CAT 2026 Negative Marking: Rules, Score Calculation and Tips to Avoid Losing Marks

CAT 2026 Negative Marking Scheme

CAT follows different marking rules for multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and CAT TITA questions. Understanding this difference helps candidates decide which questions to attempt and which ones to skip.

How Negative Marking Affects Your CAT Score

CAT negative marking directly affects your raw score. Even if you answer several questions correctly, unnecessary incorrect attempts can reduce the marks you earn.

Consider the following examples to understand how CAT negative marking works.

The score is calculated using the formula:

Net MCQ score = (3 × Correct MCQs) − Incorrect MCQs

Correct CAT TITA answers also earn 3 marks each and do not attract negative marking when incorrect. Add the marks earned from correct TITA responses to the MCQ score to calculate the total raw score.

For example, if you answer 15 MCQs correctly and get 6 MCQs wrong, your score from those questions is 45 − 6 = 39. If you also answer 3 TITA questions correctly, your total score becomes 48.

Read Here, Top 25 Reading Comprehension Passages to Practice for CAT 2026 

Is Guessing Worth It in CAT 2026?

Guessing in CAT 2026 is not always a bad decision. The important factor is how many answer options you can eliminate and whether you have a logical basis for choosing an answer.

In an MCQ with four options, the expected score changes depending on the probability of selecting the correct answer.

The expected score is calculated using the formula:

Expected score = (Probability of correct answer × 3) − Probability of wrong answer

For example, if you eliminate two options, you have a 50% chance of answering correctly, assuming the two remaining options are equally likely. Your expected score is:

(0.5 × 3) − (0.5 × 1) = +1 mark.

Attempt Now, CAT VARC Sample Paper

When Should You Attempt or Skip a CAT 2026 MCQ?

How to Avoid Negative Marking in CAT 2026: Section-Wise Strategies

The approach to negative marking should differ across VARC, DILR and Quant because each section tests different skills. Candidates should focus on the errors most likely to affect their performance in each section.

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

In VARC, incorrect answers often result from choosing an option that sounds relevant but does not accurately reflect the passage. Reading comprehension requires you to understand the author's argument, distinguish facts from inferences and evaluate the options carefully.

• Reject answers that introduce information not mentioned or reasonably implied in the passage.

• Words such as always, never and only can make an option incorrect if the passage presents a more qualified argument. However, do not reject an option simply because it contains an extreme word.

• A correct inference must follow from the passage. An option that requires outside knowledge or an additional assumption may be incorrect.

• Do not select the first option that appears relevant. Compare the remaining choices to identify the one best supported by the text.

• For para-jumbles, identify sentence links and the logical sequence. For odd-sentence-out questions, check which sentence does not fit the paragraph's central idea.

DILR: Choose Sets Carefully

In Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, negative marking can result from selecting an unsuitable set, making an incorrect deduction or rushing through calculations.

A practical CAT DILR strategy involves selecting the right sets before attempting their questions.

• Use the initial few minutes to understand the available sets and identify those with clear conditions or manageable data.

• Choose a set where you can establish relationships, organise the information or begin making deductions.

• If you cannot make progress after a reasonable amount of time, consider moving to another set.

• A small error in a table, arrangement or case can affect several answers. Check the data before marking your responses.

• If a set is partially solved, answer the questions you can establish confidently rather than guessing the remaining MCQs.

Quant: Prioritise Accuracy Over Attempts

In Quantitative Aptitude, incorrect answers often arise from calculation mistakes, misreading the question or using an unsuitable method under time pressure.

• Begin with questions where you understand the concept and can identify a clear solution method.

• Check what the question asks you to calculate, including units, ranges, percentages and ratios.

• Substitution and back-solving can save time in suitable MCQs.

• If time permits, verify arithmetic and signs before submitting an answer.

CAT 2026 TITA Questions: How to use No Negative Marking as an advantage?

CAT TITA questions do not have negative marking under the standard CAT scheme. A correct response earns three marks, while an incorrect or unattempted response earns zero.

This makes TITA questions different from MCQs when you are deciding whether to attempt an uncertain answer.

• Attempt CAT TITA questions you can solve, even if the solution requires a few additional steps.

• If you have completed most of the calculation but are uncertain about the result, recheck your working before entering the answer.

• Check the required answer format, including whether the response needs an integer or a particular numerical value.

• If you have very little time left, consider entering an answer for a TITA question you have partially solved rather than leaving it blank.

Other Resources to Strengthen CAT 2026 Preparations

Here are top ebooks that help in strengthening your CAT 2026 exam preparations: