FPSC MCQ test pattern and negative marking
What the MCQ paper looks like for BS-16 and BS-17 posts, and what a wrong answer costs. Every figure below comes from FPSC.
The pattern
For most BS-16 and BS-17 posts in Ad 3/2026, there is one paper and it is all MCQs. It has 100 questions: 20 on English and 80 on professional subjects. Teaching posts split it as 20 English, 50 subject and 30 professional (teaching method).
There is no separate written paper for these BS-16 and BS-17 posts.
Negative marking
Each wrong answer costs −0.25 marks. FPSC set this out in its MCQ policy for BS-16 and BS-17 tests (notice of 22 Aug 2025), and it was printed in the instructions of the Case 155 paper on 12 Oct 2026.
The pass mark
For BS-16 and BS-17 posts the pass mark is 40%, as set out in FPSC’s General Instructions to the Candidates (updated 17 Sep 2025).
Where this applies
For any other post, check the official ad for its own case.
- Case 155, Superintendent (FIA), BS-16
- Case 160, Assistant Director Estate (General), BS-17
- Case 169, Administrative Officer (PMD), BS-17
SourcesFPSC Consolidated Ad No. 3/2026 (PDF)FPSC Schemes and Syllabi, Ad 3/2026 (PDF)Updated 2026-10-19Report a mistake
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