How to Calculate Marks Using RRB NTPC Answer Key 2026 for Graduate Level Exam

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) officially released the RRB NTPC Graduate Level Answer Key 2026 on April 6, 2026, at 4:00 PM. This release, following the Computer Based Test (CBT-1) held from March 16 to March 27, 2026, allows over 40 lakh aspirants to verify their responses. Knowing how to accurately calculate your raw score is the first step toward assessing your chances for the CBT-2 stage.

Calculating your marks accurately is crucial before the RRB NTPC final results are declared in May 2026. This guide provides a step-by-step breakdown of the marking scheme and the process to challenge discrepancies.

Important Dates for RRB NTPC Answer Key 2026

Before diving into the calculation, ensure you are aware of the timeline for the objection window and response sheet availability.

RRB NTPC 2026 Marking Scheme (CBT 1)

To calculate your score, you must first understand the structure of the Computer Based Test. The CBT 1 for Graduate Level posts consists of 100 questions to be solved in 90 minutes.

Steps to Calculate Your Marks Using Answer Key 2026

Follow these three simple steps once you have downloaded your response sheet from the official portal (rrbcdg.gov.in):

1. Count Your Correct and Incorrect Responses

Open your response sheet. Compare the "Chosen Option" by you with the "Correct Option" highlighted by the RRB.

• Correct (C): Total number of questions where your answer matches the official key.

• Incorrect (I): Total number of questions where your answer is wrong.

2. Apply the Negative Marking Formula

The RRB follows a strict negative marking policy. For every three wrong answers, one full mark is deducted.

Formula: > 

TotalScore=(Number of Correct Answers)−(Number of Incorrect Answers×1/3)

3. Final Calculation Example

If a candidate attempted 85 questions, out of which 70 are correct and 15 are incorrect:

• Positive Marks: 70×1=70

• Negative Marks: 15×1/3=5

• Final Raw Score: 70−5=65

Understanding Normalization and Percentile Scores

Since the RRB NTPC Graduate Level exam was conducted in multiple shifts, the Raw Score is not your final result. RRB will apply a Normalization Method or Percentile Score system to balance the difficulty levels across different shifts.

The percentile score reflects how many candidates scored less than or equal to you in your specific shift. The final merit list for CBT-2 shortlisting will be based on these Normalized Marks, not just the raw score you calculated.

How to Raise Objections Against the Answer Key

If you find a discrepancy in the official key (e.g., the official answer is wrong or the question is ambiguous), follow these steps:

1. Log in to your regional RRB portal using your Registration Number and Date of Birth.

2. Click on the "Objection Tracker" link.

3. Select the Question ID you wish to challenge.

4. Upload supporting documents/evidence for your claim.

5. Pay the fee of ₹50 per question via online mode.