MENTORAExam Prep
CUET Marking Scheme Explained (2026): Scores, Negative Marking & Normalisation
By the Mentora Academic Team · Updated 1 August 2026 · 6 min read
In CUET UG 2026, each subject test has 50 compulsory multiple-choice questions worth 250 marks — +5 for a correct answer and −1 for a wrong one, with 0 for unattempted. So your subject score = (correct × 5) − (wrong × 1). Scores are then normalised across exam shifts before being used for admission.
CUET is scored differently from NEET and JEE — the reward per question is higher (+5), and each subject is marked separately. This guide explains the 2026 CUET UG marking scheme and why your reported score may differ from your raw marks.
How is CUET scored per subject?
Each CUET subject test has 50 questions, all compulsory, for a maximum of 250 marks. The marking is:
| Outcome | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct answer | +5 |
| Wrong answer | −1 |
| Unattempted | 0 |
Your score in each subject = (correct × 5) − (wrong × 1), out of 250. You take a separate 60-minute test for each subject you choose. Check any subject’s score with the CUET score calculator.
How does CUET negative marking work?
A wrong answer costs 1 mark, but because you also miss the +5, a wrong answer effectively costs 6 marks compared with a correct one. That makes CUET’s penalty proportionally smaller than NEET’s, but still significant.
Worked example: in a subject, 44 correct and 4 wrong gives (44 × 5) − (4 × 1) = 220 − 4 = 216 out of 250.
Why does CUET normalise scores?
Popular CUET subjects are held in multiple shifts across different days, and no two shifts are identical in difficulty. To compare candidates fairly, NTA applies percentile-based normalisation: your raw marks are converted into a normalised score relative to others in your shift, and it is this normalised score — not your raw marks — that universities use. This is why your final CUET scorecard can differ from the marks you calculate from the answer key.
How many subjects can you take in CUET UG?
CUET UG 2026 is a computer-based test built from three kinds of section: a language section (Section IA), domain-specific subjects (Section II), and a General Aptitude Test (Section III). A candidate can appear for up to five tests in total, chosen to match the requirements of the courses and universities they are applying to. Always check each university’s specific subject requirements before finalising your choices.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CUET UG marking scheme for 2026?
Each subject test awards +5 marks for a correct answer and −1 for a wrong answer, with 0 for unattempted, across 50 questions for a maximum of 250 marks per subject.
How is the CUET score calculated?
For each subject, score = (correct × 5) − (wrong × 1). For example, 44 correct and 4 wrong gives (44 × 5) − 4 = 216 out of 250.
Why is my CUET scorecard different from my raw marks?
CUET uses percentile-based normalisation across exam shifts of differing difficulty. Universities use your normalised score, which can differ from the raw marks you calculate from the answer key.
How many subjects can I choose in CUET UG?
You can appear for up to five tests, chosen from the language, domain-subject and general-aptitude sections to match the courses you are applying to.
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