JEE Main 2026 tested almost 13 lakh aspiring engineers across India. Both Session 1 (January–February) and Session 2 (April) featured a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult shifts. If you scored 98 marks in JEE Main 2026, you might wonder about your percentile, your chances for JEE Advanced, and whether you can get into NITs. These questions are crucial, as the answers depend on more than just your raw score. For students looking for expert guidance and structured preparation, you can also explore resources at guwahati coaching institute.
NTA uses a normalisation process to convert raw scores into percentiles, accounting for the varying difficulty levels. Understanding this score-to-percentile relationship is important for making informed decisions about Session 2, JEE Advanced preparation, and state-level counselling.
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What Does 98 Marks Mean Across Different Shifts?
The information below provides a data-driven projection of the expected percentile and All India Rank (AIR) for a candidate scoring 98 marks in JEE Main 2026, broken down by the difficulty level of the shift attempted. These projections are based on historical NTA trends from 2022–2025 and the overall difficulty feedback from 2026 test-takers.
| Shift Difficulty | Approx. Raw Score Range | Expected Percentile | Expected AIR (General) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 91–105 | 90–92 percentile | 80,000–1,00,000 |
| Moderate | 86–100 | 92–94 percentile | 55,000–80,000 |
| Hard | 80–94 | 95–97 percentile | 25,000–55,000 |
Note: These are projected ranges. Actual percentiles will be declared by NTA after result processing. AIR estimates are for General category candidates appearing in both sessions.
Key Takeaway: Scoring 98 marks in JEE Main 2026 in a Hard shift is significantly more valuable than the same score in an Easy shift. This is precisely why NTA’s normalisation mechanism exists to ensure fairness.
Understanding the Shift Impact: How NTA Normalisation Works
1. The NTA Normalisation Formula Explained
NTA uses a percentile-based normalisation method where your score is converted into a percentile relative to all candidates who appeared in the same shift. The final percentile across sessions is then computed using the multi-session percentile score of the best-performing candidates as a benchmark.
This means your 98 marks in JEE Main 2026 percentile is not a fixed number; it fluctuates based on:
- The total number of candidates who appeared in your specific shift
- The overall difficulty level of your shift (Easy, Moderate, or Hard)
- The distribution of scores, specifically, how many candidates scored above and below 98 in your shift
- Whether you sat for Session 1, Session 2, or both
2. Session 1 vs Session 2: Does It Matter When You Appeared?
Historical data shows that Session 2 (April) often has a higher overall difficulty average than Session 1, which can work in your favour if you scored 98 in a tough April shift. Conversely, if Session 1 was easier and more students scored higher, a 98 in January might yield a lower percentile than expected. The key is the relative performance of your cohort, not just your absolute marks.
Rank Prediction: 98 Marks Rank in JEE Main
Based on historical trends and the projected candidate pool for JEE Main 2026 (approximately 12–13 lakh candidates across both sessions), here is what the 98 marks in JEE Main 2026 translates to:
- Easy Shift: Expected AIR in the range of 80,000 to 1,00,000
- Moderate Shift: Expected AIR in the range of 55,000 to 80,000
- Hard Shift: Expected AIR in the range of 25,000 to 55,000
It is important to remember that the JEE Main rank is determined by the best percentile score across both sessions (if you appeared in both). If you scored 98 in a hard shift in Session 1 and performed similarly or better in Session 2, your final AIR could be significantly lower (better) than the standalone estimate above. For comparison, you can also explore how a higher score performs in this detailed analysis of 150 marks in JEE Mains percentile.
Additionally, a candidate’s category (General, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, PwD) plays a decisive role in rank-to-seat mapping during counselling. The AIR figures above are for General category candidates.
College & Category Prospects: NITs, IIITs, and JEE Advanced
1. NIT Admission With 98 Marks in JEE Main
The prospects for NIT admission with 98 marks depend heavily on which NIT and which branch you are targeting. Here is a realistic breakdown:
- Top NITs (NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, NIT Surathkal): Core branches (CSE, ECE): With a General category AIR in the 80,000–1,00,000 range, admission to flagship branches at top NITs is unlikely. These branches typically close at AIR 3,000–12,000 for the General category.
- Mid-Tier NITs (NIT Jamshedpur, NIT Kurukshetra, NIT Raipur): Non-core branches: Branches like Civil, Metallurgy, or Chemical Engineering at mid-tier NITs may be accessible, as closing ranks can go up to AIR 50,000–80,000 for the General category.
- Home State Quota Advantage: If you are applying under your home state quota, your effective chances improve considerably since Home State seats have more relaxed closing ranks.
- OBC-NCL / SC / ST Category: Candidates in reserved categories with 98 marks may have significantly better prospects even at top NITs due to category-wise seat allocation and lower qualifying percentiles.
- IIITs and GFTIs: Several IIITs (like IIIT Kota, IIIT Sri City) and GFTIs (Government-Funded Technical Institutes) are accessible in this rank range, offering solid engineering programmes.
2. Will 98 Marks in JEE Main 2026 Clear the JEE Advanced 2026 Cut-Off?
This is the most important question for IIT aspirants. You can also check this detailed guide on minimum marks required to qualify for JEE Advanced for better clarity. The JEE Main 2026 cut-off for JEE Advanced is determined as a percentile threshold, not a raw marks threshold. Here is the historical reference:
- 2025 (General): ~87.5 percentile (approx. 75–80 marks in a moderate session)
- 2024 (General): ~90.9 percentile
- 2023 (General): ~90.5 percentile
If 98 marks in your shift corresponds to a percentile of 92 or above, which is likely in a Moderate-to-Hard shift, there is a realistic possibility of clearing the JEE Advanced cut-off. However, if your shift was Easy and your percentile falls around 90–92, it becomes a borderline scenario. Candidates should not assume clearance until NTA officially releases the cut-off.
What Should You Do Next?
If you have scored 98 marks in JEE Main 2026 Session 1, here is a structured action plan:
1. Appear in JEE Main 2026 Session 2 (if not already done): Since NTA considers the best percentile across sessions, attempting Session 2 gives you an opportunity to improve your score. A well-prepared candidate scoring 110+ in a moderate Session 2 can dramatically improve their AIR.
2. Begin JEE Advanced Preparation Immediately: Do not wait for results. If there is a chance your percentile clears the Advanced cut-off, start full-length JEE Advanced mock tests, focus on Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and coordinate geometry areas that heavily differentiate scores. If you need expert mentorship and structured preparation, consider enrolling in a trusted JEE coaching institute in Guwahati to boost your performance.
3. Explore State-Level Counselling (JOSAA, State CETs): Research your state’s engineering entrance and counselling process (e.g., MHT-CET for Maharashtra, TANCET for Tamil Nadu, KCET for Karnataka). These pathways can yield excellent institutions even with a JEE Main score in this range.
4. Shortlist Realistic Colleges via JoSAA Predictor: Use the official JoSAA counselling opening and closing rank data from 2023 and 2024 to build a realistic preference list. Apply category-wise filters to get the most accurate projections.
5. Monitor NTA’s Official Website: Results, answer keys, and cut-off announcements are published on jeemain.nta.ac.in. Avoid unofficial cut-off rumours and rely only on NTA data.
Conclusion: 98 Marks in JEE Main 2026 is a Platform, Not a Destination
A score of 98 marks in JEE Main 2026 places you in a competitive but critical zone. Depending on your shift difficulty, your 98 marks could result in a percentile range of approximately 90 percentile for an easy shift to 97 percentile for a hard shift. This range carries vastly different implications for your college admissions journey.
The key message is this: do not make irreversible decisions based on raw marks alone. Wait for the official NTA percentile score. Evaluate your JoSAA options carefully. Use the time between now and counselling productively. You can strengthen your JEE Advanced preparation or research NIT and IIIT branch preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is 98 marks a good score in JEE Main 2026 for General category students?
A score of 98 marks in JEE Main is a moderate score for General category candidates. It is not sufficient for the top NITs or IITs, but it positions you competitively for mid-tier NITs (non-core branches), IIITs, and GFTIs, particularly if the shift was Hard or Moderate. The corresponding percentile is more meaningful than the raw marks, and General category students should wait for NTA’s official percentile before drawing conclusions.
2. Can I get into an NIT with 98 marks in JEE Main?
Yes, but with realistic expectations. With 98 marks, admission to mid-tier and lower-ranked NITs in branches like Civil, Metallurgy, Chemical, or Mining Engineering is plausible for General category students, especially under the Home State quota. Top-tier NITs and premium branches like CSE remain out of reach at this score for the General category. Reserved category candidates have substantially better prospects.
3. What is the expected percentile for 98 marks in a ‘Hard’ shift?
Based on NTA historical data and the projected difficulty of JEE Main 2026 sessions, a score of 98 marks in a Hard shift is expected to yield a percentile in the range of 95 to 97 percentiles. This is because fewer candidates score high in difficult papers, meaning your relative standing improves significantly. This range would correspond to an estimated AIR of 25,000 to 55,000 for General category candidates.
4. Will 98 marks be enough to qualify for JEE Advanced 2026?
It depends on your percentile, not directly on your marks. The JEE Advanced 2026 cut-off for the General category has historically been between 87 and 91 percentile. If your 98 marks correspond to a percentile of 92 or above, likely in a Moderate or Hard shift, you have a realistic chance of qualifying. In an Easy shift, where 98 marks may yield only a 90–92 percentile, it becomes borderline. Candidates are advised to monitor NTA’s official cut-off announcement on jeemain.nta.ac.in.
5. How does the NTA normalisation process affect the percentile for 98 marks?
NTA’s normalisation process converts your raw marks into a percentile score relative to all candidates in your session and shift. The formula considers the total number of candidates, the score distribution, and the relative difficulty of the paper. Consequently, 98 marks in a Hard shift, where fewer students score above 90, will yield a higher percentile than 98 marks in an Easy shift, where hundreds of students may have scored above 100. This is why two students with identical raw scores can have very different AIRs if they appeared in shifts of different difficulty levels. The system is designed to be equitable, though minor variations can occur due to the statistical models used.
