CUET Negative Marking: How It Affects Your Score in 2025 Exam

Physics Wallah Academic Expert

November 25, 2024

CUET Negative Marking: How It Affects Your Score in the 2025 Exam: CUET is one of the most important exams for students who wish to secure admission to various undergraduate courses in top universities across India. Candidates often think about the negative marking of CUET exam 2025. Negative Marking in CUET means that for every wrong answer, a certain number of marks are deducted from your total score. This system can affect your total score in the exam. Candidates can check how it affects their score in CUET 2025 exam.

CUET Negative Marking

Candidates can check the negative marking in CUET exam below. For every correct answer, candidates are awarded 5 marks and 1 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.

Correct answer or the most appropriate answer: Five marks (+5)
For any incorrect option, there will be a negative marking in CUET of minus one mark (-1).
Unanswered/Marked for Review will be given no mark (0).
If more than one option is found to be correct, then Five marks (+5) will be awarded to only those who have marked any of the correct options.
If all options are found to be correct, then five marks (+5) will be awarded to all those who have attempted the question.
If none of the options is found correct or a question is found to be wrong, or a question is dropped, then all candidates who have attempted the dropped question will be given five marks (+5) marks according to the marking scheme of CUET.

Check out: CUET Question Banks

How Does CUET Minus Marking Affect Your Score in2025 Exam?

CUET Minus Marking can affect candidates’ performance in the exam. Check how it affects a candidate’s performance.

Loss of Marks for Wrong Answers: As mentioned earlier, for every incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted. This might not seem like a lot, but if a candidate answers many questions incorrectly, it can cause serious damage. For example, if you attempt 10 questions and get 5 wrong, you will lose 5 marks.

Pressure to Avoid Guessing: Negative marking in CUET creates pressure on candidates to only answer questions they are confident about. This can be challenging, especially if candidates find themselves stuck on certain questions and feel the need to guess in order to move forward.

Higher Risk with More Attempts: The more questions a candidate attempts, the higher the risk of losing marks due to incorrect answers. However, this also means that there is the potential to gain marks with correct answers. So, candidates have to balance between attempting questions and leaving them if they are unsure.

Strategy Matters: With cuet minus marking in place, your exam strategy becomes even more important. Candidates who blindly guess answers might end up losing more marks than they gain. On the other hand, a well-thought-out strategy that focuses on accurate answering can help increase a candidate’s score.

Impact on Overall Rank: Since negative marking directly affects the total score, it can also affect your overall rank in CUET. A lower score due to incorrect answers can push candidates down the rank list, reducing their chances of admission to their preferred courses or universities.

Check out: CUET Mock Test

Preparation Tips to Avoid Negative Marking in CUET

While negative marking in CUET can be a challenge, there are strategies that candidates can use to reduce its impact and maximize their score. Candidates can check the strategies below.

Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern: The first step in preparing for the CUET is for candidates to thoroughly understand the CUET exam syllabus and exam pattern. This will help them know which subjects and topics to focus on. Familiarizing themselves with the number of questions, the type of questions, and the marking scheme will help candidates plan their study strategy effectively.

Create a Study Plan: A well-structured study plan is essential for systematic preparation. Candidates should break their study hours into daily goals and allocate time to each subject. Prioritizing subjects based on strengths and weaknesses will ensure they stay on track, and sticking to the plan is crucial for steady progress.

Don’t Rush: Many candidates feel pressured to finish the exam quickly, but rushing through the questions can lead to mistakes. Take your time to think about each question. Even if you don’t finish all the questions, it’s better to leave some unanswered than to attempt them without being sure.

Practice with Previous Year Papers: Solving previous year’s CUET papers helps candidates get an idea of the exam pattern and question format. It also improves time management skills and boosts confidence. Regular practice of these papers will also help candidates identify the areas that need more attention.

Take Mock Tests Regularly: Mock tests simulate the real exam environment and help candidates manage their time effectively. Taking regular mock tests will improve speed, accuracy, and understanding of the exam structure. Evaluating performance after each test and focusing on areas where mistakes were made is key for improvement.

Attempt Questions You’re Confident About: Always attempt questions that you are sure about. If you are confident in your answer, go ahead and answer it. For questions that seem tricky, consider skipping them and coming back to them later if time permits. Avoid guessing unless absolutely necessary.

Strengthen Weak Areas: Candidates should identify their weak subjects or topics and spend more time on them. Rather than ignoring difficult areas, breaking them into smaller sections and tackling them one by one will lead to steady progress. Regular revision and practice will help turn weak areas into strengths.

Revise Regularly: Consistent revision is key to retaining what candidates learn. They should make sure to revise important formulas, concepts, and topics regularly. Keeping track of what has been studied and allocating specific time for revision in the study plan will help in retaining information better.

Stay Updated on General Knowledge: For subjects like General Knowledge and Current Affairs, candidates should keep themselves updated with the latest news and events. Reading newspapers, magazines, and online articles, and following reliable sources will ensure they stay informed about national and international happenings.

Read Each Question Carefully: Many times, candidates lose marks because they misjudge questions. Reading each question carefully and making sure you understand what is being asked can reduce mistakes. Take your time to analyze the question before selecting an answer.

Take Care of Health: A healthy body supports a sharp mind. Candidates should ensure they get enough sleep, eat nutritious food, and exercise regularly to keep their energy levels high. Taking regular breaks during study sessions is important to avoid burnout and to maintain focus.

Stay Calm and Confident: Preparation for an entrance exam like CUET can be stressful, but candidates should stay calm, confident, and positive. Trusting in their preparation and maintaining a balanced approach will help reduce anxiety. Focusing on giving their best effort without stressing about the outcome will ensure a better performance.

CUET Minus Marking FAQs

Q1. How many marks are deducted for incorrect answers in CUET 2025?

Ans. In CUET 2025, 1 marks are typically deducted for every incorrect answer. However, this may vary slightly based on the specific subject or exam pattern.

Q2. Does negative marking apply to all questions in CUET?

Ans. Yes, negative marking applies to all questions that candidates attempt in CUET, including multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and any other sections where guessing is possible.

Q3. How does a negative marking affect my overall score in CUET?

Ans. Negative marking can significantly affect the overall score if candidates answer many questions incorrectly. The total score is reduced by the number of incorrect answers multiplied by 0.25 marks.

Q4. Should I attempt all questions in CUET 2025?

Ans. No, candidates should attempt only those questions they are confident about. If they don’t know the answer, it is better to leave the question blank than to risk cuet minus marking.

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