The JEE Main result is declared in percentile instead of raw marks. This system has been introduced by the National Testing Agency to ensure fairness in a multi-shift exam. Since the exam is conducted over several days and shifts, the difficulty level of question papers may vary.
Why is Percentile Used in JEE Main?
JEE Main is held in multiple shifts, and each shift may have a different difficulty level.
- Some shifts may be easier, leading to higher scores
- Some shifts may be tougher, reducing overall marks
- Direct comparison using raw marks becomes unfair
To address this issue, NTA uses a normalization process.
What Is Normalisation in JEE Main?
Normalization is a method to convert raw marks into a comparable score.
- It adjusts scores based on shift difficulty
- Ensures no candidate is disadvantaged
- Produces a relative performance score
The normalized score is called the percentile score.
What Does Percentile Mean in JEE Main?
Percentile reflects a candidate’s performance compared to others.
- It is not the actual marks obtained
- It shows the percentage of candidates scored below a candidate
- Example: 99 percentile means performing better than 99% of candidates
How NTA Calculates JEE Main Percentile?
The percentile is calculated using a standard formula:
- Percentile = (Number of candidates scoring equal to or less than a candidate ÷ Total candidates in that shift) × 100
This formula ensures fairness across all shifts.
Why Raw Marks Are Not Used for JEE Main Ranking?
Using raw marks alone can create imbalance.
- Different shifts have different difficulty levels
- Higher marks in an easy shift may not reflect better performance
- Lower marks in a tough shift may still be competitive
Normalization removes this imbalance.
JEE Main Key Takeaway for Candidates
The percentile system ensures that all candidates are evaluated on a common scale, regardless of the shift they appeared in. The final rank, cutoff, and eligibility for JEE Advanced are based on this normalized percentile, not raw marks.