OPSC PRELIMS – PRORATED (PRO-RATA) MARKS
When some questions in prelims are wrong / ambiguous / incorrect, those questions are declared INVALID. Instead of giving grace marks, OPSC uses PRORATED MARKING.
Meaning:
→ Only the valid questions are checked.
→ Then your marks are scaled up to the original total.
Why?
→ To ensure FAIRNESS.
→ To prevent advantage to someone who guessed wrong or left it blank.
EXAMPLE:
Total Qs = 100 (→ 200 marks)
Invalid Qs = 10
Valid Qs = 90 → 180 marks
Suppose candidate scores → 120 marks (out of 180)
Prorated Score = (120 / 180) × 200
= 133.33 marks
So final marks = 133.33 (not 120).
LEGAL BACKING:
▸ Orissa High Court + SAT (26 Aug 2014 Order)
▸ Directed OPSC to:
– Remove wrong questions
– Recalculate marks using Pro-Rata Method
▸ NO GRACE MARKS for defective questions.
This is now the standard official practice.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ASPIRANTS?
- Maintains fairness
- Protects sincere candidates
- Ensures all are evaluated on same base
FORMULA TO CALCULATE:
Prorated = (Your Score from Valid Marks/Total Valid Marks) × Total Marks
In this case:
Prorated = (Your Score from Valid Marks/Total Valid Marks) × 200