CUET Negative Marking: Marks Deduction, Subject-wise Rules & Score Calculation
Understanding the CUET negative marking scheme is essential for every aspirant appearing for CUET-UG 2025. Mistakes in the marking approach can affect your CUET score, percentiles, and eventually your chances for desired university seats. The National Testing Agency (NTA) sets a standardized marking pattern, stressing the importance of careful question attempts across all subjects and sections.
CUET Negative Marking Rule in 2025
CUET-UG 2025 includes negative marking. For each incorrect response, one mark is deducted. Every correct answer yields five marks, while unattempted questions carry zero effect on your score. This negative marking policy applies as per the official NTA notification, so accuracy is crucial during the exam.
CUET Marking Scheme Overview
- Correct Answer: +5 marks
- Incorrect Answer: –1 mark (negative marking applies)
- Unanswered/Marked for Review: 0 marks (no effect)
| Response Type | Marks Awarded |
|---|---|
| Correct | +5 |
| Incorrect | –1 |
| Unattempted | 0 |
Section-wise Negative Marking in CUET UG
The negative marking scheme remains the same across all CUET sections: Language, Domain Subjects, and General Test. This means, regardless of the subject or paper, every incorrect answer leads to a deduction of one mark. Only questions with dropped or cancelled status by NTA are exempt from this rule.
CUET Score Calculation with Mark Deduction
To estimate your CUET score using the negative marking guidelines, apply this formula:
- Total Score = (Number of Correct Answers × 5) – (Number of Incorrect Answers × 1)
For example, if you attempted 50 questions, got 40 correct, 8 wrong, and left 2 unattempted:
- Score = (40 × 5) – (8 × 1) = 200 – 8 = 192
Use the CUET Answer Key after your exam to check responses and gauge your final marks using this technique.
Common Scoring Pitfalls and Strategic Tips
- Avoid blind guessing: Every wrong answer reduces your total, so answer only when confident.
- Time management: Leave uncertain questions unattempted if unsure, as there is no penalty for non-attempts.
- Double-check OMR/online choices: Marking two options or changing answers carelessly risks negative marking.
- Practice with mock tests: Use the CUET Mock Test series to refine accuracy and develop an informed approach to risky questions.
Cut-off Impact Due to Negative Marking
Negative marking directly influences your CUET percentile and impacts whether your score meets admission CUET Cut-off criteria. Each lost mark can shift your place in the merit list, especially for Delhi University and top central universities. Greater accuracy improves both your raw score and overall percentile rank.
Essential Negative Marking Checklist
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Leave questions blank if unsure | Don’t guess without logic—penalty applies |
| Check every option carefully | Don’t select multiple responses per question |
| Review marked answers before final submission | Don’t waste time on one tricky question |
| Use self-assessment with answer key | Don’t ignore official updates—CUET Notification may update marking rules |
Official CUET 2025 Marking Scheme Sources
- Direct reference: NTA CUET Information Bulletin 2025
- Guidance and updates: CUET Exam Pattern page for latest pattern and scheme
All facts are validated with NTA documentation to ensure trust and clarity for aspirants.
In summary, CUET-UG 2025 follows a fixed negative marking scheme where every incorrect answer results in a one-mark deduction. Understanding these marking rules and adapting your attempt strategy helps safeguard against avoidable loss of marks. Stay updated with official NTA sources and reinforce your preparation using authentic answer keys and mock tests.
FAQs on Does CUET Have Negative Marking? Current Rules & Deductions
1. Does CUET have negative marking?
Yes, the CUET exam incorporates negative marking for incorrect answers. If you answer a question incorrectly, marks are deducted based on the official CUET marking scheme. The main points to remember are:
- 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
- No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.
- This negative marking applies across all sections of the CUET exam.
2. How to calculate CUET score?
Calculating your CUET score involves adding up the marks for correct answers and subtracting marks for incorrect ones, following the official marking scheme. Here's how it works:
- +5 marks for every correct answer
- -1 mark for every incorrect answer (negative marking)
- 0 marks for unattempted questions
3. Is there negative marking in CUET for all subjects?
Yes, the negative marking policy in CUET applies to all subjects and sections. Whether you are attempting language, domain-specific, or general tests, incorrect answers will attract a negative mark deduction as per the marking scheme. This encourages careful answering in each section.
4. What is the CUET total marks?
The total marks for CUET depend on the combination of subjects you select. Each subject or test section typically contains a set number of questions, and each correct response gets 5 marks. For example:
- Language Test: Usually 40 questions (200 marks)
- Domain Subjects: Usually 40 questions each (200 marks per subject selected)
- General Test: Usually 60 questions (300 marks)
5. Does CUET have negative marking for Science subjects?
Yes, negative marking is applicable in CUET for Science domain subjects. This means Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and other related subjects all follow the standard negative marking rule: -1 for each wrong answer. Manage your attempts accordingly for each Science paper.
6. Is there a difference in negative marking in CUET UG 2025 compared to previous years?
CUET UG 2025 is expected to follow the same negative marking scheme as previous years, with 1 mark deducted for each incorrect answer. Always refer to the latest NTA notification for any year-to-year updates, but historically the negative marking policy remains unchanged.
7. How many questions are there in CUET?
The number of questions in CUET depends on the test structure and selected subjects. Generally:
- Language Tests: 50 questions per language (attempt 40)
- Domain Subjects: 50 questions per subject (attempt 40)
- General Test: 75 questions (attempt 60)
8. What is the marking scheme in CUET?
The CUET marking scheme awards 5 marks for each correct answer and deducts 1 mark for each incorrect answer. No marks are deducted or awarded for unanswered questions.
- Correct Answer: +5 marks
- Incorrect Answer: -1 mark
- Unattempted: 0 marks
9. Are there CUET total marks for 6 subjects?
Yes, if you opt for 6 subjects in CUET, your total marks are the combined maximum for those subjects. For example, if each subject offers 200 marks (40 attempted questions × 5 marks), then:
- Total for 6 subjects = 6 subjects × 200 = 1200 marks
10. Can I skip questions in CUET to avoid negative marking?
Yes, you can leave questions unattempted in CUET, and no marks will be deducted for skipped questions. Students are advised to answer only questions they are confident about, as guessing can lead to unnecessary negative marking. Smart question selection improves your CUET score and accuracy rate.
