Scoring well in JEE Main is a dream for many students who want to get into good engineering colleges. Every year, lakhs of students appear for this exam, hoping to secure seats in top institutes like NITs, IIITs, and state engineering colleges. However, not everyone can score in the top percentiles. Many students get a percentile like 79 and start worrying about their future.
Wondering what your rank means and which colleges you can get?
If you scored 79 percentile in JEE Main, you might feel confused about what to do next. You may think “Is this a good score?” or “Will I get a decent college?” These questions are common, and the answers depend on your rank, category, and the type of colleges you are aiming for.
This article will explain everything you need to know about 79 percentile in JEE Main. It will help you understand your expected rank, college options, and the best steps forward. Let’s get started!
Understanding JEE Main Percentiles
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts JEE Main multiple times in different sessions. Since the exam is held in different slots, the difficulty level of each session may vary. To ensure fairness in ranking, the percentile system is used.
Percentile scores are calculated using the following formula:
Percentile=(Number of students with scores equal to or less than yours/Total number of students in your session)×100
For example, if 10 lakh students appear in JEE Main and a student secures 79 percentile, it means the student has performed better than 79% of the total candidates.
Impact of Difficulty and Session-Based Performance on Percentiles
Since JEE Main is conducted in multiple shifts, each shift may have a different difficulty level. Some sessions may have easier questions, while others may be tougher. To balance this, NTA normalizes scores across sessions before calculating percentiles.
This means that even if a student scores the same raw marks in different shifts, their percentile may be different. So, rank and college chances depend not only on marks but also on the difficulty level of the exam session.
Expected Rank for 79 Percentile in JEE Main
The rank corresponding to a given percentile changes every year based on the number of students appearing for the exam. However, based on previous years’ data, students scoring 79 percentile in JEE Main can expect a rank in the range of 160,000 to 2,50,000.
Since the total number of candidates varies each year, the exact rank may change slightly. A student with 79 percentile will be behind those with higher percentiles but ahead of those with lower scores.
The table below shows estimated ranks for various percentiles based on recent years’ JEE Main data:
| Percentile Range | Expected Marks Range | Expected Rank Range |
| 80+ percentile | 76.6 to 77.8 marks | 2,35,001 to 2,40,000 ranks |
| 79.5+ percentile | 75.1 to 76.6 marks | 2,40,001 to 2,46,000 ranks |
| 79+ percentile | 73.6 to 75.1 marks | 2,46,001 to 2,50,000 ranks |
| 78.5+ percentile | 72.1 to 73.6 marks | 2,50,001 to 2,58,000 ranks |
| 78+ percentile | 70.6 to 72.1 marks | 2,58,001 to 2,65,000 ranks |
| 77.5+ percentile | 69.2 to 70.6 marks | 2,65,001 to 2,70,000 ranks |
| 77+ percentile | 67.8 to 69.2 marks | 2,70,001 to 2,76,000 ranks |
| 76.5+ percentile | 66.5 to 67.8 marks | 2,76,001 to 2,82,000 ranks |
| 76+ percentile | 65.2 to 66.5 marks | 2,82,001 to 2,87,000 ranks |
| 75.5+ percentile | 63.9 to 65.2 marks | 2,87,001 to 2,95,000 ranks |
| 75+ percentile | 62.6 to 63.9 marks | 2,95,001 to 3,00,000 ranks |
JEE Main Marks vs Percentile 2024
| JEE Main 2024 Score | JEE Main 2024 Percentile |
| 300-281 | 100 – 99.99989145 |
| 271 – 280 | 99.994681 – 99.997394 |
| 263 – 270 | 99.990990 – 99.994029 |
| 250 – 262 | 99.977205 – 99.988819 |
| 241 – 250 | 99.960163 – 99.975034 |
| 231 – 240 | 99.934980 – 99.956364 |
| 221 – 230 | 99.901113 – 99.928901 |
| 211 – 220 | 99.851616 – 99.893732 |
| 201 – 210 | 99.795063 – 99.845212 |
| 191 – 200 | 99.710831 – 99.782472 |
| 181 – 190 | 99.597399 – 99.688579 |
| 171 – 180 | 99.456939 – 99.573193 |
| 161 – 170 | 99.272084 – 99.431214 |
| 151 – 160 | 99.028614 – 99.239737 |
| 141 – 150 | 98.732389 – 98.990296 |
| 131 – 140 | 98.317414 – 98.666935 |
| 121 – 130 | 97.811260 – 98.254132 |
| 111 – 120 | 97.142937 – 97.685672 |
| 101 – 110 | 96.204550 – 96.978272 |
| 91 – 100 | 94.998594 – 96.064850 |
| 81 – 90 | 93.471231 – 94.749479 |
| 71 – 80 | 91.072128 – 93.152971 |
| 61 – 70 | 87.512225 – 90.702200 |
| 51 – 60 | 82.016062 – 86.907944 |
| 41 – 50 | 73.287808 – 80.982153 |
| 31 – 40 | 58.151490 – 71.302052 |
From this, it is clear that a 79 percentile score will place a student in the lower rank range. This affects the availability of seats in top government colleges. However, students still have good chances in state engineering colleges and private institutions.
Engineering Colleges Accepting 79 Percentile in JEE Mains
Students in the 70-80 percentile range may not secure a seat in the top-tier National Institutes of Technology (NITs) or Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), but they can still gain admission to several respected colleges. These colleges include national-level universities, state engineering colleges, and private institutions.
| College Name | NIRF Ranking | Annual Course Fee (Approx.) |
| Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Ambala | 101–150 | INR 1.42 Lakhs |
| GITAM (Deemed to be University), Hyderabad | 101–150 | INR 2.70 Lakhs |
| Satyam Institute, Amritsar | 101-150 | INR 60,000 to INR 2.40 Lakhs |
| GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam | 101–150 out of 300 in India | INR 9.20 Lakhs to 14.90 Lakhs |
| Amity University | 151-200 | INR 7.5–26.4 lakh |
| Annamalai University | 151-200 | INR 1.5 lakhs to INR 7 lakhs |
| Assam Downtown University, Guwahati | 101–125 band for Pharmacy | INR 1.10 Lakhs |
| Glocal University, Saharanpur | 165 | INR 95,000 |
| SAGE University, Indore | NA | INR 60,000 |
| Arya Group of Colleges, Jaipur | NA | INR 1.05 Lakhs |
| Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences, Indore | NA | INR 2.60 Lakhs |
| Global Research Institute of Management and Technology, Haryana | NA | INR 85,200 |
| Quantum University, Roorkee | NA | INR 1.10 Lakhs |
| Raj Kumar Goel Institute of Technology, Ghaziabad | NA | INR 2.20 Lakhs to INR 4.67 Lakhs |
| Atmiya University, Rajkot | NA | INR 85,650 |
| Bhai Gurdas Group of Institutions, Sangrur | NA | INR 1.50 Lakhs to INR 2.40 Lakhs |
| Nehru Institute of Technology, Coimbatore | NA | INR 2.00 Lakhs |
List of Engineering Colleges that Offer Direct Admission
| College Name | Annual Course Fee (Approx.) |
| School of Aeronautics, Neemrana | Rs 1.80 Lakhs |
| Maharaja Agrasen College of Engineering & Technology | Rs 1.45 Lakhs |
| Aurora’s Engineering College, Hyderabad | Rs 37,400 |
| University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun | Rs 3.52 Lakhs |
| Siksa o Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar | Rs 2.35 Lakhs |
| Gaikwad Patil Group of Institutions, Nagpur | Rs 90,000 |
| Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai | Rs 3.85 Lakhs |
| Shobhit University, Meerut | Rs 1.10 Lakhs |
| Sigma Group of Institutes, Vadodara | Rs 1.80 Lakhs to Rs 2.60 Lakhs |
| Graphic Era (Deemed to be University) | Rs 3.23 Lakhs |
| Marwadi University, Rajkot | Rs 98,000 to Rs 1.25 Lakhs |
| Rai University, Ahmedabad | Rs 71,600 |
| BM Group of Institutions, Gurgaon | Rs 80,000 |
| MH Cockpit Aviation Academy, Chennai | Rs 2.25 Lakhs |
| Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, Punjab | Rs 90,000 |
| Jharkhand Rai University, Ranchi | Rs 2.90 Lakhs |
| Amity University, Jaipur | Rs 1.52 Lakhs |
| Amritsar Group of Colleges, Punjab | Rs 1.28 Lakhs |
| Adithya Institute of Technology, Coimbatore | Rs 1.50 Lakhs to Rs 2.00 Lakhs |
| OM Sterling Global University, Hisar | Rs 75,000 |
How to Improve Marks If You’re at 79th Percentile in JEE Mains
1) Assess Your Current Preparation Level
The first step toward improvement is to assess where you currently stand in terms of preparation. Understanding your strengths and weaknesses is essential. If you’re scoring in the 60th percentile, it means you’re performing better than 60% of the candidates, but there’s still significant room for improvement. Here’s how to begin your assessment:
- Analyze Your Mock Test Results: Taking mock tests is one of the most effective ways to gauge your preparation. Mock tests simulate the actual exam environment and help you track your progress. After each test, analyze your results carefully. Identifying the root causes of your mistakes will help you make focused improvements.
- Track Your Progress: Keep a record of your scores and performance over time. If your mock test scores are stagnant or showing only slight improvement, this may be an indication that your study method needs revision. On the other hand, if your scores are steadily increasing, you’re likely on the right track.
2) Subject-Wise Strategy to Improve
Each subject in JEE Mains—Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics—requires a distinct strategy. Given that your performance is at the 60th percentile, it’s important to focus on your weak areas while ensuring that your strengths don’t weaken over time.
Physics Preparation Strategy
Physics can be a challenging subject due to its conceptual nature and application-based questions. The key to improvement is building a strong foundation of basic concepts and then practicing problems to apply those concepts.
- Conceptual Clarity: Start by reviewing basic concepts from NCERT or a standard reference book. Don’t rush through chapters; ensure that you thoroughly understand the principles behind the formulas.
- Practice Problems: Physics questions often involve applying concepts to solve numerical problems. Focus on important chapters like Mechanics, Electrostatics, Magnetism, and Optics. Practice problems from previous years’ question papers to understand the types of questions asked in the exam.
- Use Multiple Sources: Books like H.C. Verma’s Concepts of Physics and I.E. Irodov (for higher-level problems) are helpful for practicing and deepening your understanding.
- Time Management: Physics requires conceptual clarity and problem-solving speed. Practice solving problems under time constraints to improve your speed.
High-Weightage Topics in JEE Mains Physics
| Chapter Name | 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% |
Chemistry Preparation Strategy
Chemistry is divided into three main branches: Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physical Chemistry. Most students find Organic and Inorganic Chemistry to be more scoring as compared to Physical Chemistry, as they require less numeracy and more memorization of reactions, mechanisms, and formulas.
- Inorganic Chemistry: Start by understanding the periodic table and the properties of elements. Make sure to memorize important reactions, trends, and exceptions in periodic properties.
- Organic Chemistry: Focus on reaction mechanisms and the key reactions in Organic Chemistry. Practice identifying the type of reaction and applying the correct mechanism in each case.
- Physical Chemistry: Work on understanding the theory behind equations and formulas in topics like Chemical Kinetics, Thermodynamics, and Electrochemistry. Then, practice solving numerical problems.
- Resources: Use resources like M.S. Chauhan for Physical Chemistry and O.P. Tandon for Inorganic Chemistry. Also, ensure consistent revision of Organic Chemistry reactions.
High-Weightage Topics in JEE Mains Chemistry
| Chapters | 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% |
Mathematics Preparation Strategy
Mathematics plays a crucial role in improving your overall rank. Topics like Calculus, Algebra, and Coordinate Geometry have high weightage and require intensive practice. The better your skills in these areas, the higher your chances of scoring well in JEE Mains.
- Focus on High-Weightage Topics: Start by focusing on topics that are frequently tested in the exam, such as Calculus, Algebra, and Coordinate Geometry. These topics have a high number of questions and can help improve your overall score.
- Practice a Variety of Problems: Mathematics requires a lot of practice. Solve problems of varying difficulty levels to improve your problem-solving skills. Use books like Cengage Series and IIT Mathematics by M.L. Khanna for practicing different types of problems.
- Speed and Accuracy: Mathematics can be time-consuming, and managing time during the exam is crucial. Try solving problems faster without compromising accuracy. Regular practice under timed conditions will help improve both speed and accuracy.
- Regular Revision: Unlike other subjects, Mathematics requires continuous revision to retain formulas, methods, and techniques. Set aside time every week to revise key topics and formulas.
High-Weightage Topics in JEE Mains Mathematics
| Chapter Name | 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% |
3) Time Management and Smart Study Plan
The importance of time management cannot be overstated when preparing for an exam like JEE Mains. Here’s how you can effectively manage your time to maximize your preparation:
Create a Realistic Study Schedule
A study plan should be tailored to your needs and preferences. Based on your weaknesses, strengths, and available time, create a schedule that focuses on improving weaker areas while revising stronger topics.
- Prioritize Topics: Focus on high-weightage and difficult topics early in your preparation. Once you’re comfortable with these, move on to other chapters.
- Set Daily and Weekly Targets: Break your goals into manageable chunks. Set daily targets for how many chapters or problems you’ll cover, and weekly targets for revising topics and taking mock tests.
- Avoid Burnout: Over-scheduling can lead to exhaustion. Allow breaks between study sessions and take days off when necessary to avoid burnout.
Optimize Time for Revision
Effective revision is key to retaining what you’ve learned. Schedule weekly revision sessions for important formulas, concepts, and problem-solving techniques. Revise topics at regular intervals to prevent forgetting them before the exam.
4) Mock Tests and Self-Assessment
Taking mock tests is essential for tracking your progress and simulating exam-day conditions. Regular mock tests will help you:
- Identify weak areas: Mock tests highlight your weak spots, giving you a clear idea of which topics or subjects need more attention.
- Improve time management: Practicing under time pressure helps you learn how to manage your time effectively during the exam.
- Increase confidence: The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become. Consistent practice will help reduce exam anxiety.
Be sure to review each mock test carefully. Note the questions you got wrong, understand why you made mistakes, and work on those areas before your next test.
Best Resource for Practising Mock Tests
To enhance your mock test experience, we highly recommend the Phodu Club’s JEE Main Test Series. The Phodu Club Test Series is designed by experts to give students the most realistic mock test experience, closely resembling the actual JEE Mains exam pattern. With comprehensive question banks, detailed solutions, and thorough performance analytics, this test series ensures that you are fully prepared for the exam day.
Key Features of Phodu Club’s JEE Main Test Series:
- Realistic Simulations: The test series mimics the actual JEE Mains exam pattern, including the same time limits, structure, and difficulty levels. This helps you familiarize yourself with the format and ensures you’re well-prepared for the real exam.
- Diverse Question Sets: The Phodu Club test series offers a wide range of questions, from easy to challenging, covering all the topics across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. This helps you gain a deeper understanding of all subjects while ensuring you are prepared for every type of question you may encounter.
- Expert-Designed Content: The test series is curated by subject matter experts who understand the JEE Mains exam inside and out. Their insights into the exam format and key topics are incorporated into the test series, giving you an edge in your preparation.
- Detailed Solutions and Explanations: Every question in the test series is accompanied by a step-by-step solution, so you can understand the correct approach to solving each problem. This feature helps improve your problem-solving skills and boosts confidence.
Aim to take mock tests at least once a week in the beginning and increase the frequency as the exam approaches. Analyze your performance after each test and work on improving your accuracy and speed.
5) Using the Right Study Material
Using quality study material is essential for focused and effective preparation. Stick to books that are specifically designed for JEE Mains preparation. Here’s a list of trusted resources:
- NCERT Books: Start with NCERT for all three subjects as they form the foundation for most of the JEE Mains syllabus.
- Physics: H.C. Verma’s Concepts of Physics and I.E. Irodov.
- Chemistry: O.P. Tandon for Inorganic Chemistry, M.S. Chauhan for Physical Chemistry, and Morrison and Boyd for Organic Chemistry.
- Mathematics: Cengage Series, IIT Mathematics by M.L. Khanna, and IIT JEE Mathematics by R.D. Sharma.
- Previous Year Papers: Solve past years’ JEE Mains papers to understand the exam pattern and get an idea of frequently asked questions.
6) Stay Consistent with Revision
Consistency is the key to mastering the JEE Mains syllabus. Even if you’re at the 60th percentile right now, consistent revision and focused improvement in weak areas can boost your performance.
- Track your progress regularly: Keep a record of your test scores, subject-wise performance, and the time you’ve spent on each topic.
- Revise regularly: Even small, 15-20 minute revision sessions can be extremely helpful in retaining what you’ve learned. Try to revise daily, even if it’s just for a short period of time.
Conclusion
Scoring 79 percentile in JEE Main may not be enough for top NITs and IIITs, especially for General category students. However, students from reserved categories may have some chances in lower NITs.
Good options are available in state government engineering colleges through home-state quotas. Additionally, many private engineering colleges offer admission to students with this percentile.
Students should research state-wise cutoffs, private university options, and alternative career paths to make an informed decision. Even if a student does not get their desired college in the first attempt, they can prepare again for JEE Main or explore other entrance exams.
With the right approach and planning, students can secure admission in a good engineering college and work towards a successful career.
