Understanding CLAT’s marking scheme

The CLAT 2025 marking scheme is expected to follow the same structure as 2024, ensuring a fair balance between rewarding accuracy and discouraging random guessing. To succeed in the exam, it is crucial to understand the marking scheme so you can strategize accordingly.

Key Features of the CLAT Marking Scheme

The marking scheme for both UG and PG programs is straightforward:

Answer Type	Marks Awarded/Deducted
Correct Answer	+1 mark
Incorrect Answer	-0.25 marks (Negative marking)
Unanswered Question	0 marks (No penalty for leaving it blank)

Impact of Negative Marking

The negative marking system in CLAT is designed to discourage wild guessing. Each wrong answer deducts 0.25 marks, making accuracy the key to a strong performance. Let’s break down how negative marking affects your score:

Example:

A candidate attempts 100 questions out of 120.
They get 70 answers correct and 30 wrong.

Here’s how the score is calculated:

Category	Calculation	Marks
Correct Answers	70 x +1	+70 marks
Incorrect Answers	30 x -0.25	-7.5 marks
Total Score	70 - 7.5	62.5 marks

Understanding Total Marks for CLAT

Both CLAT UG and PG exams consist of 120 questions, meaning the maximum possible score is 120 marks. With the negative marking in place, the challenge lies not just in answering more questions, but in answering them correctly.

Important Tips for Managing the CLAT Marking Scheme

Here are some practical tips to help you navigate CLAT’s marking scheme and improve your score:

Focus on Accuracy: Prioritize answering questions you are confident about. Don’t rush through sections just to attempt all questions.
Avoid Blind Guessing: With -0.25 marks per incorrect answer, it’s better to leave a question blank than risk losing marks due to random guessing.
Take Calculated Risks: In cases where you can eliminate at least two incorrect options, it might be worth taking a calculated risk. This strategy can maximize your score with minimal risk.
Time Management: Allocating your time wisely is key. Focus on sections you are comfortable with first, and leave difficult or uncertain questions for later.
Mock Practice: Regularly attempt mock tests under real-time conditions to understand how the marking scheme works. This will also help you adjust your strategy for minimizing negative marking.

Strategic Use of Negative Marking

To handle the negative marking system effectively, follow these strategies:

Strategy	Why It Works
Attempt Known Answers First	Builds confidence and ensures you score marks for sure-shot answers early on.
Mark Uncertain Questions	If you’re unsure, flag the question and come back to it later with a clearer mind.
Eliminate Options	If you can confidently remove two wrong options, your chances of guessing correctly improve to 50%.
Skip Impossible Questions	Don’t spend too much time on questions you know you can’t answer. It’s better to skip them.

Conclusion: Maximizing Your CLAT Score

By understanding how the CLAT marking scheme works, you can create a strategic approach to answering questions that prioritizes accuracy over quantity. Negative marking can significantly impact your score, so aim for calculated precision in every section of the exam. With these tips and a thorough understanding of the marking system, you’ll be better prepared to navigate CLAT 2025 and boost your overall performance.