JEE Main 2026 Normalization: How scores are calculated?

What is JEE Main Percentile Score?

NTA JEE Main 2026 Percentile scores are based on the relative performance of all those candidates who appeared for the examination. It is obtained after transforming the scores into a scale ranging from 100 to 0 for each session of examinees.

The percentile score shows the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or below a particular score in the exam. The raw scores are not announced in the result, only the normalized score. After normalization, each topper of a session will get the same percentile of 100 which is the desirable one. Also, the marks between the lowest and highest JEE Main scores are converted to the respective percentiles.

How will the JEE Main 2026 scores for Paper 1 be calculated?

The formula that is used by NTA for JEE Main normalisation procedure is:

Formula - (100 x number of candidates appeared in the session with raw score equal to or less than the candidate) / total number of candidates appeared in that session

Note: To avoid bunching effect and reduce tie breaking, the JEE Main percentile scores will be calculated up to 7 decimal places.

What is normalisation in JEE Mains 2026?

Normalisation in JEE Mains 2026 is a procedure implemented to ensure fairness and equity in evaluating the performance of students across different shifts or sessions of the exam. Since JEE Main is conducted over multiple shifts to accommodate a large number of candidates, the difficulty level of the question papers may vary slightly between different shifts. JEE Main normalisation procedure helps account for these variations and ensures that no candidate is unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged due to the difficulty level of their particular shift.

The JEE Main normalisation procedure takes into consideration the principle that the overall ability of a candidate remains constant, regardless of the shift's difficulty level. It aims to create a level playing field for all candidates, regardless of the specific set of questions they face.

Also Check:

What will be the Highest Raw Score and Percentile Score in JEE Main 2026?

Since the calculation is session wise, all the highest raw scores will have a JEE Main normalisation procedure based on percentile score of 100 for their respective sessions.

How to calculate JEE Main Percentile Score?

Let's take a look at how the JEE Main percentile is calculated. The JEE Main percentile score will be calculated using the following percentile formula:

Percentile Score of a Candidate = 100 x (Number of candidates who secured a raw score (or actual score) equal or less than the candidate)/(Total number of candidates who appeared in that session)

Preparation of JEE Main 2026 Result for each session

Step 1: Raw Scores Preparation

The marks obtained by each candidate in JEE Main each session 2026 for all correct answers in each subject (Maths, Physics and Chemistry) shall be summed up to arrive at the raw scores.

Step 2: Preparation of JEE Main Percentile Scores for each of the subject and total percentile score

Also Read:

Inter-se-merit to resolve tie:

When two or more candidates obtain equal percentile, then ranking will be as follows

• Candidates who obtain Percentile Score in Mathematics will be ranked higher

• Candidates who obtain Percentile Score in Physics will be ranked higher

• Candidates who obtain Percentile Score in Chemistry will be ranked higher

• Date of Birth – the older candidate will be ranked higher

• In case the tie is still unresolved, the same rank will be given to the candidates

JEE Main 2026 Rank list

The final JEE Main rank list 2026 will be released after the conclusion of both sessions of the exam. This JEE Main normalisation procedure is considered to create the final merit list. This shall be used for admissions into JEE Main participating institutes. Candidates can also determine if they are eligible to attempt the JEE Advanced 2026 exam.

First attempt compilation of NTA Scores:

After the conclusion of JEE Main January 2026 session, JEE Mains results will be displayed with the four NTA scores – for each of the three subjects (Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry) and the total NTA score for that attempt. JEE Main NTA scores will be in the percentile scores format, calculated as mentioned above.

Second attempt compilation of NTA Scores:

Similar to the January attempt, the result of the JEE Main 2026 April session will be declared after that. The JEE Main 2026 scores will be calculated for the total and that of the three subjects individually as mentioned for the first attempt.

Compilation of NTA Score for JEE Main Result and Merit List/ Ranking for Paper 1

The ranking or merit list for JEE Main 2026 will be compiled as follows

• In case of candidates who will appear for both the attempts the best of the two NTA JEE Main scores will be used. Here the total NTA score will be used for ranking purpose and not those of the subjects.

• In case of candidates who will appear for only one exam, the four JEE Main 2026 NTA scores of that attempt will be used for the preparation of the merit list

The final NTA scores will be used to rank the candidates and for the declaration of the JEE Main 2026 result. In case of any tie, the inter-se-merit guidelines mentioned above in this article will be used to resolve it.

JEE Main 2026 Rank Declaration:

• The ranks derived through the method explained above will be used for the purpose of admissions to NITs, IIITs and GFTIs.

• The JEE Main 2026 All India rank and All India Category Rank will be declared once the NTA scores are compiled by the authorities for April session.

How will the JEE Main 2026 scores for Paper 2 be calculated?

• Raw marks for the first attempt will be announced on February 12 2026, for students who appeared for the exam held in January.

• The actual marks for the April exam will be announced soon after the conclusion of exam.

• The JEE Main Paper 2 marks will not be normalized as the exam was held in a single shift so there will be no question of equivalence of the question papers and variation in difficulty levels

Rank List preparation for JEE Main 2026 Paper II

• The raw marks for both attempts will be considered for candidates who will give both the attempts and the better of the marks considered.

• For candidates who appeared for only one attempt, the raw marks obtained for the same will be used for preparing JEE Main rank list.

• The NTA JEE Main 2026 Rank lists will be prepared as per the marks obtained as mentioned above

Inter-se-Merit will be resolved as follows:

• Candidates who scores more marks in Aptitude Test will be ranked higher
• In case the tie is unresolved, Candidates who scores more marks in Drawing Test will be given the higher rank
• Lastly the age of the candidates i.e. the older candidate will be awarded the higher rank
• If the tie is still unresolved, the candidates will be given the same rank