To get selected in the IIM Bangalore BSc (Hons.) in Economics and Data Science you require excellent results in the admission test. The success of a program depends on skillful management of the negative marking system. The IIMB UG test is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) that is conducted within a time of 120 minutes, and it has a total of 60 multiple-choice questions. Every wrong answer will result in a penalty of one-third of the marks.
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Why You Should Skip Questions Instead of Guessing Blindly
When unsure, you should not answer any question since that will give you a net score that is very low since there is a negative marking of 1/3 rd. With a penalty of one-third of the positive mark, random guessing statistically ensures that the loss is incurred across a large number of questions.
The major guidelines for reducing the uncertainty risk:
- Blind guessing (Risk): By chance in a test consisting of 4 options on an MCQ, only 25% of the time, one can guess correctly. The 1/3rd penalty makes sure that the negative deduction of a wrong answer is larger than this slight possible advantage.
- Skip Smartly: In case when a question is confusing, very complicated, or very long to get a chance to find an answer within two minutes of the approximate time of the test, skip it directly.
- Educated Guessing Threshold: You can only guess when you are sure that you are rejecting two or more of the four choices. This move increases your chances of being right to 50 percent and it is a risk that is worth taking.
- Before the results are announced, learners should find out who scored highly: Spotted: The top scorers did not attempt the hard questions. There are also some of the best candidates who will skip certain questions due to the awareness of preserving their raw score.
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Section-Wise Plan to Improve Accuracy in IIMB UG Exam
To accomplish this, section-specific measures to improve accuracy, rather than focusing solely on speed, will be necessary. Among the major causes of negative marks are careless errors in calculation or misinterpreting the question; rarely is it due to a lack of conceptual knowledge.
Quantitative/ Data Interpretation (30 Questions)
This part takes up a half of the full weight in examinations (30 of the 60 questions). Errors in this part are twice as harmful to the total score as in other parts and therefore require a very high level of clarity.
- Empower Ideas: Fallacies are usually caused by incomplete knowledge. Re-study all formulae, theorems, and short-cuts, more particularly in heavy subjects such as Arithmetic and Algebra.
- Attention: Check two to three times before choosing final answer. Under examination pressure, simple arithmetic mistakes occur frequently.
- Visualize the Problem: In complicated word problems (e.g. in Time and Distance or Geometry), draw a picture or diagram of the sum to be sure that one understands everything before constructing the equation.
- Read Keywords: Be sure to pay attention to units (e.g., ratios, percentages, time units) and underline important words in the question.
Logical Reasoning: (15 questions)
Correctness in Rational thinking relies upon design. One fault in the fundamental reasoning may nullify the responses of a question group to which it is linked.
- Organized Work: Have neat and clear tables, schedule or diagram of rough work. Such clarity excludes any errors in tracking various conditions or variables.
- Verify Base Logic: Spend some time to ensure that what you had initially set up or logical structure meets all the requirements given in the passage and then proceed to the sub-questions.
- Order of Priority: Activate structured sets, like simple arrangements, groupings, or graph based interpretation, in which the solution path is more evident. It is better not to address unstructured sets that are too ambiguous in the first place.
English Comprehension- (15 questions)
Errors in the comprehension of the English language are often caused by a rush in reading, some assumptions or introduction of some external information that is not in the question.
- Reading at a slow pace: reading the passages slowly and relaxed is important so that you can be sure of having absorbed the main idea.
- Elimination and Validation: Make good use of elimination. Rule out the options that overstate, distort or exceed what the passage tells us.
- Text Confirmation: It is always advisable to go over the concerned lines in the passage to make sure that the text itself substantiates your decision.
- Practice Grammar: Predictable practice in vocabulary, grammar issues: synonyms, antonyms, tenses, usage, etc. Reliability and error reduction in standalone questions.
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Accuracy vs Attempts Strategy for IIMB UG Exam
In the case of IIMB UG, precision is much more significant than the overall number of attempts since negative marking is steep and the cut off is expected to be high. IIMB UG selection is both depth and logic-oriented, with the accuracy rates being much higher than the 70%.
The exam format provides the applicants with a rough time of 2 minutes per question in the 120 minutes period. When a candidate takes too much time to respond to one challenging question, he/she will be under pressure to respond to other questions and this will result in hasty decision making and this will cause errors in responses to other questions that can be answered.
The High-Accuracy Requirement
The safe percentage of selection to the BSc (Hons.) programs usually proposes more than 70% of the raw score. In order to reach such competition level, a candidate should have above 80 percent accuracy of the questions he/she attempts to answer. The decline in the point of accuracy, in comparison, harms the net score by the one-third penalty.
Estimated Accuracy Impact on Score (Out of 60 Total Questions)
Attempts (A) | Accuracy (p) | Correct Answers | Incorrect Answers | Penalty Deduction (1/3rd) | Net Score (Est.) |
40 | 90% | 36 | 4 | 1.33 | 34.67 |
50 | 80% | 40 | 10 | 3.33 | 36.67 |
55 | 70% | 38.5 | 16.5 | 5.5 | 33.0 |
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Does Negative Marking Apply to All Sections?
Yes, the negative marking is universal to all three parts of the IIMB UG Admission Test. Such uniformity implies that the risk management strategy should be the same throughout the 120 minutes.
The Penalty Rule
IIMB UG Admission Test is specifically made in the form of 60 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). All the sections in the exam have negative marking.
The important facts about the use of negative marking:
- Deduction Consistency: Mark deduction -1/3rd will apply to all the individual questions that have been attempted incorrectly, irrespective of section (English Comprehension, Quant and DI, or Logical reasoning).
- No Exceptions: As compared to some national entrance exams (such as CAT), the IIMB UG does not contain TITA (Type in the Answer) or non-MCQ items. Waiver of the penalty is usually available in other exams, but this is not the case here.
High Risk Profile: This penalty is unique to every 60 questions and, therefore, the whole test is a high-stakes setting in which choosing the right question is most important. Skipping is an excellent time-saving technique that avoids negative deduction of the raw score. In that time you can concentrate on questions with high confidence level.
How to Avoid Negative Marking in IIMB UG 2025 Exam: Conclusion
Managing negative marking in the IIMB UG 2025 exam requires strategic precision and careful decision-making. With a penalty of one-third for every incorrect answer, it’s crucial to prioritize accuracy over the number of attempts. By implementing techniques like smart skipping, educated guessing, and ensuring you’re fully prepared with key concepts, you can significantly reduce the risk of penalties. Focus on selecting questions you’re confident in, and remember: skipping a question is often smarter than guessing blindly. By adhering to these strategies, you can optimize your performance and avoid unnecessary deductions.
