- If your session was easier, your normalized score may go down.
The goal is to ensure that no student is at a disadvantage due to the difficulty level of their particular exam session. This adjustment helps create a level playing field for everyone.
3) Percentile Calculation
The most important score you receive in JEE Mains is your percentile score. Many students confuse percentile with percentage, but they are not the same.
- Percentage is simply how many marks you scored out of the total marks.
- Percentile shows how you performed compared to all other candidates.
The percentile score is calculated using this formula:
Percentile = (Number of candidates who scored less than you ÷ Total number of candidates) × 100
For example:
If 10,000 students appeared for the exam and 2,500 scored less than you, your percentile would be:
(2,500 ÷ 10,000) × 100 = 25 percentile
Percentile scores range from 0 to 100. A 100 percentile means you scored higher than everyone else, while a 0 percentile means everyone scored higher than you.
The NTA calculates percentiles separately for each subject — Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics — and then combines them to get your overall percentile.
Why is Percentile Important?
Colleges do not use raw scores for admissions. They use the All India Rank (AIR), which is determined by your percentile score. Higher percentiles mean a better rank and a better chance of getting into top engineering colleges like NITs and IIITs.
In short:
- Raw score shows how many marks you earned directly from the exam.
- Normalization adjusts for exam difficulty across sessions.
- Percentile reflects how you performed compared to others.
Estimated Percentile for 68 Marks in JEE Mains
Based on previous years’ trends, a raw score of 68 marks in JEE Mains typically translates to a percentile between 75 and 80. Why is it a range and not an exact number? That’s because the percentile depends not just on your marks but on how others perform in the same session and across all sessions.
For example:
- In a year where the paper is relatively easy, 68 marks might place you at the 75th percentile or lower because more students score higher.
- In a tougher year, the same 68 marks might push you closer to the 80th percentile since fewer students achieve high scores.
Factors Influencing Percentile in JEE Mains
Your final percentile score doesn’t depend on your raw marks alone. Several factors play a role in determining your percentile:
1) Exam Session Difficulty
JEE Mains is conducted in multiple sessions, and each session may have a different level of difficulty. To account for this, NTA uses normalization.
- If your session was harder, your normalized score may increase, boosting your percentile.
- If your session was easier, your normalized score may decrease slightly.
This means two students with the same raw score can have different percentiles if they appeared in sessions of different difficulty levels.
2) Total Number of Candidates
The percentile score depends on the total number of students who took the exam.
For example:
- If 10 lakh students appear for JEE Mains, scoring 68 marks might place you in the 78th percentile.
- If 12 lakh students appear, the same marks might push you down to the 75th percentile since you’re competing with a larger group.
3) Annual Trends
Percentiles also shift slightly every year based on the overall performance of students. If more students perform well in a particular year, percentiles may drop for the same raw marks.
For instance:
- If a year sees a large number of high scorers, even a decent score like 68 might get a lower percentile.
- In a year with tougher papers, the same score may earn a higher percentile due to fewer high scorers.
Colleges Accepting 68 Marks in JEE Mains
Scoring 68 marks in JEE Mains may not secure a spot in the top NITs or IIITs, but there are still many colleges where you can pursue a quality engineering education. Let’s explore the different options available for you, including NITs with state quotas, state engineering colleges, and private institutions.
1) NITs and IIITs
With 68 marks and a percentile around 75-80, getting into top branches like Computer Science or Electronics in NITs and IIITs may be difficult. However, some lower-ranked NITs and newer IIITs may offer seats in less popular branches, especially if you qualify under a state quota or belong to a reserved category.
- State Quotas: Many NITs reserve 50% of their seats for students from the home state. If you belong to the state where a particular NIT is located, your chances of admission slightly improve.
- Branches Available: While CSE or ECE may be out of reach, you might get options like Civil Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or Biotechnology in some NITs.
Examples of NITs to consider (with home state quota):
- NIT Mizoram: Mechanical, Civil, or Electrical branches
- NIT Nagaland: Biotechnology or Civil
- NIT Meghalaya: Less competitive branches with state quota benefits
2) State Engineering Colleges
Many state-level engineering colleges accept JEE Mains scores for admission. These colleges often have lower cutoffs compared to NITs and IIITs, making them a good option for students scoring around 68 marks. Here are some state colleges you can explore:
\
- Maharashtra (via MHT-CET counselling): Colleges like VJTI Mumbai (for reserved categories) or Pune Institute of Computer Technology may offer seats based on JEE Mains scores.
- Madhya Pradesh (via MP DTE counselling): Options include Jabalpur Engineering College and UIT RGPV Bhopal.
- Haryana (via HSTES counselling): Engineering colleges affiliated with Kurukshetra University and YMCA Faridabad accept JEE Mains scores.
- Punjab (via PTU counselling): Institutes like Punjab Engineering College (PEC) and colleges under IK Gujral Punjab Technical University offer admissions through JEE Mains.
- Uttar Pradesh (via AKTU counselling): Colleges under Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) use JEE Mains scores, including KIET Group of Institutions and JSS Noida.
3) Private Engineering Colleges
Many reputed private universities and colleges admit students based on JEE Mains scores. These institutions often have their own entrance exams as well, but they reserve a portion of seats for JEE Mains candidates. Some well-known private colleges accepting JEE Mains scores include:
- Amity University: Campuses in Noida, Jaipur, and other cities offer engineering programs.
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology: Apart from SRMJEEE, they also accept JEE Mains scores.
- Lovely Professional University (LPU): Offers various engineering branches and scholarships based on JEE scores.
- Manipal Institute of Technology: Some seats are allotted for JEE Mains scorers.
- Shiv Nadar University: Admits students through both JEE Mains and its own entrance test.
List of Some Colleges that Accept 68 Marks in JEE Mains
| Name of the College | NIRF Rank 2024 | Annual Fees (Approx.) |
| KIIT University – Bhubaneswar | 39 | Rs 14.91 Lakhs |
| Lovely Professional University (LPU) – Phagwara | 38 | Rs 2 Lakhs |
| Amity University, Gurgaon | 99 | Rs 3.58 Lakhs |
| Brainware University – Kolkata | – | Rs 1.16 Lakhs |
| NIMS University – Jaipur | – | Rs 30,000 |
| Sanjay Rungta Group of Institutions, Bhilai | – | Rs 75,000 |
| Dev Bhoomi Group of Institutions – Dehradun | – | Rs 73,000 |
| Parul University – Vadodara | – | Rs 2.20 Lakhs |
| Invertis University, Bareilly | – | Rs 1.50 Lakhs |
| Swami Vivekanand Institute of Engineering & Technology – Chandigarh | – | Rs 1.05 Lakhs |
| Mangalmay Group of Institutions – Greater Noida | – | Rs 1.29 Lakhs |
| ABES Engineering College – Ghaziabad | – | Rs 2.20 Lakhs |
| Vikram University | – | Rs 30,000 |
| Radharaman Engineering College | – | Rs 1.70 Lakhs |
| Pimpri Chinchwad Education Trust – Pune | – | Rs 1.95 Lakhs |
| Glocal University – Saharanpur | – | Rs 1.70 Lakhs |
| JK Lakshmipat University – Jaipur | – | Rs 2.75 Lakhs |
| Laxmipati Institute of Science & Technology, Bhopal | – | Rs 1.82 Lakhs |
| Rajiv Gandhi Prodyogiki Mahavidhyalaya, Bhopal | – | Rs 1.78 Lakhs |
| Gyan Sagar College of Engineering | – | Rs 1.82 lakh |
| Jawaharlal Institute of Technology | – | Rs 50,000 |
| Shri Ram College of Technology | – | Rs 11.57 Lakhs |
| Astral Institute of Technology and Research (Astral, Indore) | – | Rs 2.30 Lakhs |
| Chandigarh Group of Colleges (CGC), Jhanjeri | – | Rs 1.37 Lakhs |
| Rewa Institute of Technology | – | Rs 1 Lakh |
| St. Aloysius Institute of Technology (SAIT JBP) | – | Rs 48,000 |
| Maharana Pratap College of Technology Institutions | – | Rs 1.92 Lakhs |
| Pallavi Engineering College – Ranga Reddy | – | Rs 70,000 |
| Shivpuri Institute of Technology | – | Rs 90,000 |
| Chandigarh University – Chandigarh | – | Rs 2.10 Lakhs |
| Graphic Era (Deemed-to-be-University), Dehradun | 89 | Rs 2.26 Lakhs |
| Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore | 11 | Rs 1,98,000 |
| University of Technology | – | Rs 45,000 |
| Sri Balaji College of Engineering and Technology | – | Rs 45,000 |
| SAGE University Indore | – | Rs 50,000 |
| Seacom Skills University | – | Rs 60,000 |
| Sir Padampat Singhania University (SPSU) | – | Rs 72,000 |
| Visvesvaraya College of Engineering & Technology | – | Rs 60,000 |
| Terna Engineering College | – | Rs 59,500 |
| Aalim Muhammed Salegh College of Engineering | – | Rs 65,000 |
| Dr. Subhash Technical Campus (DSTC), Junagadh | – | Rs 62,000 |
| IMS Engineering College | – | Rs 70,000 |
| Centurion University Bhubaneswar | – | Rs 70,000 |
| Mansarovar Global University | – | Rs 65,000 |
| Accurate Institute of Management and Technology, Noida | – | Rs 70,000 |
| Marudhar Engineering College | – | Rs 77,000 |
| Marwadi University | – | Rs 75,000 |
| United Institute of Technology | – | Rs 80,000 |
| B.H. Gardi College of Engineering & Technology, Rajkot | – | Rs 80,000 |
| Dream Institute of Technology | – | Rs 92,500 |
| RK University | – | Rs 1,00,000 |
| People’s University | – | Rs 86,000 |
| Geeta Engineering College | – | Rs 90,000 |
| Brindavan College | – | Rs 1,03,000 |
| GIET University, Gunupur | – | Rs 1,14,000 |
| The ICFAI University, Jaipur | – | Rs 1,00,000 |
| Gandhi Engineering College | – | Rs 1,00,000 |
| Vishwabharati Academy’s College of Engineering | – | Rs 1,94,000 |
| Siddhivinayak Technical Campus | – | Rs 1,60,000 |
| Vidya Niketan College of Engineering | – | Rs 2,56,000 |
| Pallavi Engineering College | – | Rs 54,000 |
| Sagar Group of Institutions | – | Rs 60,000 |
| Amrutvahini College of Engineering | – | Rs 4,16,000 |
| Pillai College of Engineering | – | Rs 4,86,000 |
| Ashoka Group of Institutions (AGI) | – | 65,000 |
Preparation Tips To Improve from 68 Marks in JEE Mains
If you are not satisfied with your score, you can aim for a better rank by preparing more effectively. Here are some tips:
1) Analyze Your Mistakes: Start by identifying the areas where you lost marks. Review your previous tests to spot weak topics and understand whether the errors were due to conceptual gaps, careless mistakes, or time mismanagement. Fix these issues by revisiting those concepts.
2) Strengthen the Basics: Strong fundamentals are crucial for JEE Main. Many students struggle because they overlook the basics. Go through NCERT books thoroughly, especially for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Ensure you understand core concepts before moving on to advanced problems.
3) Practice Mock Tests: Regular mock tests are essential for improving speed and accuracy. Simulate real exam conditions and take full-length tests. After each test, analyze your performance — check the time spent on each section and identify which types of questions slow you down. This helps you refine your time management strategy.
4) Solve Previous Year Papers: Past year papers offer valuable insight into the exam pattern and frequently asked topics. Solve them under timed conditions to build exam temperament. Additionally, enrolling in a reliable test series like the Phodu Club JEE Main Test Series can significantly boost your preparation. This combination of previous year papers and high-quality mock tests will strengthen your confidence and readiness for the actual exam.
5) Revise Smartly: Avoid picking up new topics close to the exam. Instead, focus on revising important formulas, theorems, and problem-solving techniques. Prepare short notes for quick revision. Prioritize high-weightage chapters and keep revisiting tricky concepts to stay sharp.
Alternative Exams Other Than JEE Mains
Scoring 68 marks in JEE Mains might not open the doors to top NITs or IIITs, but that doesn’t mean your journey to a successful engineering career ends here. Apart from JEE Mains, several national and state-level entrance exams offer admissions to engineering programs across India. Preparing for these exams can be a smart move, especially if you want to increase your chances of getting into a good college.
- BITSAT (Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test): Conducted by BITS Pilani, this exam grants admission to its campuses in Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad. BITS is known for its excellent infrastructure, placements, and flexible academic structure. BITSAT focuses on Physics, Chemistry, Math, Logical Reasoning, and English.
- VITEEE (VIT Engineering Entrance Examination): Vellore Institute of Technology conducts VITEEE for admissions to its Vellore, Chennai, Bhopal, and Amravati campuses. The exam pattern is somewhat similar to JEE Mains, and VIT has a solid placement record, especially in CSE and IT.
- SRMJEEE (SRM Joint Engineering Entrance Exam): SRM Institute of Science and Technology offers admissions through SRMJEEE and also considers JEE Mains scores. SRM is popular for its tech-focused curriculum and modern facilities.
- MET (Manipal Entrance Test): Manipal Academy of Higher Education conducts MET for admission to its engineering courses. Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) is well-regarded for its campus life and placement opportunities.
State-Level Engineering Entrance Exams
Many states conduct their own entrance exams for admission to government and private engineering colleges. Some key ones include:
- MHT-CET (Maharashtra)
- WBJEE (West Bengal)
- COMEDK UGET (Karnataka)
- KEAM (Kerala)
- AP EAPCET / TS EAMCET (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana)
Appearing for these state exams can boost your chances of securing a seat in a good engineering college within your state.
2) Direct Admission and Management Quotas
Some private colleges offer direct admission based on 12th board marks or JEE Mains scores without high cutoffs. Many of these institutions also have management quota seats, allowing students to gain admission by paying a higher fee. While this might not be ideal for everyone, it remains an option if you’re keen on pursuing a particular branch or college. Examples include:
- Amity University
- Lovely Professional University (LPU)
- Sharda University
Conclusion
Scoring 68 marks in JEE Mains might feel challenging, but it’s not the end of the road. While admission to top NITs or IIITs may be tough, there are still many colleges — including state engineering institutions and private universities — where you can secure a seat.
If you’re aiming for a better score, focus on understanding your mistakes, strengthening core concepts, and practicing consistently. Remember, success in engineering doesn’t depend solely on one exam. You can also explore other entrance tests like BITSAT, VITEEE, and state-level exams or build skills in programming, data science, or design.
What matters most is staying focused and determined. Every mark, every effort counts. With the right plan and mindset, you can carve your own path to a bright engineering career. Keep pushing forward — your journey has just begun.
