How to Calculate 1 3 Negative Marking in Psc

PSC (Public Service Commission) exams often use a 1/3 negative marking system to penalize incorrect answers. This guide explains how to calculate your final score when negative marking is applied.

What is Negative Marking in PSC Exams?

Negative marking is a scoring system where incorrect answers deduct a portion of the marks allocated to each question. In PSC exams, this typically means that for every wrong answer, you lose 1/3 of the marks assigned to that question.

For example, if a question carries 3 marks, answering it incorrectly will deduct 1 mark (1/3 of 3). Correct answers earn full marks, while unanswered questions usually receive zero marks.

Key Points

Negative marking applies only to incorrect answers
Unanswered questions typically get zero marks
The penalty is calculated as 1/3 of the question's marks

How to Calculate 1/3 Negative Marking

The formula to calculate your final score with 1/3 negative marking is:

Final Score Formula

Final Score = (Number of Correct Answers × Marks per Question) - (Number of Incorrect Answers × (Marks per Question ÷ 3))

Here's how to use this formula:

Count the number of correct answers
Count the number of incorrect answers
Multiply correct answers by marks per question
Calculate the negative marks by multiplying incorrect answers by (marks per question ÷ 3)
Subtract the negative marks from the positive marks

Unanswered questions don't affect the score unless specified otherwise in the exam instructions.

Example Calculation

Let's say you took a PSC exam with these details:

Total questions: 100
Marks per question: 3
Correct answers: 75
Incorrect answers: 15
Unanswered questions: 10

Using the formula:

Calculation Steps

Positive Marks = 75 × 3 = 225

Negative Marks = 15 × (3 ÷ 3) = 15 × 1 = 15

Final Score = 225 - 15 = 210

So your final score would be 210 out of 300 (100 questions × 3 marks each).

Score Calculation Breakdown
Category	Value
Correct Answers	75
Incorrect Answers	15
Unanswered Questions	10
Positive Marks	225
Negative Marks	15
Final Score	210

Frequently Asked Questions

Does negative marking apply to all types of questions?

Yes, negative marking typically applies to all questions in PSC exams unless specified otherwise in the exam instructions.

What happens if I leave a question unanswered?

Unanswered questions usually receive zero marks and don't affect the negative marking calculation.

Can I get a negative score with negative marking?

No, your final score can't be negative. The minimum score is zero if you have more incorrect answers than correct ones.

Is the negative marking percentage the same for all exams?

No, different exams may use different negative marking percentages. The 1/3 marking is common but not universal.