# Exam Negative Marking Calculator

> Score a multiple-choice exam with negative marking, see the marks lost to wrong answers and whether a blind guess gains or loses marks on average.

Category: Education · Applies to: Worldwide · Last updated: 2026-10-29
Interactive calculator: https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/exam-negative-marking-calculator

With negative marking, score = right × marks per right − wrong × penalty. Enter your exam’s marking scheme to see your score and whether guessing pays.

Also called: MCQ score calculator, Exam marks calculator.

## Inputs
- Total questions (default 100)
- Questions attempted (default 80)
- Correct answers (default 60)
- Marks for a correct answer (default 4)
- Marks deducted for a wrong answer (default 1)
- Answer choices per question (default 4)

## Results
- Score
- Maximum score
- Score as % of maximum
- Wrong answers
- Unattempted
- Marks lost to wrong answers
- Accuracy on attempted questions
- Average marks from a blind guess
- Accuracy needed to break even

## Formula

```
Score = Correct × M+ − (Attempted − Correct) × M−;  Guess value = M+ ÷ k − M− × (k − 1) ÷ k;  Break-even accuracy = M− ÷ (M+ + M−)
```

Where:
- M+: marks for a correct answer
- M−: marks deducted for a wrong answer
- k: answer choices per question

## Worked example
1. Wrong = 80 − 60 = 20; score = 60 × 4 − 20 × 1 = 220 of 400 (55%).
2. A blind guess among 4: 1/4 × 4 − 3/4 × 1 = +0.25 marks on average.
3. Break-even accuracy = 1 ÷ (4 + 1) = 20%.

**Result:** 60 right and 20 wrong under +4/−1 marking scores 220 of 400; even a blind guess gains 0.25 marks on average.

## What the result means

If you can rule out even one option, your chance of being right rises and guessing becomes more worthwhile. Answer whenever your confidence is above the break-even accuracy.

## Assumptions and limits
- Each question has exactly one correct option and unattempted questions score zero.
- Sections with different marking schemes need to be calculated separately and added.

## Questions

### Should I guess with negative marking?

Guess when your chance of being right is above M− ÷ (M+ + M−). With +4/−1 that is 20%, so a blind guess among four options (25%) just pays off.

### What does accuracy mean here?

Correct answers as a share of questions you attempted, which shows how careful your attempts were.

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Source: GM¹X CalcVerse — https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/exam-negative-marking-calculator