In an objective type question paper, 5 marks are awarded for a correct answer and 2 marks are deducted for a wrong answer. A stud…

Quantitative Aptitude ·Previously asked in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026

View the full solved paper: GS Paper II

Question

In an objective type question paper, 5 marks are awarded for a correct answer and 2 marks are deducted for a wrong answer. A student attempted all the questions and got a score of 69. Had he been awarded 4 marks for a correct answer and 1 mark deducted for a wrong answer, he would have scored 84. How many questions were there in the question paper?

  1. A. 99
  2. B. 81 (Correct answer)
  3. C. 84
  4. D. 79

Correct Answer

Option B — 81

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Option B (81).

Key Points

  • Let C = correct, W = wrong. Then 5C − 2W = 69 and 4C − W = 84.
  • From the second, W = 4C − 84; substitute: 5C − 2(4C − 84) = 69 ⇒ −3C + 168 = 69 ⇒ C = 33, so W = 48.
  • Total questions = C + W = 33 + 48 = 81.

Additional Information

  • The student attempted all questions, so C + W equals the paper's size → Option B.