JEE Main 2026 result: How to calculate your rank from raw marks
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the Joint Entrance exam Session 1 result 2026 on the official website, jeemain.nta.ac.in. Candidates can visit the official website to check their scores. Following the established pattern, JEE Main 2026 Session 1 was conducted in multiple shifts across centres in India and selected international cities. Paper 2A (B.Arch.) and Paper 2B (B.Planning) are likely to be held separately from Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech.), which spans multiple days to accommodate the large candidate base. The candidates must note that there is a difference between scores and percentile.
Understanding percentile: The backbone of JEE Main ranking
One of the most misunderstood aspects of JEE Main is the percentile system. Many students confuse percentile with percentage. The two are not the same.While percentage reflects the marks obtained out of the total, percentile represents a candidate’s relative standing among all test-takers.Step 1: Raw scoresAfter the examination, candidates receive raw scores in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. These are the actual marks secured based on correct responses and negative marking.Step 2: Total raw scoreThe subject-wise marks are added to arrive at the total raw score. This forms the base for further evaluation.Step 3: Normalisation processBecause JEE Main is conducted in multiple shifts with different question papers, variations in difficulty levels are inevitable. To maintain fairness, the NTA applies a normalisation process. This statistical adjustment ensures that no candidate is disadvantaged due to a tougher shift.Step 4: Percentile calculationThe percentile is calculated using the formula:Percentile = (Number of candidates who scored equal to or less than you / Total number of candidates) × 100This means if your percentile is 99, you have performed better than 99% of the candidates who appeared in your session.
Why percentile matters in 2026
For JEE Main 2026, percentile scores will determine:
- All India Rank (AIR)
- Eligibility for JEE Advanced
- Admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs
The merit list is prepared on the basis of percentile scores, not raw marks. Even a difference of a few decimal points can significantly impact ranking at the top.
Percentile vs percentage: A critical distinction
A student scoring 180 out of 300 may assume a 60% score reflects average performance. However, depending on the difficulty level and overall performance of candidates in that shift, the percentile could be substantially higher or lower.In competitive examinations like JEE Main, relative performance defines success.The larger pictureEvery year, over a million candidates compete for limited seats in India’s top engineering institutions. The examination is conducted in multiple languages and across hundreds of centres, reinforcing its national scale and administrative complexity.For JEE Main 2026 aspirants, the message is clear: focus on conceptual clarity, practise under timed conditions, and understand the evaluation system thoroughly. In a competition where lakhs appear and only a fraction reach the top percentile brackets, strategy is as important as scholarship.
