JEE Main Normalization Process: Overview, How to calculate percentile and score

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the JEE Main Result in the form of percentile after the exams are over. The JEE main percentile score is calculated using the normalization process and based on the percentile score, the JEE Main Rank is generated for the candidates. The JEE Main Normalization Process is used to ensure fairness in the evaluation process for students who take the exam on different dates and shifts. The procedure involves adjusting scores based on the variations in the difficulty level between different exam sessions. Read the article to understand more about the JEE Main Normalization Process.

NTA has Released JEE Main 2024 Session 1 Result. Check JEE Main Scorecard!

What is the JEE Main Normalization Process?

The JEE Main Normalization Process is the practice of adjusting scores to account for the variations in the difficulty between different question papers. This is done to ensure fairness and consistency in the grading and may involve the use of different statistical methods and techniques to adjust scores and ensure that the final result accurately reflects the performance of the students subject to the difficulty level of the exam. It is to be noted that different methods and techniques may be used for normalization depending on different institutions and examination boards.

The JEE Main Normalization Process thus aims to address any discrepancies in the difficulty level of the JEE Main Exam Paper. It works on the assumption that not all question papers are the same and the difficulty level is different for all. Some might be relatively easy and some may be tougher, and therefore, it would be unfair to directly compare the raw scores without taking into account these differences.

Importance of the JEE Main Normalization Process

NTA is conducting the JEE Main Exam in 2 sessions, and session 1 will be concluding tomorrow, i.e., 1st February 2024. The JEE Main Session 1 started from January 24 and Session 2 is scheduled from April 1, 2024, to April 15, 2024. Now since the paper is conducted in multiple shifts, the difficulty level for each paper in each session varies. However, the JEE Main Syllabus remains the same throughout the shifts. Despite NTA’s efforts to maintain an equal level of difficulty, some candidates might end up taking the tougher exam and reducing their chance of scoring high in the exam as compared to the ones who attempted an easier exam. This is where the JEE Main Normalization process comes into play.

To ensure justice for the candidates who attempted a difficult exam, NTA uses the JEE Main Normalization Process so that the aspirants are neither benefited nor disadvantaged. The true merit of the aspirant is identified through the process. Therefore, NTA compiles the overall JEE Main Score for multiple session question papers through the Normalization Process based on the JEE Main 2024 Percentile score.

JEE Main Normalization Process: Step-By-Step

The purpose of the normalization process is to ensure that no student is at a disadvantage due to the difficulty level of the exam. Understand the Key Steps in the JEE Main Normalization Process below:

Session-wise percentile calculation: As a first step, the raw scores obtained by each candidate are converted into the percentile score. The percentile score here refers to the percentage of candidates who have scored equal to or below a particular score and is calculated separately for each session.

Calculation of Percentile Score: In the second step the percentile scores are calculated using a formula that takes into account the number of candidates who appeared in the exam coupled with their relative performance. The aspirants may refer to the table below to get an idea of the calculation. However, the actual formula is not publicly disclosed by the authorities and may vary.

Related Article: JEE Main Marks Vs. Percentile

Percentile Normalization: The third step involves normalizing the percentile score achieved in step 2. This is done to account for any discrepancies in the difficulty level of the question paper. The JEE Main Normalization Process ensures that the scores are comparable across sessions.

Calculation of the overall percentile: The last step after the JEE Main Normalization Process is completed, is calculating the overall percentile based on which the JEE Main Ranks are achieved and accumulated as the final result. 

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JEE Main Percentile Score Highlights

• The JEE Main Percentile Sore refers to the normalized scores and not the raw score
• The JEE main percentile will also be determined and converted for the marks obtained between the highest and lowest scores
• The JEE Main Percentile Score indicates the percentage of candidates who have scored equal to or below the raw score
• The JEE Main Score is calculated up to 7 decimal places to avoid tie-breaking and bunching effect
• The merit list is prepared based on the percentile score of the aspirant
• The overall percentile is not the same as the percentile aggregate of each subject

You may read: 

Difference between JEE Main and JEE Advanced

JEE Main Total Marks

JEE Main Tie-Breaking Rules

In cases where two candidates obtain the same/equal percentile, certain tie-breaking rules are applied which have been mentioned below.

• Aspirants who obtain a Percentile Score in Mathematics will be ranked higher
• Aspirants who obtain a Percentile Score in Physics will be ranked higher
• Aspirants who obtain a 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

Compilation of NTA Score for JEE Main Result

The ranking or merit list for JEE Main will be cumulated as follows:

• In the case of candidates who have appeared for both attempts, the best of the two NTA JEE Main scores will be used. Here the total NTA score will be used for ranking purposes and not those of the subjects.
• In the case of candidates who have appeared for only one exam, the four JEE Main 2024 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 Result 2024. In case of any tie, the guidelines mentioned above in this article will be used to resolve the tie

Calculation of JEE Main Score: Paper 2

• Raw marks for the first attempt will be announced in February 2024 for students who appeared for the exam held in January
• The marks for the April Session will be announced soon after the conclusion of the exam
• The JEE Main Paper 2 marks will not be normalized as the exam will be held in a single shift and thus will have the same level of difficulty

JEE Main Tie-Breaking Rules: paper 2

In cases where two candidates obtain an equal percentage, the below rules shall be used to resolve the tie.

• Candidates scoring more marks on the Aptitude Test will be ranked higher
• In case the tie is unresolved, Candidates scoring more marks in the Drawing Test will be given a higher rank
• The older candidate will be awarded the higher rank
• If the tie is still unresolved, the candidates will be given the same rank

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JEE Main Important Dates: Session 2 

Check the JEE Main Exam Date for session 2 in the table below