The CLAT-2013 notification is out
and the major change is that they have introduced negative marking this year. So what is this hullabaloo about negative
marking in CLAT? Does it really make a difference? After all it is only a 0.25
marks deduction for a wrong answer. So what if some answers are wrong? These
are the thoughts that go on in the minds of a CLAT-taker this year. This step
will weed out the non-serious candidates from the serious ones. It is no longer
possible for the “lucky” ones without preparation who take a chance and mark
the answers to score high marks.
Introduction of negative marking
is a significant change in the CLAT exam and not one to be taken lightly. The
entire approach to the exam differs based on this simple change. A deduction of
0.25 marks for a wrong answer appears minuscule taken individually, but just
imagine you get 140 questions right, 40 questions wrong and leave 20 questions
unanswered. A score of 140 would assure
you of a seat in one of the top NLUS (based on last year’s results). However,
the 40 wrong answers would make sure that you lose 10 marks. Now your score is
130 and the chances of securing a seat in the top 3 NLUs are bleak. You would
probably make it to one of the other NLUs. In a competitive exam where every
single mark counts, where dozens of students or maybe hundreds have the same
total score, you would not want to lose even the 0.25 marks that would stand in
the way between you and the NLUs.
So how does one approach the CLAT
exam with negative marking? For once, you need to unlearn a few things. Right
from your school days in first standard, you are told – Don’t leave the paper
blank. Try and attempt the answer in any possible way. If you don’t know, make
a guess. You will atleast get marks for trying. You are so used to answering
every single question that you think it is unpardonable to leave even one
question unmarked. Now you need to reverse your philosophy. Do not attempt any question unless you are
sure of the answer. There are no marks for trying. In fact, there is a
penalty for a wrong answer. So it is in fact unpardonable to mark a wrong
answer.
Read the question. If you are
sure of the answer, mark it, else move on to the next question. You may be able
to attempt only 70% of the paper. If you are sure to get 140 answers right, it
is better than attempting all 200 and getting 60 questions wrong. So brush up
all your concepts and start practising this approach in your mock tests. Take a
few mock tests and you will understand what I am saying.
