How do I manage negative marking in CLAT?

Managing negative marking in CLAT is important to ensure you don’t lose unnecessary marks. Here’s how you can handle it effectively:

1. Understand the Negative Marking System: In CLAT, for every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted. This means guessing randomly can harm your overall score. It’s important to keep this in mind when attempting the exam.
2. Attempt Questions You’re Confident About First: Start by answering questions you are sure of. This helps you secure marks without the risk of losing points due to negative marking. Once you’ve gone through the questions you’re confident about, move on to the more challenging ones.
3. Educated Guessing: If you’re unsure of an answer but can eliminate one or two incorrect options, making an educated guess can be worthwhile. Avoid blind guessing, but if you can narrow down the possibilities, it increases your chances of getting the right answer.
4. Skip Completely Unfamiliar Questions: If you have no idea about a particular question and can’t eliminate any options, it’s better to skip it. Guessing blindly could result in a penalty, reducing your score.
5. Time Management: Effective time management is crucial to minimising negative marking. Rushing through the paper can lead to careless mistakes. Practice mock tests to ensure you can complete the paper within the time limit without compromising on accuracy.
6. Stay Calm and Focused: Stress and anxiety during the exam can lead to over-attempting or careless mistakes. Stay calm, and approach each question with a clear strategy in mind.

By focusing on accuracy, making educated guesses, and avoiding wild guesses, you can manage negative marking effectively and maximise your score in CLAT.