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CDS Exam Pattern

Each stage is checked separately so one stage cannot inherit another stage's scoring rules.

Elementary Mathematics

Official 2026 pattern
Questions18
Total marks18
Duration22 minutes
Negative marking0.33 per wrong answer
SectionsArithmetic, Algebra and Trigonometry, Geometry and Mensuration
TestQsMarksMin
Arithmetic66
Algebra and Trigonometry66
Geometry and Mensuration66

Timing: Single composite 22-minute timer for all three sections combined: no sectional lock.

The official UPSC CDS Elementary Mathematics paper has 100 questions for 100 marks in 2 hours, each question carrying 1 mark with one-third (0.33) deducted per wrong answer. This mock is a TakeMockTest-defined shorter set: 18 questions in 22 minutes across the same syllabus areas in proportion.

Official source · checked 16 August 2026

English

Official 2026 pattern
Questions12
Total marks12
Duration12 minutes
Negative marking0.33 per wrong answer
SectionsGrammar and Usage, Vocabulary and Comprehension
TestQsMarksMin
Grammar and Usage66
Vocabulary and Comprehension66

Timing: Single composite 12-minute timer for both sections combined: no sectional lock.

The official UPSC CDS English paper has 120 questions for 100 marks in 2 hours (roughly 0.83 marks per correct answer), with one-third (0.33) deducted per wrong answer. This mock is a TakeMockTest-defined shorter set: 12 questions in 12 minutes across grammar, usage, vocabulary, and comprehension, scored at a clean 1 mark per question rather than the official fractional value.

Official source · checked 16 August 2026