The negative marking system is a game-changer—it can make or break your final score. If you’re gearing up for the RRB JE 2025 exam, understanding how negative marking works is crucial.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
✔ How much marks you lose per wrong answer
✔ Minimum qualifying marks for each category
✔ Smart strategies to avoid losing marks
✔ Real-life examples of how candidates messed up (and how you can avoid it)
Key Highlights📌
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) |
| Exam Name | RRB JE 2025 (Junior Engineer) |
| Negative Marking in CBT 1 | ⅓ mark deducted per wrong answer |
| Negative Marking in CBT 2 | ⅓ mark deducted per wrong answer |
| Minimum Passing Marks (UR) | 40% in both CBT 1 & CBT 2 |
| Minimum Passing Marks (OBC/SC) | 30% in both CBT 1 & CBT 2 |
| Minimum Passing Marks (ST) | 25% in both CBT 1 & CBT 2 |
| Total Questions (CBT 1) | 100 (Maths, Reasoning, Science, GK) |
| Total Questions (CBT 2) | 150 (Tech Abilities, Physics, Computers) |
| Official Website | rrbcdg.gov.in |
How Does RRB JE Negative Marking Work? ❌
The RRB JE exam has a strict negative marking policy in both CBT 1 and CBT 2. Here’s how it impacts your score:
📉 Mark Deduction per Wrong Answer
- For every incorrect answer, ⅓ (0.33) marks are deducted.
- Unattempted questions? No penalty—only wrong answers cost you.
Example Scenario:
- If you attempt 80 out of 100 in CBT 1 and get 15 wrong:
- Correct answers: 65 × 1 = +65 marks
- Wrong answers: 15 × 0.33 = -5 marks
- Final score: 65 – 5 = 60 marks
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure, skip! Blind guessing can hurt more than help.
Minimum Qualifying Marks for RRB JE 2025 🎯
Not everyone needs the same score to qualify. The cut-offs vary by category:
| Category | CBT 1 (Out of 100) | CBT 2 (Out of 150) |
|---|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 40 marks (40%) | 60 marks (40%) |
| OBC/SC | 30 marks (30%) | 45 marks (30%) |
| ST | 25 marks (25%) | 37.5 marks (25%) |
| PwBD (Relaxation) | 2% lower than category norms | 2% lower than category norms |
Fun Fact: Last year, many UR candidates missed the cutoff by just 1-2 marks due to careless negative marking!
How to Calculate Your RRB JE Score 📊
Worried about estimating your score? Here’s a simple formula:
Final Score = (Correct Answers × 1) – (Wrong Answers × 0.33)
Example Calculation (CBT 2):
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 150 |
| Attempted | 130 |
| Correct Answers | 110 |
| Wrong Answers | 20 |
| Score Calculation | (110 × 1) – (20 × 0.33) = 110 – 6.6 = 103.4 |
Is 103.4 enough? Depends on your category!
3 Common Mistakes That Lead to Negative Marking (And How to Avoid Them) 🚫
1️⃣ Over-Guessing Without Clues
- Real-Life Case: Rohan (UR) lost 8 marks in CBT 1 by randomly guessing 24 questions. He scored 32/100 instead of 40!
- Fix: Only guess if you can eliminate at least 2 options.
2️⃣ Misreading Technical Questions in CBT 2
- Expert Insight: Dr. Priya (RRB Coach) says, “Most errors in CBT 2 happen in Technical Abilities—candidates rush and misapply formulas.”
- Fix: Double-check units and diagrams before answering.
3️⃣ Skipping Easy Marks in GK
- Research Data: 30% of candidates lose 5+ marks in General Awareness by not revising basic current affairs.
- Fix: Spend 10 mins/day on GK updates before the exam.
Smart Strategies to Minimize Negative Marking 🧠
✅ Attempt Only What You’re Confident In
- Ideal Attempt Ratio:
- CBT 1: 70-80 questions (if accuracy is 85%+)
- CBT 2: 110-120 questions (Tech section is lengthy)
✅ Use Elimination Technique
- Remove obviously wrong choices first.
- Even if unsure, a 50-50 guess is better than blind picking.
✅ Time Management is Key
| Section | Suggested Time (CBT 1) | Suggested Time (CBT 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Maths/Science | 25 mins | 20 mins |
| Reasoning/GK | 20 mins | 15 mins |
| Tech Abilities | – | 60 mins |
| Review | 10 mins | 10 mins |
Final Thoughts🤔
Short Answer: It depends!
- If you’re scoring near the cutoff, play safe.
- If you need high ranks, calculated risks help.
Expert Tip: “Aim for 10-15% more than your category’s minimum to stay safe.” — Neha Sharma (Top 10 RRB JE 2024 Ranker).
Akash Singh is a content creator focusing on recruitment notifications and admit cards. He holds a degree in Business Administration and has 4+ years of experience. Akash enjoys simplifying job application processes and is a fitness enthusiast.
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