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How to avoid negative marking in CLAT 2026?
Preparing for CLAT 2026 involves understanding the importance of avoiding negative marking. The CLAT exam’s marking scheme awards 1 mark for each correct answer but deducts 0.25 marks for every wrong answer. This marking method prevents students from random guessing. Students must be careful when attempting questions and must focus only on those answers they are confident about. Strategies like eliminating obviously wrong options, managing time well, and practising mock tests can help minimise errors. Students need to develop a disciplined approach, prioritising quality over quantity in their answers. By adopting these strategies, aspirants can protect their scores from unnecessary deductions and can boost their chances of achieving a high rank in CLAT 2026.
CLAT 2026 Marking Scheme
Answer type | Marking scheme |
Correct answer | +1 mark |
Incorrect answer | -0.25 marks |
Unanswered question | 0 marks deducted |
How to Calculate CLAT 2026 Marks
CLAT 2026 includes 120 multiple-choice questions, each carrying 1 mark. The formula to calculate the final score is:
CLAT score = (number of correct answers × 1) − (number of wrong answers × 0.25)
For example, if a student answers 85 questions correctly and 10 incorrectly, the score will be: (85×1) − (10×0.25) = 85−2.5 = 82.5
Prioritise Accuracy Over Quantity in CLAT 2026 Attempts.
In CLAT 2026, it is better to attempt fewer questions with high accuracy than to attempt many questions and risk negative marking. Students should focus on answering only those questions they are confident about. Top performers often attempt 90-95 questions with an accuracy rate of 85% or higher. Attempting more questions without confidence increases the risk of losing marks due to negative marking.
Section-wise Ways to Minimise Negative Marking
Section | Tips to avoid negative marking |
Focus on understanding the passage fully before answering, as these questions test comprehension rather than memorisation. | |
General knowledge | Attempt only well-known facts and skip questions based on guesswork. |
Use clear logic and avoid overthinking or complicating simple problems. | |
Stick to legal principles to avoid answers based on personal opinion. | |
Double-check calculations and skip unsure math questions. |
How to Avoid Negative Marking in CLAT 2026
Given below are some effective tips to help students avoid negative marking in CLAT 2026:
Eliminate wrong options: Before marking an answer, eliminate options that are clearly incorrect. This increases the chances of selecting the right answer.
Avoid blind guessing: Do not guess answers unless at least two options can be ruled out confidently.
Double-check calculations: In quantitative sections, verify calculations before marking the answer.
Manage time wisely: Allocate time to each section and avoid rushing, which can lead to careless mistakes.
Practice mock tests: Regular practice with mock tests helps students identify weak areas and improve accuracy.
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Have a question related to CLAT ?
Hello Purvi,
You can access the CLAT Last 5 Year Question Papers with Detailed Solutions (2021-2026) through the link provided below:
https://law.careers360.com/download/sample-papers/clat-last-five-year-question-papers-answer-key
Hope this Helps!
Hi,
You can check out the list of colleges that offer 5-year LLB admissions without entrance exams here
Several top law colleges are accepting the CLAT score, other than the NLUs. These include:
- Siksha ‘O’ Anusadhan University, Bhubaneswar
- Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science, Chennai
- Lovely Professional University
- Institute of Law, Nirma University
Candidates can check out the detailed list of non-NLUs accepting CLAT for admission in
Hi,
You can check NLU wise marks required in CLAT PG for admissions here .
Hi,
You can refer to books like AP Bhardwaj for legal aptitude, RS Aggarwal for reasoning, and dedicated guides like CULET Guide by Dipanjan Mitra for best preparation for CULET. Additionally, you can refer to the CULET previous year question papers .
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