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.

LiveCLAT 2026 Second Merit List (OUT) LIVE: Consortium of NLUs 2nd merit out; download on consortiumofnlus.ac.inJan 22, 2026 | 3:52 PM IST

Below are the important factors that affect the NLU cut-off 2026:

  • NLU preferences given by candidates at the time of the CLAT counselling process.
  • Category-wise seats availability at each NLU.
  • The reservation policy followed by the NLUs.
  • Difficulty level of the exam.
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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.

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Questions related to CLAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?

Start preparing for CLAT by first understanding the exam pattern and syllabus, which includes English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. Make a simple daily routine and begin with basics read newspapers regularly for current affairs, practice comprehension passages for English and legal sections, and solve basic

Hello

With an AIR of 9076 and EWS rank of 846 in CLAT 2026, getting a top NLUs is unlikely, which is why you didn’t get a seat in the first round. However, you still have some chances in lower-tier NLUs like NLU Odisha, NLU Assam, NLU Tripura, NLU Meghalaya,

Hello

With a CLAT 2026 score of 60.75, AIR 17,715, and OBC-NCL rank 3,347 as an out-of-Delhi candidate, getting a seat in the Faculty of Law, Delhi University is very unlikely. DU’s cut-offs for OBC candidates are usually much higher, even in later rounds. You should keep backup options like

Hello,

With AIR 10542 and OBC rank 1843, getting top NLUs is unlikely. However, you still have chances in newer or lower ranked NLUs like NLU Assam, NUSRL Ranchi, MNLU Nagpur/Mumbai, especially in later or vacancy rounds. Also consider good private law colleges as backup options.

Since you scored 8000 AIR in CLAT, getting into top NLUs may not be possible, so it is a good idea to look for affordable and good law colleges.


State government law colleges are usually low in fees, and have decent reputation. Some options include Government Law College, Mumbai, Faculty