Work out your exam score after negative marking, with one-tap presets for UPSC, SSC, NEET, JEE and more.
Also searched as: 1 3 negative marking means · 1/3 negative marking means · negative marking in upsc
How negative marking works
Score = (Correct × marks per question) − (Wrong × negative marks)Unattempted questions score zero. With 100 questions of 1 mark and ¼ negative marking, 60 correct and 20 wrong gives 60 − 5 = 55 marks. The presets fill the marking scheme of popular Indian exams:
| Exam | Marks / question | Negative |
|---|
| UPSC Prelims (GS) | 2 | ⅓ of marks (0.66) |
| SSC CGL / CHSL Tier 1 | 2 | 0.50 |
| NEET UG | 4 | 1 |
| JEE Main (MCQ) | 4 | 1 |
| RRB NTPC / Group D | 1 | ⅓ |
| IBPS / SBI PO & Clerk | 1 | 0.25 |
| CAT | 3 | 1 (MCQ only) |
| CUET | 5 | 1 |
Should you guess?
With ¼ negative marking, guessing pays if you can eliminate at least one option (expected value turns positive at 2 remaining choices). With ⅓ negative marking you need to be down to 2 options; with ½, guess only when fairly sure. The accuracy figure above tells you whether your attempts are helping or hurting.
Sources & last reviewed
Negative-marking presets follow the latest official exam notifications: UPSC Prelims (1/3 of the marks), SSC CGL/CHSL (0.50 / 0.25 marks), NEET-UG and JEE Main (+4 / −1), and others. Exam bodies change schemes from year to year — confirm with the notification for your exam.
Official sources: UPSC · SSC · NTA
Last reviewed: 17 October 2026. Rules and rates change — if you spot something outdated, tell us and we will fix it.
Frequently asked questions
What does 1/3 negative marking mean?
One-third of the question's marks is deducted for every wrong answer. In UPSC prelims (2 marks per question) a wrong answer costs 0.66 marks; three wrong answers wipe out one correct answer.
How is the UPSC prelims score calculated?
Score = correct × 2 − wrong × 0.66. For 100 questions: 55 correct and 30 wrong = 110 − 19.8 = 90.2 marks out of 200.
Is there negative marking for unattempted questions?
No. Skipped questions get zero, which is why accuracy matters more than attempts in exams with negative marking.