The Undergraduate Entrance Examination (UGEE) is an important exam conducted by IIIT Hyderabad. It is the gateway to the dual degree programs at the institute. These programs offer students both a B.Tech and an MS by Research over a period of five years.
Every year, thousands of students apply for UGEE because of the unique research-based approach of IIIT Hyderabad. Unlike other exams that only test memory and direct problem-solving, UGEE also evaluates a student’s research aptitude, creativity, and logical skills.
Students often have one common doubt: Does UGEE have negative marking? Understanding the marking scheme is very important. It not only helps in exam preparation but also in forming the right strategy during the test. This article will explain in detail about negative marking in UGEE, exam pattern, timeline, application process, and strategies to prepare for the test with negative marking in mind.
Does UGEE Have Negative Marking?
Yes, UGEE has negative marking in both sections of the exam: SUPR (Subject Proficiency Test) and REAP (Research Aptitude Test).
- Rule: There is 25% negative marking for every wrong answer.
- Example: If a question carries 4 marks, then 1 mark will be deducted if the answer is wrong.
- No penalty for unattempted questions.
This marking scheme is important for students to remember. Many students lose marks because they guess answers. In UGEE, random guessing can reduce your total score. Since the exam has two stages of shortlisting (SUPR first and REAP later), even small mistakes due to negative marking can make a big difference.
UGEE 2026 Exam Pattern
UGEE is conducted as a computer-based test (CBT). The exam takes place in test centers across multiple cities in India. The test has a total duration of 3 hours.
Sections of UGEE
The exam is divided into two parts:
| Section | Duration | Subjects | Key Features | Example Question Type | Importance |
| SUPR (Subject Proficiency Test) | 60 minutes | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (Class 11 & 12 level) | Application-based, not rote learning | Applying chemistry concepts in new situations instead of recalling direct facts | First filter for shortlisting students |
| REAP (Research Aptitude Test) | 120 minutes | Logical reasoning, creative thinking, problem-solving | Goes beyond memorization, involves puzzles and analytical tasks | Pattern recognition, linguistic challenges, reasoning puzzles | Decides ranking and shortlisting for interviews |
Both sections are equally important. SUPR helps in filtering students, while REAP plays a big role in ranking and shortlisting for interviews.
UGEE 2026 Exam Tentative Dates
The exact dates will be announced by IIIT Hyderabad, but the tentative dates for UGEE 2026 is:
| Event | Expected Date |
| Application Start | February 2026 |
| Application Close | March 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | April 2026 |
| UGEE Exam | April 2026 |
| Results | May 2026 |
| Interview | June 2026 |
| Seat Allocation (Round 1) | June 2026 |
| Round 2 Results | July 2026 |
| Reporting to Campus | July 2026 |
| Parents’ Meeting | July 2026 |
Students should regularly check the official IIIT Hyderabad website for the latest updates.
UGEE Examination Centres
The exam is conducted in multiple test centers across India. Students can select their preferred city while filling out the application form. The admit card will have details of the allotted exam center, reporting time, and instructions.
| State | City |
| Andhra Pradesh | Anantapur, Guntur, Kadapa, Kakinada, Kurnool, Nellore, Ongole, Rajahmundry, Srikakulam, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar, Naharlagun |
| Assam | Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Silchar |
| Bihar | Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Patna |
| Chhattisgarh | Bilaspur, Bhilai Nagar, Durg, Raipur |
| Delhi | New Delhi |
| Goa | Panaji |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, Gandhinagar, Mehsana, Vadodara |
| Haryana | Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar, Kurukshetra |
| Himachal Pradesh | Hamirpur, Shimla |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Jammu, Srinagar |
| Jharkhand | Bokaro, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Jamshedpur, Ramgarh, Ranchi |
| Karnataka | Belagavi (Belgaum), Bengaluru, Hubballi (Hubli), Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Mangaluru (Mangalore), Mysuru (Mysore), Udupi |
| Kerala | Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Ujjain |
| Maharashtra | Amaravati, Aurangabad, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nashik, Pune |
| Meghalaya | Shillong |
| Mizoram | Aizawl |
| Odisha | Berhampur-Ganjam, Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, Sambalpur |
| Punjab | Amritsar, Bhatinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Patiala |
| Rajasthan | Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Udaipur |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli |
| Telangana | Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahabubnagar, Nizamabad, Warangal |
| Tripura | Agartala |
| Uttar Pradesh | Agra, Aligarh, Greater Noida, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Moradabad, Noida, Prayagraj, Varanasi |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun, Roorkee |
| West Bengal | Durgapur, Kolkata, Siliguri |
How to Apply for UGEE 2026
Applying for UGEE 2026 is an online process. Every step must be completed carefully, because incomplete or incorrect applications may be rejected. IIIT Hyderabad makes the process student-friendly, but it is still important to understand the details in advance so that you do not face issues at the last moment. Below is a complete guide to help you apply for UGEE 2026 smoothly.
Step 1: Registration on the Official Website
The first step is to visit the official IIIT Hyderabad admissions website. When the UGEE 2026 application portal opens (expected in February 2026), you will find the registration link. Create an account using a valid email address and phone number. Make sure you use your own active email ID, because all future communication regarding the exam will be sent there. After registration, you will receive login credentials. Keep these safe.
Step 2: Filling the Application Form
Once you log in, you need to fill out the UGEE application form. The form will ask for:
- Personal details (name, date of birth, gender, category, nationality)
- Academic details (Class 10 and Class 12 marks, board name, school name, year of passing)
- Exam details (preferred exam city, choice of dual degree programs if required)
Take your time while filling in the information. Enter the details exactly as they appear in your certificates. Even a small mistake in spelling or marks can create problems later during verification.
Step 3: Uploading Documents
The application form also requires you to upload certain documents in scanned format. Usually, these include:
- A recent passport-size photograph (as per the given specifications)
- A scanned signature
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (if available)
- Any category certificate (if applicable)
Check the file size and format before uploading, because the system may reject files that do not match the required specifications.
Step 4: Payment of Application Fee
The application fee must be paid online to complete the process. For UGEE 2026:
- Women candidates: ₹1,500 (expected)
- Other candidates: ₹3,000 (expected)
Payment can be made using net banking, debit card, or credit card. Always save the transaction receipt or confirmation page after making the payment. If your payment fails, do not panic. Wait a few minutes and try again, or use a different payment method.
Step 5: Submission and Confirmation
After filling in all details and making the payment, carefully review your application form. Check every detail again, especially your name, marks, and chosen exam city. Once you are sure everything is correct, submit the form. After submission, download and save a copy of the filled application form for future reference.
Step 6: Admit Card Download
The admit card for UGEE 2026 will be released in April 2026, a few weeks before the exam. You must log in to your account and download the admit card. Print at least two copies. The admit card is compulsory for entry into the exam hall, and it contains important details like your roll number, exam center, and reporting time.
Note on Applications for 2026: As of now, applications for UGEE 2026 are not yet open. They are expected to begin in February 2026. Students should regularly check the official IIIT Hyderabad admissions website for updates.
How to Prepare for UGEE 2026 with Negative Marking in Mind
Preparing for UGEE 2026 is different from preparing for many other engineering entrance exams. Unlike JEE, which tests subject knowledge in great depth, UGEE focuses on two things:
- Subject proficiency in Physics, Chemistry, and Maths (SUPR section).
- Research aptitude and problem-solving ability (REAP section).
Since UGEE has 25% negative marking in both sections, preparation must combine strong subject knowledge with smart exam strategy. Accuracy is more important than attempting too many questions.
Understanding the UGEE Exam Pattern and Difficulty
The UGEE exam has two main parts:
SUPR (Subject Proficiency Test)
- Duration: 1 hour
- Subjects: Physics, Maths, and Chemistry (Class 11 and 12 level)
Chemistry usually carries less weightage compared to Physics and Maths, though in some years the weightage has been decent. The questions are not rote-based. Direct inorganic chemistry facts are rare. Instead, questions test your application of concepts. For example, organic reaction questions may ask you to analyze outcomes, not just recall facts.
In Maths, Probability and Random Processes play a huge role. Around 20 out of 50 questions may involve these topics, and some (3–4) can be above JEE Advanced level. The overall difficulty level of SUPR is lower than JEE Advanced, but students who are comfortable with JEE-level preparation will feel confident here.
REAP (Research Aptitude Test)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Content: Highly logical aptitude problems, reasoning, linguistics, and mental ability.
- Example questions include: family chain puzzles, shape-shifting, linguistic pattern recognition, and logical sequences.
The section is somewhat similar to CAT aptitude questions, combined with NTSE-style reasoning problems from classes 8–10. Many students describe REAP as a fun section, though it can feel challenging without prior practice.
Key Rules of the Exam
- Total exam duration: 3 hours.
- You must attempt SUPR in the first 1 hour. Once time ends, you cannot go back to SUPR.
- REAP is unlocked only after SUPR ends, and you get 2 hours for it.
- The pattern may change slightly every year, which prevents students from preparing too narrowly.
Number of Questions & Marking Scheme
| Section | Questions | Time | Marks for correct answer | Negative Marks |
| SUPR | 50 | 60 min | +1 | –0.25 |
| REAP | 50 | 120 min | +2 | –0.5 |
Study Strategy for UGEE 2026
For SUPR (Subject Test)
- Focus on NCERT + JEE-level Physics, Chemistry, and Maths.
- Practice application-based problems, especially in Maths Probability and Random Processes.
- Revise important formulas and derivations. Don’t just memorize—understand their applications.
- Chemistry preparation should lean on conceptual understanding. Avoid relying on direct fact memorization.
For REAP (Research Aptitude Test)
- Start with regular practice of logical reasoning and aptitude problems, using CAT preparation books or NTSE-style reasoning guides.
- Alongside this, work on linguistic challenges and puzzles to build both speed and accuracy.
- To understand the test pattern better, make use of IIIT Hyderabad’s official mock tests available on their website.
- In addition, many students rely on “IIIT Prep” practice books or other general reasoning guides. For English specifically, books like Wren and Martin are helpful.
Keep in mind the marking scheme: in SUPR, each wrong answer costs –0.25 marks, while in REAP, each wrong answer costs –0.5 marks.
Exam Strategy to Reduce Negative Marking
Attempt only what you know well. If you are unsure, skip the question. Leaving a question blank is better than losing marks.
Time management is key:
- SUPR: Spend the full 1 hour wisely. Avoid spending too much time on one tough problem.
- REAP: Keep an eye on the clock. Divide time across different types of problems.
Use rough sheets. Solve step by step before marking the final option. Avoid marking answers directly without checking. Avoid panic. REAP questions can sometimes look strange but are solvable with calm reasoning. Practicing under timed conditions before the exam will train your brain to balance speed and accuracy.
Is Coaching Required for UGEE?
Most students preparing for JEE Mains and Advanced already have enough background for SUPR. Special coaching for UGEE is usually not necessary. What matters more is practicing reasoning for REAP. Students with NTSE or CAT-style preparation often feel more confident in REAP.
Interview Process After UGEE
Clearing the written exam is only the first step. After shortlisting, students are invited for an interview round.
- The interview schedule is sent via email notification.
- Before the actual interview, there may be a verification meeting to test audio and video (if online).
- In most years, interviews are conducted in-person at the IIIT Hyderabad campus, in blocks, by a panel of faculty members. During COVID-19, they were held online.
- The interview is very important. Even if your written score is not the highest, strong performance in the interview can help you secure admission.
- Apart from technical questions, soft skills also matter. Greeting politely, showing confidence, and answering calmly can leave a good impression.
Conclusion
The UGEE 2026 exam is much more than a test of subject knowledge or reasoning ability. It also checks how well you can manage time, accuracy, and exam pressure. Many students prepare for months but lose marks because they overlook the impact of negative marking. Since UGEE applies a 25% penalty for every wrong answer in both SUPR and REAP, you must approach the exam with caution. Attempting more questions does not guarantee a higher score if accuracy is low.
The safest approach is to leave questions blank if you are unsure. A blank answer carries no penalty, but a wrong answer reduces your total marks and lowers your chances of shortlisting. Students who perform well in UGEE often succeed because they attempt questions selectively and avoid unnecessary risks.
Remember, your UGEE score decides whether you get an interview call. Only students with strong and accurate performance move to the next stage. The interview is where your final admission is decided, but without clearing the written test, you will not reach that point.
Stay calm during the exam, focus on accuracy over speed, and attempt with confidence. This simple strategy can make the difference between getting selected or missing out.
FAQs
1) Does UGEE have negative marking?
Yes, UGEE has negative marking. For every wrong answer, 25% of the question’s marks will be deducted. For example, if a question carries 4 marks, 1 mark will be cut for an incorrect response. This makes accuracy very important while attempting the exam.
2) Is there negative marking in both SUPR and REAP?
Yes, negative marking applies to both sections of the UGEE exam—SUPR and REAP. In each section, one-fourth of the marks for a question are deducted if you choose the wrong option. This uniform rule means you must be equally careful in both parts of the test.
3) Is there a penalty for unattempted questions?
No, there is no penalty for leaving questions unanswered in UGEE 2026. If you are unsure about an answer, it is better to skip rather than guess randomly. This way, you avoid losing marks due to negative marking and protect your overall score.
4) How can I reduce the effect of negative marking?
The best way to reduce the impact of negative marking is to focus on accuracy. Attempt only questions you are confident about instead of guessing. Practice solving problems under timed conditions so you can balance speed and accuracy. Careful attempts always give better results than risky guesses.
5) Can negative marking stop me from getting shortlisted?
Yes, negative marking can affect your chances of shortlisting for the UGEE interview. Even if you attempt many questions, frequent mistakes will reduce your score. Since shortlisting depends on your SUPR and REAP performance, poor accuracy caused by negative marking can stop you from progressing to the next stage.
