Students aiming for engineering admissions through the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 can now understand the marks needed for a high percentile in Mathematics. To achieve a 96 percentile in the Mathematics section of the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exam, students generally need a raw score of 45 marks or more .
JEE Main is a national-level entrance test for admission to various undergraduate engineering and architecture programs across India. The Mathematics paper is often considered more challenging than Physics and Chemistry sections.
JEE Main 2026 Maths Marks for 96 Percentile
The table below shows the expected marks needed to achieve a 96 percentile in the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Mathematics paper:
| Percentile Goal | Expected Marks in Mathematics |
| 96 Percentile | 45+ marks |
Why Marks for Maths Can Be Lower
The marks required for a high percentile in Mathematics are often lower compared to Physics and Chemistry. This is because the Mathematics paper traditionally has a higher difficulty level. Due to this higher difficulty, students can score fewer marks in Maths and still achieve a strong percentile.
Understanding Normalization Process
The JEE Main exam is held on multiple days and in different shifts. To ensure fairness for all students, the National Testing Agency (NTA) uses a method called normalization. This process adjusts scores based on the difficulty level of each shift.
Because of normalization, the exact raw marks needed for a 96 percentile can vary slightly. This variation is typically around 2 to 4 marks , depending on the specific exam shift a student takes.
Overall Score for 96 Percentile
When considering the total score across all three subjects (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics), a 96 percentile generally corresponds to an overall raw score of approximately 120 to 131 marks out of a total of 300 marks in the JEE Main exam.
JEE Main 2026 Maths Exam Structure
The JEE Main Session 1 Maths 2026 exam covers important concepts from various topics. These include Algebra, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, Vectors, and Probability.
The Maths paper has two main sections:
- Section A: This section contains 20 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) . Students must choose one correct answer from the given options.
- Section B: This section has 10 Numerical Value Questions (NVQs) . From these 10 questions, students need to attempt only 5 questions . For these questions, students enter a numerical answer.
Each question carries 4 marks . For every wrong answer, 1 mark is deducted . This is known as negative marking.
How to Prepare for Maths
To perform well in the JEE Main Maths exam, students need a strong understanding of foundational concepts. It is important to practice regularly using NCERT textbooks and other study materials. Key topics that require focused attention and practice include Functions, Calculus, and Coordinate Geometry. Mastering these core principles is important for effective problem-solving in the exam.
