
Scoring 120 marks in JEE Mains 2026 often leads students to wonder what percentile they can expect. While the exact percentile varies based on exam difficulty and session-wise normalization, past trends help provide a reliable estimate. This guide explains what 120 marks typically translate to in terms of percentile, how NTA calculates percentiles, and what ranks or college options you can expect with this score.
This section provides key insights into how 120 marks in JEE Main 2026 translate into percentile and rank, along with its implications for admissions.
Scoring 120 marks in JEE Main 2026 is expected to correspond to a percentile range of 96 to 97. This projection relies on analysis of previous years' trends and the normalization process by NTA. The exact 120 marks in JEE Mains percentile depends on the exam's difficulty and the overall performance of test-takers across various shifts.
Also Check: JEE Main January 2026 Expected Percentile Score
With 120 marks in JEE Mains 2026, an aspirant can expect an All India Rank in the range of approximately 33,636 to 43,174. This rank is an estimate and can shift based on factors like the number of candidates and overall exam performance. The following tables provide a clearer picture of expected marks versus percentile and rank.
| 120 Marks in JEE Mains 2026 Percentile (Expected) | |
| Marks Range | Expected Percentile |
| 175+ | 99+ |
| 161–174 | 98.5–99 |
| 149–159 | 98–98.5 |
| 132–148 | 97-98 |
| 120–131 | 96-97 |
| 110-119 | 95-96 |
| 102-109 | 94-95 |
| 120 Marks in JEE Mains 2026 Rank (Expected) | |
| Marks Range | Expected Rank Range |
| 175–284 |
10,746 – 11,000
|
| 161-174 | 11,018 – 16,163 |
| 149-159 | 16,495 – 21,145 |
| 132-148 | 22,238 – 32,826 |
| 120-131 | 33,636 – 43,174 |
| 110-119 | 44,115 – 54,293 |
Yes, 120 marks is generally a good score in JEE Main. It typically translates to a percentile of 96-97. This score can help secure admission to several NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, especially in less competitive branches or under home-state quotas. Moreover, achieving this percentile often makes candidates eligible for JEE Advanced. However, gaining admission to top NIT branches like Computer Science Engineering (CSE) or Electrical and Communications Engineering (ECE) with this score is challenging.
Several factors influence the conversion of raw marks to percentile in JEE Main. These elements contribute to the dynamic nature of percentile scores each year.
Number of Students: A higher number of candidates appearing in the exam can cause percentile fluctuations for similar raw scores.
Exam Difficulty: Tougher shifts generally result in higher percentiles for the same raw marks. Easier shifts may lead to slightly lower percentiles.
Normalization Process: NTA uses a normalization method to ensure fairness across different exam shifts. This system makes scores comparable across various sessions.
Overall Performance: The collective performance of all students in a particular session also impacts percentile outcomes.
Also Check: JEE Main 2026 99 Percentile in 35 Days
The National Testing Agency (NTA) uses a specific normalization procedure to calculate JEE Main percentiles. This method ensures that all candidates are evaluated fairly, regardless of their exam shift's difficulty. The percentile score reflects the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or below a particular candidate in their session.
The percentile score is calculated using the following formula for each subject and the total score:
This calculation is done independently for each session and then combined to provide a comprehensive overall percentile for all candidates.