BPSC Overhauls MCQ Exam Format 1 Option E is mandatory
28 May 2026
BPSC Overhauls MCQ Exam Format 1 Option E is mandatory
BPSC Overhauls MCQ Exam Format: Everything You Need to Know
The Bihar Public Service Commission has announced a significant overhaul to its Multiple Choice Question examination format. The updated rules target transparency, prevent malpractice, and enforce greater discipline among test-takers.
A Fifth Option Enters the Picture
Previously, BPSC question papers offered four choices — A, B, C, and D. Candidates who were unsure about an answer would simply skip it, leaving the OMR row empty.
That approach is no longer acceptable. A fifth option,
E
, has been officially added to every question. Selecting
E
means formally registering that you are choosing not to answer that particular question.
BPSC Old Exam Pattern (Before the New Change)
http://What's new – Bihar Public Service Commission Bihar Public Service Commission https://bpsc.bihar.gov.in › whats-new
MCQ Format
Each question had
four options only:
(A), (B), (C), (D)
No fifth option existed
.
Important Notice:
Regarding Introduction of 5th Answer Option ‘E' in MCQ based examinations to be conducted by BPSC.
Key Points of Old Rule
Skipping was completely safe
— leaving a question blank carried absolutely no penalty whatsoever
Negative marking applied only to wrong answers
— only incorrect responses were penalised at 1/3rd of a mark
No mandatory response
— candidates were free to attempt as many or as few questions as they wished
Blank OMR rows were simply ignored
during evaluation
The New OMR Rule, Explained Simply
Every question row on the OMR sheet must now have exactly one bubble filled — no exceptions.
Your Situation
What You Should Do
Result
You know the answer
Mark A, B, C, or D
Evaluated normally
You want to skip
Mark E
Zero penalty
You fill nothing
—
−1/3 marks deducted
Blank = Penalty
This is the sharpest change. Any question row left completely unfilled — without even an E marked — will now attract a
one-third mark deduction
. This means passive skipping now carries the exact same cost as a wrong answer.
Why This Reform?
The commission introduced this change to:
Make the evaluation process more structured and tamper-proof
Eliminate the risk of post-exam manipulation of empty OMR spaces
Encourage active decision-making rather than passive avoidance
How to Rethink Your Exam Strategy
Always mark something.
Before you hand in your sheet, scan every row. If you skipped a question, make sure E is shaded — a blank is now a guaranteed loss.
Reassess guessing thresholds.
Earlier, skipping felt “safe.” Now, if you are even 40–50% confident about an answer, attempting it becomes a reasonable choice since blank and wrong carry identical penalties.
Practice with the new format.
Start using A–E mock OMR sheets immediately. Filling in 20–30 extra E bubbles per paper adds up in time, so build that habit now before the actual exam.
Tighten your time management.
Responding to every single question — even minimally — demands a bit more time. Factor that into your pacing strategy.
The Bigger Picture
This update pushes candidates away from the “skip and move on” habit and toward a more deliberate, question-by-question evaluation mindset. Adapting to this shift early — through practice and adjusted strategy — can meaningfully protect your final score.
The Core Difference in One Line
Old Rule
→ Blank = Safe (zero penalty)
New Rule
→ Blank = Risky (−1/3 penalty, same as wrong answer)
This fundamental shift is what makes the new BPSC pattern a game changer for every aspirant
Conclusion
BPSC has raised the bar, and rightly so. This updated format is not just a rule change — it is a push toward smarter, more aware test-taking. Every question now demands your attention, whether you answer it or consciously choose not to.
Stop treating difficult questions as something to run from. Start treating every single question as a decision point. That shift in thinking, though seemingly small, could be the difference between clearing the cutoff and missing it.
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