What is the Difference Between NEET Rank and NEET Percentile?

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is one of the most challenging and competitive medical entrance exams in India. Two crucial metrics often confuse students and parents alike: NEET Rank and NEET Percentile. Understanding these terms is critical as they play a significant role in determining your chances of securing a seat in a prestigious medical institution. In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between NEET Rank and Percentile, explain their significance, and help you understand how they influence admission processes.

What is NEET Rank?

NEET Rank is the position a candidate holds among all the aspirants who appeared for the exam. It reflects your overall performance compared to others and determines your eligibility for medical colleges based on the All India Rank (AIR) and state quotas.

Key Features of NEET Rank

• All India Rank (AIR): A nationwide ranking that includes every student who appeared for NEET.
• Category Rank: Your rank among students in your reserved category (e.g., SC, ST, OBC).
• State Rank: The rank you hold among students from your state.

Factors Affecting NEET Rank

1. Total marks scored in NEET.
2. The difficulty level of the exam.
3. Total number of candidates appearing in the exam.
4. Tie-breaking criteria (e.g., higher biology marks, fewer incorrect answers).

Interpretation of Rank

Rank helps in the interpretation of scores in a standardized test or exam. It is the simplest way to evaluate the performance between the same group of two or more parties. For example, in a group of 10 students of class 6th, to draw rank order, the teacher will make a set of data of the students’ total percentage and then arrange it in ascending order. After that, the teacher will compare percentage records between each student’s result and provide them rank from ‘good performer’ to ‘worst performer’.

How to Calculate NEET Rank?

There are various ways to calculate the rank of an object in any given set of data. It depends upon the type of data set, whether it is a statistical data set, mathematical, IR based, or general data set. For example, there is a set of 10 students percentage in their final examination (60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 84, 77), then, you can calculate their ranking as:

Step 1: Arrange the set in ascending order.

set = {60, 65, 70, 75, 77, 80, 84, 85, 90, 95}

Step 2: Start to rank them from good to worst percentage.

• Rank 1 = 95% Rank 2 = 90%
• Rank 3 = 85% Rank 4 = 84%
• Rank 5 = 80% Rank 6 = 77%
• Rank 7 = 75% Rank 8 = 70%
• Rank 9 = 65% Rank 10 = 60%

Therefore, the student scored 95% rank as 1st, while the student scored 60% rank as 10th, in the given data set.

Applications of Ranking

The method of calculating rank is based on some specific indices. If one wants to know about the richest man in the world or the most beautiful lady in the universe, then this calculation is done by the methodology of ranking. In various sports, players are given rankings based on their performances. Search engines rank web pages by their relevance to users’ queries. There are many more examples of ranking you can easily find in your daily life.

But the method of calculating ranking in an organisation shows discriminated results. And, it is restricted for a specific set of data, so the comparison between different data sets is not possible.

What is NEET Percentile?

NEET Percentile is a relative measure of your performance compared to other test-takers. It indicates the percentage of candidates who scored lower than you in the exam.

Formula to Calculate NEET Percentile

The percentile is calculated using the formula:
Percentile = [(Number of candidates who scored below you) ÷ (Total number of candidates)] × 100

Significance of NEET Percentile

• Qualifying Criteria: To qualify for NEET, candidates must score above the specified percentile cut-off:
  • General category: 50th percentile.
  • SC/ST/OBC: 40th percentile.
  • PwD (General): 45th percentile.
• Benchmark for Selection: Percentile ensures that only a specific percentage of candidates are eligible for admissions, making the process competitive.

Interpretation of NEET Percentile

Percentile tells us where the value of a particular set falls. For example, if a student scores 82nd percentile. It means 82% of students are below his score. Moreover, it also means that 18% of students have secured more than his score.

The term percentile is referred to universally interpreting any score. The 82nd percentile implies that 82% of candidates are below him, whether we talk about his scores or any section. Percentile is irrespective of this fact. This leads to a fair comparison between different data sets.

How to Calculate Percentile?

Percentile for a given set of data can be calculated as:

n = (P/100) * N

where,

            n = Ordinal rank of a given value or value below the number

            P = Percentile

            N = Number of values in the data set,

For example, there is a set of scores of 10 students in a class, having scored 72, 75, 79, 83, 86, 90, 81, 94, 96, 99. Then you can calculate the percentile of score 90 as

Step 1: Arrange the given set in ascending order.

set = {72, 75, 79, 81, 83, 86, 90, 94, 96, 99}

Step 2: Calculate the numbers of scores below 90.

n = 6

Step 3: Calculate the number of total values in the given set.

N = 10

Step 4: Put the values in the percentile formula.

n = (P/100) x N

or, P = (n/N) x 100

        = (6/10) x 100

        = 60

Therefore, the percentile for score 90 = 60.

Applications of NEET Percentile

Usually, percentile scores have a variety of uses in your daily life. It breaks the complex data sets into small segments, making them easily understandable. It is generally used to interpret test scores. For example, you got 80% marks in an exam. Although it sounds very impressive, however, if it corresponds to the 30th percentile, then having 80% is not sound so, as it means that 30% of students, who attend that exam, got 80% marks or lower.

Another application of percentile is in calculating kids’ growth charts. While paediatrics draw growth charts for children, they perform the statistics for all required data sets and prepare the chart after calculating the percentiles of each set. This provides an effective comparison data set that can help parents know about their children’s growth.

Differences Between NEET Rank and NEET Percentile

How Are NEET Rank and Percentile Related?

NEET Rank and Percentile are interconnected as both are derived from your total score. A higher percentile usually corresponds to a better rank. However, the two differ in their representation:

• Rank is an absolute figure and directly indicates your position.
• Percentile shows your relative performance in percentage terms.

For instance, if a student scores in the 99th percentile, it means they performed better than 99% of the candidates. However, their rank might still vary depending on the total number of students appearing in the exam.

How Are NEET Percentile and Marks Interlinked?

The following table illustrates the relationship between NEET marks and their corresponding percentiles based on past years’ data:

Tie-Breaking Criteria in NEET Exam

When multiple candidates score the same marks, the following tie-breaking criteria are used to determine their rank:

1. Candidates with higher marks in Biology are given preference.
2. If the tie persists, higher Chemistry marks are considered.
3. Candidates with fewer incorrect answers are ranked higher.
4. Older candidates are given preference if the tie remains unresolved.

Importance of NEET Rank and Percentile in Counselling

Both NEET Rank and Percentile play crucial roles during the counselling process:

• NEET Rank: Used to allocate seats in medical colleges, whether through the All India Quota (AIQ) or state quotas.
• NEET Percentile: Acts as the qualifying benchmark for eligibility to participate in counselling.

Category-Wise NEET Percentile and Marks Cut-Offs (2024 Example)

Note: These figures may vary slightly for NEET 2025.

How to Improve NEET Rank and Percentile?

Here are some tips to improve your NEET performance:

1. Focus on High-Weightage Topics: Prioritize topics like Human Physiology, Genetics, and Organic Chemistry.
2. Practice Regularly: Solve previous years’ question papers and take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
3. Time Management: Divide your time effectively among all three subjects to avoid missing out on questions.
4. Revise Strategically: Regular revision is essential to retain concepts and formulas.
5. Avoid Negative Marking: Answer questions only when you’re confident to minimize penalties.

Understanding the difference between NEET Rank and NEET Percentile is crucial for strategizing your preparation and securing a seat in your dream medical college. While rank determines your position, percentile reflects your relative performance. Both metrics are equally important, with percentile acting as a qualifying benchmark and rank dictating college admissions. Prepare strategically, stay focused, and aim for both a high percentile and rank to enhance your chances of success in NEET 2025.

Also Read:

Last Minute Preparation Strategy to Ace NEET

Top 6 Practical Tips to Crack NEET in The First Attempt

Ultimate NEET Study Schedule: Exam Study Hours

What is the Difference Between NEET Rank and NEET Percentile? FAQs