Tips to reduce negative marking in CAT Exam

The CAT (Common Admission Test) is a highly competitive exam organized every year for admission into various management programs in prestigious Indian institutes. The CAT (Common Admission Test) has a negative marking scheme just like other competitive examinations. This negative marking scheme can ruin your overall CAT examination ranking. Hence, it is essential to think twice before blind guessing a particular question.

CAT Marking Scheme:

Since, CAT exam has a -1 negative marking for every incorrect answer, applicants must be really concerned while answering the questions. This negative marking can bring down the overall ranking of your CAT examination. To reduce the risk of negative marking and maximize your chances of scoring well, consider the following tips:

1. Time management

Managing your time during any given exam is very important. Don’t spend too much time on just a single question. If you feel you are stuck, move to the next question and come back later if you have time.

2. Prioritize strengths

Identify your strengths among the three sections (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability). Start with the section that you are most comfortable with to build confidence and score well.

3. Read questions carefully

One common mistake which is mostly observed is that applicants do not  read the questions thoroughly. They are in such a hurry that they miss to understand what is being asked. Misinterpreting a question will only lead applicants to incorrect answers and negative marking.

Moreover, the applicants alone cannot be blamed as the paper is designed in such a tricky way.

4. Attempt easy questions first

Always start with answering the easiest ones first before moving on to the tougher ones. This will help you accumulating positive marks and build momentum.

5. Avoid blind guessing

Blind guessing, where you randomly choose an answer without any logic, can lead to more negative marks than positive ones. Instead, you can use the elimination technique based on your knowledge and reasoning. You can do this by eliminating the answers that are clearly incorrect. This will improve your odds of selecting the right answer, even if you’re unsure about it.

6. Stay calm

Stress and anxiety can lead to poor decision-making and errors. Practice relaxation techniques and maintain a calm mindset during the exam.

7. Avoid last minute guesswork

In the last few minutes, the applicants sometimes starts panicking and starts guessing answers for unattempted questions. This will eventually lead them to answer the questions incorrectly. So, it is better to leave them blank than to potentially accumulate negative marks.

Remember that CAT is not only about avoiding negative marking but also about maximizing your overall score. Focus on building a strong foundation of concepts, practice consistently, and develop effective test taking strategies to achieve better results.

Also Read: How to improve logical reasoning for CAT aspirants