UPSC Marks Calculator: Prelims Score Calculator, Formula & Steps to Estimate Score

UPSC Marks Calculator is an online tool designed for aspirants to estimate their Prelims scores based on the marking scheme designated by the Union Public Service Commission. The UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam is a critical first step for aspirants aspiring to enter India's Civil Services. The Prelims stage comprises two objective-type papers – General Studies Paper I (GS Paper I) and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), each carrying 200 marks. The UPSC Marks Calculator curated by Testbook takes into account the official marking scheme as well as the negative marking in UPSC, where one-third of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for each incorrect answer.

Using the online UPSC Score Calculator, candidates can input their number of correct and incorrect responses for both papers, automatically computing their probable scores. By providing immediate feedback, these calculators help candidates assess their performance, identify areas requiring improvement, and strategize their preparation effectively. 

In this article, calculate your estimated marks for UPSC Prelims, how to obtain estimated marks, and calculation formula for UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 and CSAT. 

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UPSC Marks Calculator by Testbook

UPSC Marks Calculator by Testbook is an important tool designed to help candidates estimate their scores in the UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam. Through this UPSC score calculator, candidates can input their number of correct and incorrect answers to obtain an appropriate score and rank based on the designated marking scheme and negative marking applicable to the exam. This enables candidates to self-evaluate their performance and strategize further preparation accordingly.

Your Total UPSC Prelims Score:

 

Note: The calculation considers the negative marking of 1/3 for both papers.

How to Use UPSC Marks Calculator to Calculate Prelims Score?

Candidates who will be appearing for the upcoming UPSC Prelims on 25 May, 2025 can utilize the UPSC Marks Calculator to estimate their Prelims marks with negative marking. Follow the steps given below to calculate your Prelims marks using the UPSC Marks Calculator –

Step 1 - Input Your Answers.

Enter the number of correct and incorrect responses for both General Studies Paper I and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) in the respective fields in the UPSC Marks Calculator provided above.

Step 2 - UPSC Marks Calculator Marking Scheme.

Based on the UPSC Marking Scheme, the marks calculator tool will compute your overall score in the Prelims, taking into account a negative marking of 1/3. The UPSC Marks Calculator will use the following official marking scheme to compute Prelims score -

• General Studies Paper I: +2 marks for each correct answer, -0.66 marks for every incorrect answer, i.e., deducation of 1/3rd of 2 marks.
• CSAT (General Studies Paper II): +2.5 marks for every correct answer, -0.83 marks for every incorrect answer, i.e., deduction of 1/3rd of 2.5 marks.

Step 3 - Verify Your Prelims Score.

You can manually verify your Prelims score as generated by the UPSC Marks Calculator by following the steps given below -

• General Studies Paper I: Multiply the number of correct answers by 2. Multiply the number of incorrect answers by 0.66. Subtract the total negative marks from the total positive marks to get the net score for this paper.
• CSAT: Multiply the number of correct answers by 2.5. Multiply the number of incorrect answers by 0.83. Subtract the total negative marks from the total positive marks to get the net score for this paper.

You can therefore, estimate your performance in the UPSC Prelims by adding the requisite marks in the UPSC Score Calculator. However, candidates must note that the marks displayed by the UPSC Marks Calculator will be estimated and not absolute. 

Go through the UPSC Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme in detail.

Negative Marking in UPSC Prelims

There will be a negative marking of ⅓ in the UPSC Prelims. For every incorrect answer, one-third of the marks assigned to that question are deducted. 

• In General Studies Paper I, each question carries 2 marks, so an incorrect response results in a deduction of 0.66 marks. 
• In the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) Paper II, each question is worth 2.5 marks, leading to a deduction of approximately 0.83 marks for each wrong answer. 
• Unanswered questions do not incur any penalties. 

Candidates should approach the exam strategically, attempting only those questions they are confident about to minimize the impact of negative marking in UPSC exam.

UPSC Marks Calculation for GS Paper 1

The General Studies Paper 1 (GS Paper 1) of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination comprises 100 multiple-choice questions, each carrying 2 marks, totaling 200 marks. For every incorrect answer, a penalty of one-third of the marks assigned to that question is deducted, equating to 0.66 marks per incorrect response. There are no penalties for unattempted questions.

Suppose a candidate attempts 90 questions, with 75 correct and 15 incorrect answers:

1. Marks for Correct Answers: 75 correct answers × 2 marks = 150 marks
2. Penalty for Incorrect Answers: 15 incorrect answers × 0.66 marks = 9.9 marks
3. Total Score: 150 marks (from correct answers) – 9.9 marks (penalty) = 140.1 marks

Thus, the candidate's score for GS Paper 1 would be 140.1 out of 200. 

UPSC Marks Calculation for CSAT

The Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), or General Studies Paper 2, consists of 80 multiple-choice questions, each carrying 2.5 marks, cumulating to a total of 200 marks. Similar to GS Paper 1, there is a negative marking of one-third for each incorrect answer, resulting in a deduction of approximately 0.83 marks per wrong response. Questions left unanswered will not incur any penalties.

Consider a candidate who attempts all 80 questions, with 60 correct and 20 incorrect responses:

1. Marks for Correct Answers: 60 correct answers × 2.5 marks = 150 marks
2. Penalty for Incorrect Answers: 20 incorrect answers × 0.83 marks = 16.6 marks
3. Total Score: 150 marks (from correct answers) – 16.6 marks (penalty) = 133.4 marks.

Therefore, the candidate's score for the CSAT would be 133.4 out of 200.

Note: The CSAT is a qualifying paper, and candidates must secure at least 33% (66 marks) to qualify. However, its score does not contribute to the overall merit ranking.

Why Use UPSC Marks Calculator?

Utilizing a UPSC Marks Calculator is crucial for candidates to assess their performance in the Prelims Exam. Here’s why you should utilize UPSC Marks Calculator –

• By inputting the number of correct and incorrect responses, candidates can determine their probable scores.
• The calculator helps quantify how incorrect answers affect the overall score, therefore enabling candidates to strategize their preparation accordingly.
• Candidates can identify strengths and weaknesses by analyzing scores from different sections.
• By comparing estimated scores with previous years' UPSC Cut Off marks, aspirants can gauge their competitiveness and set realistic targets.
• Regularly using the UPSC Marks Calculator post attempting mock tests will help candidates in refining time allocation strategies thereby, ensuring optimal performance during the actual exam.

Attempt UPSC Previous Year Papers to self-evaluate your exam preparation. 

How is the UPSC Rank Calculated?

UPSC Rank is calculated on merit-basis, based on the marks obtained by the candidates in the Mains and the Personality Test cumulatively. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) determines candidates' ranks in the Civil Services Examination (CSE) based on their cumulative performance in the Mains Examination and the Personality Test (Interview). Marks obtained in the Prelims do not influence the final ranking.

1. Mains Examination: This stage comprises 09 papers, with seven being considered for merit ranking, totaling 1,750 marks.
2. Personality Test (Interview): This round carries 275 marks.

The aggregate of these components, that is, 1,750 + 275 = 2,025 marks determines a candidate's position in the merit list.

Tie-Breaking Principles Used in Calculation of UPSC Rank

In instances where two or more candidates achieve identical total marks, UPSC employs the following criteria to break the tie –

1. Compulsory Papers and Personality Test Scores: The candidate with higher combined marks in the compulsory papers and the Personality Test is assigned a higher rank.
2. Age Factor: If a tie persists, the candidate senior in age is ranked higher.

Based on this calculation, the Union Public Service Commission determines the final UPSC Rank of all the candidates who have appeared for the UPSC Mains and Interview rounds. 

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