Quick Summary: The NTA score in JEE Main 2026 is a percentile score, not actual marks. It displays the performance of a student in reference to other students in the same exam shift. As the exam occurs in numerous shifts, NTA relies on this score to maintain fairness in the results. A higher NTA score translates into an improved opportunity in counselling and JEE advanced-eligibility. This blog also describes the way of calculating it, how to check it online, why it is important for ranks, and the doubts students have about this topic.
The NTA score in JEE Main is the percentile score released by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It shows how a student performed when compared to other candidates who appeared in different sessions of the exam. This score is prepared by adjusting marks from all sessions so that no student gets an unfair advantage. The JEE percentile score is given up to 7 decimal places. The JEE Main result 2026 session 1 will be declared on February 12, 2026.
The result for JEE Main 2026 will include the NTA score in JEE Main for every candidate. Students can also check the category wise cutoff score for JEE Advanced using the NTA score card. Candidates who get higher NTA scores in JEE Main 2026 will have better chances of getting seats through JoSAA counselling. The JEE Main exam session 1 will be conducted from January 21 to 29, 2026.
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What is NTA Score – Highlight
| Information Category | Key Details |
| Full Exam Name | Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main |
| Session 1 Exam Dates | 21, 22, 23, 24, 28 & 29 January 2026 |
| NTA Scorecard Availability | February 2026 (expected) |
| Expected Result Time | Around 5:00 PM (tentative) |
| Official JEE Main Portal | jeemain.nta.nic.in |
What is the NTA score in JEE Main 2026?
The NTA score in JEE 2026 means the percentile score calculated by the National Testing Agency (NTA) based on how well a student performed in the JEE Main exam. The exam is held in two sessions, and this score is used to compare a student’s performance with others from different sessions. It helps students understand their position in the exam. The marks obtained in the test are converted into a scale from 100 to 0. The NTA score differs with the percentage of marks scored in the exam.
An increased NTA score will increase the likelihood of admission to the most reputable institutes, since it is a significant factor in JoSAA counselling. The NTA score also is used to determine the category-based cut-off on JEE advanced in that way the students can determine whether they have a chance to move to the next level. For the current academic year, candidates can check the NTA score for the January session in the JEE Main 2026 Result.
Check Out: JEE Main 2026 Cutoff Prediction: Category-Wise Qualifying
How to check NTA score?
The NTA score will be released in February of 2026 by the authority. The NTA score link will be updated on the website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. Candidates need to enter their application number and password to check the score of NTA. The steps to verify NTA scorecard are listed below.
- Go to the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- See the activity section of the candidate to get the result of the JEE Main.
- Click on the link
- Type in the application number and password.
- Confirm the NTA scores by checking the exam result of JEE.
Check Out: JEE Main 2026 Normalization Process
How to calculate NTA score
The NTA score in JEE Main is calculated by counting how many candidates in the Session have a raw score equal to or less than a candidate, multiplying that number by 100, and then dividing it by the total number of candidates who appeared in the session. The National Testing Agency normally gives the JEE percentile score up to 7 decimal places so that scores do not bunch together and the chances of ties in scores and ranks are reduced. The formula is shared below:
Process to NTA Score:
- 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).
The method for finding the Raw scores, the subject-wise and the total NTA scores in JEE Main 2026 in the JEE Main result is explained below.
Raw Scores: Marks scored in each session and subject (Maths, Physics, Chemistry) of the JEE Main exam are counted for all correct and incorrect answers and added together to get the total raw JEE Main 2026 score.
Check Out: JEE Main Percentile Calculator 2026: How to Calculate Percentile
JEE Main Percentile Scores for each Subject and Total Percentile Score
| Percentile Type | Meaning | Calculation Method |
| Overall Percentile (T1P) | Shows your rank position compared to all candidates in that session | (100 × Number of candidates who scored the same or lower than T1 score) ÷ Total candidates in the session |
| Maths Percentile (M1P) | Percentile score based only on Mathematics marks | (100 × Number of candidates with Maths raw score ≤ M1 score) ÷ Total candidates in the session |
| Physics Percentile (P1P) | Percentile calculated using Physics section marks | (100 × Number of candidates with Physics raw score ≤ P1 score) ÷ Total candidates in the session |
| Chemistry Percentile (C1P) | Percentile based on Chemistry section performance | (100 × Number of candidates with Chemistry raw score ≤ C1 score) ÷ Total candidates in the session |
Some of the key points about NTA Score calculation:
- Percentile-Based : The NTA score shows a student’s performance compared to others in the same exam session, including JEE Main exam session 1.
- Normalization Process: As different exam shifts can have different difficulty levels, normalization helps keep score comparison fair.
- No Direct Raw Marks: The NTA score is not the actual marks scored but a percentile score used for ranking purposes.
Validity of NTA Score
The National Testing Agency (NTA) Score is valid for only one year. Candidates must carry a printed copy of their scorecard during document verification for admission. The NTA score in JEE Main can be used only for the current academic year. It cannot be used in the next academic year. Students must take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) the JEE Main exam session 1 or later sessions again to get admission based on their NTA scores in JEE Main 2026.
Check Out: JEE Main 2026 Marks vs Rank vs Percentile
Details mentioned in the NTA score
The NTA score in JEE Main displays the following details:
- Candidate’s Name
- Roll Number (Session 1 / Session 2)
- All India Rank (AIR) based on final NTA scores in JEE Main 2026
- Mother’s Name
- Father’s Name
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Category
- Category wise cutoff score for JEE Advanced for Paper 1 (B.E/B.Tech)
- Application Number
- Nationality
- Photograph
- State of Eligibility
- NTA Score for Paper 1 (B.E/B.Tech)
What is a Good NTA Score in JEE Main 2026?
A good NTA score in JEE 2026 is usually 250+ for top NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, and to qualify for JEE Advanced with a JEE percentile score of 99+. This score changes by category, and top branches like CSE need higher marks. For General category students, 240–250+ is considered very good, while reserved category students can still get good NIT seats with lower marks, often around 185–215+ for good branches.
Category-wise Good Scores (Marks Out of 300)
This table shows the expected marks range for each category to target top NITs and IIITs, based on recent trends and predictions.
| Reservation Category | CSE Cutoff Trend in Top NITs/IIITs | Cutoff Trend for Core/Other Branches in Good NITs |
| GEN | 250+ marks | 195+ marks |
| OBC-NCL | 210+ marks | 185+ marks |
| EWS | 220+ marks | 195+ marks |
| SC | 155+ marks | 135+ marks |
| ST | Below SC category trend | Below SC category trend |
Note: These are only expected good scores. Qualifying percentile scores are lower (for example, General ~94, OBC ~80, SC ~62), but they are not enough for top colleges.
Importance of NTA score in JEE Main
There are many benefits of the score of NTA in the JEE Main 2026 Result:
- Equal and Unbiased Result: NTA conducts the JEE Main 2026 exam in many sessions on different days. Each session of the JEE Main exam has separate question papers with different difficulty levels. So, the authority uses the JEE Main normalisation procedure to give all the JEE Main 2026 candidates a fair and equal chance in the exam. The NTA score in the JEE Mains result 2026 makes sure that the scores of all the candidates are on the same level to keep the JEE Main 2026 results overall fair.
- Easier to break ties: NTA scores in the JEE Main result are better at assisting the authority break ties in the raw-score with ease. The guidelines for the JEE Main 2026 tie-breaking are.
FAQs on NTA Score in JEE Main Results
Q: What is a good NTA score in JEE Main?
A score of 98 (percentile) or more in NTA (EEE Main 2026) is considered excellent, and it will assist in gaining admission to the leading NIT and JEE Advanced eligibility. A score of 95 and above is effective in reputed NITs/IIITs, whereas 90 to 95 is good in other government colleges. Most high-level options are usually kept open with a 97+ percentile as the target.
Q: Where can I check the JEE Main 2026 NTA score?
You check JEE Main 2026 NTA score on the website, jeemain.nta.nic.in, by signing in with Application Number and Password/Date of Birth after the results are declared; the scorecard shows JEE percentile score in Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and the aggregate.
Q: Is 80 a good NTA score?
A JEE Main score of 80 NTA (percentile) is considered average among general category students. It implies that you have scored more than 80 percentile out of applicants, yet it does not tend to get the top NITs/IIITs.
Q: What does the NTA score show in JEE Main results?
The NTA Score in JEE Main shows your performance as a normalized percentile, which tells the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or lower than you in your exam session, not your raw marks. This score balances different difficulty levels across sessions, ensuring fairness by comparing you with others in your shift.
Q: What is the aim of the JEE Main NTA score?
The JEE Main NTA score (percentile) is a normalized measure to ensure fairness across multiple, multi-shift sessions. Its main purpose is to decide All India Ranks (AIR) for JoSAA counseling, Admission to NITs/IIITs/GFTIs, and to shortlist candidates for the JEE Advanced exam.
Q: How to change the JEE Main NTA score to rank?
To change your JEE Main NTA score (percentile) to an estimated All India Rank (AIR), use this formula:
Rank = (100 – NTA Score) × Total Candidates / 100.
Q: Is the NTA score the same as the percentage of marks?
No, the NTA score does not equal the percentage of marks. The NTA score is a percentile score, demonstrating the proportion of candidates who scored equally or below you, with a normalization across sessions. It is not the same as your raw mark percentage.
