JEE Mains 2025: What is the difference between mark and percentile?

Aspiring engineering students across India take the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main to secure seats in top-tier institutions like the NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. However, many remain puzzled by the terms marks, percentile, and rank, which are crucial to understanding their standing in the examination. This article delves deep into the difference between JEE Main marks and percentile, explains how ranks are calculated, and outlines the factors that influence these metrics in 2025.

Understanding the difference: JEE Main Marks vs Percentile At the heart of the confusion lies the distinction between raw marks and percentile scores. Here's a breakdown:

• Marks: This refers to the total score obtained by a candidate out of 300. Each correct answer adds to the score, while incorrect responses can attract negative marking.
  

• Percentile: This is a comparative metric. It reflects the percentage of candidates who scored lower than a particular student. Unlike marks, percentiles do not denote absolute performance but rather relative performance.

For instance, if a student scores a 98 percentile, it means they have performed better than 98% of the candidates who appeared for the same session.

How the JEE Main rank is calculated in 2025The rank in JEE Main 2025 is derived from the percentile score, not directly from the marks. Since the exam is conducted in multiple sessions, the normalisation process is employed to ensure fairness. This process adjusts for variations in difficulty across sessions, making percentile scores the most equitable metric for comparison.

The formula used for calculating percentile is:

Percentile Score = (Number of candidates who scored less than you / Total number of candidates) × 100

A higher percentile ensures a better All India Rank (AIR), which in turn influences college admissions.


Key factors affecting JEE Main 2025 marks vs percentile vs rankSeveral variables come into play when mapping your raw score to your percentile and final rank:

• Total number of candidates: A greater number of test-takers increases the competition. With more candidates, minor differences in marks can significantly affect percentile and rank.
  

• Difficulty level of the exam: If a particular session is tougher than others, scoring lower marks may still translate to a high percentile. The normalisation process adjusts percentile scores accordingly.
  

• Normalisation across sessions: To maintain equity, NTA compares performance across different exam shifts. This adjustment ensures that no candidate is disadvantaged due to the relative toughness of their session.
  

• Individual performance: Ultimately, your personal performance is pivotal. The higher your score, the higher your percentile is likely to be—assuming all other variables remain constant.
  

• Maximum marks: JEE Main continues to be out of 300 marks. Understanding how these marks scale to percentiles and rank gives candidates clarity on their performance spectrum.