Negative Marking Score Calculator

Work out negative marking score instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Negative Marking Score Calculator

The net score is correct answers times the marks each, less wrong answers times the penalty; accuracy is measured only over questions actually attempted. With +4 and -1 marking, guessing pays only above 20% accuracy, so knowing your accuracy rate is what decides whether to attempt a doubtful question.

Formulas

Net score

net = correct x marks per correct - wrong x penalty per wrong

Break-even guess rate

guessing is worthwhile when accuracy > penalty / (marks per correct + penalty)

Worked example

With the default values below, Negative Marking Score Calculator returns Net score of 120.00. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Correct answersminimum 0: 32
Wrong answersminimum 0: 8
Marks per correct answerminimum 0.25: 4
Penalty per wrong answerminimum 0: 1

Results

Net score: 120.00
Marks from correct answers: 128.00
Marks lost to penalties: 8.00
Accuracy on attempted questions: 80.0%

Step by step

1Values used
2Net score
3Break-even guess rate
4Net score= 120.00
5Marks from correct answers= 128.00
6Marks lost to penalties= 8.00
7Accuracy on attempted questions= 80.0

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Negative Marking Score figure worked out?

net = correct x marks per correct - wrong x penalty per wrong. The net score is correct answers times the marks each, less wrong answers times the penalty; accuracy is measured only over questions actually attempted.

Why does this matter?

With +4 and -1 marking, guessing pays only above 20% accuracy, so knowing your accuracy rate is what decides whether to attempt a doubtful question.

What do I need to enter?

Enter correct answers, wrong answers, marks per correct answer, penalty per wrong answer. The defaults shown are a realistic worked example — swap in your own figures to get a result you can use.