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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 Dear Student,
You can get CLAT PG Previous Year Question Papers (last 10 years) including answers from the Careers360 page below:
https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-pg-previous-year-question-paper
Best wishes for your CLAT PG preparation!
Hello Abhijit,
Check the link below to download the CLAT LLM 2022 exam question paper with solutions in PDF format.
https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-2022-question-paper-with-solution
Hi there,
The CLAT 2026 cut-off is not a single score because it varies for every National Law University (NLU), category, domicile quota, and counselling round. For top NLUs such as NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, and WBNUJS Kolkata, the General category closing ranks were among the most competitive, typically closing
Hello Dear Student,
With a CLAT AIR of 19,688 , getting admission through the regular counselling rounds at most NLUs is difficult. However, as a Tamil Nadu domicile candidate under the BCO category , your best opportunity is usually Tamil Nadu National Law University , which has seats reserved for
Hello Dear Student,
Several coaching institutes and online learning platforms offer preparation programs for CLAT PG and CLAT UG aspirants. The type of course you choose should depend on your preparation level, available time, and budget.
Test Series and Mock Test Programs
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