The Common University Entrance Test for undergraduate admissions is conducted by the National Testing Agency in multiple shifts and sessions. Since question papers can vary in difficulty, the final result is not based only on raw marks but on a normalised scoring system known as the NTA score or percentile.
How does the CUET UG marking work?
In CUET UG, each correct answer is awarded marks as per the official marking scheme, while incorrect responses attract negative marking. However, the raw score obtained by a candidate is only the first step in the evaluation process. These raw marks are later converted into percentile scores through normalisation.
The system ensures that candidates who appear in different shifts with varying difficulty levels are assessed on a comparable scale. This prevents an advantage or disadvantage based on the specific paper a student receives.
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What is the NTA score and the percentile method?
The NTA score is calculated using a percentile method, which reflects the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or below a particular candidate in a session. Instead of absolute marks, performance is measured relative to others in the same shift.
For example, a higher percentile indicates better performance compared to more candidates in that session, regardless of slight differences in paper difficulty. This approach is widely used in national-level entrance exams to maintain fairness.
Why is normalisation used?
CUET UG is conducted over multiple days and slots, making direct comparison of raw marks difficult. Normalisation removes discrepancies caused by different question sets and ensures a balanced evaluation across all candidates.
The process also helps in preparing merit lists and admissions, where universities rely on percentile scores rather than raw marks. This makes the system more uniform for large-scale participation across India.
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Preparation of the final score
After normalisation, the NTA score becomes the basis for ranking and counselling. Universities participating in CUET UG use these percentile scores to shortlist candidates for different undergraduate programmes.
Since admissions depend on relative performance, even small differences in percentile can influence final rankings and seat allocation.
