What is Tickmaster-giri?
- 1979 to 2006: Candidates would tick all the MCQs in the UPSC preliminary exam, because there was no negative marking.
- 2007: UPSC introduced the 33% penalty for wrong answer for the first time in prelims.
- Each Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) has four options. If you can confidently eliminate 2 out of 4 options, then you’re left with only two options.
- Then, your probability of ticking right answer is 50% (right answer fetches you two marks in GS paper1). and your probably of ticking wrong answer is also 50% (wrong answer fetches you -0.66 marks in GS Paper-1).
- So, by law of averages, if you do like above for 1012 MCQs, you’ll gain a positive score.
- But the prerequisite is you must eliminate two out of four options first- that is the “pregambling stage”.
- In real UPSC, 40-60 MCQs are usually easy to medium, and rest are tough and asked outside the regular reading material.
- So, ever since UPSC implemented negative marking system, some players would tick 40-60 based on their knowledge, and another 20-30 by their gut-feeling. I call them Tickmasters.
Then What is Guessmaster-giri?
- Whereas Tickmastergiri has its roots in the fundamentals of statistics and probability, Guessmastergiri is a different thing altogether.
- Guessmastergiriâs roots are in the incompetency of the UPSC examiner in framing MCQs with cliched structure.
- Basically you look for certain keywords / structure in the MCQ, and accordingly eliminate the wrong options and in most cases you can do it without having studied anything. OBSERVE:
GM-Rule#1: Extreme statement is ALWAYS wrong
If a statement contains extreme words like “all, must, none, cannot, always” then it’s wrong statement. Hence you can guess the right answer, even if you don’t know the topic.
Rule is valid and helps to reach correct answer | Rule is not always valid, often give you wrong answer |
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(Prelim 2016) 16. With reference to the ‘Trans-Pacific Partnership’, consider the following statements :
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Since both statements have extreme words, answer will be “D”. |
(Prelim-2016) 41. With reference to âBitcoinsâ, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Second and third statements have extreme words so both should be wrong! But in fact both are right! |
(Prelim 2016) 15. With reference to the ‘Gram Nyayalaya Act’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
First statement has extreme word “only” so it should be wrong. Second statement has no extreme word, so it should be right. So answer will be “B”. |
(Prelim-2017) 27. Which of the following has/have occurred in India after its liberalization of economic policies in 1991?
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
Fourth statement should be wrong, but it isn’t, as per economic survey data! |
(Prelim-2017) 31. What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing âGoods and Services Tax (GST)â?
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Second and third statements have extreme words “drastically” and “enormously” so they’ll be wrong. |
GM-Rule#2: Dates, Years & figures are always wrong in statement
If an MCQ-statement has name of some date or figure, then it’s definitely wrong. And if it has two-three statements, then remaining statements are always right- unless they violate the first law (Extreme word).
The rule is valid and helps | The rule is invalid, often gives you wrong answers |
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(Prelims-2016) 32. With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements :
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Second statement has date (year) so it ought to be wrong, and itâs indeed wrong. |
Will update this side of table, when I find the official UPSC MCQs violating this rule. |
(Prelims 2014) With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
First statement wrong because it has year (correct year was 2009). Second is right. |
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With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
First statement is wrong by GM-rule#2 (wrong date), and second statement by default should be right but it violates the GM-rule#1 (extreme word âall types). So both are wrong. |
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(Prelim 2014) Which reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct?
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Third statement wrong, because it has figure (correct figure is 4000 kms), second statement wrong because rule#1 (extreme word âonly) |
GM-Rule#3: Parent Org / Dept is always wrong in statement
If an MCQ-statement has name of parent organization, then itâs definitely wrong. And if it has two-three statements, then remaining statements are always right.
The rule is valid and helps | The rule is invalid, often gives you wrong answers |
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31. (Prelim-2016) With reference to ‘Financial Stability and Development Council’, consider the following statements :
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
|
(Prelim-2014) 60. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF)?
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1st statement is right. But 2nd is wrong because it’s meant for grassroot level innovators. Hence answer “A” only 1 correct. http://www.nif.org.in/ So here, if you use rule#4 then you’ll get wrong answer. |
95. (Prelim-2016) With reference to ‘Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)’, consider the following statements :
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
|
(Prelim-2017) 59. With reference to the âNational Intellectual Property Rights Policyâ, consider the following statements:
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
So here, if you use rule#4 then you’ll get wrong answer. |
(Prelim-2013) 1. Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
|
10. With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct?
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Here is parent organization is right. Yet, by first rule (Extreme word) you can arrive at the right answer. |
(Prelim 2016) 27. With reference to an initiative called âThe Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)â, which of the following statements is/are correct?
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
|
GM-Rule#4: 3TF with 1-2 words= all correct
If a question contains three statements having one or two words only. Then answer is “all correctâ.
The rule is valid and helps | The rule is invalid, often gives you wrong answers |
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(Prelim 2013) 3. Which of the following bodies does not/do not find mention in the Constitution?
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
|
(Prelim 2013) 5. Consider the following animals:
Which of the above is/are mammal/mammals?
By the rule, answer should be “D” because even word association rule would suggest cow, horse, lion all are mammals. But both rules are also invalid. Here, because sea horse not a mammal. |
(Prelim 2016) 34. Which of the following statements is/are correct? Viruses can infect
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
All correct as per Tamilandu Class 11 science text book. |
(Prelim 2013) 8. Consider the following historical places:
Which of the above places is / are also known for mural paintings?
Infact word association rule also invalid. Because on that logic both Ajanta and Sanchi having some association with Buddhism, then either both should have painting or none should have. |
(Prelim 2016) 77. Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report?
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
all three right as per IFRPI official website. |
(Prelim 2015) 49. Which of the following has/have been accorded ‘Geographical Indication’ status?
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
|
(Prelim 2016) 53. On which of the following can you find the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star Label?
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
|
(Prelim 2015) Consider the following languages:
Which of the above has/have been declared as âClassical Language / Languagesâ by the Government?
|
(Prelim 2017) 75. The Parliament of India exercises control over the functions of the Council of Ministers through
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
|
(Prelim-2016) 61. In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index?
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
|
GM-Rule#5: Word Association
The rule is valid and helps | The rule is invalid, often gives you wrong answers |
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(Prelim 2017) 30. The term M-STRIPESâ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of
âTigersâ have âstripesâ, so associate the words, and voila youâve the right answer. |
(Prelim-2017) 84. Which of the following gives âGlobal Gender Gap Indexâ ranking to the countries of the world?
Word âGender-gapâ associates with âwomenâ so answer should be âCâ, but in reality itâs A. |
(Prelim-2013) 4. Acid rain is caused by the pollution of environment by
Word âAcidâ associates with âSulfuric acidâ , âNitric Acidâ. |
(Prelim-2013) 5. Consider the following animals:
Which of the above is/are mammal/mammals?
Cow, horse and lion are mammals, so by word association, even those who SEA-Prefix should be mammals. But then youâll be wrong, sea horse is not mammal. |
(Prelim 2014) Q2. With reference to the cultural history of India, the term ‘Panchayatan’ refers to
Word âpanchayatâ associates with assembly of elders, then youâd think answer should be âAâ, but in reality itâs âCâ. |
GM-Rule#6: Sci-Tech= Blindly Tick “D/All Correct”?
“In science technology MCQs, if you cannot solve the answer, then simply tick “D” option.”
Let’s quickly check the validity of this:
Year | No. of Science MCQs were “D” is the right Answer | NET GAIN or NET LOSS? =(correct*2m)-(incorrect*0.66) |
---|---|---|
2020 | 7 out of 11 MCQ= 63%* | (7*2)-(4*0.66)=+11.36 |
2019 | 2 out of 11 MCQs = 19% | -1.94 |
2018 | 5 out of 13 MCQs = 38% | +4.72 |
2017 | 2 out of 6 MCQs = 33% | +1.36 |
- *For 2020 exam, the official answer key is yet to be declared. For the remaining exams, I have used the official UPSC answer key.
- Thus, if a candidate is unsure about a particular MCQ in science technology, and gives D as the answer, then overall he may gain a few marks, except the 2019 paper.
- I do not like peddling this type of hacks/cheat codes/shortcuts. But I have mentioned this phenomenon here so that UPSC examiner can take cognizance of this matter and frame better quality of questions next year.
- âand No, I donot make any claims that â
- A) In future exams also this “Science = D Answer” will be equally useful OR that
- B) You should stop studying science technology and engage in this type of shortcuts!
Epilogue / FAQ ?
Q. Why are you circulating this non-sense? ??
Ans. On a given year, GM-giri works in some cases, and backfires in some cases, as youâve seen from above tables.
However, to gain quick popularity, some toppers and e-learning-wallas only show the left side of the table i.e. Guessmaster-giri always works and you can become IAS #WITHOUT-STUYING-ANYTHING.
So, Iâve published this page, with two objectives:
- All candidates should benefit. If they wish, they can embrace the dark-side, but with an informed choice that Guessmaster-giri can backfires also.
- (and more importantly) UPSC examiner should look at this page, and put an end to such hacks / cheatcodes, so that people looking for âeffortless short-cuts to successâ donât find place in civil services.