UPSSSC PET Exam Pattern 2026: Sections, Marks and Negative Marking

The UPSSSC PET exam pattern is a single objective paper: 100 multiple-choice questions for 100 marks in 2 hours, marked on an OMR sheet. The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission uses the same pattern for PET 2026, which is scheduled for 25 October, 30 October and 1 November 2026 in two shifts a day.

There is only one stage in PET. Your score, after normalisation across shifts, is used later by each Group C recruitment to shortlist candidates for its main exam. This page explains the section-wise marks, the negative marking rule, how normalisation works, and how to use your two hours well.

UPSSSC PET Exam Pattern at a Glance

Section-wise UPSSSC PET Pattern

There is no sectional time limit and no sectional qualifying mark in PET. You can attempt the sections in any order within the two hours.

Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

• Correct answer: One mark.

• Wrong answer: One-fourth of a mark is deducted.

• Unattempted question: No marks and no deduction.

• Multiple bubbles or wrongly filled OMR: Treated as invalid. In PET 2025, the Commission reported cancelling some OMR sheets because the question booklet series was filled incorrectly.

Example: if you attempt 80 questions and get 68 right and 12 wrong, your raw score is 68 minus 3, which is 65.

What the Pattern Means for You

• Half the marks sit in five blocks: Current affairs, general awareness, Hindi passages, graphs and tables carry 50 marks. Aim for high accuracy here first.

• Data interpretation is predictable: Twenty questions on four data sets reward daily practice with percentage, ratio and average.

• Each 5-mark section is a small bet: You cannot cover History or Science in depth for five questions. Revise high-frequency topics and move on.

• A wrong guess costs a quarter mark: If you can eliminate two options, a guess is usually worth taking. A blind guess among four options adds very little on average and makes your score less predictable.

Normalisation of PET Scores

Because PET is held over several days and shifts, papers in different shifts can differ slightly in difficulty. The Commission therefore converts raw marks into a normalised score so that candidates from different shifts can be compared fairly. The Commission's decision on the normalisation method is final.

Your scorecard shows both your marks and your normalised score. Later recruitments shortlist on the normalised score, so it is the figure to compare against any published PET cut-off. The exact formula is set by the Commission and is not reproduced here.

What Comes After PET

PET has no interview, skill test or physical test. Those stages, if any, belong to the recruitment you apply for after PET:

1. PET result: You receive a normalised score valid for three years.

2. Recruitment notice: UPSSSC advertises a Group C post, and candidates with a valid PET score apply.

3. Shortlisting: A multiple of the vacancies is called for the main exam, in order of normalised PET score and category.

4. Main exam or skill test: Final merit is drawn from this stage as defined in the recruitment notice.

5. Document verification: Eligibility checks before appointment.

PET marks are used only to shortlist. Final selection depends on the later stage of each recruitment.

Time Management for the Two Hours

This split is a suggestion, not an official rule. Adjust it to your strengths after a few mocks.

• Fill the OMR as you go: Bubble answers section by section rather than at the end.

• Check the booklet series first: Fill the question booklet series and roll number carefully before you start.

• Leave lengthy calculations for a second pass: Return to them once the quick marks are secured.

Check the Official Source

Older pages may still describe PET scores as valid for one year or show outdated exam dates. Follow the PET 2026 advertisement and notices on the official UPSSSC website.