JEE Main Negative Marking: When Should You Attempt a Question?
With +4 for correct and −1 for wrong, the maths says attempt any question you are more than about 20% sure of. Here is the logic, where it breaks down, and a practical rule.
Edurack
October 21, 2026
JEE Main Paper 1 awards +4 for a correct answer and −1 for an incorrect one. That ratio is the whole story behind smart guessing.
The expected-value rule
If you are p sure of an answer, the expected score of attempting it is 4 × p − 1 × (1 − p) = 5p − 1.
That is positive whenever p is above 0.2, or 20%. In other words, a question you are more than one-in-five sure about is worth attempting on average.
| Your confidence | Expected marks |
|---|---|
| 10% | −0.5 |
| 20% | 0 |
| 30% | +0.5 |
| 50% | +1.5 |
| 80% | +3.0 |
Where the rule breaks down
- Your confidence is usually wrong. Most students overestimate how sure they are. Calibrate by checking, in your mocks, how often your "70% sure" answers are actually right.
- Numerical questions have no options. You cannot eliminate your way to 25%. A numerical answer is right only if your working is right, so confidence should be earned by checking.
- Negative marking applies to numericals as well. The current scheme penalises wrong answers in both sections.
A practical rule
- Sure (about 80% or more): attempt.
- Narrowed to two options by reasoning: attempt, because your odds are near 50%.
- Pure guess among four: you are at the 25% line. It is marginally positive, but not worth the time or the risk of the habit.
- No idea: skip.
Related
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the marking scheme in JEE Main Paper 1?
+4 for each correct answer and −1 for each incorrect one. Negative marking applies to both multiple-choice and numerical questions.
At what confidence should I attempt a question?
On average, any question you are more than about 20% sure about has a positive expected score. In practice, aim for higher confidence.