Marking scheme
Every mark has a consequence
A correct answer earns +5, a wrong answer costs 1, and a skipped question is neutral. The interesting part is what that arithmetic does to guessing. Here are the worked examples, the expected value, and the exact scheme used by each published paper.
Last reviewed: 4 Nov 2026
Verify the scheme for your session
The numbers below describe the standard multiple-choice convention and the papers on this site. NTA can revise the marking scheme, so confirm it in the official bulletin before relying on it. The official summary was last reviewed on 4 Nov 2026.
The core numbers
+5
Correct answer
Full marks for the question.
−1
Wrong answer
One mark is deducted.
0
Unattempted
Skipping is neutral, not penalised.
Worked examples
Three attempts on a 50-question paper, all using +5 / −1 / 0.
| Correct | Wrong | Skipped | Arithmetic | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 4 | 16 | 30 × 5 − 4 × 1 | 146 / 250 |
| 20 | 10 | 20 | 20 × 5 − 10 × 1 | 90 / 250 |
| 8 | 12 | 30 | 8 × 5 − 12 × 1 | 28 / 250 |
The real maths of guessing
Expected value is the average result if you faced the same decision many times. With four equally likely options, a blind guess is not negative: it is slightly positive. That does not make blind guessing a strategy, because one mark of upside is small compared with the time it consumes and the variance it adds.
| Situation | Probability correct | Expected marks |
|---|---|---|
| Blind guess, 4 options | 1 in 4 | +0.50 |
| One option eliminated | 1 in 3 | +1.00 |
| Two options eliminated | 1 in 2 | +2.00 |
| Three options eliminated | certain | +5.00 |
What this means in the hall
If you have eliminated two options, a shot is worth about +2 marks on average. If you have no information and the clock is short, the +0.5 expected value is usually not worth the seconds it takes away from a question you can solve.
The accuracy rule
Track accuracy, not just attempts. A student with 80% accuracy on 40 questions scores 156, while a student with 55% accuracy on 60 questions scores 159. Volume and accuracy have to grow together.
Scheme used by each published paper
These values come from the paper's stored marking scheme and are frozen after publish.
| Paper | Questions | Total marks | Correct | Wrong | Skipped |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUET UG English - Grammar and Usage Mini Mock | 5 | 25 | +5 | -1 | 0 |
How scoring works on this site
- The paper's marking scheme is read from the database, not from the browser.
- When you submit, the server compares each saved answer with the stored key.
- Correct, wrong and skipped counts are multiplied by the paper's scheme.
- A submitted attempt is frozen. Retakes are scored separately and only the first attempt counts on the leaderboard.
- If the timer expires, the answers saved before the deadline are scored and the attempt is marked expired.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CUET UG marking scheme?
In the standard multiple-choice scheme, a correct answer earns +5 marks, a wrong answer deducts 1 mark and an unattempted question scores 0. The official bulletin for your session is the source of truth, and every paper here prints its own scheme before the timer starts.
Is there negative marking in CUET UG?
The usual MCQ scheme applies a 1-mark penalty for a wrong response. The penalty changes the maths of guessing, but it does not automatically make every guess a bad idea. Eliminating even one option improves the expected value.
Does an unattempted question reduce my score?
No. A skipped question adds zero. The penalty applies only when you choose an option and it is wrong.
Is a blind guess worth it with +5 and −1?
With four equally likely options, the expected value is (1/4 × 5) + (3/4 × −1) = +0.5 marks. It is slightly positive, but the variance is high and a guess costs time. Eliminate options where you can; a 50-50 shot is worth +2 marks in expectation.
Are CUET marks normalised across shifts?
When a subject is held in multiple shifts, NTA may use a normalisation or equating process so scores are comparable. The method for the session is described in the official bulletin. This site does not normalise practice scores; it shows the raw score for the paper you attempted.
How does this site calculate my score?
The server reads the paper's stored marking scheme and counts your correct, wrong and skipped answers after submit. The browser never receives the answer key first, and an expired attempt is scored from the answers saved before the deadline.
Test the arithmetic on a real paper
Every result shows correct, wrong and skipped counts next to the score, so you can verify the maths yourself.