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JEE Counselling

2026

JoSAA

College Predictor

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JEE Mains 2026 — January Session

JEE Mains Session 1 College Predictor 2026

Predict colleges from your Session 1 (January) 2026 score — and plan your Session 2 strategy based on what you see

Using Session 1 Score for College Prediction

JEE Mains 2026 is conducted in two sessions: Session 1 (January) and Session 2 (April). For JoSAA counselling, NTA uses the best percentile from both sessions to calculate the final CRL rank. This means Session 1 alone does not determine your final college options.

However, predicting colleges using your Session 1 percentile is extremely useful for: (1) Understanding which colleges are currently within reach, (2) Deciding how much improvement is needed in Session 2, and (3) Creating a realistic college shortlist well before JoSAA registration.

Use the college predictor below with your Session 1 percentile converted to approximate rank, then review and refine your list after Session 2 results.

Session 1 vs Final Rank Strategy

Session 1 result is strong (99+ percentile)

Still appear in Session 2 — you can only improve or maintain. Your Session 1 rank already unlocks top NIT CSE options.

Session 1 result is moderate (95–99 percentile)

Session 2 is crucial. A jump of 1–2 percentile points can significantly improve rank. Target Session 2 preparation intensively.

Session 1 result is below expectation (< 95 percentile)

Session 2 is your primary opportunity. Focus all preparation energy on improving performance. Many candidates improve 3–5 percentile points in Session 2.

Session 1 Percentile vs Expected College Tier (Reference)

Session 1 PercentileIf This Holds as Final — Likely Tier
99.5+Top NIT CSE (NIT Trichy, Warangal, Surathkal)
98.5 – 99.5Mid-tier NIT CSE / top NIT ECE / IIITs
95 – 98.5NE-NIT CSE / Tier-2 NIT other branches
90 – 95GFTI / NE-NIT all branches
Below 90State colleges / private institutes

* Treat Session 1 percentile as provisional — your final rank uses the better of Session 1 and Session 2. This table is illustrative, not a guarantee.

Predict Colleges from Your Session 1 Score

Convert your Session 1 percentile to rank using the Percentile to Rank tool, then use the College Predictor for your college list.

Open JEE Mains College Predictor

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JEE Mains Session 1 – FAQs

Questions about using Session 1 score for college prediction and Session 2 strategy

1
Can I predict colleges using my JEE Mains Session 1 2026 score?
Yes — Session 1 percentile could be used to estimate an approximate rank and predict colleges. However, Session 1 percentile was not the final rank used for JoSAA counselling. The final rank (best of Session 1 and Session 2) was used for JoSAA 2026. This page remains useful for future JEE Mains aspirants planning a two-session strategy.
2
Should I appear for JEE Mains Session 2 if satisfied with Session 1?
Yes — appearing in both sessions is strongly advisable. Your final JEE Mains rank uses the better of two session percentiles. Appearing in Session 2 carries no risk (the best score is kept), so it can only improve or maintain your rank. Skipping Session 2 is rarely recommended.
3
Is JEE Mains Session 1 (January) harder or easier than Session 2 (April)?
Difficulty varies year to year — there is no consistent pattern of one session being harder than the other. NTA normalises scores across sessions to ensure fairness. Focus on performing your best in both sessions rather than banking on one being easier.
4
When was the JEE Mains Session 1 2026 result announced?
JEE Mains Session 1 2026 (January session) result was declared on February 16, 2026. Percentile scores and provisional answer keys were released separately before the final result. For future sessions, check the NTA website (jeemain.nta.ac.in) for official result dates.
5
What percentile in JEE Mains Session 1 qualified for JEE Advanced 2026?
JEE Advanced 2026 qualification was based on the final JEE Mains rank (combining both sessions), not Session 1 alone. The top ~2.5 lakh unique candidates from the final JEE Mains rank list qualified for JEE Advanced 2026 (56,880 candidates ultimately cleared JEE Advanced). The General category cutoff percentile is typically in the 85–93 range.
6
How many candidates typically appear in JEE Mains Session 1 versus Session 2?
Session 1 (January) and Session 2 (April) each typically draw a broadly similar number of candidates — in the range of 11 to 12 lakh unique registrants for the full JEE Main cycle across both sessions in recent years — though not every registered candidate appears in both sessions. Many students use Session 1 as a trial run and decide whether to re-attempt in Session 2 based on how it goes.
7
Is it common for percentile to drop in Session 2 compared to Session 1?
It varies by individual, but it is not uncommon for candidates who scored well in Session 1 to see a slightly different percentile in Session 2 due to a different paper and different candidate pool for that shift — percentile reflects relative performance within that specific session's cohort, not an absolute score. Since the better of the two session percentiles is used for your final rank, a lower Session 2 score does not hurt you; only an improvement counts.
8
Can I skip Session 1 and only appear in Session 2?
Yes — appearing in both sessions has never been mandatory. Candidates can choose to register for and appear in only Session 2 if they prefer, though many aspirants choose to appear in both to maximize their chances of a higher final percentile, since there is no downside risk (the better of the two scores is retained).
9
How does NTA decide which session's percentile to use if I appear in both?
NTA compares your percentile scores from Session 1 and Session 2 and automatically uses the higher of the two for your final Common Rank List (CRL) calculation — there is no averaging and no requirement to request this manually. This best-of-two-sessions policy has been in place since 2021 and directly benefits candidates who appear in both sessions.

JEE College Predictor 2026

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JEE Mains 2026 Tools

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Important

Session 1 percentile is not the final JEE Mains rank. The best of Session 1 and Session 2 percentiles is used for final rank calculation.