Negative Marking

There has been a lot of discussion on the Negative marking in the recently conducted Fireman and Fire Woman Kerala PSC exams. Some say that it is unfair to deduct marks for wrong answers, while others feel that this system encourages students to take their exams more seriously. What do you think? Let us look at the negative marking system of the Kerala PSC exam for Fire Man & Fire Woman.

Introduction to Fire Man & Fire Woman Kerala PSC exam

The Kerala PSC Fire Man & Fire Woman examination is conducted to recruit eligible candidates for the post of fireman and firewoman in the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services. The examination is conducted in three stages- a written test, a physical efficiency test, and an oral interview. The written test is the first stage of the examination and is common for all candidates.

Fire Man & Fire Woman Kerala PSC exam- Negative marking (Stage-wise)

The written test consists of 100 objective-type questions from general knowledge, mathematics, and English. The test is conducted for a duration of two hours. Negative marking is applicable in this examination and one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each wrong answer. Candidates are therefore advised to attempt only those questions that they are confident about.

The written test is a qualifying examination and the marks obtained in this test will not be considered for preparing the final merit list. The candidates who qualify in the written test will be called for the next stage of the examination, which is the physical efficiency test.

The physical efficiency test is conducted to assess the physical fitness of the candidates. The test consists of two events- a race and a rope climbing exercise. Candidates must complete the race within the specified time to qualify for the next stage of the examination.

The oral interview is the final stage of the examination. Candidates who qualify for the physical efficiency test will be called for the oral interview. The interview is conducted to assess the suitability of the candidates for the post of fireman or firewoman.

Candidates who are successful in all three stages of the examination will be included in the final merit list and will be appointed to the post of fireman or firewoman in the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services. Negative marking is applicable in the written test of the Kerala PSC Fire Man & Fire Woman examination and one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each wrong answer.

Why is negative marking important in an exam?

Negative marking is important in any exam due to the following reasons:

•  Negative marking ensures that the students taking the exam are taking it seriously and are not just guessing the answers
•  Negative marking also prevents students from cheating on the exam as they would be penalized for wrong answers
•  Negative marking ensures that the students are preparing for the exam and are not just cramming for it
•  Negative marking also helps to identify the weaker students and provides them with an opportunity to improve their scores

Drawbacks of Fire Man & Fire Woman Kerala PSC exam-Negative marking

Along with the benefits, negative marking has its own drawbacks. Some of them are:

• It discourages students to attempt all questions: Negative marking leads to the situation where students feel that it is better to not attempt all questions in an examination even if they are sure of the answers, because there is a penalty for wrong answers. These wastes time and energy, as well as increases, stress levels
• It discourages students from attempting difficult questions: Negative marking also discourages students from attempting difficult questions, because there is a greater chance of getting them wrong and being penalized. This means that students may not attempt questions outside their comfort zone, which limits their learning
• It can lead to incorrect answers: Negative marking can also lead to students getting the wrong answer, because they may not have enough time to think through the question properly. This means that they may not learn the correct answer, and they may also get a lower score overall.

Conclusion

 This exam is known for its high levels of difficulty, and this year was no different. One of the most challenging aspects of the test is the negative marking-every incorrect answer deducts 1/3rd of a point from your total score. Students who are hoping to qualify for one of these positions should be aware of this aspect of the test and make sure they give each question their best effort. We wish all students taking the exam good luck!