RRB JE Normalization Formula 2026 Out, Check How Your Exam Marks are Calculated

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), as per its recent notice dated 9th February 2026, has released the official conversion formulae to convert the raw scores of RRB JE, CMA, DMS and other applicants planning to appear for the RRB CBT-1 exam 2026. The examination will be conducted in multiple shifts. A common criterion is used to evaluate applicants’ performance and award scores in a fair and equal manner. The applicants can find all information related to the normalisation parameter set by RRB in this article.

RRB JE Normalisation Formula 2026

The Railway Recruitment Board Junior Engineer exam 2026 will witness lakhs of aspirants appearing in different shifts on 19th-20th February & 25th February 2026 for the Computer-Based Test. Each RRB JE shift 2026 has a different question set, difficulty level and number of candidates. The exam conducting body has introduced a normalisation methodology to calculate candidates’ marks for screening them across different stages. This method is known as the RRB JE Normalisation Formula for the CBT Exam 2026

Why does RRB use Normalisation for the Junior Engineer Exam?

RRB conducts the JE Computer-based exam in multiple shifts, where the question paper difficulty level may vary from one shift to another. To avoid any unfair advantage or disadvantage, RRB uses normalisation so that all candidates are assessed on a common and fair scale.

Reasons for using Normalisation

• Different shifts may have different question levels
• Paper difficulty level can vary across shifts
• To ensure equal treatment for all candidates

What are Raw Marks used in the RRB JE Normalisation Method 2026?

• Raw marks in the RRB JE 2026 CBT are simply the actual marks a candidate scores in their exam shift before any adjustment is made.
• These marks show how a candidate performed in that particular shift but since the exam is held in multiple shifts raw marks alone cannot be compared fairly across all candidates.
• The RRB uses raw marks as the starting point and then converts them into percentile scores.
• The percentile score reflects a candidate’s relative performance within their own shift meaning raw marks decide where they stand among others in the same shift and that position is expressed through the percentile score used for merit preparation.

Conversion of Raw Marks into Percentile Scores in RRB CBT

What is a Percentile Score?

A percentile score shows the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or below a particular candidate in a particular shift.

• Percentile Scores Based on Relative Performance: Raw marks are converted into percentile scores to compare a candidate’s performance with others in the same shift. These scores are placed on a 0 to 100 scale and are not the same as percentage marks.
• 100 Percentile for Shift Toppers: The highest scorer in every shift is awarded a percentile score of 100 while other scores are adjusted proportionately between the highest and lowest marks.
• Percentile Score as Normalised Score: The percentile score acts as the normalised score and is used for preparing the merit list instead of raw marks.

How to Calculate Percentile Score?

The percentile score is calculated using the formula: (Number of candidates in the shift scoring equal to or less than the candidate ÷ Total number of candidates in that shift) × 100.

Minimum Qualifying Marks for Different Categories

To be included in the merit list, candidates are required to score at least the minimum qualifying marks as mentioned in the notice.

• UR: 40%
• EWS: 40%
• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 30%
• SC: 30%
• ST: 25%
• ST (Level-1 Exam): 30%

How is Normalisation of Marks Done in RRB CBT for JE Exam?

Calculation Method

Important Terms Used in the RRB JE Normalisation Method 2026

Shift: A shift simply means the exam session in which applicants appeared. Since the RRB CBT is conducted in multiple shifts with different question papers, candidates are first compared within their own shift before scores are normalised.

Mean (Average Marks): Mean refers to the average marks scored by all candidates in a particular shift. RRB uses this average to compare shifts and check which shift performed better overall.

Base Shift: The Base Shift is the main reference shift used for normalisation. It is the shift that has the highest average marks, provided that enough candidates appeared in that shift.

If two shifts have the same average RRB selects the shift with the highest individual score. If the tie remains the shift with the higher number of candidates is chosen as the Base Shift.

Normalised Score: The normalised score is the final score considered by RRB instead of raw marks. This score ensures that candidates from all shifts are evaluated on a common and fair scale.

Merit List: The merit list is prepared based on normalised scores, not raw marks. Only those candidates who satisfy the required eligibility conditions are included in this list.

Minimum Qualifying Marks: These are the minimum marks required to stay in the selection process, as mentioned in the CEN. Even if a candidate performs well compared to others, they must meet this minimum requirement to be considered for merit.

Tie-Breaking Criteria: When two or more candidates get the same score, RRB follows a clear tie-breaking rule. The older candidate is given a higher rank, and if the age is also the same, the alphabetical order of names (A to Z) is used.

Interpolation: Interpolation is the calculation method used when a candidate’s percentile does not exactly match the Base Shift percentiles. It helps RRB estimate fair normalised marks by using nearby percentile values.

RRB Junior Engineer Normalisation Notice PDF 2026 for CBT 1

The notice released by the RRB on its official website notifies that the calculation method used for normalising marks in the stage-1 computer-based test. The candidates must download the formal circular issued by the recruitment body for various posts under the 7th Central Pay Commission Matrix.

RRB JE Normalisation Method for CBT Exam 2026 PDF

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