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How to Avoid Negative Marking in UPSC EPFO Exam, Marking Scheme

Learn How to Avoid Negative Marking in UPSC EPFO Exam with smart strategies and tips. Master How to Avoid Negative Marking in UPSC EPFO Exam and boost your score!
authorImageDeeksha Dixit8 Jul, 2024
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How to Avoid Negative Marking in UPSC EPFO Exam, Marking Scheme

Avoid Negative Marking in UPSC EPFO Exam: Preparing for the UPSC EPFO Exam is a challenging phase for the candidates, even then they are getting prepared with the fear of negative marking. Many students don't know how to avoid negative marking in UPSC EPFO Exam. It is an important aspect when you are forming your preparation strategy, as this can directly affect your overall score.

We have created a guide for such UPSC EPFO Exam aspirants so that we can provide effective tips and strategies to reduce the chances of negative marking and inversely help to maximize the score.

Understanding the UPSC Marking Scheme

Before discussing the strategies, it is necessary to understand the UPSC marking scheme for a candidate. In the UPSC EPFO Exam, each incorrect answer will lead to a deduction of marks. Accordingly, for every wrong answer, 1/3rd marks will be deducted from the marks assigned to that question. This adds up to negatively impacting your overall score.
Particulars Details
Number of Questions 120
Total Marks 300 Marks
Marks per question 2.5 marks
Negative Marking ⅓ marks allotted to question, i.e, 0.83 marks
Unanswered Questions No marks deducted or awarded
Duration of Exam 2 hours (120 Minutes)
Medium of Exam English & Hindi

Key Strategies for Avoiding Wrong Answers

Candidates need to understand how to navigate the exam effectively so that they can reduce negative marking. Implementing targeted strategies can greatly enhance your accuracy and overall performance. We have detailed some practical tips to help candidates avoid pitfalls and common mistakes and enhance the way of answering techniques in the UPSC EPFO Exam.

1. Thorough Preparation

A well-prepared candidate will make fewer mistakes as compared to other candidates. Focus on understanding concepts and topics rather than grasping them. Use reliable and comprehensive study materials and take mock-test to assess your preparation level.

2. Practice Mock Tests

Regularly practising mock tests helps the candidates become familiar with the exam pattern and the EPFO scoring strategy. It also improves the candidate’s speed and accuracy, which are important for avoiding wrong answers during the UPSC EPFO Exam.

3. Time Management

Effective time management is the most necessary aspect of the UPSC EPFO Exam. Allocate the time according to the section based on your strengths and areas which need more focus. This ensures candidates have sufficient time to answer questions correctly and review answers.

4. Read Questions Carefully

The most important and common reason for negative marking is misunderstanding the question. Candidates are advised to read each question carefully and ensure that what is being asked before choosing the correct answer. Pay attention to keywords and instructions.

5. Avoid Guesswork

It can be disadvantageous for candidates to guess answers when they are unsure, as it is a risky call due to negative marking. Instead of it, only answer that question that a candidate is confident about. If a candidate must have to guess, eliminate as many incorrect options as possible to increase your chances of selecting the right answer.

6. Educated Guesses

If you need to guess the answer, make it an educated guess. Try to understand the question and keywords then eliminate one or more options that seem to be incorrect. This improves the probability of choosing the correct answer.

7. Keep Track of Time

Divide and allocate a specific amount of time to each question. Spending too much time on one question can result in a rush at the end time, which will increase the chances of errors. Use the first few minutes to quickly go through the paper and mark questions you can answer confidently.

Final Tips to Avoid Negative Marking in UPSC EPFO

Avoiding wrong answers is necessary to reduce the chances of negative marking. Understanding the UPSC marking scheme can help candidates design an effective EPFO scoring strategy. Utilize these exam answer tips to enhance your accuracy and boost your overall score.

Double-Check Answers

If you have the extra time limit, review your selected answers. Look for any questions where you might have misselected the answer, misunderstood the question, or misread the options. Correcting such mistakes helps the candidate avoid wrong answers and resist unnecessary negative markings.

Mark for Review

If you are not sure about the answer, mark it for review and move on to the next question. After answering all the questions, revisit and select the option that seems right and you are confident. This ensures you don’t waste time and increases your chances of making an educated guess later.

Stay Calm and Focused

The stress of exams may lead to silly mistakes. Stay calm and maintain focus throughout the exam. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing. Scale up your UPSC preparation. Enroll in the top courses offered by Physics Wallah for expert guidance!
UPSC EPFO Related Articles
UPSC EPFO Question Paper 2024 UPSC EPFO Exam Centre 2024 UPSC EPFO Cut-off 2024
UPSC EPFO Answer Key 2024 Pratigya Diwas 2024 UPSC EPFO Eligibility Criteria

How to Avoid Negative Marking in UPSC EPFO Exam FAQs

What is the UPSC marking scheme for the EPFO exam?

The UPSC marking scheme includes awarding 2.5 marks for each correct answer and deducting one-third of the marks assigned to the question for each wrong answer.

How can I avoid wrong answers in the UPSC EPFO exam?

To avoid wrong answers practice mock tests, manage your time effectively, read questions carefully, avoid guesswork, and make educated guesses if necessary.

What are some effective EPFO scoring strategies?

Effective EPFO scoring strategies include understanding the marking scheme, practicing mock tests regularly, and managing your time well.

What exam answer tips can help reduce negative marking?

It includes double-checking your answers, marking uncertain questions for review, and staying calm and focused throughout the exam.

How can I manage my time effectively during the UPSC EPFO exam?

Effective time management involves allocating specific time to each section and ensuring you have time to review your answers to avoid unnecessary mistakes.

Why is understanding the UPSC marking scheme important?

Understanding the UPSC marking scheme is important as it helps you to design a better EPFO scoring strategy and avoid negative marking.
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