CLAT Negative Marking Explained: Check Marking Scheme and Score Calculation
Updated: September 22, 2026. The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) uses negative marking to calculate candidates' examination scores. For CLAT 2027, candidates receive one mark for every correct answer, lose 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer and receive zero marks for unanswered questions.
The Consortium of National Law Universities has confirmed the marking pattern for both undergraduate and postgraduate CLAT 2027. Understanding the scoring system can help candidates calculate mock-test marks, identify avoidable errors and plan how to approach the examination.
CLAT 2027 Marking Scheme: Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | Common Law Admission Test 2027 |
| Conducting body | Consortium of National Law Universities |
| Questions | 120 |
| Maximum marks | 120 |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Correct answer | +1 mark |
| Incorrect answer | −0.25 marks |
| Unanswered question | 0 marks |
Is There Negative Marking in CLAT?
Yes. CLAT 2027 deducts 0.25 marks for each incorrect response.
This means four incorrect answers produce a total deduction of one mark. However, the penalty applies to each incorrect answer individually, regardless of how many questions a candidate attempts.
Questions left unanswered do not receive a positive mark or a negative penalty.
How to Calculate CLAT Marks
The score is calculated by adding the marks awarded for correct answers and subtracting the penalty for incorrect answers.
CLAT Score = Correct Answers − (Incorrect Answers × 0.25)
Unanswered questions do not contribute to the calculation.
CLAT Score Calculation: Worked Example
Suppose a candidate attempts 100 of the 120 questions and answers 80 correctly.
| Response type | Number | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Correct | 80 | +80 |
| Incorrect | 20 | −5 |
| Unanswered | 20 | 0 |
| Total score | 75 |
The candidate's final calculated score is 75 out of 120.
More CLAT Score Examples
| Correct | Incorrect | Unanswered | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | 20 | 10 | 85 |
| 80 | 30 | 10 | 72.5 |
| 70 | 40 | 10 | 60 |
| 100 | 10 | 10 | 97.5 |
| 60 | 30 | 30 | 52.5 |
How Many Marks Are Deducted for Wrong Answers?
| Wrong answers | Total deduction |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.25 marks |
| 4 | 1 mark |
| 8 | 2 marks |
| 12 | 3 marks |
| 20 | 5 marks |
| 40 | 10 marks |
Should Candidates Attempt Every Question?
Negative marking makes answer accuracy important, but it does not mean candidates should automatically skip every uncertain question.
A candidate who can eliminate one or more incorrect options may have a stronger basis for attempting a question than someone making an uninformed guess.
For a question with four options and exactly one correct answer, the expected score of a completely random guess is positive under this marking scheme. However, this mathematical observation does not guarantee that guessing will improve an individual's actual result.
Candidates should consider the time available, their confidence in the answer and the risk of making avoidable errors.
CLAT 2027 UG Exam Pattern
The undergraduate examination contains 120 multiple-choice questions across five subjects.
| Section | Approximate questions |
|---|---|
| English Language | 22–26 |
| Current Affairs, including General Knowledge | 28–32 |
| Legal Reasoning | 28–32 |
| Logical Reasoning | 22–26 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10–14 |
These are approximate section-wise ranges. The total examination contains 120 questions.
Does Negative Marking Apply to CLAT PG?
Yes. The officially published CLAT 2027 postgraduate format also specifies 120 multiple-choice questions, 120 maximum marks and a deduction of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer.
The postgraduate syllabus differs from the undergraduate syllabus, so candidates should consult the question-paper format applicable to their program.
How to Improve Accuracy During Preparation
- Calculate scores after each mock test using the official marking formula.
- Separate incorrect answers caused by knowledge gaps from those caused by misreading.
- Review questions where two options appeared equally plausible.
- Practice reading passages carefully before selecting an answer.
- Track accuracy separately for each subject.
- Use timed practice to identify rushed decisions.
- Review the official answer key and any final revisions when available.
Does the Calculated Score Guarantee an NLU Seat?
No. A calculated examination score is not an admission guarantee.
Admission depends on the applicable merit position, eligibility, preferences, reservation rules, available seats and counselling requirements.
Students should also remember that an unofficial answer key may not match the final answer key used to calculate examination results.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there negative marking in CLAT 2027?
Yes. Each incorrect answer attracts a deduction of 0.25 marks.
2. How many marks are awarded for a correct answer?
One mark.
3. Are marks deducted for unanswered questions?
No. Unanswered questions receive zero marks.
4. What is the CLAT score formula?
Correct answers minus 0.25 multiplied by incorrect answers.
5. How many marks are deducted for four incorrect answers?
One mark in total.
6. What is the maximum CLAT 2027 score?
120 marks.
7. How many questions are there in CLAT 2027?
120 multiple-choice questions.
8. Does negative marking apply to CLAT PG?
Yes. The postgraduate examination also deducts 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer.
9. Can candidates calculate their scores before the result?
They can estimate their marks using their responses and an answer key. The final score depends on the officially adopted answer key and evaluation.
10. Does a high calculated score guarantee admission?
No. Admission depends on merit, eligibility, preferences, seat availability and applicable counselling rules.
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