The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is one of the most prestigious and challenging entrance exams in India for students aspiring to pursue engineering. Every year, lakhs of students from all corners of the country attempt this exam with hopes of securing admission in some of the top engineering institutes, including the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other centrally funded technical institutions (CFTIs). Additionally, JEE Main is also the gateway for students to qualify for JEE Advanced, which ultimately opens the doors to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
With such fierce competition and the desire to land a seat in an esteemed engineering institute, understanding the intricacies of how the JEE Main exam is evaluated becomes crucial for students. The JEE Main result is presented in two different formats—rank and percentile. Both terms might seem similar to a student at first glance, but they represent different things and serve different purposes in the admission process.
In this comprehensive article, we will discuss in detail what JEE Main rank and percentile are, how they are calculated, and the importance of understanding their difference. By the end of this article, you will have a clear picture of how to interpret your JEE Main results and make informed decisions regarding your admission.
Understanding JEE Main Rank
The JEE Main rank is a specific number assigned to you that indicates your position relative to all the students who appeared for the JEE Main exam in a given year. In simple terms, it shows how well you performed compared to other candidates. If your rank is 1,000, it means that 999 students have scored more marks than you, while all other students have scored less or equal marks compared to you.
Your JEE Main rank is an absolute metric that tells you where you stand among all the students who participated in the exam. This rank plays a vital role in determining your admission eligibility for various institutions, including NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded institutions. It is also the primary criterion for selection for the JEE Advanced, which is the next step for those aiming to join the IITs.
How is the JEE Main Rank Calculated?
The calculation of JEE Main rank involves several steps that take into account your score, percentile, and other factors to ensure a fair ranking system. Below is the process used by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to calculate the JEE Main rank:
Step 1: Calculation of Raw Score
The first step in calculating your JEE Main rank is determining your raw score based on your performance in the exam. The raw score is simply the total marks you obtain by answering the questions correctly or incorrectly. The JEE Main exam follows the following marking scheme:
- For every correct answer, you receive 4 marks.
- For every incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted (negative marking).
- There is no deduction for unattempted questions.
For example, out of 75 questions if you answered 60 questions correctly and 10 questions incorrectly, and left 5 questions unattempted, your raw score would be: (60×4)−(10×1)=240−10=230
Step 2: Normalisation and Calculation of Percentile
Since JEE Main is conducted over multiple sessions, the difficulty level of the question papers may vary from one session to another. To ensure fairness, the NTA uses a normalisation process to convert raw scores into percentile scores. The percentile is a statistical measure that shows how you performed compared to others who appeared in the same session.
Normalisation ensures that no student is disadvantaged or advantaged based on the specific session they appeared in. The percentile calculation is explained in the following section.
Step 3: Preparing the Merit List
Once the percentile scores are calculated for each student, the merit list is prepared. The merit list ranks all candidates in descending order based on their percentile scores. The candidate with the highest percentile gets the first rank, while those with lower percentiles are ranked accordingly.
In cases where two or more candidates obtain the same percentile, a tie-breaking rule is applied to assign ranks. Here is how ties are resolved:
- Mathematics Marks: The candidate with higher marks in Mathematics is given a higher rank.
- Physics Marks: If the tie still persists, the candidate with higher marks in Physics is given a higher rank.
- Chemistry Marks: If the tie remains unresolved, higher marks in Chemistry are considered.
- Age: In some cases, the older candidate may be given preference.
Factors Affecting JEE Main Rank
Several factors come into play when determining your rank in JEE Main. It is important to understand these factors to better appreciate how your performance is evaluated relative to others:
1) Number of Applicants: The total number of students appearing for the exam has a direct impact on your rank. The more students that participate, the more competitive it becomes. For example, if 15 lakh students appear for JEE Main, achieving a high rank requires you to outperform the majority of these candidates.
2) Difficulty Level of the Exam: The difficulty level of the exam varies across different sessions. The percentile system is used to address this issue, but it still plays a role in determining your overall score and rank.
3) Performance Across Sessions: Since the exam is conducted over multiple sessions, your rank is influenced by how others perform across all sessions. Your percentile is calculated within your session, but the rank is determined by your position relative to everyone across all sessions.
4) Preparation and Strategy: Your own preparation, accuracy, and time management during the exam play a crucial role in determining your raw score and, ultimately, your rank. Even if the difficulty level varies, your preparation can help you maintain consistency.
Importance of Rank in Admissions to IITs and Other Top Colleges
The JEE Main rank is the most critical factor when it comes to securing a seat in top engineering colleges. Here are some key reasons why rank is important:
1) Admission to NITs and IIITs: The admission to the National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) is solely based on your JEE Main rank. The seats in these institutes are allotted through JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) based on the rank you obtain in JEE Main.
2) Qualifying for JEE Advanced: If you aspire to join the IITs, then securing a good rank in JEE Main is essential. Only the top candidates, typically around 2.5 lakh students, are eligible to appear for the JEE Advanced exam. Your rank in JEE Main determines whether you qualify for JEE Advanced.
3) State-Level Colleges: Many state-level engineering colleges and private institutions also use JEE Main ranks as a basis for admission. A good rank can improve your chances of securing a seat in your preferred engineering discipline in various reputable colleges.
4) Cut-Offs and Seat Allocation: The rank determines whether you meet the cut-off for a particular course in a specific institute. For example, if you wish to pursue Computer Science Engineering (CSE) in a top NIT, you need to achieve a rank within the cut-off range for that particular course, which may vary each year depending on demand and the number of seats available.
Understanding JEE Main Percentile
The JEE Main percentile is a measure that represents your relative performance compared to other students who appeared for the exam in the same session. Unlike the rank, which shows your absolute position among all candidates, the percentile tells you what percentage of students scored less than you in your session.
The concept of percentile was introduced by the NTA to address the issue of different levels of difficulty in different exam sessions. Since JEE Main is conducted over multiple shifts, the difficulty level may vary from one shift to another, making it unfair to compare raw scores directly. The percentile helps bring fairness to the evaluation process by normalising scores.
For instance, if you achieve a percentile score of 92, it means that 92% of the students who appeared for the exam in your session have scored less than you.
How is Percentile Calculated?
The percentile calculation in JEE Main follows a specific statistical process that takes into account the total number of students in a session and the distribution of scores. Here’s how the percentile is calculated:
Step 1: Assigning Ranks Within a Shift
Each candidate is given a raw score based on their performance in the session they appeared in. The raw score is then used to assign ranks within the same session. The candidate with the highest score in the session is given the first rank, and others are ranked accordingly.
Step 2: Percentile Calculation Formula
The percentile score is calculated using the following formula:
Percentile=(Total number of students in your session/Number of students who scored less than or equal to you​)×100
To better understand, let’s take an example:
Suppose 10,000 students appeared in your session.
If your rank in that session is 500, it means 9,500 students scored less than you.
Your percentile would be calculated as:
Percentile=(9500/10000​)×100=95
This means that you scored better than 95% of the students who took the exam in your session.
Step 3: Normalisation Process
Since the JEE Main exam is conducted over several sessions with different question papers, the percentile is used to normalise scores across these sessions. This ensures that no student is at a disadvantage or advantage due to the specific set of questions they received.
Percentiles are computed separately for each of the three subjects—Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry—and an overall percentile is also calculated. These percentile scores are used to compile the final merit list.
Factors Affecting Percentile
The calculation of percentile in JEE Main is influenced by several factors, including:
1) Number of Applicants in a Session: The total number of students who appeared for the exam in your specific session is crucial in determining your percentile. A larger number of applicants will make it more competitive to achieve a high percentile.
2) Difficulty Level of the Exam: If your session had a relatively tougher paper, the percentile system helps adjust your score accordingly, ensuring that your performance is fairly evaluated in comparison to others.
3) Performance of Other Candidates: Your percentile is also affected by the overall performance of other candidates in your session. If many students perform well, it may lower your percentile even if your raw score is decent.
Importance of Percentile in Understanding Relative Performance
The percentile score is essential for understanding how well you performed relative to other students in your session. This is particularly important because the JEE Main exam is conducted over multiple days and shifts. The normalisation brought by the percentile calculation helps to:
1) Create a Level Playing Field: Since the question papers for different sessions may vary in difficulty, percentile scores help ensure that no student is unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged. It brings parity to all sessions and allows for fair comparison.
2) Understand Relative Performance Quickly: Percentile scores are released after each session, giving you an idea of where you stand among other students even before the final rank is announced. This helps you gauge your preparation level and plan your next steps accordingly.
3) Determine Eligibility for JEE Advanced: The top percentiles qualify to appear for JEE Advanced. This makes the percentile an important metric for determining eligibility to take the next step in your journey to IITs.
Comparison of JEE Main Rank and Percentile
Key Differences Between Rank and Percentile
Definition:
- Rank is a measure of your position among all candidates who appeared for JEE Main.
- Percentile is a measure of how many students scored less than you in a specific session.
Representation:
- Rank is a specific numerical value, such as 1,000 or 50,000.
- Percentile is represented as a value between 0 and 100, showing your relative performance in percentage terms.
Purpose:
- Rank is used for admission purposes. It helps allocate seats in colleges based on your performance relative to other students.
- Percentile is used for normalisation across different sessions to ensure fairness in the evaluation process.
Nature:
- Rank can change based on the number of students who appear for subsequent sessions and their performance.
- Percentile is a stable measure that remains the same for each session, as it is based on the comparison within that specific session.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Rank vs. Percentile
Both rank and percentile have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, depending on how they are used:
Advantages of Rank:
- Direct Reflection of Your Standing: Rank provides a clear indication of your standing among all students who took the exam. It shows your absolute position in the competitive pool.
- Basis for Admission: Colleges use ranks as the primary criterion for allocating seats. Understanding your rank helps you know which institutes and branches you are eligible for.
- Easier Comparison: It’s easier to compare ranks to determine how you fare in terms of securing a seat at a particular institute.
Disadvantages of Rank:
- Wait Time: You can only know your rank after the final results are declared and all sessions are completed, which can take time.
- Dynamic: Your rank is influenced by the performance of others in subsequent sessions, meaning it might vary as new sessions are added.
Advantages of Percentile:
- Immediate Feedback: Percentile scores are available soon after the session, providing immediate insight into your performance. This helps in early planning, especially if you need to re-attempt.
- Fair Assessment: Percentile scores take into account variations in the difficulty level between different shifts, providing a level playing field for all students.
- Useful for Comparisons Within Session: If you wish to know how you performed compared to others in your session, the percentile gives you a clear idea of your relative performance.
Disadvantages of Percentile:
- Less Intuitive: Percentiles can be harder to interpret because they do not provide an exact count of how many students are ahead of you, unlike rank.
- No Direct Use for Admission: Percentile scores are not directly used for seat allocation or admissions, as that is done based on rank.
When to Consider Rank and When to Consider Percentile
1) Rank: You should consider your rank when making decisions regarding college admissions and selecting preferences for different institutes and branches. The rank will be your guiding factor during the JoSAA counselling process, where seats are allotted based on your rank.
2) Percentile: Percentile should be considered when you want to understand your relative standing immediately after the exam. It gives you an idea of how competitive your score is within your session and can help you gauge whether you need to make additional attempts to improve your score.
JEE Main Rank vs. Percentile (Year Wise)
To understand the relationship between JEE Main rank and percentile, it is useful to look at data from previous years. This comparison can help you set realistic targets and understand what percentile you need to achieve a certain rank.
JEE Main 2025 Rank vs Percentile (Expected)
| Percentile | Rank |
| 100 | 12-1 |
| 99.99826992-99.9989073 | 19-12 |
| 99.99617561-99.99790569 | 42-23 |
| 99.99034797-99.99417236 | 106-64 |
| 99.95228621-99.99016586 | 524-108 |
| 99.87388626-99.95028296 | 1385-546 |
| 99.74522293-99.87060821 | 2798-1421 |
| 99.57503767-99.73930423 | 4667-2863 |
| 99.39319714-99.56019541 | 6664-4830 |
| 99.02150308-99.3487614 | 10746-7152 |
| 98.52824811-98.99673561 | 16163-11018 |
| 98.07460288-98.49801724 | 21145-16495 |
| 97.01098678-97.97507774 | 32826-22238 |
| 96.06871115-96.93721175 | 43174-33636 |
| 95.05625037-95.983027 | 54293-44115 |
| 94.01228357-94.96737888 | 65758-55269 |
| 93.05600452-93.89928202 | 76260-66999 |
| 92.05811248-92.88745828 | 87219-78111 |
| 90.0448455-91.79177119 | 109329-90144 |
| 84.56203931-91.59517945 | 169542-92303 |
| 70.26839007-84.22540213 | 326517-173239 |
| 6.66590786-69.5797271 | 1025009-334080 |
JEE Main 2024 Percentile vs Ranks
| Percentile Range | Rank Range |
| 100.00-99.994 | 56-163 |
| 99.993-99.85 | 184-2,464 |
| 99.84-99.68 | 2,614-5,119 |
| 99.67-99.49 | 5,285-8,199 |
| 99.48-99.22 | 8,381-12,321 |
| 99.21-99.03 | 12,668-15,439 |
| 99.02-98.75 | 15,583-19,933 |
| 98.65-97.74 | 21,478-35,441 |
| 97.64-96.55 | 36,917-53,625 |
| 96.44-95.36 | 55,135-71,467 |
| 95.25-93.50 | 73,032-98,765 |
| 92.53-85.46 | 1,13,277-2,16,023 |
| 84.49-79.55 | 2,30,411-3,04,541 |
| 78.49-68.55 | 3,19,556-4,71,672 |
| 67.47-59.39 | 4,87,217-6,12,416 |
| 58.56-49.45 | 6,26,168-7,62,914 |
| 48.51-37.60 | 7,80,052-9,41,726 |
| 36.43-24.30 | 9,56,136-11,18,857 |
| 23.67-12.50 | 11,31,763-12,69,615 |
| 11.43-0.48 | 12,80,379-14,08,702 |
JEE Main Percentile vs Ranks 2023
| Percentile Range | Rank Range |
| 100.00-99.98 | 43-238 |
| 99.97-99.90 | 357-1,187 |
| 99.89-99.83 | 1,303-2,015 |
| 99.82-99.76 | 2,095-2,796 |
| 99.75-99.67 | 2,907-3,839 |
| 99.66-99.57 | 3,927-5,021 |
| 99.56-99.48 | 5,132-6,094 |
| 99.47-99.39 | 6,206-7,116 |
| 99.38-99.30 | 7,239-8,217 |
| 99.29-99.20 | 8,329-9,362 |
| 99.19-99.10 | 9,500-10,542 |
| 99.09-99.02 | 10,657-11,497 |
| 99.01-98.84 | 11,594-13,515 |
| 98.75-98.25 | 14,629-20,388 |
| 98.15-97.25 | 21,520-31,676 |
| 97.16-96.25 | 32,817-43,020 |
| 96.14-95.15 | 44,112-55,135 |
| 95.05-92.47 | 56,296-84,931 |
| 91.51-86.45 | 95,937-1,52,449 |
| 85.47-81.46 | 1,63,880-2,10,530 |
| 80.54-73.44 | 2,22,572-3,07,526 |
| 72.45-65.31 | 3,20,216-4,07,094 |
| 64.36-52.48 | 4,18,638-5,63,038 |
| 51.53-39.67 | 5,74,787-7,11,857 |
| 38.37-24.51 | 7,24,213-8,73,723 |
| 23.53-7.57 | 8,82,146-10,38,942 |
| 6.47-0.48 | 10,49,316-11,07,998 |
JEE Main Percentile vs Ranks 2022
| Percentile Range | Rank Range |
| 99.998-99.992 | 56-129 |
| 99.98-99.91 | 191-847 |
| 99.90-99.84 | 951-1,485 |
| 99.83-99.78 | 1,571-2,017 |
| 99.77-99.68 | 2,109-2,923 |
| 99.67-99.59 | 3,034-3,744 |
| 99.58-99.51 | 3,855-4,491 |
| 99.50-99.42 | 4,572-5,279 |
| 99.41-99.34 | 5,399-6,002 |
| 99.33-99.26 | 6,108-6,748 |
| 99.25-99.19 | 6,835-7,374 |
| 99.18-99.09 | 7,462-8,266 |
| 99.08-99.00 | 8,356-9,118 |
| 98.94-98.25 | 9,622-15,933 |
| 98.15-97.25 | 16,859-24,952 |
| 97.14-96.34 | 25,857-32,949 |
| 96.24-95.25 | 33,930-42,712 |
| 95.16-92.49 | 43,615-67,408 |
| 91.48-86.47 | 76,379-1,22,283 |
| 85.54-80.52 | 1,31,576-1,78,936 |
| 79.54-75.44 | 1,88,665-2,27,925 |
| 74.44-67.43 | 2,37,950-3,06,950 |
| 66.36-58.49 | 3,17,275-3,93,963 |
| 57.49-44.47 | 4,03,616-5,26,985 |
| 43.50-23.48 | 5,36,543-7,13,420 |
| 22.25-0.46 | 7,21,934-9,01,394 |
Understanding these relationships helps you evaluate how much you need to score in order to achieve a specific rank. Additionally, it provides insights into how competitive the exam is and helps you set realistic goals for yourself.
Conclusion
The JEE Main exam is a highly competitive examination that demands thorough preparation, strategy, and a deep understanding of how the results are calculated. Two key terms that are often used in the context of JEE Main results are rank and percentile. Understanding both these metrics is crucial for interpreting your performance correctly and planning your next steps effectively.
The rank in JEE Main is a direct representation of your position among all students who appeared for the exam. It plays a pivotal role in determining admissions to NITs, IIITs, and eligibility for JEE Advanced. Your rank depends on your raw score, and it is affected by how well others perform in the same exam.
The percentile is a measure of your relative performance compared to other students in the same session. It is used for normalising scores across different sessions, ensuring fairness and equity among candidates who appeared in different shifts. Percentile gives you an early indication of how well you performed within your specific exam session.
While both rank and percentile serve distinct purposes, they are interlinked and together provide a comprehensive picture of your performance in the exam. The percentile helps you understand your standing within a particular session, and the rank helps you understand your overall standing and eligibility for admissions.
For students aiming to get into the best engineering colleges in India, a clear understanding of rank and percentile is key to making informed decisions about the admission process. Setting clear goals, understanding the requirements, and working towards achieving a specific rank or percentile can significantly improve your chances of securing admission in your dream college.
Finally, remember that JEE Main is just one step in your journey towards becoming an engineer. While securing a good rank is important, it is equally essential to focus on your overall learning, skill development, and preparation for the challenges ahead. Whether you qualify for JEE Advanced or secure a seat in a prestigious NIT or IIIT, the knowledge and skills you gain during your preparation will serve as the foundation for a successful career in engineering. Good luck!
