The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Mains is one of the most challenging exams in India, opening pathways to top engineering colleges, such as the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and Government-Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs). Achieving a 98th percentile in JEE Mains is no small feat—it places students among the top 2% nationwide, indicating a high level of preparation, understanding, and problem-solving skills. Students reaching this percentile are often keen on understanding the opportunities available, the college branches they may access, and strategies for scoring even higher if they decide to attempt JEE again.
This article provides a complete guide on what scoring in the 98th percentile means, the approximate marks required to achieve it, how to enhance scores, and details on college options, scholarships, and career pathways. With in-depth analysis, students can make informed choices on the next steps for their academic and professional futures.
98 Percentile in JEE Mains Marks
Achieving a 98 percentile means that a candidate scored better than 98% of all the other students in their respective session. This percentile isn’t just about marks; it reflects a candidate’s standing relative to others. To achieve this percentile, certain score thresholds must be met, which vary each year due to changes in difficulty and competition.
Approximate Score Range Required for 98 Percentile
The exact score range for the 98th percentile changes slightly with each session of JEE Mains. However, based on trends from recent years, an approximate score range can be estimated.
Score Range Based on Recent Trends
In general, scoring between 160 and 170 marks will place a candidate in the 98 percentile. This range may fluctuate by a few points based on factors like the difficulty of the paper and the performance trends each year. For example, a student scoring around 165 marks in recent years often found themselves at the 98 percentile mark. Candidates should keep in mind that scoring 98 percentile does not guarantee the exact same rank each year, as rank depends on how other students perform.
JEE Main Marks vs Percentile for 98 Percentile
| Percentile Range | Expected Marks Range | Expected Rank Range |
| 98.9+ percentile | 188.4 to 191 marks | 12,001 to 13,200 ranks |
| 98.8+ percentile | 185.8 to 188.4 marks | 13,201 to 14,400 ranks |
| 98.7+ percentile | 183.1 to 185.8 marks | 14,401 to 15,600 ranks |
| 98.6+ percentile | 180.5 to 183.1 marks | 15,601 to 16,800 ranks |
| 98.5+ percentile | 177.9 to 180.5 marks | 16,801 to 18,000 ranks |
| 98.4+ percentile | 175.8 to 177.9 marks | 18,001 to 19,200 ranks |
| 98.3+ percentile | 173.8 to 175.8 marks | 19,201 to 20,400 ranks |
| 98.2+ percentile | 171.7 to 173.8 marks | 20,401 to 21,600 ranks |
| 98.1+ percentile | 169.6 to 171.7 marks | 21,601 to 22,800 ranks |
| 98+ percentile | 167.6 to 169.6 marks | 22,801 to 24,000 ranks |
JEE Main Marks vs Percentile 2024
| 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 |
Influence of Normalisation and Session Variations: The JEE Mains exam is conducted over several sessions, each with unique question papers. Because different sessions can vary in difficulty, the National Testing Agency (NTA) applies a normalisation process to balance these variations. This process adjusts scores to fairly account for difficulty differences, ensuring that students taking harder papers are not at a disadvantage. In sessions where the exam paper is perceived as more challenging, a score of 160 might be enough to achieve the 98 percentile. Conversely, in easier sessions, a score closer to 170 or even slightly above may be required.
Key Factors Influencing Percentile Shifts
Achieving a specific percentile, particularly one as high as the 98th, involves various factors that influence the actual score threshold each year. Here are the primary elements at play:
- Difficulty Level Adjustments: JEE Mains question papers vary in difficulty, and to ensure that students are graded fairly, normalisation is applied. For instance, if one session’s paper has more complex physics problems than another, the scores of students in that session might be adjusted upwards. This process can shift the exact score range needed to achieve the 98 percentile.
- Student Performance Trends: The score range for each percentile is also affected by the general performance trends. For example, if students in a given year generally perform better, the score required for each percentile will rise accordingly. On the other hand, if scores are lower overall, achieving a 98 percentile may require fewer marks. Observing previous years’ trends is beneficial for students, as it provides a realistic benchmark of what they might need to aim for.
Opportunities and College Options at 98 Percentile in JEE Mains
Achieving the 98 percentile unlocks access to several excellent options across NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. These institutes offer a broad range of engineering branches, providing students with quality education and promising career prospects.
NIT, IIIT, and GFTI Options for Students with 98 Percentile
Students scoring in the 98th percentile have a good chance of securing seats in popular branches in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. The exact branch, however, depends on factors like state quotas, category reservations, and the specific institute’s popularity.
- Probable Branches and Specializations at NITs: With a 98 percentile, students can expect to secure seats in branches such as Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Civil Engineering at several NITs. The more established NITs, like NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, and NIT Surathkal, have high cutoffs for branches like Computer Science (CSE) and Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), but newer or less popular NITs may offer these branches at this percentile. Students should check each institute’s previous year cutoffs to get a more precise idea.
- IIITs and Their Specialised IT Programs: Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) focus on IT and CSE. At a 98 percentile, students can often secure admission in CSE or Information Technology programs at many IIITs. For students particularly interested in careers in technology, coding, and software, IIITs provide a specialised and focused education. IIIT Allahabad, IIIT Jabalpur, and IIIT Gwalior are notable options that often have cutoffs around the 98 percentile range for their CSE programs.
- GFTIs and Their Unique Programs: Government-Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) are also accessible to students at the 98 percentile. Many GFTIs offer programs in branches like Civil Engineering, Production Engineering, and Electronics. These institutes often have more diverse programs and can be a good choice for students seeking specific fields like Metallurgy, Marine Engineering, or Aerospace Engineering.
Impact of State Quotas and Category Reservations
State quotas and reservations play a significant role in determining the branches and institutes available to students with a 98 percentile score.
- Home State Quotas: Each NIT allocates a portion of seats for students from the home state. This home-state quota can lower the cutoff requirement for students applying to an NIT in their own state. For example, a student from Telangana with a 98 percentile might have better chances of securing a seat in CSE at NIT Warangal than a student from a different state. States like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan have multiple competitive institutions where local students can leverage home-state quotas to access more popular branches.
- Category Reservations: Reservation policies allow students from SC, ST, OBC, and EWS categories to have lower cutoff thresholds. This policy can be advantageous for high-demand branches like CSE and ECE, especially at NITs where general category cutoffs are highly competitive. For instance, an OBC candidate with a 98 percentile may have a better chance of securing CSE at NIT Calicut compared to a general category student with the same percentile.
JEE Mains Strategies to Improve from 98 Percentile
For students looking to further improve from a 98 percentile, refining their approach and focusing on specific strategies can make a significant difference.
Targeting Specific Subjects for Improvement
Maximising scores in each subject—Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics—can help boost the overall percentile. Targeting high-scoring topics within each subject allows students to improve their efficiency.
Most Scoring Topics in Each Subject:
Physics: In Physics, topics like Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Thermodynamics, and Modern Physics are frequently tested. Within Mechanics, understanding concepts like Newton’s Laws of Motion, Work and Energy, and Rotational Dynamics can help students score consistently. Electromagnetism includes topics like current electricity, AC circuits, and magnetic fields, which are high-scoring with enough practice.
JEE Mains Physics Chapter wise weightage
| 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: Physical Chemistry topics such as Chemical Kinetics, Thermodynamics, and Atomic Structure are scoring areas. In Organic Chemistry, focus on understanding reaction mechanisms and named reactions like Aldol and Cannizzaro, as these are regularly featured in exams. In Inorganic Chemistry, Coordination Compounds and the periodic table trends are fundamental.
JEE Mains Chemistry Chapter wise weightage
| 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 And Surface Chemistry | 6.60% |
| Nuclear & Environmental 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, amino acids, and Polymers | 6.60% |
| Aromatic Compounds | 6.60% |
Mathematics: In Math, Calculus, Algebra, and Coordinate Geometry are high-priority areas. Calculus topics like differentiation and integration are frequently asked and cover a large section of the syllabus. Algebra, with topics like Matrices, Determinants, and Complex Numbers, can yield high marks. Geometry topics like Conic Sections (Ellipse, Parabola, and Hyperbola) require practice but are rewarding in terms of scoring potential.
JEE Mains Mathematics Chapter wise weightage
| 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% |
Time Allocation for Subjects: Students should create a balanced study routine, spending more time on weaker subjects. For instance, if Chemistry is a strong subject, students can spend more time on Physics and Math to raise overall scores. Regularly assessing progress and adjusting time allocation ensures balanced improvements across all subjects.
Advanced Practice Strategies for a Higher Percentile
Advanced strategies, including error analysis, mock tests, and speed training, are essential for moving beyond the 98 percentile.
- Importance of Mock Tests and Error Analysis: Taking full-length mock tests helps students simulate the real JEE Mains environment and build test-taking endurance. After each test, error analysis is crucial. Students should categorise their mistakes (conceptual errors, calculation mistakes, time management issues) and focus on practising similar questions. Using an error log helps in tracking repeated mistakes, enabling focused improvements over time.
- Speed and Accuracy Refinement: Practising time-based problem-solving is essential for improving speed and accuracy. Techniques like Mental Math, approximation methods, and skipping difficult questions initially can help optimise time. Developing a habit of double-checking answers ensures higher accuracy, especially in Physics and Mathematics where miscalculations are common.
Scholarship and Career Opportunities
Achieving a 98 percentile not only enhances college admissions but also opens the door to scholarships and internships, further aiding students in their career journey.
Scholarships Available for High JEE Percentile Scorers
Several scholarships are available to students who achieve high percentiles in JEE Mains, reducing the financial burden of pursuing higher education.
- Government Scholarships: The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students provides financial support to meritorious students, including engineering students with high JEE Mains scores. Many states also offer scholarships for local residents, such as the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Scholarship in Uttar Pradesh and the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme in Maharashtra. These scholarships cover tuition fees and, in some cases, provide additional allowances for books and other academic expenses.
- Private Scholarships: Various private organisations offer scholarships for engineering students. L&T Build India Scholarship is available for students pursuing Civil or Electrical Engineering. The Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY), though aimed at science students, also benefits engineering aspirants. These scholarships provide financial assistance and often include mentorship programs to support students’ academic and career goals.
Career Avenues and Internships During College
High JEE Mains scores and enrollment in reputable colleges improve students’ career prospects, offering better internships and placements, especially in high-demand branches.
- Placement Opportunities for Higher Percentile Students: Students in branches like CSE and ECE at top NITs and IIITs benefit from excellent placement opportunities. Tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon frequently recruit from NITs, with competitive packages for CSE students. ECE students also have access to placements in electronics, telecommunications, and IT sectors, with companies like Intel, Qualcomm, and Samsung.
- Internship Opportunities in High-Demand Branches: Branches like CSE and ECE are known for providing robust internship opportunities. Students with strong academic records and relevant skills often secure internships in top tech companies, gaining hands-on experience in software development, data analysis, and system design. Many internships convert to pre-placement offers (PPOs), allowing students to secure job positions before graduation.
Conclusion
A 98 percentile in JEE Mains is a commendable achievement, positioning students for a range of academic and career opportunities. At this percentile, students can access branches like Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering at various NITs and competitive programs at IIITs and GFTIs. With state quotas and reservation benefits, the scope for securing top branches increases further.
For students aiming to improve, focused study on high-yield topics, targeted mock test practice, and error analysis can enhance scores and push their percentile even higher. A high percentile also offers scholarships and strong career prospects, especially in high-demand fields like CSE and ECE, where placement rates and starting salaries are competitive.
By capitalising on the benefits of a 98 percentile, whether through college admissions, scholarships, or internships, students can set a strong foundation for an engineering career. Strategic preparation, informed decision-making, and consistent practice are the keys to maximising the advantages that come with a high JEE Mains percentile.
FAQs on 98 Percentile in JEE Mains
1) Probability of Admission to Specific NITs at 98 Percentile
With a 98 percentile, students have a strong chance of gaining admission to branches like Electrical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering in many NITs. Certain NITs may also offer seats in CSE or ECE, particularly for reserved categories.
2) How Does Percentile Reflect Against National Competition?
Scoring in the 98 percentile means a student performed better than 98% of other JEE Mains candidates, highlighting strong preparation and competitive standing at the national level.
3) Advice on Selecting the Right College and Branch
When selecting a college, students should weigh factors like branch interest, location, and career opportunities. Additionally, state quotas and reservations can help maximise options, allowing students to access competitive branches in reputable institutes.
