Exam Score Calculator — with Negative Marking
Enter your correct and wrong answers from the answer key and get your estimated marks instantly, with the right negative marking applied.
Score = (Correct × marks per correct) − (Wrong × marks deducted per wrong). Unattempted questions score zero. Example: with +2 correct and −0.5 wrong, 80 correct and 15 wrong = (80×2) − (15×0.5) = 152.5 marks. Pick your exam below or set your own marking.
Last updated: July 2026
How to use this score calculator
- Match your response sheet with the official answer key and count how many answers are correct and how many are wrong.
- Pick your exam from the preset dropdown — it fills the marking scheme — or choose Custom and set the marks yourself.
- Enter your correct and wrong counts. Leave out the questions you didn't attempt; they score zero.
- Read your estimated score, along with how many marks came from correct answers, how many you lost to negative marking, and your accuracy.
How your score is calculated (the formula)
Score = (Correct × marks per correct) − (Wrong × marks deducted per wrong)Unattempted = 0 marks (no penalty)Accuracy = Correct ÷ (Correct + Wrong) × 100
Negative marking is the reason two candidates with the same number of correct answers can end up with different scores — the one who guessed more wrong answers loses marks. That's why blind guessing hurts in exams like SSC, UPSC and banking, and why knowing your likely score early helps you plan for the next stage.
Worked example — SSC CGL Tier-1
SSC CGL Tier-1 gives +2 per correct and −0.50 per wrong, over 100 questions worth 200 marks. Say you attempted 95 questions — 80 correct, 15 wrong:
| Step | Calculation | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Marks from correct | 80 × 2 | + 160.0 |
| Deducted for wrong | 15 × 0.5 | − 7.5 |
| Unattempted (5) | 5 × 0 | 0 |
| Estimated score | 160 − 7.5 | 152.5 |
Your raw score is 152.5. If your exam is held in multiple shifts, the recruiting body then applies normalisation, so your final score can differ slightly from this raw figure.
Marking schemes by exam
These are the common schemes the presets use. Marking can change between cycles and tiers, so confirm yours in the official notice.
| Exam | Correct | Wrong | Negative marking? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC CGL / CHSL Tier-1 | +2 | −0.50 | Yes |
| SSC GD Constable | +2 | −0.50 | Yes |
| UPSC Prelims (GS-1) | +2 | −0.66 | Yes (1/3) |
| RRB NTPC / Group D | +1 | −0.33 | Yes (1/3) + normalised |
| IBPS / SBI PO Prelims | +1 | −0.25 | Yes |
| CTET / State TET | +1 | 0 | No |
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my marks with negative marking?
Score = (Correct answers × marks per correct) − (Wrong answers × marks deducted per wrong). Unattempted questions score zero. For example, with +2 for correct and −0.5 for wrong, 80 correct and 15 wrong give (80×2) − (15×0.5) = 160 − 7.5 = 152.5 marks.
How is the SSC CGL score calculated?
SSC CGL Tier-1 awards +2 for every correct answer and deducts −0.50 for every wrong answer, over 100 questions worth 200 marks. Multiply your correct count by 2, subtract half your wrong count, and you get your raw Tier-1 score before normalisation.
What is a normalised score in RRB and SSC exams?
When an exam is held in multiple shifts of differing difficulty, the raw scores are statistically adjusted so no shift is unfairly easy or hard. This is called normalisation. This calculator gives your raw score; the final normalised score is computed by the recruiting body and can differ slightly.
How accurate is a marks calculator estimate?
It is as accurate as your correct/wrong counts and the marking scheme you enter. If you match the official answer key carefully and use the exact marking, the raw score is precise. The final result can still differ due to normalisation, answer-key objections, or bonus/dropped questions.
Do unattempted questions get negative marks?
No. Negative marking applies only to questions you attempted and got wrong. Questions you left blank score zero — they neither add nor subtract marks.
Which exams have negative marking?
Most competitive exams do: SSC (−0.50), UPSC Prelims (−1/3), banking IBPS/SBI (−0.25) and RRB (−1/3). Some teaching exams like CTET have no negative marking. Always confirm the scheme for your specific exam and tier in the official notice.
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Disclaimer: This calculator gives an indicative raw score based on the marking you enter. Your final result is decided by the recruiting body after normalisation and answer-key finalisation — always treat this as an estimate, not your official result.