Logo Icon

How To Calculate Overall Percentile in CUET [Step by Step Process] Check Now

Author : Aparna

August 9, 2024

SHARE

Overview: Understanding your CUET score is crucial to gauge your standing among other CUET test takers. This article explains how to calculate the overall percentile in CUET, ensuring clarity with CUET scores! 

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is a prominent examination that aids universities in their selection process. One thing that really matters in your CUET score is your percentile. It shows how well you did compared to everyone else who took the test.

Want to know how your percentile is calculated? Understanding this can help you gauge your CUET performance. Let’s break it down.

Latest Update: UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar has announced that there will be no score normalization for CUET 2024. This decision comes after students expressed concerns about previous years' normalization process unfairly impacting their scores.

How to calculate the overall percentile in CUET 2025? 

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to calculate the overall percentile in CUET. Before that, let’s understand what CUET marks and percentiles are.

CUET Marks

CUET marks refer to the raw score obtained in the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). These marks are based on the number of correct and incorrect answers given during the CUET examination. The raw score is calculated by adding the marks earned for correct answers and subtracting any penalties for incorrect answers.

CUET Percentile

The CUET percentile is a statistical measure that indicates your relative standing compared to all other test-takers who appeared for the CUET exam. It shows how you did compared to other test-takers.

Check: CUET Marks vs Percentile

Attend FREE Demo Class by SuperGrads

cuet online coaching

cuet online coaching

How to calculate overall percentile in CUET [Step by Step Process]

Note that percentile calculation may not be applicable from the year 2024. NTA will release raw scores based on which CUET universities will prepare the merit list. The steps mentioned below were applicable for previous years of CUET exam. 

1. What is the Percentile score in CUET 2025? 

Percentile is not the same as percentage. It represents the position of a student in relation to the overall number of students who appeared for the exam.

For instance, a 90th percentile score means you have scored better than 90% of all the students who appeared for the exam. 

Several online websites offer assistance in calculating marks with the CUET percentile calculator.

Check: CUET Marks vs Rank

2. Obtain Your Raw Score 

Obtaining the correct raw score is the first step towards calculating the overall percentile in CUET. 

After taking the CUET, you'll receive a raw score, the total number of correct answers you provided minus the penalty for incorrect answers.

CUET might have a negative marking, so subtract those from the total. 

Once the answer key is out, calculate your CUET marks.

  • CUET Marks: The raw score a candidate obtains based on the number of correct and incorrect answers in the exam. 
  • CUET Percentile: What is the percentile score in CUET? It is a statistical measure indicating the relative standing of a candidate compared to all other test-takers. 

While the marks showcase the raw performance, the percentile positions are the performance in the broader context of how others fared in the same examination. 

Check: CUET Courses 2025

Attempt SuperGrads CUET Scholarship Test

3. Steps to Calculate Raw Score 

CUET answer key and the response sheet can be downloaded by logging into the official CUET UG portal. 

Determine how many questions were attempted overall on the CUET exam. 

Use the CUET answer key to calculate the total number of correct and incorrect answers. 

Use the marking scheme to determine the examination's raw score. 

cuet mock test

cuet mock test

4. CUET Marking Scheme

The general CUET Marking Scheme is as follows -

  • i. Correct answer or the most appropriate answer: Five marks (+5). 
  • ii. Any incorrect option marked will be given minus one mark (-1). 
  • iii. Unanswered/Marked for Review will be given no mark (0). 
  • iv. If more than one option is found to be correct, then Five marks (+5) will be awarded to only those who have marked any of the correct options if all options are found to be correct, 
  • v. Then, Five marks (+5) will be awarded to all who have attempted the question. 
  • vi. If none of the options is found correct, a question is found to be wrong, or a question is dropped, then all candidates who have attempted the dropped question will be given five marks (+5) marks. 

Use the formula below to calculate the raw score. 

(Number of correct answers x 5) - (Number of incorrect answers x 1) 

Check: CUET Participating Colleges 2025

Download CUET Preparation Books & Start your prep early!

5. CUET Normalization Process (Is not applicable since 2024)

In CUET, normalization is employed to create an even footing for students writing the exam. This is done by converting their Raw Scores into Percentile Scores using the following formula: 

How to calculate overall percentile in CUET [Formula]

Percentile score = Number of candidates who appeared from the session with raw score EQUAL TO OR LESS than T score/ Total number of candidates who appeared in the session. 

The formula below will be used to determine the percentiles for each candidate in the session.

Percentile score of total raw score = Number of candidates who appeared from the session with raw score EQUAL TO OR LESS than the highest score/ Total number of candidates who appeared in the session * 100 

Check: CUET City Intimation Slip 2025

6. Calculate Normalized Score using Interpolation (Is not applicable since 2024)

  1. To create the CUET normalized score, the student's raw result is compared to the raw scores of every other test taker. 
  2. The computation of a comparable normalized score is done after determining the percentile value of this raw score. 
  3. The percentile values must be interpolated in order to calculate the normalized score. 
  4. In other words, the percentile value for the student is determined by which percentile value, when compared to all other students' percentile values, comes the closest to the student's raw score. 
  5. This procedure makes sure that all Indian students have an equal opportunity to succeed in the exam.

Download CUET General Test Question Papers for practise

cuet books

cuet books

Conclusion

Understanding your CUET percentile and How to calculate overall percentile in CUET? It is more than just a number; it reflects your relative performance. By grasping the calculation process, you can evaluate your position amongst other candidates and gauge which college you can get admissions to. 

Key Takeaways

  • Percentiles in CUET indicate a candidate's performance relative to other test-takers, offering valuable insights into competitiveness.
  • Percentiles are distinct from percentages; they reflect your rank among test-takers rather than a proportion of correct answers.
  • Using the official answer key, you can calculate your raw score after the CUET exam. Calculate your CUET raw score by subtracting penalties for incorrect answers from the total number of correct responses.
  • CUET uses normalization to ensure fairness, equating scores from different sessions. This process converts raw scores into percentiles.
  • The percentile score is determined by comparing your raw score to others in your session.
  • Interpolation is used to find the percentile value that closely matches your raw score, determining your normalized score.

Check: How many questions are there in CUET?

Dowload CUET DU Cut off scores

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain my raw score after taking the CUET exam?

Expand Faq Icon

What is the CUET marking scheme for correct and incorrect answers?

Expand Faq Icon

What is the purpose of CUET normalization, and how is it done?

Expand Faq Icon

What is the formula to calculate the percentile score in CUET?

Expand Faq Icon

Why is CUET normalization essential for fair evaluation?

Expand Faq Icon