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Negative Marking Calculator

Works for any exam — set your own total questions, marks per question and negative marking fraction.

Unlike the Prelims and CSAT calculators above, which use UPSC's fixed marking scheme, this tool lets you set your own total questions, marks per question and negative marking fraction — useful for any competitive exam with a different scoring pattern.

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Frequently asked questions

How does negative marking work?

For each wrong answer, a fraction of the marks allotted to that question is deducted from your score — commonly 1/3rd (0.33) in UPSC-style exams, but this varies by exam. Unattempted questions are never penalized.

Can I use this for exams other than UPSC?

Yes — set the total number of questions, marks per correct answer, and negative marking fraction to match any exam's actual marking scheme, whether it's a state PSC exam, banking exam or any other competitive test.

What negative marking fraction should I enter if I'm not sure?

Check the exam's official notification or information brochure — negative marking schemes vary widely, from no negative marking to a full mark deducted per wrong answer. The default of 0.33 (1/3rd) matches UPSC's Prelims and CSAT scheme.