RRB Normalization 2026 Explained: Latest Rules and Marks Calculation

RRB Normalization 2026 Explained: The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) is the conducting authority for the Railway exams. The authority has issued a notice informing candidates regarding the RRB Normalization in 2024. RRB Normalization 2026 rule will be applicable for the CBT exam. It is for the convenience of the candidates willing to appear in the RRB exams in the future. 

Understanding Percentile Score

The new RRB methodology is centred around the concept of a Percentile Score, which measures relative performance. It is crucial to understand that a percentile score is not the same as percentage marks.

Calculation of Percentile Score

The percentile score for a candidate in a particular shift is calculated using the following formula:

Percentile Score = (Number of candidates in the shift with a raw score equal to or less than the candidate's score / Total number of candidates who appeared in that shift) x 100

The calculation process involves two main steps:

1. Shift-wise Calculation: The percentile score is first calculated individually for every candidate within their specific examination shift.

2. Merging Scores: After calculating the percentile scores for all shifts, these scores are merged and compiled to prepare the final merit list for the RRB level examination.

Precision of the Percentile Score

The percentile score will be calculated with high precision, specifically up to five decimal places. This level of detail is used to minimise ties, where multiple candidates might otherwise achieve identical scores, especially if only two decimal places were used.

RRB Tie-Breaking Rules for Identical Percentile Scores

Candidates scoring identical scores in the RRB CBT exams. In that case, the RRB Tie-Breaking Rules are applicable for the identical percentile scores. 

1. Age: The older candidate will be given a higher rank.

2. Alphabetical Order: If the age of the candidates is also the same, their rank will be decided based on the alphabetical order of their names. For example, a candidate whose name starts with 'A' will be ranked higher than one whose name starts with 'B'.

RRB Normalization Concept "Base Shift"

IT introduces the concept of a Base Shift to standardise marks across different examination shifts and ensure fairness. Candidates refer to the most difficult shift as the "Hard Shift." RRB will use the terms known as the Base Shift.  An important condition for a shift to qualify as a Base Shift is that the number of candidates present in it must be 70% or more of the average attendance across all shifts.

RRB Normalization Formula For Calculating Final Marks

RRB CBR exam raw scores are converted into normalized marks using a formula. 

n = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1) * (x - x1) + y1

Note: The official notification provides the specific definitions for each variable (n, x, x1, x2, y1, y2) used in this formula.