A question that haunts every UPSC aspirant a week before Prelims — “How many questions should I attempt?” Should you play it safe or take calculated risks? The truth is, there’s no fixed number. But there is a logic — based on your accuracy, confidence, and preparation style. Let’s break it down.
1. Understand the Scoring Structure
Before deciding how many questions to attempt, you need to understand the stakes:
- Correct answer: +2 marks
- Wrong answer: –0.66 marks (1/3rd negative marking)
- Unattempted: 0 marks
This means for every 3 incorrect guesses, you lose as much as one correct answer.
2. The Real Goal: Beat the Cutoff, Not Attempt Everything
Your actual target is to score above the cutoff, not to attempt the entire paper. In recent years:
- General cutoff ranged between 87 to 98 marks
- That’s 44–49 correct answers (out of 100)
So in theory, even 55 attempts with 85% accuracy could take you past the finish line.
3. Tailor Your Strategy Based on Accuracy
Let’s divide aspirants into three broad categories based on mock performance:
High Accuracy (85%+)
- Attempt Range: 70–80 questions
- These aspirants rely on precision, not volume
- Tip: Don’t overattempt just because others are
Medium Accuracy (70–80%)
- Attempt Range: 80–90 questions
- Balance between accuracy and smart guessing
- Focus on eliminating 1–2 options to improve odds
Low Accuracy (<70%)
- Attempt Range: 90–95+ questions
- Might need higher attempts to compensate for lower net gain per question
- Riskier, but sometimes necessary if cutoff trends are high
4. Analyze Yourself Before the Exam
Use your mock tests to determine:
- Your average score
- How many attempts gave you the best result?
- What is your sweet spot of risk vs. reward?
Mocks are simulations. Take them seriously — your real exam behavior usually mirrors them.
5. Be Adaptive on Exam Day
The difficulty of the paper plays a huge role:
- If paper is tough: Cutoff drops, fewer questions may be enough
- If paper is easy: Cutoff shoots up, more attempts needed
Avoid rigid plans. Go with a range (e.g., 80–90), not a fixed number.
6. The Layered Attempt Strategy
Structure your paper-solving in three rounds:
- Round 1: Attempt only questions you’re 100% sure of
- Round 2: Attempt questions with 50–50 confidence (eliminated 2 options)
- Round 3 (Optional): Attempt risky guesses if you need to push your score
Know when to stop. Getting greedy in Round 3 can backfire.
7. A Word on CSAT
Many aspirants lose track of CSAT while obsessing over GS Paper-I. But remember:
- CSAT is qualifying (33% minimum)
- A single mistake can end an otherwise successful Prelims
Practice CSAT seriously, especially if you’re from a non-maths background.
Summing Up
There’s no universal number of questions to attempt — it depends entirely on your accuracy and paper difficulty. Track your mock performance, understand your risk appetite, and trust your instincts.
Your job is not to solve all 100 questions. It’s to solve enough to beat the cutoff. Do that smartly.
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