APPSC No Negative Marks in Department Tests (Removed)

In the G.O. first read above, the Andhra Pradesh Departmental Tests Rules, 1965 were issued. In the G.O. second above, the duration of the examination was reduced from three (3) hours to two (2) hours duly amending Rule 14 (a) (iii) of the said Rules, 1965. In the G.O. third read above, Rule 14 (a) (iii) and Annexure-III of Rule 20 were amended prescribing the duration of the tests of Descriptive type pattern as three (3) hours except Second Language Test which is of two (2) hours duration and for Objective Type pattern tests, it was prescribed as two (2) hours duration.

2. In the G.O. fourth read above, among others, negative marking system was introduced in Departmental Tests conducted by the APPSC from November, 2017 onwards duly amending the Rule 17 of the Andhra Pradesh Departmental Tests Rules, 1965. In terms of the orders, for every wrong answer, 1/3rd (0.33) of marks prescribed for the question shall be deducted, unanswered questions will not be taken into account and also passing marks are lessened by 5% in all Objective Tests i.e., 35 marks instead of 40. In case of Divisional Test and A.P. Works Accounts Services examination, the minimum pass marks is reduced to 35% marks in each paper and 40% in aggregate instead of 40 marks and 45%respectively.

3. In the letters fifth and sixth read above, the Secretary, Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission has stated that the Commission has received many representations including from public representatives and teacher associations requesting for removal of negative marks in Departmental Tests to ease the burden on employees and to alleviate the stress that they have to undergo over non-release of increments and non-acquisition of promotions. He has, therefore, requested the Government to remove the negative marking system and delete the provisions added to rule 17 of Departmental Tests Rules, 1965 issued vide G.O. fourth read above, on the following grounds:

(i) Prior to introduction of negative marks, the minimum pass marks were 40% which, after introduction of negative marks and it was reduced to 35%. In spite of the reduction in minimum qualifying marks, the introduction of tests on-line and the introduction of negative marks have had an adverse effect on the candidates. Most of them are getting on in age and are denied their promotions or increments because of their failure to clear the tests;

ii) A Study of the pass percentage relating to the Departmental Tests prior to and after introduction of negative marks shows the drastic decline in pass percentage, especially in case of combination tests. As per the law of averages, the pass percentage has declined overall (average taken on 3 sessions without negative marks and 5 sessions with negative marks), even after reduction in minimum qualifying marks; and

iii) No such procedure exists in the States of Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

4. Government, after careful examination of the matter, hereby remove the negative marking system in Departmental Tests conducted by the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission duly restoring the minimum pass marks as fixed earlier and make the following amendments to the Andhra Pradesh Departmental Tests Rules, 1965, issued in G.O. first read above as amended from time to time and it will come into effect from the next notification.

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