See your real score after negative marking
In an exam with negative marking, the number of questions you answer correctly is only half the story. Every wrong answer takes marks away, so two students who each get 65 questions right can finish with very different scores. This calculator turns your attempts into a net score, your accuracy, and the figure that matters most for strategy: break-even accuracy.
Enter the total questions and maximum marks, then how many you attempted and how many were wrong. Choose the penalty ratio for your exam, or tap a preset such as UPSC, SSC, NEET, JEE, RRB or banking. The calculator works out the marks per question, the deduction for each wrong answer and your final score out of the maximum.
Formulas used
- Marks per correct answer = maximum marks ÷ total questions
- Net score = correct × marks per correct − wrong × marks per correct × ratio
- Accuracy = correct ÷ attempted × 100
- Break-even accuracy = ratio ÷ (1 + ratio) × 100
How to use the Negative Marking Calculator
- Tap an exam preset to fill in a typical penalty, or pick a ratio yourself.
- Enter Total questions and Maximum marks from the paper.
- Enter how many questions you attempted and how many were wrong.
- Press Calculate my score.
- Read your net score, accuracy and break-even accuracy. Use the print button to save a PDF, or share the summary on WhatsApp.
What you get
- Net score, accuracy, unattempted count and marks per attempt.
- Break-even accuracy marked on a gauge, with a plain-language verdict.
- Presets for UPSC, RRB, NEET, SSC, banking, State PSC and JEE.
- Ratios of 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 1 or no penalty.
- Print or save as PDF, and share the summary by WhatsApp.
When it comes in handy
- Estimating your score right after a mock test.
- Deciding how many doubtful questions to attempt in the real exam.
- Comparing your performance across different tests.
- Teaching students how negative marking changes strategy.
- Checking an answer key result before official scores come out.
What is break-even accuracy?
Break-even accuracy is the lowest hit rate at which attempting questions stops costing you marks overall. With a 1/3 penalty it is 25 percent, and with a 1/4 penalty it is 20 percent. If you can eliminate options on a question and push your chance of being right above that line, attempting it is a good bet on average. If you are guessing blindly among four options under a 1/3 penalty, you sit exactly on that line.
Worked example
| Total | Max marks | Attempted | Wrong | Ratio | Net score | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 200 | 85 | 20 | 1/3 | 116.67 | 76.47% |
Of 85 attempted, 65 are correct. Each question is worth 2 marks, so the score is (65 × 2) − (20 × 2 × 1/3) = 130 − 13.33 = 116.67 out of 200.
Tips for better results
- Always confirm the penalty and the marks per question in your exam’s official notice. Some papers have unequal marks.
- Use mock-test results to learn your own accuracy by section, then compare it to the break-even line.
- If your accuracy is well above break-even, attempting more questions usually raises your score.
- If your accuracy is below break-even, tighten up on questions you can only guess.
- Remember that this calculator assumes equal marks for every question.
Frequently asked questions
How is negative marking calculated?
Each wrong answer removes a fraction of the marks a correct answer earns. With a 1/3 ratio on a 2-mark question, a wrong answer costs 0.67 marks.
What is the negative marking in UPSC and SSC?
UPSC prelims and RRB commonly use one-third. SSC, NEET and many banking exams use one-quarter. Rules change, so verify in the current official notification.
What is break-even accuracy?
It is the accuracy you need on attempted questions so that guessing does not lower your score. It equals the ratio divided by one plus the ratio.
Should I attempt questions I am unsure about?
If you can narrow the options and your chance of being right is above the break-even figure, it is worth attempting on average. Below it, skipping is safer.
Why does the calculator need maximum marks?
It uses maximum marks divided by total questions to find the marks per question, which sets the size of the penalty.
Does it work for papers with unequal marks?
No. It assumes every question carries the same marks. For mixed papers, calculate each section separately.
Can I save the result?
Yes. Use the print button and choose Save as PDF, or share the text summary on WhatsApp.
Are my numbers stored?
No. The calculation happens in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere.
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