CUET PG 2026 Negative Marking Rules, Avoid the Same Mistakes
CUET PG 2026 negative marking rules are explained here by CUET PG Wallah faculty. Understanding the +4 for correct and -1 for incorrect answers is key. Know the three-tier approach to answer the questions and the strategies to avoid negative marking in CUET PG 2026.
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CUET PG 2026 Negative Marking: Competitive examinations often include negative marking, a system designed to penalize incorrect responses and encourage careful consideration. For the CUET PG exam, understanding and strategically approaching this marking scheme is crucial for maximizing your score. Here effective methods are given to minimize negative marks and improve overall performance in CUET PG 2026.
CUET PG 2026 Marking Scheme
Before attempting any exam, it is important to accept and be fully aware of the negative marking rules. In the CUET PG examination, the structure is as follows:
| CUET PG 2026 Marking Scheme | |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Total Questions | 75 |
| Marks for Correct Answer | +4 |
| Marks for Incorrect Answer | -1 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
Consider an example of mark calculation: If a student attempts 5 questions, gets 4 correct and 1 incorrect:
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Marks from correct answers: 4 x 4 = 16
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Penalty for incorrect answer: -1
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Final Score: 16 - 1 = 15
Strategies to Avoid Negative Marking in CUET PG 2026 Examinations
Here are some strategies given to avoid negative marking in CUET PG 2026:
Three-Tier Attempt Rule
To manage questions effectively, use a rough sheet or the exam's digital interface to categorize questions into three tiers during your first pass. This strategy helps secure marks for what you know first and reserves challenging questions for later review.
| Three-Tier Attempt Rule | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tier / Category | Description & Confidence Level | Recommended Action |
| Tier 1: Easy Questions | You are certain of the correct answer. | Answer and submit these questions immediately. |
| Tier 2: Partial Knowledge | You are about 60-70% sure but need more time to think or are stuck between two options. | Do not guess immediately. Note the question number on a rough sheet or use the "Mark for Review" feature. This typically color-codes the question purple on the interface, allowing for revisiting. |
| Tier 3: Hard Questions | You have little to no idea about the answer (e.g., 10-20% knowledge). | Do not attempt. Skip the question. Unanswered questions are typically color-coded red on the interface. You can note the number to revisit if time permits, but this is a low priority. |
Elimination Method
When you do not know the correct answer directly, focus on identifying and eliminating the definitively incorrect options. By disqualifying options that you know are wrong, you significantly increase your chances of selecting the correct answer from the remaining choices.
Example Application:
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In a question about an economic theory, you might identify two options that list political theorists, making them irrelevant and incorrect.
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In a literature question, an option might mention a writer from a completely different era or movement than the one being asked about.
This method helps narrow down the possibilities and allows for a more logical choice, especially useful for Tier 2 questions.
Educated Guessing vs. Blind Guessing
It is critical to distinguish between making an informed guess and a random one. Employing educated guessing strategically can be beneficial, but blind guessing should always be avoided.
| Educated Guessing vs. Blind Guessing | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of Guessing | Description | Recommendation |
| Blind Guessing | Randomly choosing an option without any logical basis (e.g., picking the most "decorative" looking option or choosing based on pure chance). | Never do this. It is a primary cause of negative marking and severely impacts your score. |
| Educated Guessing | A systematic process of making a choice after analyzing the question and eliminating one or more options. This is typically applied to Tier 2 (Partial Knowledge) questions where you are left with two plausible options. | Use this method carefully by re-reading the question and leveraging all related knowledge to make the most probable choice. |
Time Management
Effective time management is the most important factor in implementing these strategies successfully. Without proper time allocation, even the best strategies fall short.
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Initial Goal: Aim to complete your first pass of all 75 questions within the first 75 minutes. This ensures you've seen every question and answered those you are confident about.
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Reserve Final Minutes: This approach leaves a buffer of 10-15 minutes at the end of the exam.
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Utilize Reserved Time: Use this final block of time to address the questions you categorized:
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First, focus on Tier 2 ("Partial Knowledge") questions that you marked for review. These are the most likely candidates for educated guessing after further thought.
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If time remains, you may briefly look at Tier 3 ("Hard") questions, but be cautious about attempting them due to higher risk of negative marking.
Trust Your First Instinct
When you review questions, do not change answers for questions you were initially sure about (Tier 1). This is a common mistake that often leads to losing marks.
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Cognitive Principle: Your first choice is often correct 70-80% of the time. This happens because your unconscious mind quickly processes available information and connects it to stored knowledge, often providing the most accurate initial response.
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Caution: Overthinking and second-guessing your initial confident answers frequently leads to changing a correct answer to an incorrect one. The review period is meant for the questions you were initially uncertain about, not for re-evaluating confident answers.
Practice with Relevant Mock Tests
Consistent practice is essential to master these skills and perform well under exam conditions.
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Start taking CUET PG mock tests immediately. The more you practice, the more effective you will become at applying these strategies under pressure.
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Ensure the mock tests you use simulate the actual exam environment by including negative marking. Practicing without this feature will not adequately prepare you for the penalty system and may build poor habits regarding guessing. Analyzing your performance in negative marking mocks is important for improvement.