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

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

Switch toEnglish IconHindi Icon
Maniprabha SinghUpdated on 22 Oct 2025, 05:34 PM IST
Switch toEnglish IconHindi Icon

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.

Articles
|
Upcoming Engineering Exams
Ongoing Dates
HITSEEE Application Date

5 Nov'25 - 22 Apr'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
SMIT Online Test Application Date

15 Nov'25 - 12 Apr'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
SNUSAT Application Date

19 Nov'25 - 31 Mar'26 (Online)

Certifications By Top Providers
Computer Fundamentals
Via Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore
Basic Programming using Python
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Introduction to Biostatistics
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Programming Basics
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
C-Based VLSI Design
Via Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Certificate Program in Machine Learning and AI with Python
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Udemy
 1525 courses
Swayam
 817 courses
NPTEL
 773 courses
Coursera
 697 courses
Edx
 608 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to JEE Main

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to JEE Main ?

Hello aspirant,

If your syllabus is completed with theory , use the next 30 days only for smart revision . Make short notes and revise formulas daily for Physics , Chemistry and Maths . Solve previous year JEE Main questions topic-wise and then full mock tests every 3-4 days. Analyse mistakes properly and revise weak areas again . Avoid new topics and focus on accuracy , speed and confidence building during revision.

FOR REFERENCE : https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-main-revision-strategy

Hope the details will help you.

THANK YOU

Preparing for the JEE Main in just 30 days is a challenging but achievable task if you follow a highly disciplined and strategic approach. According to the Careers360 30-day study plan , the key is to shift your focus from learning everything to mastering high-weightage topics and practicing rigorously.

Phase 1: Week 1 & 2 – Focus on High-Weightage Chapters

During the first 15 days, prioritize topics that frequently appear in the exam.

  • Physics: Modern Physics, Heat & Thermodynamics, Optics, and Current Electricity.

  • Chemistry: GOC (General Organic Chemistry), Chemical Bonding, p-Block elements, and Solutions.

  • Maths: Matrices & Determinants, Sequences & Series, Coordinate Geometry, and Vector & 3D Geometry.

  • Study Strategy: Use NCERT for Chemistry and simplified notes for Physics/Maths. Spend 3-4 hours on each subject daily.

Phase 2: Week 3 – Revision and Formula Memorization

  • Short Notes: Go through the short notes you made during the first two weeks.

  • Flashcards: Use flashcards for inorganic chemistry reactions and physics formulas.

  • Mock Tests: Start giving one full-length mock test every alternate day. Analyze your mistakes immediately to avoid repeating them.

Phase 3: Final Week – Full Simulation and Relaxation

  • Previous Year Papers (PYQs): Solve the last 3-5 years of JEE Main papers in the actual exam time slot (9 AM–12 PM or 3 PM–6 PM) to sync your body clock.

  • No New Topics: Stop picking up new chapters. Focus solely on what you already know to build confidence.

  • Accuracy over Speed: Focus on getting the questions right rather than attempting all of them, as negative marking can significantly lower your percentile.

Downloadable Resources:

You can download the comprehensive day-by-day schedule, which includes specific topics to cover each morning and evening, by visiting the link : https://engineering.careers360.com/download/ebooks/jee-main-study-plan-30-days

Hello

I think your question sounds like this: "Can a candidate who passed Class 12 in 2025 and filled JEE Main Session 1 apply for Session 2 as 'Appearing' in 2026 as a fresh board candidate, and will both sessions have the same details? "

So yes, you can fill the JEE Main Session 2 as "Appearing". The information filled in Session 1 will remain exactly as it was and will not change.
Session 1 and Session 2 are treated as separate applications. There is no issue if the qualifying status is different in both sessions. During counselling, the board marks that meet the 75 rule will be considered.

Hello,

If you filled the JEE Main January form with Class 12 passed in 2025 and are planning to appear again for the Class 12 exam through HOS, there is usually no serious issue. You were eligible to apply since you had already passed Class 12. Reappearing through HOS for improvement or requalification is allowed, provided HOS is a recognized board. During counselling, your latest valid Class 12 result will be considered. Make sure you meet the 75% marks or top 20 percentile requirement where applicable. If a correction window opens, update details if needed.

Hope this has solved your query. Thank You.

Good Evening,

Yes, you are eligible for both JEE Mains and Advanced, as you completed your 12th with physics, chemistry and biology. Moreover, you passed mathematics in 2025, which makes you fit the eligibility criteria of both exams.

Aspirant, I would like to inform you that Careers360 recently launched a free mock test series for JEE students. The last date of registration is 8th January, 2026. Enroll and solve chapter wise question papers and improve you concept and assess your learning. The link to the mock test series is attached herewith. https://learn.careers360.com/test-series-jee-main-free-mock-test/

Best regards.