Every year, thousands of aspirants lose 10-15 marks in RRB NTPC simply because they don't understand the negative marking system. The exam penalizes incorrect answers with a deduction of 1/3 mark, which means attempting 3 wrong questions cancels out 1 correct answer.
This article breaks down the complete RRB NTPC marking scheme for both CBT 1 and CBT 2 stages. You'll learn exactly how marks are awarded, how negative marking works, and practical strategies to avoid unnecessary mark deductions.
Critical Insight
Whether you're targeting graduate or undergraduate posts, understanding this marking pattern is crucial for crossing the cutoff. Let's decode the scoring system that determines your rank.
Quick Answer (30-Second Read)
- Positive Marking: +1 mark for every correct answer in both CBT 1 (100 marks) and CBT 2 (120 marks)
- Negative Marking: -1/3 mark (0.33 marks) deducted for each incorrect answer
- Unanswered Questions: No marks deducted for questions left blank
- Key Strategy: Avoid random guessing—3 wrong attempts = 1 correct answer wasted
Source: Railway Recruitment Board Official Notifications 2024-25
RRB NTPC CBT 1 Marking Scheme Breakdown
The First Stage CBT consists of 100 questions, each carrying one mark, making it a total of 100 marks. This screening test determines whether you qualify for CBT 2.
Correct Answer
+1 Mark Awarded
You score +1 mark for every correct answer. This applies uniformly across all questions and sections.
Incorrect Answer
-0.33 Marks Deducted
You lose 0.33 marks (1/3 mark) for each wrong answer. Three wrong answers cancel out one correct answer.
Unattempted Question
0 Marks (No Penalty)
Leaving a question blank results in 0 marks—neither positive nor negative impact on your score.
The exam duration is 90 minutes for general candidates and 120 minutes for PWD candidates. This means you have approximately 54 seconds per question.
Subject-Wise Question Distribution CBT 1
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks | Time Allocation (Recommended) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 40 questions | 40 marks | 35-40 minutes |
| Mathematics | 30 questions | 30 marks | 25-30 minutes |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 questions | 30 marks | 20-25 minutes |
| Total | 100 questions | 100 marks | 90 minutes |
The negative marking applies uniformly across all three sections. Your normalized score from CBT 1 determines your eligibility for CBT 2.
One Platform. All Competitive Exams.
SSC • IBPS PO • CAT • Railway • Defence & more — everything in one place. Comprehensive study material, mock tests, and personalized learning paths.
RRB NTPC CBT 2 Marking Scheme Explained
CBT 2 contains 120 questions worth 120 marks, conducted for 90 minutes. This stage is more challenging, and the same marking scheme continues.
Each Correct Answer
+1 mark awarded
Each Wrong Answer
1/3 mark deducted
Blank Answers
No penalty
What Makes CBT 2 Different?
The level of questions differs for different post levels, and normalization of marks is done for candidates who appear in multiple shifts. Your CBT 2 score directly impacts your final merit ranking.
Minimum pass percentages vary by category: 40% for UR & EWS, 30% for OBC (NCL) and SC, 25% for ST candidates.
Subject Distribution CBT 2
General Awareness
questions
50 marks • Increased weightage requires focused preparation on current affairs and railway-related topics.
Mathematics
questions
35 marks • Application-based questions with multi-step calculations.
General Intelligence & Reasoning
questions
35 marks • Analytical reasoning and pattern-based questions.
Impact of Negative Marking on Your Final Score
Let's understand this with real numbers. Rajesh from Delhi appeared for RRB NTPC CBT 1 and attempted all 100 questions. He got 70 correct and 30 wrong.
Scenario 1: Attempted All Questions
Scenario 2: Left 10 Doubtful Questions Blank
Wait—that seems lower! But here's the catch: candidates selected for Stage 2 are 20 times the number of vacancies. In our analysis of 800+ PrepGrind students who cleared RRB NTPC 2024, those who maintained accuracy above 75% consistently scored better than those who attempted everything recklessly.
Marking Scheme for CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test)
CBAT applies only to Station Master and Traffic Assistant posts, and there is no negative marking in this test. This is a crucial difference.
CBAT Scoring System
- Minimum T-Score required: 42 in each test battery
- No penalty for wrong answers – attempt all questions
- Applies to all categories with no relaxation
Final Merit Calculation
The final merit for SM/TA posts combines 70% weightage from CBT 2 and 30% from CBAT.
Since CBAT has no negative marking, attempt all questions even if you're uncertain. The risk-reward ratio completely changes here.
Comparison Table: CBT 1 vs CBT 2 Marking Scheme
| Factor | CBT 1 | CBT 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 100 | 120 |
| Total Marks | 100 | 120 |
| Time Duration | 90 min (120 for PWD) | 90 min (120 for PWD) |
| Positive Marking | +1 per correct answer | +1 per correct answer |
| Negative Marking | -1/3 per wrong answer | -1/3 per wrong answer |
| Unattempted | No penalty | No penalty |
| Normalization | Yes (multi-shift) | Yes (multi-shift) |
| Merit Consideration | Only for CBT 2 shortlisting | Final merit ranking |
Your Action Plan: Maximizing Marks with Smart Strategy
Understanding the marking scheme is one thing; applying it strategically is another. Here's your step-by-step approach:
For High-Confidence Questions (90%+ Sure)
Attempt immediately without second-guessing. These are your guaranteed +1 marks.
In Mathematics and Reasoning, straightforward questions fall in this category.
For Medium-Confidence Questions (60-75% Sure)
Make an educated guess after eliminating obviously wrong options.
If you can eliminate 2 out of 4 options, your probability of being correct increases to 50%, making the risk worthwhile.
For Low-Confidence Questions (Below 60% Sure)
Leave them blank. The 0.33 mark penalty isn't worth the risk.
Priyanka from Mumbai, who scored 98.2 percentile in RRB NTPC 2024, shared: "I left 12 questions blank in CBT 1 and still scored 81/100 because I focused on accuracy over attempts."
Time Management Strategy
With roughly 54 seconds per question in CBT 1, spend your first 60 minutes attempting all high and medium-confidence questions. Use the last 30 minutes for review and calculated guesses.
Mock Test Analysis
After every mock test, calculate your "effective accuracy rate"—not just questions attempted correctly, but marks scored after negative marking. Aim for 75%+ effective accuracy consistently.
People also search for
How much marks are deducted for wrong answers in RRB NTPC exam?
For each incorrect answer, 1/3rd mark (0.33 marks) is deducted from your total score in both CBT 1 and CBT 2.
This means three wrong answers result in the loss of one full mark. However, unanswered questions carry no penalty, making strategic skipping a viable option during the exam.
Is there negative marking in RRB NTPC CBAT for Station Master posts?
No, there is no negative marking in the Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT).
Candidates appearing for Station Master and Traffic Assistant posts should attempt all CBAT questions since wrong answers don't result in mark deduction. You need a minimum T-Score of 42 in each test battery to qualify, regardless of your category.
Should I attempt all 100 questions in RRB NTPC CBT 1 or leave some blank?
This depends on your accuracy level.
If accuracy > 75%
Attempt more questions. Higher accuracy means lower risk.
If accuracy < 70%
Focus on 85-90 questions with higher confidence.
Our data from 500+ PrepGrind students shows that those who maintained 75%+ accuracy scored 5-8 marks higher than those who blindly attempted everything with 60-65% accuracy.
Does negative marking apply equally to all three sections in RRB NTPC?
Yes, the -1/3 mark penalty applies uniformly across General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence & Reasoning sections in both CBT 1 and CBT 2.
There's no section-wise differentiation in the marking scheme. However, the difficulty level and your comfort with subjects may vary, so adjust your attempt strategy accordingly for each section.
How does normalization work with negative marking in RRB NTPC?
Normalization of marks is done for candidates appearing in multiple shifts to ensure fairness in difficulty levels.
Your raw score (after negative marking) is first calculated, then normalized based on the difficulty level of your shift. This means your final qualifying score considers both negative marking penalties and shift-wise normalization, making accuracy even more critical.
Conclusion: Your Next Step
The RRB NTPC marking scheme rewards accuracy over random attempts. With +1 for correct answers and -1/3 for wrong ones, every careless guess costs you. The difference between a 70-mark scorer and an 85-mark scorer often isn't knowledge—it's strategy.
Focus on building strong fundamentals in all three sections. During the exam, categorize questions by confidence level and attempt strategically. Remember: leaving 10 questions blank is better than getting 15 questions wrong.
Ready to master the RRB NTPC exam with expert guidance? Explore PrepGrind's comprehensive RRB NTPC test series designed by railway exam toppers, featuring section-wise analysis and personalized accuracy improvement plans.
Practice Smarter. Rank Higher.
Free mock tests with analytics, instant feedback, and section-wise practice for RRB NTPC,SSC, IBPS, CAT & more.