Understanding JEE Main Normalization Process and its Affect on Scores

The JEE Main normalization process refers to a method of equating candidates' raw scores achieved across different shifts of the exam to standardize for differences in the difficulty levels of the question papers. For example, if shift 1 of JEE Main 2026 is more difficult than shift 2, the normalization process will systematise the percentiles upwards to reflect the relative difficulty.

The JEE Main exam is one of the toughest exams in the world for gaining admission into undergraduate engineering, planning, and architecture studies. One of the often confusing points about the JEE Main exam is the normalization process involved in calculating final scores. In this article, let's talk about the JEE Main normalization process, how it impacts the scores of JEE Main, and the overall effect on results.

What is the JEE Main Normalization Process?

The JEE Main exam is always conducted in various shifts over days. The difference in the intensity of these various shifts can vary due to different sets or slight differences in the environment for the exam.

To make things fair and have no impact at all from those discrepancies, NTA uses the normalization process. The JEE Main normalization process is essentially a method of equating the scores of candidates who appeared for the exam in different shifts to ensure that all candidates are judged on an equal footing.

It compensates for the variations in difficulty between different shifts by converting the raw scores of candidates into a common scale.

Also Read: What is the NTA Score in JEE Main Results 2026?

JEE Main Score Calculation Normalization

The basic aim behind JEE Main score calculation normalization is to systematize the scores of all candidates, irrespective of the shift in which they appeared or the date on which they appeared. Here's how normalization works:

1. Multiple Shifts in JEE Main: JEE Main generally happens in multiple shifts. This is done so that the scores of a large number of candidates can be accommodated. They may have different question papers and pass in varying degrees of difficulty. Without normalization, a candidate who sat for an easier paper may be favoured over the other candidates.
2. Normalization: After the examination, the raw scores obtained from each shift are summed up for comparison. The NTA evaluates the overall performance of all candidates in each shift and adjusts scores so that the distribution is comparable. This equalization process ensures no candidate is unfairly disadvantaged because of the difficulty of the exam.
3. Percentile Scores for Each Candidate: Percentile scores are calculated for every candidate in every shift. For example, if a candidate gets 200 out of 300 in a particular shift, the percentile score would inform the number of candidates who performed worse than them in all shifts. Then, the percentile obtained per candidate is used in order to find their rank and eligibility for different institutions.
4. Final JEE Main Result: When percentile scores of candidates have been prepared, the final JEE Main result is obtained. Candidates are ranked based on the percentile scores; admission is given based on a candidate's merit list position.

How Does JEE Main Normalization Impact Scores?

Understanding the JEE Main normalization process is essential to know how it would affect the final scores of the candidates. The following is the process of normalization and how it affects candidates' scores:

• Raw Score Calculation: A raw score is granted to the candidate based on correct answers, wrong answers, and unattempted questions. Each correct answer brings 4 marks, and every wrong answer incurs a penalty of 1 mark (negative marking). For unattempted questions, the candidate gets no marks.
• Normalization Formula: Normalization is done by a statistical method called "Percentile Score." The normalization formula employed by NTA adjusts for the difficulty levels in the various shifts. It converts raw scores into percentile scores. The calculating formula for the percentile score is as follows:

In simple terms, the percentile score is a percentage of the candidates who have scored lower than you in that particular shift. Therefore, this percentile score is a relative score and not an absolute score.

For instance, if the percentile score is 99, then it means that one has performed better than 99 percent of candidates. The percentile is important because it helps determine candidates' ranks directly in the exam which in turn, helps allocate the seat to various engineering colleges and courses in India.

• Impact of JEE Main Normalization Process: The normalization process of JEE Main ensures that candidates from different shifts are being compared fairly despite the difference in the difficulty level of the exam. A candidate who might have appeared during a tougher shift has fewer correct answers but can gain a higher percentile score than others appearing for an easy shift. For this, a raw score, which the testing agency gives, accounts for the differences in difficulty from one shift to another.

Also Read: JEE Main Exam 2026: Notification, Application Form, Exam Date

Impact of Normalization on the Outcome of JEE Main

The normalization process does have a role in the outcome of JEE Main. Here is how it affects the candidate's overall JEE Main result:

• Fairness Over Shifts: The normalization makes sure that no candidate is biased by the shift on which they appeared. For instance, if certain questions in a given shift were more challenging, then the raw scores of the candidates in that shift are expected to be low. Normalization adjusts their scores upwards to take this into account.
• Adjustment for Relative Performance: The Percentile score reflects a candidate's relative performance. This means that even though a candidate may not have scored the highest raw score, they still can have a high percentile score because most other candidates performed worse than them in the same shift. This minimizes biased results due to minor differences in question papers. However, the percentile scores of students might differ slightly.
• Admission and Counseling: The Percentile score is used directly in the admission and the JEE Main counselling processes. Normalization helps make the result less prone to external variables like the shift timing to show a more accurate reflection of one's potential, and the candidates are admitted to top IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other prestigious colleges based on their percentile scores.

Normalization in JEE Main 2026

With changes in the system of the JEE Main exams, the normalizing process, too, goes on in accordance with the present examination pattern. The normalization formula in the JEE Main 2026 exams may be the same as last year or could be slightly different due to constructive criticism and other technological advancements, but one thing is sure: normalizing the method will still serve its purpose of being fair and unbiased for candidate results.

JEE Main Score vs Percentile

It is to be noted that the candidate's JEE Main percentile score is not the same as their raw score. The raw score is just the total number of correct answers minus the penalties for incorrect answers, whereas the percentile score reflects your relative performance compared to other candidates in the same shift is the difference.

This distinction helps in better evaluating a candidate's performance across varying levels of difficulty. The following table offers a clear picture of the JEE Main score vs percentile analysis:

Also Read: JEE Main Exam Dates 2026: Important Dates for Session 1 & 2, Notification, Admit Card, Exam and Result

What is JEE Main normalization? It is an important mechanism to ensure fairness and transparency in the results. The process helps in the adjustment of scores according to relative performance and removes biases from it. Thus, it helps facilitate the candidates in understanding their results more effectively and making proper steps towards their college admission journey.