Why Solving Fewer Questions Can Mean Higher Marks in Competitive Exams

Why Solving Fewer Questions Can Mean Higher Marks

In almost every competitive exam, students walk in with a fixed mindset:

“I have to attempt maximum questions.”
This belief sounds logical.
More attempts should mean more marks.
But in reality, competitive exams are not about how many questions you attempt —
they are about how many questions you attempt correctly.
And that changes everything.

1) The Real Game: Accuracy vs Attempts
Most competitive exams today include:

·        Negative marking

·        Time pressure

·        Moderate to high difficulty

·        Trap-based questions

This means the exam is designed to test:

·        Decision-making

·        Emotional control

·        Risk management

·        Conceptual clarity

Not just speed.

2) Understanding the Mathematics of Negative Marking

Let’s take a practical example:

Suppose:

·        +1 mark for correct answer

·        –0.25 mark for wrong answer

Now compare two students:

Student A:

·        Attempted 95 questions

·        70 correct

·        25 wrong

Score = 70 – (25 × 0.25)
Score = 70 – 6.25 = 63.75

Student B:

·        Attempted 80 questions

·        70 correct

·        10 wrong

Score = 70 – (10 × 0.25)
Score = 70 – 2.5 = 67.5

Both got the same number correct.

But the one who attempted fewer questions scored higher.

Why?
Because accuracy protected their score.

3) Why Over-Attempting Backfires

When students try to attempt everything:

1.     They guess.

2.     They rush calculations.

3.     They misread options.

4.     They fall into trap questions.

5.     They lose time on ego battles.

And worst of all —
they lose confidence after multiple mistakes.

One wrong answer doesn’t just cost marks.
It costs mental stability.

4) The Psychology Behind Smart Skipping

High scorers understand one key principle:

Not every question deserves your time.

In every paper:

·        20–25% questions are easy

·        50–60% are moderate

·        15–25% are difficult or trap-based

Toppers:

·        Quickly secure easy marks

·        Carefully handle moderate questions

·        Ruthlessly skip high-risk ones

Skipping is not weakness.
Skipping is strategic discipline.

5) Competitive Exams Test Risk Management

Think of it like investing.

Would you invest money blindly in every stock?

No.

You evaluate risk vs reward.

In exams:

·        Easy + clear question → Low risk, high reward

·        Doubtful question → High risk, low reward

Smart candidates protect their score like capital.

6) The Accuracy Formula for High Marks

If you want higher marks, focus on:

·        85–90% accuracy

·        Controlled attempts

·        Clear thinking under pressure

·        Time checkpoints during exam

Instead of asking:

“How many can I solve?”

Ask:

“How many can I solve confidently?”

7) Real Strategy for Your Next Mock Test

Before your next mock:

1.     Divide paper into 3 rounds:

o   Round 1: Sure-shot questions

o   Round 2: Moderate but doable

o   Round 3: Risk-based

2.     Set a personal rule:

o   If stuck beyond 40 seconds → Move on

3.     Track:

o   Number of wrong answers

o   Number of blind guesses

o   Time wasted on difficult questions

Most students don’t fail because they lack knowledge.
They fail because they lack control.

8) When Solving Fewer Is NOT Recommended

Important note:

Solving fewer questions works only when:

·        Your accuracy is high

·        You are not under-attempting out of fear

·        You have practiced enough mocks

If you are skipping because you lack preparation —
that is not strategy, that is avoidance.

9) Final Truth

Competitive exams reward:

·        Clarity

·        Discipline

·        Risk control

·        Emotional maturity

Not aggression.

Sometimes, the smartest decision in an exam is to not attempt a question.

Because in a negatively marked exam,
every wrong answer cancels your effort.

Remember:

It’s not about attempting more.
It’s about scoring more.

10) FAQs

1. Should I attempt all questions in competitive exams?

No. Attempt only those questions where you have reasonable confidence. Blind guessing reduces your net score due to negative marking.

2. What is a good accuracy rate in competitive exams?

Aiming for 85–90% accuracy is ideal. Even 80% accuracy with smart selection can produce excellent scores.

3. How do I know when to skip a question?

If:

·        You cannot understand the question in 30–40 seconds

·        You are unsure between multiple options

·        The calculation looks extremely lengthy

It’s better to mark and revisit later.

4. Is attempting fewer questions risky?

It is risky only if:

·        Your accuracy is low

·        You are skipping easy questions

·        You are underconfident

Otherwise, selective attempts improve ranking.

5. How many questions should I ideally attempt?

There is no fixed number. It depends on:

·        Exam difficulty

·        Cutoff trends

·        Your preparation level

·        Your accuracy rate
Focus on score target, not attempt target.

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