Negative Marking in CUET 2026, Marking Scheme & Score Calculation Explained

Negative Marking in CUET 2026: Understanding the negative marking in CUET is important for every aspirant. In CUET UG, every correct answer gives 5 marks while each wrong answer leads to a 1-mark deduction. Questions left unattempted don’t affect your score. 

This applies to all sections Language, Domain Subjects, and General Test. Knowing this system helps you answer carefully, avoid blind guesses, and maximize your overall score and percentile.

Negative Marking in CUET 2026

As per the official NTA notification CUET UG follows a negative marking system. For every incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted while each correct response gets 5 marks. Questions left unattempted do not affect your score. 

This system is applicable in all categories of the CUET Language, Domain Subjects and General Test, thus a candidate should work with care and accuracy in decoding the language of their test as the score in the final CUET will be counted.

Understanding negative marking is important for CUET aspirants. Each wrong answer reduces your total score while correct answers add marks.

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CUET Marking Scheme 2026

CUET marking scheme 2026 is designed to ensure fair evaluation across all aspirants. 

Section wise Negative Marking in CUET UG 2026

The negative marking that will be present in CUET UG 2026 is applicable in the sections of the Language, Domain Subjects, and General Test. All incorrect answers across these sections attract a 1-mark deduction. Only questions officially canceled or dropped by NTA are exempt from this rule.

CUET Score Calculation with Mark Deduction

To calculate your estimated score, use this formula:

Total Score = (Number of Correct Answers × 5) – (Number of Incorrect Answers × 1)

Example:

• Questions Attempted: 50

• Correct: 40

• Incorrect: 8

• Unattempted: 2

Score = (40 × 5) – (8 × 1) = 200 – 8 = 192

Using the CUET answer key after the exam can help you cross-check and calculate your final score efficiently.

Cut-off Impact Due to Negative Marking in CUET

This is because negative marking will directly affect your percentile and consequently whether you score better/worse than the university cut off. Any lost mark can change your position, especially at central universities such as the Delhi University.

Enhanced accuracy does not only increase the raw score but also the overall percentile which means there will be more chances on you being accepted.

Essential Negative Marking In CUET Checklist

Here is a checklist to handle negative marking efficiently:

• Only answer questions you are confident about.

• Skip uncertain questions; unattempted questions have no penalty.

• Avoid marking multiple options or careless changes.

• Refine accuracy and develop strategies for risky questions.

• NTA CUET Information Bulletin 2026 and CUET Exam Pattern page.