For JEE Main 2026 aspirants, the days immediately after the exam are filled with speculation, especially about how raw marks convert into percentile, rank, and college options. With the JEE Main results approaching soon, many students wonder: What does scoring 98 marks really mean for JEE Main Percentile 2026, rank, and admission chances?
In this blog, we break down the JEE Main marks vs percentile 2026 expected trends, likely Marks vs Rank ranges, and what 98 marks could mean for your engineering hopes.
What is the JEE Main Percentile?
The JEE Main scorecard provides you with raw marks and a percentile. The percentile indicates how well you performed relative to others in the same session. In other words, JEE Main Percentile 2026 is about your rank among test‑takers, not your total marks alone.
This normalisation ensures fairness since exams are conducted in multiple shifts with variable difficulty levels. Note that JEE Main marks vs percentile is not linear. Even a small change in marks around the mid‑range can lead to a big jump in percentile, especially near cutoffs.
JEE Main Marks vs Percentile 2026: Calculate Percentile and Rank Using Marks
Expected Percentile for 98 Marks in JEE Main 2026
While official data will only come with the JEE Main results, trend analysis by experts helps estimate where your score stands. As per the analysis for the 2026 Session 1 attempt:
JEE Main Marks vs Percentile 2026 Expected
| 98 marks are likely to fall in a JEE Main Percentile 2026 range of 92.21882783 – 93.67910655. |
However, do note that the percentile depends on how tough or easy your shift was and how other students performed.
- If your paper was relatively easy, the percentile might stay closer to the lower side of this range.
- If the shift was tougher (meaning fewer students scored high), your JEE Main Percentile 2026 could improve relative to others.
Estimated Ranks for 98 Marks
The marks can also be used to estimate the All India Rank (AIR), which determines where you stand nationally. Based on recent trend estimates for JEE Main 2026:
| The estimated rank for scoring between 90 and 99 marks is 93240 – 114780. |
Again, do understand that the specific rank depends on the exact JEE Main Percentile 2026 and the total number of candidates.
Is 98 Marks a Good Score in JEE Main 2026?
A key question many students ask is: “What is a good score in JEE Main 2026?” The answer depends on your ambitions and the level of competition.
- A good to excellent score is typically 180+ marks. It usually corresponds to very high percentiles (around 98–100) and places a student among the top performers nationally.
- A fairly strong score ranges between 140 and 179 marks, generally leading to a 97+ percentile and a competitive rank.
- A moderate score falls between 100 and 140 marks, which may result in a percentile range of approximately 93–96.
- Scoring 98 marks is considered a moderate performance. It is respectable, especially given the competitive nature and difficulty level of JEE Main.
Improving the score at this stage will require careful planning, strategic counselling choices, and realistic goal setting after the JEE Main results are announced.
What After 98 Marks in JEE Main 2026?
For those scoring in and around the 95–100 mark range, here are the next actions to take:
- Download Your Scorecard: Check your JEE Main Percentile 2026 and AIR immediately once the JEE Main results are out. This gives the real benchmark for counselling.
- Use the JEE Main 2026 College Predictor: After getting the results, input your JEE Main Percentile 2026 and expected rank to explore potential colleges and branches.
- Prepare Counselling Documents: JoSAA/CSAB counselling requires personal and academic documents, so have them ready.
- Evaluate Options by Category & Quota: State quota, category reservation, and home state preferences can significantly affect your chances.
- Make a Priority List: Rank colleges by preference and realistic cutoffs.
Colleges Offering Admission for 98 Marks in JEE Main 2026
A few of the possible colleges to obtain at around 10,000 rank are (based on JoSAA cutoff 2025 round 1, OPEN, gender neutral, home state category):
| Course Name | College Name |
| B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering | NIT Patna |
| B.Tech Civil Engineering | MNIT Jaipur, NIT Srinagar, NIT Tiruchirappalli |
| B.Tech Electrical Engineering | MNIT Jaipur |
| B.Tech Electrical and Electronics Engineering | VNIT Nagpur |
| B.Tech Electronics and Communication Engineering | NIT Raipur |
| B.Tech Mathematics and Computing | NIT Kurukshetra |
| B.Tech Mechanical Engineering | Ghani Khan Choudhury Institute of Engineering And Technology, Malda |
JEE Main Paper 1 Counselling – Explore College Options
Once your rank is confirmed, the next step is the JEE Main Paper 1 Counselling process. The process is conducted primarily through JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority), and possibly CSAB, depending on rounds and leftover seats.
Counselling involves selecting choices of colleges/branches, locking preferences, and then seat allotment based on:
- Your final percentile and AIR
- Category and reservation
- State quota availability
- Seat availability and branch preferences
Counselling can span multiple rounds, and sometimes, later rounds open doors for branches or colleges not possible in Round 1. Hence, flexibility and timely choice filling are key.
Final Thoughts
Scoring 98 marks in JEE Main 2026 puts you in a moderate percentile range, generally around ~92–93+ percentile. It corresponds to a rank that still keeps you in the merit game. While estimates can offer insights into possible colleges, waiting for the actual results is recommended. Meanwhile, you may opt for improvements in preparation strategies.
Remember that JEE Main success depends on how you use your marks wisely for improvement. Once the official JEE Main results are declared, it’s time to carefully analyse your percentile and rank and explore realistic options. Make informed decisions to secure the best possible outcome based on your performance.
FAQs
Q1. Can I improve my percentile if I appear for both JEE Main 2026 sessions?
Yes. If you appear in both Session 1 and Session 2, then NTA will consider the best percentile score out of the two attempts for ranking and JEE Merit preparation. This can significantly improve your overall standing and offer an opportunity to work on your weaknesses.
Q2. Does category reservation affect rank at 98 marks?
Yes. Apart from the Common Rank List (CRL), separate category-wise ranks (OBC, SC, ST, EWS) are released. Candidates from reserved categories may have better admission chances at 98 marks due to category-specific cutoffs.
Q3. Should I consider CSAB special rounds after JoSAA counselling?
Yes. CSAB (Central Seat Allocation Board) conducts special rounds for vacant seats after JoSAA counselling. Sometimes, candidates with ranks above 1 lakh secure seats during these rounds.
