Are you confused between percentage and percentile in JEE Mains? You’re not alone. Every year, lakhs of students appear for JEE Mains, but many still don’t understand what a percentile truly means or how it affects their rank. If you’re preparing for JEE Mains 2025, knowing how the percentile system works is not just helpful—it’s essential.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) does not give raw marks or percentages. Instead, it reports your score as a percentile, which reflects your performance compared to others. This helps maintain fairness across different exam shifts, especially since JEE Mains is held in multiple sessions.
In this article, you will learn what a percentile is, how it is calculated, how it affects your rank, and how you can improve it. We’ll break everything down using simple language so you can focus on what matters most—getting into your dream engineering college.
What is a Percentile in JEE Mains?
A percentile tells you how you performed compared to others. It is not your actual marks. It shows the percentage of students who scored the same or less than you.
Example: If your percentile is 95, it means you scored more than 95% of the students who appeared in that session.
Percentile ≠ Percentage
Percentage is calculated as: (Marks Obtained / Total Marks) × 100
Percentile compares your score with others. It shows your position among all test takers.
So, if two students score 180/300, their percentage is the same. But if they gave the test in different shifts with different difficulty levels, their percentiles may be different.
How is Percentile Calculated in JEE Mains? (Step-by-Step Process)
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts JEE Mains in multiple sessions. To keep things fair for all students, NTA does not use just raw marks to decide your result. Instead, it uses a method called normalization and reports your percentile score.
The percentile shows how many students scored less than or equal to you. It gives a better picture of your performance, especially when exams happen in different shifts with different difficulty levels.
Let’s now understand each step of the calculation process with an example.
Step 1: Raw Marks Calculation
The first step is calculating your raw marks. This is the total of your correct and incorrect answers.
JEE Main Marking Scheme:
- For each correct answer (MCQ or numerical): +4 marks
- For each incorrect MCQ: –1 mark
- For incorrect numerical questions: 0 mark (no negative marking)
- Unanswered questions: 0 mark
Each subject (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) is out of 100 marks, and the total paper is out of 300 marks.
Example:
| Subject | Correct Answers | Wrong Answers | Raw Score |
| Physics | 12 | 3 | (12×4) – (3×1) = 48 – 3 = 45 |
| Chemistry | 13 | 2 | (13×4) – (2×1) = 52 – 2 = 50 |
| Mathematics | 10 | 5 | (10×4) – (5×1) = 40 – 5 = 35 |
| Total | — | — | 45 + 50 + 35 = 130 |
So, the raw marks in this case are 130 out of 300.
Step 2: Normalization Across Sessions
JEE Mains takes place in multiple sessions over several days. Each session has a different set of questions. Some papers may be tougher or easier than others.
To solve this issue, NTA uses a method called normalization. This method adjusts scores to make them fair across all shifts. Students from different sessions are compared fairly using a statistical formula.
Normalization is done subject-wise and for the total score.
The idea is simple:
- If your paper was tough and most students scored low, your normalized score may be higher.
- If your paper was easy and most students scored high, your normalized score may be a little lower.
This makes sure that no student is at a disadvantage based on the shift they got.
Step 3: Percentile Formula
Once NTA has normalized scores, it calculates your percentile using a specific formula.
Percentile=(Number of candidates with marks less than or equal to you/Total number of candidates in that session)×100
This formula is applied separately for each subject and also for the total score. Let’s say you are in Session 2, and here’s your data:
- Your normalized score: 130
- Total students in Session 2: 2,00,000
- Number of students who scored ≤130: 1,60,000
Now apply the formula:
Percentile=(1,60,000/2,00,000)×100=80
Your percentile would be 80 in Session 2.
Step 4: Final Percentile Declaration
After all the sessions are completed, NTA calculates the percentiles for each candidate in the following format:
- Subject-wise percentile (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)
- Overall percentile (based on total marks)
These are the scores you will see on your JEE Main scorecard. NTA does not publish your raw or normalized marks—only percentiles.
Your overall percentile is very important. It is used to prepare the rank list, which determines your eligibility for:
- JEE Advanced
- NITs, IIITs, GFTIs
- JoSAA counseling
Example Table for Better Understanding
Let’s look at a sample percentile calculation across three different students in the same session.
Total Candidates in the Session: 1,00,000
| Student | Normalized Score | Number of Students with Marks ≤ Student | Percentile |
| A | 170 | 98,000 | (98,000 ÷ 1,00,000) × 100 = 98.00 |
| B | 140 | 85,000 | (85,000 ÷ 1,00,000) × 100 = 85.00 |
| C | 100 | 60,000 | (60,000 ÷ 1,00,000) × 100 = 60.00 |
So, Student A has a 98 percentile, meaning 98% of students scored equal to or less than him.
Important Points to Remember:
- Percentile scores are not the same as raw marks or percentages.
- A higher raw score does not always mean a higher percentile. It depends on how others performed too.
- Normalization makes the comparison fair across different shifts.
- Final JEE Mains percentile is what matters for admission and rank, not raw marks.
Why NTA Uses Percentile?
- It solves the problem of varying difficulty across sessions.
- It ensures a level playing field for all students.
- It simplifies the ranking process.
- It allows multiple attempts while keeping results fair.
Understanding this full process helps you plan better and avoid confusion after the results are declared. Always focus on scoring high and improving your accuracy, but also remember that your percentile depends on how others perform in your session.
If you take both January and April attempts, the best percentile out of the two is considered for the final result. So you always have a chance to improve.
Key Factors Affecting Percentile Calculation in JEE Mains
The JEE Mains percentile system is designed to give all students a fair chance. It does not depend only on your marks. Several important factors affect how your percentile is calculated. Understanding these factors will help you avoid confusion and focus on better preparation.
1) Number of Candidates Appearing in the Exam
This is one of the most important factors. Your percentile score always depends on how many students appeared in your session.
The formula for calculating percentile is:
Percentile=(Number of candidates with marks less than or equal to you/Total number of candidates in that session)×100
So, if more students appear, your percentile will become more accurate and refined. For example:
- If 1,00,000 students appear and you score better than 90,000 of them, your percentile is 90.
- If 2,00,000 students appear and you beat 1,80,000 students, your percentile will still be 90, but you actually beat more students.
More candidates mean tighter competition and more detailed percentile differences.
2) Difficulty Level of the Exam Shift
JEE Mains is conducted in multiple sessions. Each session has a different question paper. Some shifts may have easier papers, while others may be more difficult. Your raw marks may be lower in a tough paper, but your percentile can still be high if other students also score low.
For example:
- Suppose your raw score is 120 out of 300.
- In an easier paper, that may give you only 85 percentile.
- But in a tougher shift, the same 120 could give you 92 or even 95 percentile.
This is why percentile is not the same as raw marks. It shows how well you performed relative to others in the same shift, not just your total score.
3) Normalization Process
To solve the problem of different difficulty levels, NTA uses a normalization method. This process adjusts scores so students from all shifts can be compared fairly.
Normalization is done subject-wise and overall. It balances out the easy and tough papers using statistical methods. After this, your normalized score is used to calculate the percentile. You do not need to worry about how the formula works. Just remember this: even if your shift was tough, normalization can help you get a fair score and a good percentile.
4) Performance of Other Students
Your percentile depends on how many students scored less than or equal to you. So, even if your marks are the same in two different sessions, your percentile may be different. This happens because the performance of others directly affects your position. If most students score very high, it becomes harder to get a top percentile. If many students perform poorly, even a moderate score can give you a good percentile.
Percentile vs. Rank in JEE Mains: How Are They Related?
In JEE Mains, you do not get a rank based directly on your marks. Instead, your rank is based on your percentile, which is calculated using your relative performance among all students who appeared in the same session. Your All India Rank (AIR) is prepared after combining the percentiles from all sessions and comparing them.
Let’s understand clearly how percentile and rank are connected.
How Is Rank Calculated From Percentile?
Once all sessions of JEE Mains are over, NTA uses your overall percentile to determine your All India Rank (AIR).
Here is a basic formula to estimate your rank using percentile:
Rank=((100−Your Percentile)/100)×Total Number of Candidates
This formula gives an approximate idea of your rank.
Example Calculation
Let’s say the total number of candidates in JEE Mains is 10,00,000 (10 lakh). If your percentile is 99.5, then:
Rank=( (100−99.5)/100 )×10,00,000=0.5×10,000=5,000
So, your approximate rank will be 5,000.
Why Ranks Vary Every Year
Your percentile may be the same in two different years, but the rank can still be different. This happens because the total number of students appearing in JEE Mains changes every year. If more students appear, your rank may go lower, even if you get the same percentile.
For example:
- If 9 lakh students appear in 2024 and you get 99.5 percentile → Approx. rank = 4,500
- If 11 lakh students appear in 2025 and you get 99.5 percentile → Approx. rank = 5,500
So, rank depends not just on percentile, but also on how many students appeared in total.
Common Misconceptions About Percentile Calculation in JEE Mains
1) Myth: Percentile depends only on your marks
Reality: Your percentile depends on how many students scored less than or equal to you. So, even with the same marks, percentile may change across sessions.
2) Myth: Higher raw marks always mean higher percentile
Reality: If the paper is easy, everyone scores high. So even with more marks, your percentile may be lower if many students performed equally well.
3) Myth: Percentile and percentage are the same
Reality: They are completely different.
Example:
You score 150/300.
Your percentage = (150/300) × 100 = 50%
If many others scored more, your percentile may be 40 or 30
So you may have 50% marks but only a 30 percentile.
How to Improve Your Percentile in JEE Mains?
Improving your percentile in JEE Mains is not only about studying more. It’s about studying smart, staying consistent, and making fewer mistakes. Since the JEE Mains percentile is based on your performance compared to other students, every single mark matters. A small increase in your score can push your percentile higher and boost your rank by thousands. Here’s how you can improve your percentile effectively.
1) Focus on Accuracy
Accuracy plays a big role in JEE Mains. Each incorrect answer in an MCQ costs you one mark due to negative marking. Too many wrong attempts can lower your raw score, which affects your percentile.
Tips to improve accuracy:
- Always attempt questions you are confident about.
- Avoid guesswork, especially if you have no idea about the topic.
- Solve questions step by step and double-check your answers.
- Focus on concepts, not just formulas.
- Practice solving problems calmly to reduce silly mistakes.
When your accuracy improves, you make fewer errors and gain more marks. That helps boost your percentile.
2) Start With Stronger Sections
All three subjects in JEE Mains carry equal weight. But every student has their strengths. Use them. Attempt your strongest subject first. This helps you:
- Gain confidence early in the exam.
- Save time for the more difficult sections.
- Maximize your score from the beginning.
For example, if Physics is your strength, attempt it first. You’ll solve questions faster and with better accuracy. Then move to Chemistry or Math based on your comfort.
3) Understand the Exam Pattern
You should know exactly what the exam format is. The more familiar you are with the pattern, the better you’ll perform.
Here’s what you must know:
- Total number of questions and marks per subject
- Time allowed (3 hours for the full paper)
- Marking scheme (4 marks for correct, –1 for wrong MCQ, no negative for numerical)
- How to use the on-screen calculator or rough sheet
Knowing the pattern helps you manage your time and approach each section smartly.
4) Practice Mock Tests Regularly
Mock tests are one of the best tools to improve your percentile.
How they help:
- Simulate real exam pressure
- Improve your speed and time management
- Identify weak areas
- Build exam temperament
Take full-length mock tests at least twice a week. Solve them in exam-like conditions, with a timer and no breaks. Analyze each test after completion. Check:
- Which questions you got wrong and why
- Which topics took too long
- If you made any silly mistakes
Use this feedback to improve before the next test. Join a trusted online test series. It gives you access to mock exams, PYQs, analysis, and competition-level performance. One great option is the Phodu Club JEE Main Test Series. It offers:
- Real-time mock tests
- Detailed performance analysis
- Question-wise accuracy tracking
- Rank prediction tools
Regularly using a good test series helps you track your progress and stay exam-ready.
5) Solve Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Many question types in JEE Mains repeat year after year. Solving previous year questions helps you:
- Understand important topics
- Get used to actual JEE question formats
- Learn shortcuts and tricks
- Build confidence
Solve PYQs of the last 8 to 10 years. Focus more on questions that are repeated or similar. These are likely to appear again.
6) Manage Time Effectively During the Exam
Time management can make or break your exam. Even if you know all the concepts, poor time usage can leave many questions unattempted.
Tips for time management:
- Don’t spend too long on one question
- Keep 10–15 minutes at the end to review answers
With good time management, you can attempt more questions and reduce stress.
7) Work on Weak Topics
Identify topics where you make frequent mistakes. Don’t avoid them. Practice more questions from these chapters. Watch video lectures, read NCERT and coaching material, and clear your doubts with teachers or peers. Some common weak topics among students include:
- Rotation and Thermodynamics in Physics
- Organic Chemistry reactions
- Probability and 3D Geometry in Math
Improving weak topics adds extra marks and lifts your percentile.
Conclusion
Understanding how percentile works in JEE Mains is very important for every student aiming for top engineering colleges. It’s not just about scoring high marks—it’s about scoring better than others. Since NTA uses the percentile system to compare students across different shifts, knowing how it is calculated can help you set clear goals. Always remember that your percentile depends on your accuracy, preparation strategy, and how others perform too. Don’t get confused between percentile and percentage.
Focus on mock tests, previous year papers, and improving your weak areas. Use trusted test series and analyze your mistakes after each attempt. With the right approach, you can improve your percentile and get a better rank. Stay focused, stay consistent, and keep practicing. Your efforts will reflect in your results. Whether your goal is NIT, IIIT, or even preparing for JEE Advanced, understanding the percentile system gives you a big advantage in your preparation journey.
