The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Preliminary examination is the country’s most coveted exam that draws nearly seven lakh candidates on an average every year. Before Prelims, aspirants are usually told many Do’s and Don’ts related to topics selection, number of attempts and avoidance of negative marking. Yet While attempting the paper, students often move for guesswork to secure better marks. This brings them in the vicious cycle of ‘Negative Marking’ in UPSC Civil Services Prelims Examination. More guessing, more chances of negative marking. The situation becomes tougher in the examination hall as candidates have to choose between two closer options. And it’s a toss. Even after attempting significant number of correct questions, sometimes it is difficult to be confident to cross cutoff marks.
This occurs due to the following reasons:
Before moving towards the negative analysis of Negative Marking in UPSC Prelims Examination, firstly let us understand…why the concept of negative marking came up in Civil Services?
In multiple-choice test, negative marking helps to distinguish between those who really know the subject well and those who don’t know the subject. Without Negative marking, it is not sure that the candidate actually knows the answer or it’s a guess work. This blurs the different between the serious and non-serious candidates. That is why negative marks concept have come up to check the entry of non-serious candidates. It discourages random guesses, and therefore the scores are more reliable.
It clearly tests candidate’s conceptual clarity and ability to remain focused in pressure. Slight confusion and lack of concentration may cost a candidate.
This would give an advantage to the candidate who has a thorough knowledge of the subject and would eliminate candidates, who have merely superficial knowledge and want to score by mere guess work.
In the Civil Services Examination, the toughness of paper keeps on increasing due to changes in pattern of questions, so a slight mistake can place the student out of the race. Due to this, the cutoff marks also keeps on fluctuating.
Thus, to avoid negative marking in UPSC prelims examination, the student should follow the following points:
Q. In the context of polity, which one of the following would you accept as the most appropriate definition of liberty?
(a) Protection against the tyranny of political rulers
(b) Absence of restraint
(c) Opportunity to do whatever one likes
(d) Opportunity to develop oneself fully
Answer: (d)
In above question option (b) also seems correct however option (d) seems the most appropriate answer because the Preamble of the Indian Constitution provides for Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship. This can be interpreted as liberty in the context of polity.
Let’s see how elimination can be effective through a practice question:
Q. Which of the following are the characteristics of a stable ecosystem?
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a)
In above question if a candidate knows that stable ecosystems have high (not low) species diversity, code (b), (c) and (d) can be straightaway rejected as these three codes consist option 3 which is not the characteristics of a stable ecosystem.
Now try to understand different types of questions asked in the preliminary examination and the precautions to be taken while attempting them.
The following types of questions are asked in the preliminary examination:
Candidates should not leave these types of questions because of their length, but should read these questions more carefully and solve these questions with priority because the question contains detailed information of the topic so that we can identify the most accurate option without doubt. For example:
Q. It is a fine example of the architectural brilliance of the Mughal Empire that showcases an excellent mix of Hindu and Persian styles of architecture. It took around twelve years to construct this architectural wonder. It was built by Akbar to commemorate his victory over a West Indian Kingdom.
Which of the following structures is described above?
(a) Agra fort, Agra
(b) Diwani-khas, Fatehpur Sikri
(c) Bulanddarwaza, Fatehpur Sikri
(d) Jami masjid, Fatehpur Sikri
In the above question various types of facts are given regarding the BulandDarwaza. If we read the question carefully, the correct option can be found from the given information. The most important information in this question that ‘it was built by Akbar to commemorate his victory over a West Indian Kingdom’ is given in the last.
Type 1 Question
Match the following:
Lake Location
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
A B C D
(a) 1 2 4 3
(b) 3 2 4 1
(c) 4 2 1 3
(d) 2 1 3 4
Answer: (b)
Type 2 Question
Which of the following pairs is/are incorrectly matched?
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer (b)
In the last few years, Type 2 questions are being preferred over the Type 1. Its purpose is to discourage the guess work done by the candidates, because in the first type of question, if candidates know one or two correct pairs, the answer can be obtained through elimination. However, type 2 is little different.
Due to the possibility of guess work and elimination, the number of questions with more than two statements in the preliminary examination has seen a decrease in the last two years.
Candidates must always read question very carefully. They need to be vigilant with such questions which seem very easy and obvious at first sight, but after studying carefully we come to know that the true meaning of the question is something else. For example:
Q. Consider the following statements regarding formalization of workforce:
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer (a)
In this question statement 2 seems obvious and correct at first sight but in India; men constitute larger part of informal workforce. However, in India most of the women work in informal sector.
A sensible test practice can bring a vast improvement, and one can greatly improve marks by not falling into the traps.
by Manoj k Jha and Pankaj Dwivedi
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