---
title: "In UPSC Prelims, When Is It Better to Leave a Question Unattempted?"  
description: "In UPSC Prelims, When Is It Better to Leave a Question Unattempted?"  
author: "Marie Richter"  
published: 2026-10-26  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/118362/in-upsc-prelims-when-is-it-better-to-leave-a-question-unattempted  
category: "Mix Category"  
tags: ["UPSC", "Prelims", "Exam strategy"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# In UPSC Prelims, When Is It Better to Leave a Question Unattempted?

I’m trying to build a sensible approach to negative marking for UPSC Prelims. Sometimes I can eliminate two options but still feel unsure about the remaining pair. At other times, I have a vague memory of the topic without being confident.

How do experienced candidates decide when to make an educated guess and when to move on? I’m interested in a practical way to think about the risk, not a rule that treats every uncertain question the same.


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Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/118362/in-upsc-prelims-when-is-it-better-to-leave-a-question-unattempted

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