Here is all you need to know about the Aggregate Percentage

Here is all you need to know about the Aggregate Percentage

We often come across the term “Aggregate Percentage”, whenever we fill up a form for either a competitive exam or a college. What does it mean? What is the difference between aggregate percentage and normal percentage that we have studied in our school time? Why do colleges ask for aggregate percentage and not normal percentage? These are the questions I would like to discuss here, in order to provide a clear and better understanding of the usage of this particular term.

Difference between percentage and aggregate percentage

If we simply go by the literal meaning of the word “aggregate”, it means a whole that is formed by combining several separate elements. There emerges quite a bit of confusion while using these terms. Often the word total percentage and aggregate percentage are used interchangeably. 

Total percentage can always be called an aggregate percentage, but aggregate percentage cannot be called as total percentage always. Total percentage always considers all the elements of the whole, while aggregate percentage may or may not consider all elements. In aggregate percentage, we can find out the percentage using only some elements (some subjects, some semesters, etc.)

Suppose you want to find out the aggregate percentage of all 6 semesters, then you should include the marks obtained in all 6 semesters. The total percentage will also be the same. But if you want the aggregate of only 2nd, 4th and 6th semester, then you need to find the aggregate percentage which will consider the marks of only 2nd, 4th and 6th semester.

Calculation of aggregate percentage

While taking out the aggregate percentage, the marks of only some subjects are considered, whereas when we calculate total percentage, we consider each and every subject. For instance, a Class 12 student gets 85 in English, 90 in Physics, 87 in Chemistry, 95 in Mathematics, 92 in Biology and 85 in Computer Science. 

In order to calculate his/ her percentage we have to- 

1. Find out the sum of marks obtained, i.e., 85+ 90+ 87+ 95+ 92+ 85= 534
2. Sum of Total marks in each subject – 100+100+100+100+100+100 = 600

• Percentage= (Sum of marks obtained/Total marks) x 100

                    = (534/600) x 100

                    = 89%

Here, 89% is the total percentage that the student receives. Now, when the student goes on to fill the form for engineering examinations, the aggregate percentage is asked, which is usually the marks obtained in science subjects, that is in Physics, Chemistry and Maths (PCM). 

Here, for the calculation of aggregate percentage, we will-

1. Find the sum of marks obtained in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics- 90+87+95= 272
2. Sum of total marks in these 3 subjects- 100+ 100+ 100= 300

• Aggregate Percentage= (Sum of marks obtained in PCM/ Total marks in PCM) x 100

                                        = (272/300) x 100

                                        = 90.67%

Hence, we see that the aggregate percentage is different from the total percentage because it depends only on the marks obtained in Physics, Chemistry and Maths. 

Examinations such as JEE Mains and JEE Advanced, require 75 % marks in Class 12 board exams. Here 75 % is the percentage including all subjects. 

Examinations such as KVPY are usually concerned with only the marks obtained in the science subjects and hence they ask for aggregate percentages. The criteria to sit for KVPY exams is to score 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, Maths or Biology (PCM/PCB). In this case, 60% is the aggregate percentage. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1.How do you calculate the aggregate percentage for 3 years?

Ans. In order to calculate the aggregate percentage for 3 years, we take 25 % marks from 1st year’s total marks, 50 % marks from 2nd year and 100% marks from the 3rd year. 

Aggregate percentage = 

                  Marks obtained (25% in 1st year + 50% in 2nd year + 100% in 3rd year) X 100%

                     Total marks (25% in 1st year + 50% in 2nd year + 100% in 3rd year)

For example, let each year be of 1000 marks in total. In 1st year, a candidate scores 700 out of 1000, in 2nd year he/she scores 800 out of 1000 and in 3rd year the score is 900 out of 1000.

1st year– Marks obtained- 25% of 700 = 25/100 x 700 = 175 marks

                Total marks- 25% of 1000 = 25/100 x 1000= 250 marks

2nd year- Marks obtained- 50% of 800 = 50/100 x 800 = 400 marks

                Total marks- 50% of 1000 = 50/100 x 1000= 500 marks

3rd year- Marks obtained- 100% of 900 = 100/100 x 900 = 900 marks

                Total marks- 100% of 1000 = 100/100 x 1000= 1000 marks

Aggregate % = 175+400+900    X   100    = 1475   X 100   = 84.28%

250+500+1000                     1750

2. What is an aggregate percentage?

Ans. In very simple words, aggregate percentage is the percent that a student scores in the specific subjects that are mentioned, unlike total percentage which includes every subject.

3. How are aggregate scores calculated?

Ans. Aggregate scores are calculated by finding the sum of all those subjects whose marks have to be considered, and then dividing the sum by total marks. The final result is then multiplied with 100, which gives the aggregate percentage. 

Aggregate Percentage= Sum of marks obtained in given subjects   X 100

                                                    Total marks of those subjects

4. How do you calculate the aggregate percentage of 4 subjects?

Ans. Aggregate Percentage= Sum of marks obtained in 4 given subjects   X 100

                                                    Total marks of those 4 subjects