What is Normalised Score & Session Percentile in KEAM 2026: Know the Difference Between Them

Kerala Engineering Agricultural Medical Entrance Exam 2026 ( KEAM )

Mamona
Mamona Majumder
Deputy Manager
Updated on Jun 22, 2026 12:16 IST
Candidates who appeared for KEAM 2026 have been issued their KEAM session percentile and normalised score on May 12. Students should clearly understand how KEAM 2026 normalised scores and session percentiles work because these directly impact the final KEAM 2026 rank preparation. Here is a detailed explanation of the difference between both.

To ensure fairness across different exam shifts, CEE Kerala uses two distinct metrics. The Normalised Score adjusts marks for difficulty variations and combines with Class 12 results to determine final ranks. Meanwhile, the Session Percentile measures a candidate's relative performance against only the peers who took the test in that same session. For more details, read below.

Normalised Score & Session Percentile in KEAM

What is Normalised Score & Session Percentile in KEAM 2026

What is KEAM 2026 session percentile and normalised score? Candidates who appeared for KEAM 2026 have been issued their KEAM session percentile and normalised scores. Students should clearly understand how KEAM 2026 normalised scores and session percentiles work because these directly impact the final KEAM 2026 rank preparation. Here is a detailed explanation of the difference between Normalised Score and Session Percentile in KEAM.

Table of contents
  • What is a Normalised Score in KEAM 2026?
  • What is the Session Percentile in KEAM 2026?
  • Difference Between KEAM 2026 Normalised Score and Session Percentile
  • Calculation of KEAM 2026 Session Percentile and Normalised Score
  • Which One is More Important for KEAM Rank List?
  • KEAM Result 2026

What is a Normalised Score in KEAM 2026?

The KEAM exam is conducted in multiple sessions. Since the difficulty level of question papers may vary from one session to another, CEE Kerala uses a normalisation process to ensure fairness among all candidates and prepare the KEAM result.

The KEAM 2026 normalised score is the adjusted score calculated after considering the relative difficulty level of each exam session. If one session is tougher and another comparatively easier, candidates from the tougher session are compensated through the normalisation method. The KEAM 2026 normalised score is calculated out of 300.

In simple words, normalisation helps in balancing marks across different sessions so that no student gets an unfair advantage or disadvantage due to the difficulty level of the paper.

For example, if a student scores slightly lower marks in a tougher session, the normalisation process may increase the score after adjustment. Similarly, scores from easier sessions may be comparatively moderated.

The normalised score is used for preparing the KEAM rank list.

Why is Score Normalisation Important?

Score normalisation becomes important when exams are conducted in several shifts. Different question papers cannot always have the same difficulty level. Without normalisation, students appearing in tougher sessions may suffer despite performing well.

The key objectives of normalisation are:

  1. To maintain fairness in evaluation
  2. To remove the impact of varying difficulty levels
  3. To ensure equal opportunity for all candidates
  4. To prepare an unbiased merit list

CEE Kerala introduced the normalisation process to maintain transparency in the KEAM admission process.

What is the Session Percentile in KEAM 2026?

The KEAM 2026 Session Percentile indicates the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or less than a particular candidate in the same session.

It is not the same as the percentage marks obtained in the exam. Instead, it reflects a candidate’s relative performance among students who appeared in that particular shift.

For instance, if a candidate has secured a 95 session percentile score, it means the student performed better than 95 percent of candidates who appeared in that session.

The percentile score ranges between 0 and 100.

How is Session Percentile Calculated in KEAM 2026?

The session percentile is calculated using the following concept:

  • Total number of candidates in a session
  • Number of candidates scoring less than or equal to a candidate’s score
  • The percentile value is then determined based on the candidate’s relative position within that session.
  • Higher percentile means better comparative performance in the same exam shift.
KEAM 2026 result

KEAM 2026 result

Difference Between KEAM 2026 Normalised Score and Session Percentile

Here are the major differences between the two:

Particulars

Normalised Score

Session Percentile

Meaning

Adjusted marks after difficulty balancing

Relative performance within a session

Purpose

To ensure fairness across sessions

To compare candidates in the same shift

Based On

Difficulty level of exam sessions

Candidate position in a session

Value Type

Adjusted score

Percentile between 0 and 100

Use in KEAM

Used for KEAM 2026 rank list preparation

Indicates comparative performance

Calculation of KEAM 2026 Session Percentile and Normalised Score

To ensure that candidates are neither benefited nor disadvantaged due to the KEAM examinations in multiple sessions, the normalisation procedure is adopted.

Let there be K sessions, and let Ni be the number of students appearing at the ith session.

KEAM normalisation process

KEAM 2026 normalisation process

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Which One is More Important for KEAM Rank List?

For KEAM engineering admissions, the normalised score plays a more significant role because the final rank list is prepared after applying the normalisation formula.

The session percentile mainly helps candidates understand their relative standing in their respective exam shift. However, the normalised score ultimately affects the merit rank.

Candidates should therefore focus on overall performance rather than comparing raw marks with students from different sessions.

KEAM Result 2026

CEE Kerala has released the KEAM 2026 result online on the official website, CEE Kerala. Candidates can check their scores using the application number and password.

The KEAM result includes:

  • Normalised scores
  • Session percentile

CEE Kerala will release the engineering and pharmacy rank list online on the official website. The KEAM 2026 counselling schedule will also be announced after the rank list is released.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Can board exam scores affect the KEAM cutoff?
A: 
Yes. KEAM rank list for admission is based on equal weightage of 50:50 given to the score obtained in the Entrance Examination for Engineering (Paper I & Paper II put together), and the grade/marks obtained in the final year of the qualifying examination for Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry put together, after effecting the standardization procedure. The formula for standardization has been approved by the Expert Committee constituted video G. O. (Rt)No.1758/2011/H. Edn. Dated.03.11.2011: The marks secured by a student in the qualifying examination from any Board will be standardized with respect to the statistical parameters such as Global Mean and Global Standard Deviation. Thus, the KEAM cutoff is affected by boards marks.
Q:   Which are the courses allotted by CEE via KEAM?
A: 

CEE conducts KEAM exam for admission to B.Tech courses. However, allotment of seats is done via KEAM counselling in UG courses of Engineering, Architecture, MBBS BDS Ayurveda, Homoeo, Siddha, Unani, Agriculture, Forestry, Veterinary, Fisheries, Pharmacy, Co-operation & Banking, B.Tech Bio-Technology, Climate Change & Environmental Science.

Q:   What factors determine the KEAM cutoff?
A: 
  1. Marking scheme of KEAM 2026.
  2. The difficulty level of the entrance examination.
  3. Total number of seats available.
  4. Total number of seats received.
  5. Previous year's cutoff trends.
Q:   What is meant by KEAM cutoff?
A: 

KEAM cutoff is the last rank at which admission was ceased against a given course and institute.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   When will CEE release the KEAM rank list?
A: 

CEE is expected to release the KEAM 2026 rank lists a month after KEAM 2026 scores are announced. The KEAM 2026 rank list is made available as a PDF on the official website - cee.kerala.gov.in. Candidates whose names will appear in the KEAM rank list 2026 will be eligible to participate in the KEAM counselling process.

Q:   What is the selection process for engineering courses via KEAM?
A: 

The selectio process for engineering courses via KEAM includes:

  1. Qualifying KEAM exam: Engineering aspirants have to appear in KEAM  CBT exam by hetting a normalised score of 10.
  2. Check answer key and result: The result of the KEAM  engineering entrance exam and answer keys will be displayed on the official website. candidates can check their qualifying status.
  3. Submit plus two marks: The candidates who qualify the KEAM exam, have to submit the class 12 marks.
  4. KEAM ranks: The candidates who submit their plus two scores are included in the KEAM engineering rank list. The rabk list will be prepared by giving equal weightage to plus two marks and KEAM normalised scores.
  5. CAP: All candidates whose names appear on the KEAM engineering rank list have to appear for the centralised admission process (CAP) for seat allotment in the colleges.
Q:   Are JEE Mains B.Arch scores considered for admission to architecture via KEAM?
A: 

No. JEE Main BArch scores are not applicable for architecture admission via KEAM. For BArch admission the scores of National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) is used for allocation of seats via the KEAM counselling.

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   My KEAM mark is 196 and ews reservation in KEAM Can I get admission. My +2 board marks are given below.
A: 
Based on yours KEAM and Board marks, You can get the following colleges under EWS category. 1. LBS College of Engineering, Kasargode (CSE, Mech, EEE) 2. College of Engineering, Trikaripur Kasargode (ECE, EEE, CSE, IT) 3. Institute of Engineering and Technology, Calicut (ECE, EEE, IT and Mech) 4. College of Engineering, Chengannur (EIE) 5. College of Engineering, Adoor (EEE). .
Q:   I have scored 203 out of 960 in KEAM and 251.5 out of 300 in +2. What will be my rank in KEAM?
A: 
The Kerala Engineering, Agricultural, and Medical Entrance Exam KEAM is an entrance exam and is held for admission to engineering courses at various colleges in Kerala that are approved by the Central and State Regulatory Bodies, Universities, and Government. The candidates who qualify in KEAM have to then appear for the centralized admission process to get admission into the desired stream of their allocated college. Based on information provided by you, your estimated rank could be anywhere between 72501 and 79000. This is not an exact rank, and you need to wait for official results to get an accurate rank.
Q:   Are there any sectional cutoffs in KEAM?
A: 

No. KEAM cut-off marks are published in the form of last rank round-wise and category-wise. KEAM cutoff is available on the official website after each round of KEAM seat allotment. Candidates who obtain a score equal to the exam KEAM cut-offs will be allowed to participate in the KEAM counselling process. The KEAM cutoff list comprises the closing ranks of various participating colleges after each round of counselling. Candidates with ranks below the set KEAM cut-off will not be considered for admission.

Q:   My keam rank is 41000 can get in IT engineering department?
A: 
Based on your KEAM rank, you can get the following engineering branches in TIST - Toc H Institute of Science & Technology, Ernakulum if belongs to general category of Kerala. 1. ECE 2. CIvil 3. CSE 4. IT

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Mamona Majumder
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Currently - Deputy Manager, Content

Role - News and Feature Writer, Content Editor

Expertise - Engineering Education and Counselling

Mamona Majumder specialises in news and feature writing and content editing. With

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Answered 2 weeks ago

TKMCE KEAM cutoff 2026 ranged from 1596 for BTech CSE and 8758 for BTech in Civil Engineering for the General HS category in the last round. For this category, the top three most difficult and the easiest courses are listed below as per the last round closing ranks. Please note that different catego

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

As per the past three years' cutoff trend, TKM College of Engineering KEAM cutoff is generally released for 2 rounds of admission. In the first round, the maximum admissible rank was 7792 (BTech in Civil Engineering), and in the last round, it was 8758 for the BTech in Civil Engineering course. 

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Yes, you can get admission to Bedekar College with 66 percentile.

You can get a seat in Round 1 or Round 2 because a 66 percentile is higher than the minimum general cutoff range of 40 to 79. 

A

Akanksha Yadav

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Yes, in some cases. Many private engineering and arts colleges in Kerala also accept direct admission based on Class 12 marks under management quota. However, top government colleges and NITs strictly need KEAM or JEE scores, so check each college's own admission rule.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10