How to Calculate CUET Score 2026? [CUET Marks V/S Percentile]

Overview: The NTA has prescribed the marking scheme and the formula to solve all the doubts regarding how to calculate CUET score. Know the difference between CUET marks & CUET percentile and follow the steps in the article to evaluate your performance in the exam.

CUET scoring has three parts readers often mix up: raw score, normalized score, and percentile. Here we'll show a clear step-by-step method to calculate your raw marks, explain how NTA normalizes scores across test sessions, and show how percentiles are made. Practical examples and short FAQs are also included so you can quickly check your outcome.

Now, if you are planning to appear for the CUET exam, you may want to know how to determine CUET score for adequate preparation. 

• Your raw score is calculated by verifying the final CUET answer key, considering the correct and incorrect answers, and following the marking scheme prescribed by NTA. 
• Once you have your raw score, you may quickly determine your CUET percentage and an approximation of your CUET rank by following the steps in the article.

Raw score — formula & example

Raw score formula: Raw score = (Number of correct answers × 5) − (Number of incorrect answers × 1). This uses the official marking rule of +5 for each correct answer and −1 for each wrong answer.

Example: If you answered 80 questions correctly and 10 incorrectly, your raw score = (80 × 5) − (10 × 1) = 400 − 10 = 390.

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Why Normalization is Needed & How NTA Does It?

CUET is held over multiple sessions and days. To make fair comparisons between candidates from different sessions, NTA uses a percentile-based equi-percentile method to convert raw marks into normalized marks. This process compares each candidate’s performance within their session, then equates those percentiles across sessions so the final scores are comparable. For technical details, see NTA’s explanation on normalization.

How to Calculate CUET Score 2026?

The exam score is calculated based on the prescribed marking scheme used for the CUET exam. 

Here are the steps for how to calculate marks in CUET exam:

• Step 1: Log into the official portal of CUET UG and download the response sheet and CUET answer key.
• Step 2: Determine the total number of questions attempted in the exam.
• Step 3: Use the answer key to determine the total number of correct and incorrect answers.
• Step 4: Check the marking scheme to calculate the raw score for the examination.
• Step 5: Use the following formula to calculate the raw score.

You can calculate your score using the following formula: 

(Number of correct answers x 5) - (Number of incorrect answers x 1)

How Percentile is Calculated?

NTA calculates percentile using a simple idea: for a candidate, percentile = 100 × (number of candidates with raw score equal to or less than that candidate) ÷ (total number of candidates in that session).

For example, if 9,000 candidates scored equal or below you out of 10,000 in the same session, your percentile = 100 × (9,000 ÷ 10,000) = 90.

Is There a Negative Marking in CUET 2026? 

Yes. The CUET marking scheme indicates a negative marking in the exam. The marking scheme is essential, as it outlines how to calculate your CUET score.

While learning how to calculate CUET score, you must know that your final CUET percentile and rank will be based on the marking scheme. 

Particulars	CUET Marking Scheme
Correct Answer	+ 5 marks
Incorrect Answer	- 1 mark
Unattempted Answer	No marks

Planning to appear for CUET 2026, have any doubts or queries regarding how to calculate your CUET score, or do you need expert answers regarding CUET & IPM, this batch is your answer:

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How to Calculate Percentile in CUET 2026? 

Since each test paper will be held in multiple shifts in 2026, the CUET UG exam will use the normalization method. 

However, for your understanding and knowledge regarding how to calculate CUET score and percentile, the process of calculating your percentile is as follows:

• First, raw scores are converted into percentile scores using the formula below:

Percentile score = Number of candidates who appeared from the session with raw score EQUAL TO OR LESS than the score / Total number of candidates who appeared in the session

Then, CUET percentiles are arranged. The results would be prepared in the form of:

• Raw Scores
• Percentile Scores of Total Raw Scores

The formula below will determine the percentiles for each candidate in the session.

Percentile score of total raw score = Number of candidates who appeared from the session with raw score EQUAL TO OR LESS than the highest score/ Total number of candidates who appeared in the session* 100

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What are CUET Marks vs. Percentile 2026?

Now that you know how to calculate CUET score and percentile, you may want to examine the difference between them for more clarity.

The CUET cut-off will indicate the minimum percentile for admission to UG courses.

The table below shows it:

Aspect	CUET Marks	CUET Percentile
Meaning	These are the raw scores you receive in each subject or overall exam.	It shows your percentage position compared to all other candidates.
Calculation	It is calculated as the sum of your marks in each subject.	It is the ratio of candidates who met or fell short of a specific score to the total number of candidates who took the test.
Significance	Indicates your performance in each test paper.	A high percentile signifies you scored better than a more significant percentage of candidates.
Usage	Used to assess your suitability for admission to a specific UG course	It ranks candidates for admission to a particular program.

Why is Knowing How to Calculate CUET Score and Percentile Significant? 

• A higher percentile indicates a better relative performance. Since percentile rankings are used to determine admissions, try to get a percentile that matches the cutoffs for the courses you are interested in at your desired universities.
• You must target a higher percentile since cut-offs are course-wise rather than based on the university. 

Refer to the table below to understand the difference between CUET percentile vs. marks or CUET marks vs. rank.

CUET Marks Range (Based on Min. 4 subjects)	CUET Percentile
1000-988	100
987 - 970	99
969 - 950	98 - 97
949 - 930	96 - 95
929 - 910	94 - 93
909 - 890	92 - 90
889 - 880	89 - 84
879 - 870	83 - 80
869 - 860	79 - 75
859 - 850	74 - 70
849 - 820	69 - 55
819 and below	54 - 30

Discover How to Get into DU in 2026 via CUET 

Key Takeaways

Lastly, while you learn how to calculate CUET score, you must note that:

• The National Testing Agency (NTA) has introduced the percentile method for CUET to enhance transparency.
• The normalization process will be used in CUET 2026, and the raw scores will be used to calculate normalized scores. 
• The marks and percentiles differ and are calculated using different formulas. 
• Follow the marking scheme to calculate your raw scores. The raw scores will be used to calculate the percentile. 
• If you face any difficulty regarding the answer key or marking scheme, get expert guidance through Supergrads CUET Online Coaching.