42 Percentile in JEE Mains 2026: Check Expected Marks, Rank & College Options

42 Percentile in JEE Mains 2026: Check Expected Marks, Rank & College Options

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Maniprabha SinghUpdated on 22 Oct 2025, 05:34 PM IST
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42 Percentile in JEE Mains Means How Many Marks?- Candidates can check data about how many marks is 42 percentile in JEE Mains in this article. The National Testing Agency declares the JEE Mains result in the form of a percentile. Hence, 42 percentile in JEE Main 2026 means a range of 25-28 marks. The marks required for 42 percentile in JEE Main is based on the difficulty level of the shift and the performance of other candidates. Candiadtes can check their percentile in the JEE Main 2026 result. The authority uses a normalisation process for the JEE Main 2026 percentile calculation.
Also check: JEE Main Rank Predictor | JEE Main College Predictor

This Story also Contains

  1. 42 Percentile in JEE Mains 2026- How Many Marks?
  2. What does the JEE Main Percentile mean?
  3. How is the JEE Mains Percentile Calculated?
  4. Can 42 Percentile in JEE Mains Help You Get Admission?
42 Percentile in JEE Mains 2026: Check Expected Marks, Rank & College Options
42 Percentile in JEE Mains 2026: Check Expected Marks, Rank & College Options

Most of the JEE aspirants have a query about how many marks make 42 percentile. Experts at Careers360 have determined 42 percentile means how many marks in JEE Main 2026 based on previous year analysis. Read the article to know how many marks you will get with 42 percentile in JEE Mains.
Read more: What is percentile in JEE Mains?

42 Percentile in JEE Mains 2026- How Many Marks?

The JEE Main marks vs percentile depends on several factors like difficulty level of the JEE Mains exam, the total number of appeared candidates and more. However, based on previous years’ trends, a 42 percentile will be 25-28 marks (out of 300).

JEE Main Percentile vs Scores (Expected)

181 - 190

99.597399 - 99.688579

171 - 180

99.456939 - 99.573193

161 - 170

99.272084 - 99.431214

151 - 160

99.028614 - 99.239737

141 - 150

98.732389 - 98.990296

131 - 140

98.317414 - 98.666935

121 - 130

97.811260 - 98.254132

111 - 120

97.142937 - 97.685672

101 - 110

96.204550 - 96.978272

91 - 100

94.998594 - 96.064850

81 - 90

93.471231 - 94.749479

71 - 80

91.072128 - 93.152971

61 - 70

87.512225 - 90.702200

51 - 60

82.016062 - 86.907944

41 - 50

73.287808 - 80.982153

31 - 40

58.151490 - 71.302052

21 - 30

37.694529 - 56.569310

20 - 11

13.495849 - 33.229128

0 - 10

0.8435177 - 9.6954066

It is important to note that these marks are approximations and can vary depending on the specific session of the JEE Mains. For example, if the exam is tougher in one year compared to another, a candidate might need to score slightly higher to achieve the same percentile.

What does the JEE Main Percentile mean?

Percentile refers to a candidate's relative performance compared to others. It shows the percentage of candidates who have scored below or equal to the candidate's score. As per JEE Main percentile vs rank, a percentile of 90 means the candidate has outperformed 90% of the total candidates. A percentile of 42 means the candidate has outperformed 42% of the total candidates.

How is the JEE Mains Percentile Calculated?

The JEE Main percentile score is calculated using the formula:

Percentile = (Number of candidates with a score ≤ your score ÷ Total number of candidates in that session) × 100.

The NTA uses the above formula to calculate the percentile scores after the JEE Main results 2026. JEE percentile score is not the same as the percentage of marks. It is a normalized score used to compare candidates based on their performance. The NTA will use a JEE Main 2026 normalization process to account for the difference in difficulty across different shifts of the JEE Main exam. As a result, the marks corresponding to percentiles may vary across different sessions of the exam.

Can 42 Percentile in JEE Mains Help You Get Admission?

Candidates with 42 percentile will not be able to clear the qualifying JEE cut-off 2026 for admission into top engineering colleges in India. With this percentile, candidates can aim for a good private college only.

JEE Main Syllabus: Subjects & Chapters
Select your preferred subject to view the chapters

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the minimum marks required for a 42 percentile in JEE Mains?
A:

The marks required for 42 percentile typically range between 25-28 marks, though this can vary each year.

Q: Can I get admission to an IIT with a 42 percentile?
A:

No, a 42 percentile is generally not sufficient to get admission into top IIT colleges in India, as their cut-off percentiles are much higher.

Q: How does the difficulty level of the exam affect the marks for a specific percentile?
A:

If the exam is tougher, fewer candidates may score high marks, which can make the marks required for a particular percentile lower.

Q: Does a 42 percentile guarantee admission to any college?
A:

A 42 percentile does not guarantee admission to top colleges, but it might be enough for admission to some lesser-known colleges or specific programs.

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Questions related to JEE Main

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to JEE Main ?

Hello

If you want to get admission in IIT Delhi, then you will score well in JEE Advanced. Only the JEE Mains score is not sufficient to get admission in the IIT Delhi. You need to score 250+ marks for the general category in CSE. For the reservation category, you also need to score much higher marks and give your best performance. If you score quite well in JEE Advanced, then you will have a chance to get admission through JOSAA counselling.

Thank you

To score good marks in JEE Mains, you need a strong plan, consistent study habits and smart practice. First, finish the entire JEE syllabus from NCERT Class 11 and 12 textbooks, because these are the foundation for questions asked in the exam. After completing the basics, choose good quality reference books for Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics to build problem-solving skills and deepen your understanding. Make a weekly study plan where each day is divided into theory study, problem practice and revision of earlier topics.

Regularly solve previous years’ JEE Main papers and take timed mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy. Analyse every test you take, understand your mistakes and work on weak areas instead of only doing new questions. In subjects like Physics and Mathematics, practising a variety of numerical problems is important, while in Chemistry focus on concepts and reactions that are frequently asked. Revision is crucial, so dedicate time every week to revisit older topics and short notes that you make while preparing.

Stay consistent, avoid last-minute cramming, and maintain good health with adequate sleep and breaks during study. With disciplined planning, regular practice and careful revision, you can significantly improve your JEE Main score. All the best.

Achieving a JEE Rank of below 100 in JEE Main and Advanced 2027 requires a disciplined, two-year preparation strategy starting from Class 11. Your study plan must integrate competitive exam preparation with your school academics:

Phase 1: Class 11 (Foundation Building and Conceptual Clarity)

  • Syllabus Completion: Dedicate this year to rigorously completing the entire Class 11 NCERT syllabus for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM). Focus heavily on fundamental topics like Mechanics (Physics), General Organic Chemistry (GOC) and Chemical Bonding (Chemistry), and Calculus basics (Maths).

  • Concept Mastery: Do not rush. Master concepts thoroughly before moving to problems. Use standard JEE reference books and ensure you solve all NCERT examples and exercises first.

  • Practice: Allocate 60% of your study time to concept building and 40% to problem-solving. Practice JEE Main Previous Year Questions (PYQs) immediately after completing a chapter to gauge the exam pattern.

Phase 2: Class 12 (Advanced Problem Solving and Revision)

  • Advanced Topics: Complete the Class 12 syllabus by November 2026, focusing on high-weightage topics like Electrostatics, Modern Physics, and Electrochemistry.

  • Revision & Mocks: Reserve the period from December 2026 to January 2027 solely for mock tests and revision. Start taking full-length JEE Main mock tests (3 per week) under strict timed conditions. Analyze each mock test thoroughly to eliminate repeated errors.

  • Target JEE Advanced: After the JEE Main attempts in early 2027, shift focus entirely to JEE Advanced PYQs and challenging, multi-concept problems, taking at least 2 JEE Advanced mock tests per week.

A detailed subject-wise study plan and additional tips on effective JEE preparation starting from Class 11 can be found here: https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-preparation-from-class-11

The last 30 days before the JEE Main exam should be dedicated entirely to revision, practice, and error analysis, shifting focus away from learning new concepts.

Here is a concise, 30-day study plan to maximize your score:

1. Revision Strategy (Weeks 1-3)

  • Prioritize High-Weightage Topics: Spend 70% of your revision time reviewing the most scoring and frequently tested chapters (e.g., Modern Physics, Chemical Kinetics, p-Block elements, Vectors & 3D Geometry). Use your short notes and flashcards for quick review, focusing on formulas, key mechanisms, and definitions.

  • Physics & Maths: Master all formulas and derivations. Practice at least 20 numerical problems daily, emphasizing speed and calculation accuracy.

  • Chemistry: Dedicate 50% of your Chemistry time to Inorganic (NCERT-based) and Organic (name reactions, reagents, mechanisms) concepts.

2. Mock Tests & Analysis (Daily)

  • Daily Mock Test: Solve one full-length JEE Main Mock Test every day (3 hours) under strict exam conditions (9 AM–12 PM or 3 PM–6 PM).

  • Error Analysis (Crucial): Immediately after the test, spend 2-3 hours analyzing your performance:

    • Identify every incorrect or unattempted question.

    • Determine the reason for the error (Conceptual mistake, calculation error, or time pressure).

    • Revisit the concept from your notes/NCERT text to correct the mistake permanently.

3. Final Week Focus (Last 7 Days)

  • Stop Learning New Topics: Absolutely avoid picking up new, complex chapters.

  • PYQ Sprint: Revisit only the last 3 years' JEE Main Previous Year Questions (PYQs). Mark any previously incorrect questions and solve them again.

  • Mindset: Focus on maintaining confidence, getting proper sleep, and using the revision breaks for physical activity to keep your mind fresh.

You can find more detailed subject-wise tips and psychological strategies here: https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-main-preparation-tips

The most effective way to prepare for JEE Main 2026 is by focusing on the most important Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs), which highlight high-weightage and frequently repeated questions across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Since the exam strongly tests NCERT concepts, mastering these PYQs is essential for predicting the question pattern and improving your time management. https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-mains-chapterwise-pyq-previous-year-questions-solutions-pdf