Every year, thousands of students appear for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), a gateway to some of India’s top universities. But did you know that simply scoring high marks isn’t always enough? The CUET uses a process called normalization to ensure fairness for all candidates, no matter which exam shift they attend. Let’s break down how this works and why it matters.
Why Is Normalization Needed?
CUET is conducted over several days and in multiple shifts. Each shift features a different question paper, and the difficulty can vary from one session to another. This variation means that comparing raw scores directly would be unfair someone in a tougher shift might score lower, even if they’re just as capable.
The Normalization Method: Equi-Percentile Approach
To address this, the National Testing Agency (NTA) uses the equi-percentile method. Here’s how it works:
- Raw scores from each session are converted into percentile scores.
- These percentiles are then standardized and transformed into normalized scores.
- For sessions with fewer candidates, data is merged with larger sessions to maintain consistency.
Step-by-Step Example: RAM, SHYAM, and GHNASHYAM
Let’s understand the process with a simple example:
1. Multiple Shifts, Different Papers
- RAM appears in Shift 1 and scores 70/100.
- SHYAM appears in Shift 2 and scores 65/100.
- GHNASHYAM appears in Shift 3 and scores 80/100.
2. Calculating Percentiles Within Each Shift
Percentile = (Number of students scoring ≤ your score / Total students in shift) × 100
| Student | Shift | Raw Score | Students ≤ Score | Total Students | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAM | 1 | 70 | 120 | 150 | 80 |
| SHYAM | 2 | 65 | 180 | 200 | 90 |
| GHNASHYAM | 3 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 90 |
- RAM: (120/150) × 100 = 80
- SHYAM: (180/200) × 100 = 90
- GHNASHYAM: (90/100) × 100 = 90
3. Mapping Percentiles to Normalized Scores
Percentiles from each shift are matched so that students with the same percentile get the same normalized score—even if their raw marks differ.
- SHYAM and GHNASHYAM both have a 90th percentile, so their normalized scores will be the same.
- RAM, at the 80th percentile, will have a lower normalized score.
What If Two Students Score the Same Raw Marks in Different Shifts?
Suppose someone scores 80 marks in RAM’s shift. If 140 out of 150 students in that shift scored ≤80, their percentile would be:
- (140/150) × 100 = 93.33
This percentile is matched across all shifts. Anyone in any shift with a 93.33 percentile gets the same normalized score (e.g., 93).
Final Merit: Only Normalized Scores Matter
Universities use only the normalized scores (not raw marks) for admissions and merit lists. This ensures that no student is disadvantaged by a tougher question paper in their shift.
Key Takeaways
- Normalization ensures fairness across different exam shifts.
- Percentile scores are the foundation of normalization.
- Raw marks alone do not determine merit—normalized scores do.