Hi,

You have not mentioned the name of the exam about which you want information but the general practice that is followed is that the merit list is formed based on the total marks obtained in the exam and based on that the rank list is formed the highest scorer in the exam is given the topmost rank and then the next best scorer is given a rank based on this. Some exams also have sectional cut off which means that in each section a specified number of marks is needed to clear the exam.