Ever wondered how many marks you need to score to be among the top 5% in JEE Mains? It’s a common question for many students like you who are aiming for a good rank and admission to top engineering colleges.
We understand the pressure and confusion surrounding this topic. This article provides a clear answer to that question and everything else you need to know about the 95 percentile score in JEE Mains.
It’s your one-stop guide for understanding what it takes to achieve this milestone.
What is a percentile in JEE Mains?
In the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Mains, a percentile score indicates your position relative to other test-takers. It shows the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or below your score. A higher percentile means you performed better than most test-takers.
How it Differs from Percentage
A percentage is a simple measure of how many marks you got out of the total marks. For example, if the total marks are 300 and you got 150, your percentage is 50%.
A percentile, on the other hand, is a relative measure. It doesn’t tell you how many marks you got. It tells you how you performed compared to others. For example, a 95th percentile means you scored better than 95% of test-takers.
Now that we know what a percentile is, let’s see how it’s calculated for the JEE Mains.
How are JEE Mains percentiles calculated?
JEE Main exams happen in multiple sessions. Papers can vary in difficulty between sessions. To make it fair, the National Testing Agency (NTA) uses a normalisation process. This process adjusts your raw score (actual marks) based on the difficulty of your session’s paper. It gives you a percentile that shows your performance relative to everyone, no matter which session you took.
Here’s a simplified example:
Imagine two sessions.
Session 1’s paper is easier, and the top score is 250.
Session 2’s paper is tougher, and the top score is 220.
- Student A in Session 1 gets 200 marks.
- Student B in Session 2 gets 190 marks.
Just looking at marks, Student A did better. But after normalisation, Student B might get a higher percentile because their 190 was a better performance given the tougher paper.
Calculating percentiles isn’t just about a formula. There are other things that can affect your percentile even if your test score stays the same.
Factors influencing percentile vs. raw score relationship (in JEE Mains)
A few things can change how your test score translates to a percentile. The relationship between your raw score and percentile can change based on a few factors:
1) Difficulty Level of the Paper: If the paper is easy, you’ll need a higher raw score to achieve a good percentile.
2) Number of Test-Takers: If more students take the test, it might be slightly harder to achieve a high percentile.
3) Overall Performance of Students: If many students perform well, the percentiles may be slightly lower for everyone.
Knowing these factors helps you understand why your percentile matters when you apply to engineering colleges.
Why do percentiles matter in JEE Mains?
Percentiles are extremely important in JEE Mains for the following reasons:
- Admissions: Most colleges and institutes use your JEE Mains percentile to determine your eligibility for admission. They often have cut off percentiles for different courses.
- Rank determination: Your JEE Mains percentile is used to calculate your All India Rank (AIR). This rank is crucial for getting into top engineering colleges.
- Eligibility for JEE Advanced: To qualify for JEE Advanced (the exam for IIT admissions), you need to achieve a certain minimum percentile in JEE Mains.
For many students, reaching the 95th percentile is a goal. Let’s see what that means in terms of your test score.
The 95th Percentile Mark Range in JEE Mains (2024)
The number of points you need to be in the top 5% of test takers can vary from year to year. We’ll look at what it might be for the 2024 exam.
| JEE Main Score | Percentile |
| -75 – -20 | 0.843517743614459 – 0.843517743614459 |
| -19 – -10 | 0.843517743614459 – 0.843517743614459 |
| 0 – 10 | 0.843517743614459 – 9.69540662201048 |
| 11 – 20 | 13.4958497103427 – 33.2291283360524 |
| 21 – 30 | 37.6945295632834 – 56.5693109770195 |
| 31 – 40 | 58.1514901857346 – 71.3020522957121 |
| 41 – 50 | 73.2878087751462 – 80.9821538087469 |
| 51 – 60 | 82.0160627661434 – 86.9079446541208 |
| 61 – 70 | 87.5122250914779 – 90.7022005707394 |
| 71 – 80 | 91.0721283110867 – 93.1529718505396 |
| 81 – 90 | 93.4712312797351 – 94.7494792463808 |
| 91 – 100 | 94.9985943180054 – 96.0648502433078 |
| 101 – 110 | 96.2045500677875 – 96.9782721725982 |
| 111 – 120 | 97.1429377776765 – 97.6856721385145 |
| 121 – 130 | 97.8112608696124 – 98.2541321080562 |
| 131 – 140 | 98.3174149345299 – 98.6669358629096 |
| 141 – 150 | 98.7323896268267 – 98.9902969950969 |
| 151 – 160 | 99.0286140409721 – 99.2397377073381 |
| 161 – 170 | 99.272084675244 – 99.4312143898418 |
| 171 – 180 | 99.4569399985455 – 99.573193698637 |
| 181 – 190 | 99.5973996511304 – 99.6885790237511 |
| 191 – 200 | 99.7108311325455 – 99.7824720681761 |
| 201 – 210 | 99.7950635053476 – 99.845212160289 |
| 211 – 220 | 99.8516164257469 – 99.8937326121479 |
| 221 – 230 | 99.9011137994553 – 99.9289017987302 |
| 231 – 240 | 99.9349804235716 – 99.9563641573886 |
| 241 – 250 | 99.9601632979145 – 99.9750342194015 |
| 250 – 262 | 99.9772051568448 – 99.9888196721667 |
| 263 – 270 | 99.9909906096101 – 99.9940299220308 |
| 271 – 280 | 99.9946812032638 – 99.997394875068 |
| 300 | 99.99989145 |
Getting a score in this range depends on a few things. Let’s take a closer look.
Factors Affecting the 95th Percentile Mark in JEE Mains
The 95th percentile mark in JEE Mains is not a fixed number. It changes every year. Many factors affect this mark. Let’s look at some of these factors.
1) Difficulty level of the paper
JEE Mains papers can be easy or difficult. The difficulty level of the paper affects the 95th percentile mark.
- Hard papers: When the paper is hard, students get fewer marks. This means the 95th percentile mark will be lower. This is because fewer students get high marks.
- Easy papers: When the paper is easy, students get more marks. This means the 95th percentile mark will be higher. This is because more students get high marks.
2) Number of test-takers
Many students take the JEE Mains exam every year. The number of test-takers also affects the 95th percentile mark.
- More test-takers: When more students take the exam, there is more competition. This means the 95th percentile mark will be higher. This is because more students are trying to get the top marks.
- Fewer test-takers: When fewer students take the exam, there is less competition. This means the 95th percentile mark will be lower. This is because fewer students are trying to get the top marks.
3) Normalisation process
JEE Mains has many exam sessions. The difficulty level of the paper can be different in each session. This is where the normalisation process comes in.
- Normalisation: This process adjusts the marks of students in different sessions. It makes sure that the marks are fair for all students. This means the 95th percentile mark can change after normalisation.
How to use this information
Knowing these factors can help you understand the 95th percentile mark better.
- Check past year trends: Look at the 95th percentile marks of previous years. This will give you an idea of the marks you need to aim for.
- Consider the difficulty level: Think about the difficulty level of the paper. If the paper is difficult, you may not need to get very high marks to reach the 95th percentile.
- Don’t forget the competition: Remember that the number of test-takers affects the 95th percentile mark. If there are more test-takers, you may need to get higher marks.
Important note: The 95th percentile mark is just one factor to consider. Your goal should be to do your best in the exam. Focus on your preparation and try to get the best marks you can.
Now that you know what affects the 95th percentile, you might wonder how to get there yourself.
How to Achieve the 95th Percentile in JEE Mains
Achieving the 95th percentile in JEE Mains is a goal within reach. With dedication and the right strategies, you can make it happen. Let’s break down the steps you need to take to succeed.
Preparation Strategies
1) Structured Study Plan:
- Make a timetable and follow it strictly.
- Allocate time for each subject every day.
- Balance theory and problem-solving.
- Set weekly and monthly goals.
2) Emphasis on Conceptual Clarity:
- Understand the concepts deeply.
- Don’t just memorise formulas.
- Practice problems to test your understanding.
- Ask doubts and clear them immediately.
3) Regular Mock Tests and Analysis:
- Take mock tests regularly to simulate the exam.
- Analyse your performance to identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Focus on improving your weak areas.
- Bonus Tip: Signup for Phodu Club’s JEE Mains Test Series to get quality mock tests.
4) Time Management during the Exam:
- Read the instructions carefully.
- Start with the subject you are most confident in.
- Attempt easy questions first.
- Don’t spend too much time on a single question.
Subject-wise Tips: Important Topics and Chapters to Focus On:
Physics:
- Mechanics: Laws of Motion, Work, Energy, Power
- Electrodynamics: Current Electricity, Electrostatics, Magnetism
- Modern Physics: Atomic Structure, Dual Nature of Matter, Radiation
- Thermodynamics: Heat, Temperature, Laws of Thermodynamics
- Optics: Ray Optics, Wave Optics
Chemistry:
- Physical Chemistry: Mole Concept, Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, Equilibrium
- Organic Chemistry: General Organic Chemistry, Hydrocarbons, Alcohols, Phenols, Ethers
- Inorganic Chemistry: Periodic Table, Coordination Compounds, Chemical Bonding
Mathematics:
- Algebra: Quadratic Equations, Complex Numbers, Matrices, Determinants
- Coordinate Geometry: Straight Lines, Circles, Conic Sections
- Calculus: Limits, Continuity, Differentiation, Integration
- Trigonometry: Trigonometric Ratios, Trigonometric Equations, Inverse Trigonometric Functions
- Vectors and 3D Geometry: Vectors, Lines, Planes
Resource Recommendations: Books, Online Courses, and Study Materials:
Books:
- NCERT Textbooks: The foundation for JEE preparation
- Concepts of Physics (H.C. Verma): For building strong concepts in Physics
- Problems in General Physics (I.E. Irodov): For advanced problem-solving in Physics
- Organic Chemistry (Morrison and Boyd): For in-depth understanding of Organic Chemistry
- Concise Inorganic Chemistry (J.D. Lee): For comprehensive coverage of Inorganic Chemistry
- Mathematics (Cengage): For practice problems and theory in Mathematics
Online Courses:
- Phodu Club: Provides quality study materials, mock tests, and doubt-solving sessions.
Study Materials:
- Previous year’s question papers: To get familiar with the exam pattern and difficulty level
- Mock tests: To assess your preparation and improve time management
Remember, consistent effort and the right approach are key to achieving success in JEE Mains. Start your preparation early, follow a structured plan, focus on building strong concepts, and practice regularly. With dedication and perseverance, you can achieve your goal of securing the 95th percentile in JEE Mains.
Getting above the 95th percentile is a great achievement, but what does it mean for your future studies?
Beyond the 95th Percentile in JEE Mains
If you score above the 95th percentile, you’ll have more options when choosing a college and a major. Let’s see what those options might look like.
Admissions and rank: How the 95th percentile translates to ranks and admission chances in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
The 95th percentile in JEE Mains is a good score. It means you are in the top 5% of all test-takers. This is a good position to be in for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. However, it is important to remember that the actual rank you get will depend on the number of students who take the exam and the difficulty of the exam. The number of students who take the exam changes every year. The difficulty of the exam also changes every year. This means your rank can change even if your percentile stays the same.
JEE Advanced eligibility: The percentile cut-off required to appear for JEE Advanced.
The JEE Advanced exam is the exam for admission to IITs. Only students who meet the cut-off percentile in JEE Mains can take JEE Advanced. The cut-off percentile changes every year. It depends on the number of students who take the exam and the difficulty of the exam. You can find the cut-off percentile on the official JEE website.
Other factors to consider: Board exam scores, category reservations, etc.
Your board exam scores are also important for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. Some institutes have a minimum board exam score requirement. You should check the requirements of the institutes you are interested in. Category reservations are also important. There are reservations for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS categories. These reservations can help you get admission even if your rank is not very high. You should check the reservation policy of the institutes you are interested in.
Conclusion
Scoring in the 95th percentile in JEE Mains opens doors to various opportunities. It allows you to compete for seats in prestigious NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. It also makes you eligible for the JEE Advanced exam, which is the gateway to the IITs. However, several other factors influence your final admission, including your board exam scores, category reservations, and the specific admission policies of different institutions. It’s crucial to stay informed about these factors and make well-informed decisions during the choice-filling and counselling processes.
