How to avoid negative marking in CLAT 2026?

How to avoid negative marking in CLAT 2026?

Isha GargUpdated on 06 Dec 2025, 06:53 AM IST

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.

How to avoid negative marking in CLAT 2026?
How to avoid negative marking 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

English language

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.

Logical reasoning

Use clear logic and avoid overthinking or complicating simple problems.

Legal reasoning

Stick to legal principles to avoid answers based on personal opinion.

Quantitative techniques

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.

Articles
|
Upcoming Law Exams
Ongoing Dates
BITS LAT Application Date

27 Aug'25 - 6 Jan'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
NLSAT Application Date

15 Nov'25 - 23 Mar'26 (Online)

Certifications By Top Providers
Study from Still Life
Via Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
Political Ideologies
Via Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune
Introduction to History of Architecture in India
Via Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune
Introduction to Peace and Conflict Management BGP-001
Via Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
Home Science-Extension and Communication Management Level-2
Via English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad
Education for Sustainable Development
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Swayam
 162 courses
Edx
 129 courses
Futurelearn
 74 courses
NPTEL
 74 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to CLAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?

With an AIR of 34724 and OBC category rank of 7153, chances of getting a seat in DSNLU Visakhapatnam are low in early rounds. However, since you are already invited for counselling, there may be some chance in later rounds depending on seat vacancy and cut-off movement. You should participate

With a CLAT LLM rank of 13656, getting a top NLU is difficult. You may have chances in lower-ranked NLUs or private law universities, depending on seat availability and category.


You can check CLAT LLM counselling details here:

https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-llm-cut-off


Hello there,

Having a 15000 general rank and 1740 as your SC category rank, your chances of securing a seat are very low. As per the previous trends, it is a direct no for you to get into the top-tier NLUs since the closing general rank is around 1500-3000. If

With a CLAT PG rank of 1257 in the SC category and being a woman candidate with Rajasthan domicile, you do have a realistic chance of securing admission to several National Law Universities, though the top NLUs may be difficult at this rank. Admission chances depend heavily on category-wise cut-offs,

With a CLAT PG rank of around 11,000, getting admission into the top National Law Universities (NLUs) is not likely, as their general category cut-offs usually close much earlier. However, you still have realistic chances in lower-ranked and newer NLUs, especially in the later rounds of CLAT counselling or through