Does SSC CGL Have Negative Marking in 2025?
Yes. Negative marking is applicable in both Tier-I and Tier-II of the SSC CGL 2025 examination. Candidates lose marks for every incorrect response, and the penalty varies based on the paper and section. Understanding how negative marking works is essential to reducing score loss and improving your Tier-II merit rank.
Key Points of Updated SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2025
In 2025, SSC CGL continues to focus heavily on Tier-II for final selection, with several refinements made to streamline the process and enhance accuracy. Exam-takers must understand these changes clearly and adjust their preparation accordingly.
- Tier-I (Computer-Based): Objective-type exam for all candidates; qualifying marks required.
- Tier-II – Paper 1 (Computer-Based): Compulsory for all candidates; marks considered for final merit.
- Tier-II – Paper 2 (Computer-Based): Only for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) applicants.
- Document Verification (Offline): Verification of original documents and certificates of qualified candidates.
- Negative Marking: Deduction for wrong answers as per exam rules.
- Merit List: Based on Tier-I and Tier-II (Paper 1/Paper 2 where applicable) scores.
Negative Marking in SSC CGL 2025?
Understanding the negative marking scheme is important for minimizing score loss. SSC CGL applies different penalties for incorrect answers across Tiers I and II.
Tier-I Negative Marking
- 0.50 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in all sections.
Tier-II Negative Marking
- Paper-I (Section-I, Section-II, and Module-I of Section-III):
→ 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer. - Paper-II (Statistics for JSO):
→ 0.50 marks deducted for each incorrect answer. - Paper-III (General Studies for AAO):
→ 0.50 marks deducted for each incorrect answer.
Quick Reference Table
Refer to the SSC CGL 2025 negative marking chart below for Tier 1 and Tier 2. This table shows paper-wise penalties for incorrect answers in each section.
| Paper | Section/Module | Negative Marking |
| Tier-I | All Sections | 0.50 marks |
| Tier-II | Paper-I: Section-I, II, III (Module-I) | 1 mark |
| Paper-II (Statistics) | 0.50 marks | |
| Paper-III (Finance & Economics) | 0.50 marks |
Negative Marking in SSC CGL Typing Test 2025
There is no negative marking in the SSC CGL Typing Test. However, your error percentage is important and is calculated based on the number and type of mistakes you make while typing the given passage.
SSC CGL Typing Test Mistakes: Full vs Half Mistakes
During the SSC CGL Typing Test Errors, accuracy is as important as speed. Mistakes are categorized into Full Mistakes and Half Mistakes, which affect your final score differently. Understanding what constitutes each type of mistake can help candidates avoid common errors and improve their typing efficiency. Below is a detailed classification of mistakes in the SSC CGL Typing Test.
| Type of Mistake | Examples / Details |
| Full Mistakes | – Omission of a word or number – Wrong substitution of a word/figure (excluding transposition) – Addition of any extra word/figure – Spelling errors (repetition, omission, substitution of letters) e.g., “spelling” typed as “seeplings” or “speling” – Repetition of any word/figure e.g., “I shall shall go…” – Incomplete words e.g., “goi” for “going” |
| Half Mistakes | – Spacing errors: Missing or extra spaces e.g., “Ihope” or “h ave” – Capitalization errors: Using capital letters in place of small letters (not applicable for Hindi typing) – Punctuation errors: Missing or incorrect punctuation – Transposition errors: Words typed in wrong order e.g., “hope I” instead of “I hope” – Paragraph spacing issues: Uneven spacing at the beginning of paragraphs, especially if space is added manually instead of using Tab key |
How to Minimize Score Loss from Negative Marking?
In SSC exams, negative marking can significantly impact your overall score, especially if you make random guesses or rush through questions. Being strategic about how you attempt questions can help you minimize score loss while maximizing accuracy. Below are some effective tips to handle negative marking efficiently:
- Attempt only when confident – Uncertain guesses can reduce your net score.
- Eliminate wrong options first – Improves odds of correct answers.
- Manage time wisely – Rushing leads to mistakes.
- Revise attempted answers only if sure – Changing answers without logic may cause unnecessary penalties.
- Practice mock tests with negative marking simulated – This builds realistic test behavior.
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Key Takeaways of SSC CGL 2025 Negative Marking
Below are the key takeaways of SSC CGL Negative Marking:
- Negative marking is applicable in both Tier 1 and Tier 2 of SSC CGL 2025.
- Tier 1 deducts 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer across all sections.
- Tier 2 Paper-I has 1 mark negative marking per wrong answer.
- Tier 2 Papers II (Statistics) and III (Finance & Economics) deduct 0.50 marks per incorrect answer.
- There is no penalty for unanswered questions in any paper.
- Typing Test has no negative marking, but full and half mistakes impact accuracy percentage.
- Avoid blind guessing to reduce the risk of unnecessary score deductions.
- Only Tier 2 marks are used for final merit; Tier 1 is qualifying only.
- Understand question weight and penalty before attempting each section.
- Practice with mock tests that simulate negative marking to build smart test strategies.
SSC CGL Negative Marking 2025: FAQs
Ans. Yes, SSC CGL Tier 1 has a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer.
Ans. Yes, negative marking applies to all sections of Tier-I and specific modules of Tier-II, depending on the paper.
Ans. Yes, leaving a question blank results in no penalty, so it’s better to skip unsure answers than guess.
Ans. It’s evaluated based on accuracy percentage, which is calculated using the number of full and half mistakes.
Ans. No, there is no negative marking in the Typing Test, but your mistake percentage is evaluated.
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