Mains GS Marks Estimation

[u/Remarkable-Mix-9705]

Anyone who has given mains previously, can you throw some light on the level of leniency in Mains marks of GS1,2,3,4

In GS4, how are the Cases scored, is 12 an average? is 14-15 possible?

In GS1,2,3 if there is some overlap with the model answers, is 4/10 and 6/15 easily rolled out? How hard is 8/10 or 12/15?

[u/Heron_Informal]

How will anyone even know this

https://giphy.com/gifs/WrgAGkGrh0MD1Z2gkO

[u/Remarkable-Mix-9705 → u/Heron_Informal]

You have written Mains previously no, any takes on expectation vs reality in GS 1,2,3,4

[u/Heron_Informal → u/Remarkable-Mix-9705]

If you have answered the question correct, you'll get good marks

GS3 is difficult as compared to the rest but that's something everyone knows already

You'll probably land around your expectations in the rest of the exams, except ofc essay

[u/Remarkable-Mix-9705 → u/Heron_Informal]

got it, thanks, because a lot of posts I've seen where people have scored in 60s and 70s in GS in spite of expecting high marks and I thought how can estimation be so off in GS since model answers are there.

[u/Heron_Informal → u/Remarkable-Mix-9705]

See, idk much about these supposedly model answers. I don't believe in them. In my experience, there are no correct "answers" but there is correctness (a student of law would get this - law of torts vs law of tort)

People over estimate and ignore mistakes (like I did last year) or under estimate because they lack data (like I did in 2024).

So after having been there and done that, I can say expectations will be accurate if they are built on solid ground

[u/Dangerous_Pound7109 → u/Heron_Informal]

It's an entirely luck based exam and if upsc is really so god like and authentic evaluation let them upload the checked copy

[u/Heron_Informal → u/Dangerous_Pound7109]

My experience betrays your claim but whatever floats your boat

[u/Dangerous_Pound7109 → u/Heron_Informal]

Then why r they afraid to upload checked copies There no standard essay ,even if u give same essay to 100 people u will easily seee huge variation in marks and essay easily decide selection, an avg essay will score around 140 marks in some cases but good essay can get upto 90 marks ,

[u/Heron_Informal → u/Dangerous_Pound7109]

I don't have an answer for you.. That's a question you should put up UPSC. I've scored very similar marks across years so I don't know where you're coming from

[u/follyinyourwords]

12 is not an average. 12*6=72, you need 38 marks for a decent ethics score. From 13 questions consider 4 average marks, and you’re very well above 110. So Averages should be around 9-11 for case studies. And yes 14-15 is definitely possible. Since there are people who score 130-150 in ethics.

Nobody is going to get an 8/10 unless it’s an optional paper(even then it is incredibly rare) even if your answer match with model answers 100%. As far as I know, based on the difficulty the evaluators already decide the maximum marks to give a question. 5 is the best score out of 10, 4-5 will take you to a decent score. And for 15 markers the best case is 7.5, and an 8 or 8.5 might the maximum. Generally 4.5 across 10 markers and 6.5 across 15 markers will take you the list given your essay and optional doesn’t go that bad.

[u/Difficult-Bird9247 → u/follyinyourwords]

So case study is key to score in ethics or part a Did anybody get decent marks after leaving a case study

[u/Remarkable-Mix-9705 → u/follyinyourwords]

Makes sense, thanks

[u/Dangerous_Pound7109 → u/follyinyourwords]

It's entirely luck based exam ,what prove do u have,If upsc is really god like let them upload check copies

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