How to Reduce Negative Marking in NEET 2025

Negative marking in NEET 2025 plays a vital role in the final score of the medical entrance exam. A reduction of 1 mark will lead to a drop in rank by thousands. This can affect your admission to the top colleges that you always dreamt of. The primary reason why most students hesitate to attempt questions is either out of fear or due to a vague understanding of the question. Tackling the negative marking in the NEET exam head-on is the correct approach.

The NEET 2025 negative marking is clearly defined in the official marking scheme of the test. Based on the official NEET 2025 marking scheme, +4 marks are awarded for every correct answer, while -1 mark is deducted for every wrong attempt. The ones that are left unanswered have no addition or deduction.

To get the answer to “How to Reduce Negative Marking in NEET 2025?” , read the article given below.

Negative Marking in NEET 2025 - Official Scheme

An easy trick for reducing the chances of receiving negative marking in the NEET 2025 final scores is to be aware of the overall marking scheme of the medical entrance exam. The aim is to secure a higher rank in the NEET-UG test result and understand how to avoid negative markings. Here is the NEET negative marking system 2025 for students’ reference.

• A total of 180 questions are asked with each question carrying 4 marks
• +4 marks are awarded for correct answers
• -1 is deducted for every wrong response
• No deduction or addition is made in marks for unanswered questions
• If a student marks more than one answer for a single question, then it is considered an incorrect response and a negative 1 mark is assigned

Also Read: NEET 2025 Marking Scheme: Check How to Calculate Expected Overall Score

Impact of NEET 2025 Negative Marking: How Can it Affect Your NEET Score?

This is how negative marking in NEET 2025 can impact your overall NEET score:

1. Negative Marking Can Reduce Your Score: In NEET, every incorrect answer results in a penalty of one mark being deducted from the total score. For example, if you answer 10 questions incorrectly, you will lose 10 marks. This can significantly impact your overall score, as the marks lost due to negative marking can add up quickly.
2. Positive Answers Alone May Not Be Enough: Even if a candidate answers more questions correctly than incorrectly, negative marking can still affect their score. This is because the negative marks deducted for incorrect answers can offset the positive marks earned for correct answers. Therefore, it is essential to avoid incorrect answers as much as possible.
3. Negative Marking Can Impact Minimum Qualifying Marks: In addition to impacting the overall score, negative marking can also impact the minimum qualifying marks required for admission to a medical college. If a candidate falls short of the minimum qualifying marks due to negative markings, they may not be able to secure admission to a medical college, even if they have otherwise performed well in the exam.
4. Hard Work Can Go to Waste: Candidates who have worked hard to prepare for the exam can be at a major disadvantage if they are negatively marked. This is because negative marking can result in a reduction of marks, even for questions that the candidate may have answered correctly but with some level of uncertainty.
5. Importance of Effective Strategies: To avoid negative marking, candidates should adopt effective strategies while preparing for NEET. This includes practising mock tests, developing accurate answering techniques and managing time effectively. By doing so, candidates can reduce the risk of negative markings and improve their chances of securing a good rank in NEET.

How to Avoid NEET Negative Marking 2025?

NEET negative marking system 2025 can clip off your wings just as you’re about to fly. So, students have to understand the importance of losing even a single mark. It can cost aspirants their dream institute or college. Here are some ways to tackle negative markings in NEET 2025.

Practice Marking on OMR Sheets

Students must practice grading the OMR sheet during the exam preparation days. At times, aspirants know the correct answers but while marking the option, they’re unable to shade the circle in the sheet correctly. Since the test papers are graded via computing systems online, the answers will be marked wrong because of improper shading. So, aspirants must start practising marking their answers on an OMR sheet at least a month before the test.

Approach Questions with Confidence, Not Overconfidence

Students often mark the answer wrong because they feel overconfident about a certain question. Make it a habit to read even the easiest questions diligently because more often than not, they’re tricky in nature. Approach each and every question with caution and if you feel unsure, leave it for time being and move on to the next. You might not gain any marks but at least you won’t lose one.

Read questions thoroughly

Students often hurry or rush to attempt all questions. Do not make this mistake. Carefully scan through all the questions and approach them sensibly. Most students end up marking wrong answers because of pressure and unnecessary rush. This will cost you a negative mark in NEET 2025 exam.

Solve Previous Years’ Papers and Attempt Mock Tests

Attempting mock tests will improve students paper solving efficiency. One can learn how to approach questions correctly in tense situations. Similarly, solving previous years’ papers helps students be aware of the types of questions asked in the exam. All these practices eventually assist in reducing the NEET negative marking 2025.

Review Answers

Before marking your answer, learn to review the solution one more time. This is just a double check but if it saves you from making one less error, then it will be of great use.

Eliminate Options

In situations where you are unable to find the solution, try eliminating those options that you know are incorrect. This improves your chances of getting an answer right. If earlier, your probability of getting an answer right was 1/4, then after the elimination option, it can be 1/3 or 1/2.

Accuracy over Attempts

Many times, students attempt at getting all answers right. It is a bold move but often students end up losing marks unnecessarily. The best way to approach NEET 2025 exam paper is by trying to focus on getting as many answers correct as possible. Focus on accuracy and getting it right, instead of attempting a whole bunch of questions and getting most of them wrong.

How to Calculate NEET 2025 Negative Marking?

To calculate the negative marking in NEET 2025, one must have a sound idea about the overall exam pattern. The total number of questions asked in the NEET 2025 exam is 180. +4 marks are assigned for every correct answer, and 1 mark is reduced for every incorrect response. Thus, making the total scoring mark to be 720.

To calculate the negative marking in NEET 2025 and to get a clear understanding, one can refer to the following critical points.

• Calculate the total number of right answers and multiply them by 4
• Calculate and jot down the number of wrong answers and multiply them by 1.
• Now, calculate the sum of the total correct answers and total wrong answers
• Lastly, subtract the incorrect answer scores from the total number of correct answers

Formula to calculate NEET UG scores:

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