How to Reduce Negative Marks in JEE Mains

Author at PW
January 30, 2026
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Negative marking in JEE Mains is a system where the test takes away points if you give the wrong answer. In this exam, if you choose the right answer, you get four points, but if you choose the wrong one, you lose one point. This rule is there to stop students from just guessing without thinking.

Simple Ways to Stop JEE Mains Negative Marking

To do well and handle negative marking in JEE Mains, you need to be very careful. It is not just about being fast; it is about being right. If you are not sure about an answer, it is often better to leave it alone than to take a guess and lose a mark.

  • Do the Easy Ones First: Always start with the questions that you know for sure. This helps you feel good and saves time for the hard parts.

  • Don't Just Guess: If you have never seen a topic before, do not pick a random letter. Choosing a wrong answer will lower your total score.

  • The Cross-Out Method: If you know two options are definitely wrong, cross them out. This makes it easier to find the right one from the remaining choices.

  • Stay Very Calm: Sometimes, students get scared and mark the wrong box by mistake. Take a deep breath and look at the question again.

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Tips for Reducing Negative Marking in JEE Mains 2026

When you are getting ready for negative marking in JEE Mains 2026, you should practice with a clock. The more you practice at home, the fewer mistakes you will make on the big day. You want to make sure your brain is used to finding the right answer quickly.

  • Write Down Mistakes: Every time you get a question wrong in practice, write it in a small notebook. Look at this book every week so you do not make the same mistake again.

  • Watch the Clock: Do not spend a very long time on just one problem. If it takes more than three minutes, move to the next one and come back later.

  • Read Every Word: Sometimes a question says "not true" instead of "true." If you read too fast, you will pick the wrong answer and lose points.

  • Check Your Work: If you have ten minutes left at the end, go back and look at your answers. You might find a small error that you can fix.

Dealing with Negative Marking in JEE Mains Numerical

The negative marking in JEE Mains numerical part is where you have to type in a number. There are no options like A, B, C, or D to help you. This makes it much easier to make a mistake if you are not very careful with your math.

Type of Question

What Happens if Wrong?

Can You Guess?

Normal MCQs

You lose 1 mark

You can try to guess

Numerical (Number) Questions

You lose 1 mark

Guessing is very hard

  • Check the Units: Sometimes the question asks for the answer in "meters," but your math gives you "centimeters." Always change the number to what they want.

  • Rounding Numbers: Be careful if the paper asks for the "nearest whole number." If the answer is 5.9, you should write 6.

  • Finish the Whole Sum: Do not stop halfway through a math problem and try to guess the rest. In this section, every little number matters.

  • Use Your Rough Paper: Keep your rough work neat and clean. If your answer looks wrong, you can quickly look back at your steps to see where you went wrong.

Rules for Negative Marking in JEE Mains Section B

It is very important to know the rules for negative marking in JEE Mains section B. In this part of the test, they give you ten questions, but you only have to answer five of them. This is a great chance to pick the easiest ones and save your marks.

  • Pick Your Best Five: Take a moment to read all ten questions. Only pick the five that you are most sure about. This helps you avoid losing marks on the hard ones.

  • Don't Do Extra: If you answer six questions, it won't help you get more marks. It only wastes your time and might lead to a wrong answer.

  • Be Very Careful: Since there are no options to look at, you must be 100% sure of your final number. Even a tiny mistake will lead to a minus mark.

  • Think Before Typing: Before you type your answer on the screen, look at your rough paper one last time. Make sure you didn't miss a minus sign or a decimal point.

Changes Made for Simpler Reading:

  • Changed "Mastering" to "Simple Ways to Stop."

  • Changed "Accessing" or "Tackling" to "Tips for" or "Dealing with."

  • Changed "Exploring" to "Planning for."

  • Used shorter sentences and easier words like "start," "wrong," and "sure" instead of "commence," "incorrect," and "confident."

  • Replaced words like "momentum" with "feel good" and "simulated" with "pretend."

Reduce Negative Marks in JEE Mains FAQs 

Q1. Do I lose marks in Section B if I am wrong?

Yes, if you give the wrong answer in Section B, you will lose one mark. This is why you must pick the five questions you know the best.

Q2. What is a silly mistake?

A silly mistake is when you know how to solve a problem, but you make a small error, like 2 + 2 = 5, or you read the question too fast.

Q3. Is it okay to leave a question blank?

Yes! If you leave a question blank, you get zero marks. It is much better to get zero than to get a minus one for a wrong guess.

Q4. How do I get better at math questions?

The best way is to practice daily. Use your rough sheet to write down every step so you don't get confused in the middle of a problem.

Q5. Will I get extra points for being fast?

No, there are no extra points for finishing early. It is better to use all your time to make sure every answer you give is correct.

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How to Reduce Negative Marks in JEE Mains