Scoring well in JEE Main is a dream for many students who want to join top engineering colleges. But what if your result is not what you expected? If you got 86 percentile, you might feel confused or worried about your rank and college options. What does 86 percentile mean? Can you get into a good college? What should you do next? These are common questions students have after checking their results.
Don’t worry—you are not alone. Many students find themselves in this situation. The good news is that 86 percentile is not a bad score. It opens up several college options, and you can still work on improving your rank in the next attempt.
This article will explain your approximate rank, colleges accepting 86 percentile, and simple tips to boost your score. Let’s understand your next steps.
Understanding the Percentile System in JEE Main
JEE Main follows a percentile-based ranking system. This means your percentile score does not indicate your actual marks but shows how well you performed compared to other candidates.
For example, an 86 percentile means you have performed better than 86% of the total candidates who appeared for the exam. However, this does not directly tell you your All India Rank (AIR) because ranks are based on the total number of students who took the test.
Is 86 percentile good in JEE mains?
Scoring 86 percentile in JEE Main can give students a rank between 1,00,000 to 1,40,000. This rank may not secure a seat in top NITs like NIT Trichy or NIT Warangal, but students can still get branches in newer NITs, state colleges, or good private universities.
What is the Rank for 86 Percentile in JEE Main?
The rank for 86 percentile in JEE Main can be estimated based on the number of candidates appearing for the exam.
If 10 lakh students appeared, then an 86 percentile would mean you are ahead of 8.6 lakh students.
Your approximate rank can be calculated as:
Rank=Total Candidates−(Percentile×Total Candidates) = 10,00,000−(0.86×10,00,000) = 1,40,000
In recent years, an 86 percentile has been in the rank range of 1,00,000 to 1,40,000.
| Percentile Range | Expected Rank Range |
| 90+ percentile | Below 1,20,000 ranks |
| 89.5+ percentile | 1,20,001 to 1,25,000 ranks |
| 89+ percentile | 1,25,001 to 1,32,000 ranks |
| 88.5+ percentile | 1,32,001 to 1,40,000 ranks |
| 88+ percentile | 1,40,001 to 1,45,000 ranks |
| 87.5+ percentile | 1,45,001 to 1,50,000 ranks |
| 87+ percentile | 1,50,001 to 1,56,000 ranks |
| 86.5+ percentile | 1,56,001 to 1,63,000 ranks |
| 86+ percentile | 1,63,001 to 1,68,000 ranks |
| 85.5+ percentile | 1,68,001 to 1,73,000 ranks |
| 85+ percentile | 1,72,001 to 1,80,000 ranks |
JEE Main Marks vs Percentile vs Rank 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 |
JEE Main Marks vs Percentile vs Rank 2024
| Marks out of 300 | Rank | Percentile |
| 286- 292 | 19-12 | 99.99826992- 99.99890732 |
| 280-284 | 42-23 | 99.99617561 – 99.99790569 |
| 268- 279 | 106-64 | 99.99034797 – 99.99417236 |
| 250- 267 | 524-108 | 99.95228621- 99.99016586 |
| 231-249 | 1385-546 | 99.87388626-99.95028296 |
| 215-230 | 2798-1421 | 99.74522293-99.87060821 |
| 200-214 | 4667-2863 | 99.57503767- 99.73930423 |
| 189-199 | 6664- 4830 | 99.39319714- 99.56019541 |
| 175-188 | 10746-7152 | 99.02150308 – 99.3487614 |
| 160-174 | 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 |
| 1-40 | 1025009-334080 | 6.66590786-69.5797271 |
Colleges Accepting 86 Percentile in JEE Main
If you have scored 86 percentile, you might get admission to some engineering colleges, but it depends on factors like the branch, category, and state quota.
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 |
Private Universities
Many private institutions have their own admission processes, and they accept JEE Main scores alongside other factors like class 12 marks or their own entrance exams. These universities offer a range of engineering programs, and some even provide better flexibility in terms of admission criteria, course options, and overall student experience.
- Shiv Nadar University (SNU): Shiv Nadar University, located in Greater Noida, is one of the prominent private universities in India. Founded by the Shiv Nadar Foundation, the university offers a strong emphasis on research, innovation, and interdisciplinary learning.
- VIT University (VIT): VIT University, headquartered in Vellore, is a renowned private institution that consistently ranks among the top private engineering universities in India. It is particularly well-known for its VIT Engineering Entrance Examination (VITEEE).
- University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES): UPES, located in Dehradun, is a specialized private university focusing on energy, petroleum, and related fields. However, it also offers several engineering programs for students who want to pursue careers in diverse sectors such as aviation, robotics, and infrastructure.
- Amity University: Amity University, with campuses in Noida, Jaipur, Lucknow, and other cities, is one of India’s top private universities. Amity is known for its state-of-the-art infrastructure, experienced faculty, and comprehensive academic programs. It also accepts JEE Main scores for admission to its engineering courses.
Preparation Tips to Improve Rank in JEE Main
If you are not satisfied with your rank and want to improve in the next attempt, follow these tips:
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. This process of self-reflection helps in recognizing patterns of mistakes, thus enabling you to work on your weak points.
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. Did you misunderstand the question? Were there calculation mistakes? Or were you simply running out of time? Categorizing your mistakes will give you a clear understanding of which topics or types of questions need more attention.
- 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. If this is a recurring issue for you, it’s crucial to revisit the fundamental concepts and practice questions related to those areas.
- Calculation Mistakes: Mistakes like sign errors, wrong assumptions, or missing out on important steps while solving problems are common. These are often a result of nervousness or rushing through the questions. To avoid these, practice solving problems with more focus and under time constraints to improve your speed and accuracy.
- Time Management Issues: If you are unable to finish the paper within the stipulated time, you need to focus on improving your time management skills. A lack of time often results in hasty or incomplete answers, leading to lost marks. This is something that can be solved with practice and better planning.
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. Similarly, if Organic Chemistry is your weak point in Chemistry, it’s time to focus on that specific area.
By understanding your weak areas, you can create a targeted revision strategy. This approach ensures that you don’t waste time revising concepts you already understand and instead focus on the ones that need your attention.
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. Focusing your preparation on high-weightage topics will allow you to score more marks with relatively less effort.
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.
Benefits of Mock Tests:
- Improved Time Management: Helps you develop strategies to solve problems faster and more efficiently.
- Familiarity with the Exam Pattern: Regular mock tests get you comfortable with the format, reducing exam-day anxiety.
- Reduced Stress: With regular practice, you’ll approach the exam more confidently.
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) Prioritizing Weak Subjects
It’s crucial to give extra attention to subjects or topics you find difficult. While it’s tempting to spend most of your time on areas you’re comfortable with, your weak subjects need more focus if you aim to boost your overall score. Prioritizing your weak areas will help you reduce your mistakes and improve your overall performance.
- Allocating More Time for Weak Areas: Dedicate more study hours to weaker subjects or topics. This doesn’t mean neglecting your strengths, but rather allocating extra time to solidify the concepts you find challenging. Regular practice, combined with clear understanding, will gradually improve your performance in these areas.
- Regular Self-Assessments: Take regular self-assessments to track your progress. Periodically analyze your performance in mock tests and practice exams to check if your weak subjects are improving. If not, consider tweaking your study plan to allocate more time for those areas.
5) 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 | Why the Books are the Best for JEE Mains Physics |
| NCERT Textbook | NCERT | It covers up almost everything. It is the best book for the basic concepts and practice. |
| Concepts of physics (Vol. 1 and 2) | HC Verma | They provide the best exercises along with the basic concepts. |
| Fundamentals of Physics | Halliday, Resnick, & walker | This book helps in clearing all the concepts of Physics important for JEE Mains. |
| 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 | This set of books is very popular among the students and one of the best books for JEE Mains. This explains the concepts, derives the formula, and provides a number of solved examples and exercises to solve. |
| Understanding Physics | Freedman and Young | This book explains all the concepts in detail and provides exercises for practice. |
| Problems in Physics | SS Krotov | This book is popular for its exercise questions. |
| Physics Vol-1 and Vol-2 by for Theory and Non-Trivial Problems | Resnick Halliday | Book for understanding concepts and practising questions. |
| Problems on General Physics | I E Irodov | A lot of questions are provided for practising. |
Recommended Books for JEE Mains Chemistry
| Name of the Book | Author/Publication | Why the Book is the Best for JEE Mains Chemistry |
| NCERT Textbook | NCERT | It covers up almost everything. It is the best book for the basic concepts and practice. |
| Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations | R C Mukherjee | Physical Chemistry Numericals are the best in this book. |
| Organic Chemistry | O P Tandon | Each and every topic is well explained in this book. |
| Concise Inorganic Chemistry | J. D. Lee | This is the best book for the concepts of Inorganic Chemistry. |
| Concept of Physical Chemistry | P Bahadur | Along with the concepts, there are many exercises to solve. |
| Physical Chemistry | P.W. Atkins | This book is best for extra exercises. |
| Organic Chemistry | Morrison & Boyd | This book is best for extra exercises. |
| Numerical Chemistry 22/e | P Bahadur | This is one of the best books for JEE Mains recommended by toppers. |
Recommended Books for JEE Mains Mathematics
| Name of the Book | Author/Publication | Why the Book is the Best Maths Book for JEE Mains |
| NCERT Textbook | NCERT | It covers up almost everything. It is the best book for the basic concepts and practice. |
| Objective Mathematics | RD Sharma | This book explains the concepts very well. They also have a lot of exercise questions. |
| Plane Trigonometry | S L Loney | This book is best for Trigonometry. |
| Algebra | Dr S K Goyal – Arihant Publications | This book is best for Algebra. |
| Differential Calculus | Amit M Agarwal – Arihant Publications | This book is best for understanding the concepts of Calculus. |
| Integral Calculus | Amit M Agarwal – Arihant Publications | This book is best for understanding the concepts of Calculus. |
| The Elements of Coordinate Geometry | S L Loney | This book is best for understanding the concepts of Coordinate Geometry and practising questions on Coordinate Geometry. |
| Play with Graphs | Amit M Agarwal – Arihant Publications | This book is best for practising graphs. |
| Complete Mathematics for JEE Main | Tata McGraw Hill | This is the best book for overall preparation. |
| New Pattern Mathematics for JEE Main | Arihant Publications | You will get a lot of exercises. |
6) 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 86 percentile in JEE Main is a good achievement, but it may not be enough for top branches in NITs and IIITs. However, you still have many options. You can get branches in newer NITs, state engineering colleges, and well-known private universities.
If you feel this score does not match your goal, you can improve. Many students increase their percentile in later attempts by focusing on weak topics, solving mock tests, and following a proper study plan.
Do not lose hope. Your score today is not the end of your journey. You still have time to improve and get into a good college. Stay focused, work hard, and believe in yourself. With the right effort, you can achieve your engineering dream.
