Exam glossary · TNPSC

Answer key in TNPSC exams

By the PrepMatic team · Updated 9 Oct 2026 · 2 min read

A TNPSC answer key is the official list of correct options for an objective exam such as Group 4 or the Group 2 and Group 1 prelims. TNPSC publishes a tentative key first and a final key later. Your score is worked out against the key you trust, using the marks per question and the deductions in the notification.

Tentative and final keys

TNPSC's "Objective Type (Answer Keys)" page is organised as a table with the date of notification, the post, the date of exam, the tentative key and the final key. Current tentative keys appear under "Tentative Subjects (Answer Keys)" on tnpsc.gov.in, and keys for departmental examinations are on a separate departmental keys page.

• Tentative key: the first key, released after the exam.
• Final key: the later key, which can differ from the tentative one.

When this guide was prepared, the answer-keys page showed only older entries, so do not assume a key for every recent paper sits there. Look for your recruitment by post and exam date.

How to calculate your score (Group 4)

Group 4 has 200 questions for 300 marks, so each question carries 1.5 marks. A wrong answer carries no deduction, and each question left completely blank loses 0.5 mark. Add 1.5 for each match with the key, then subtract 0.5 for each blank.

Also subtract the other OMR sheet deductions if they apply, such as a missing thumb impression. Then check Part A against the 60-mark gate in the Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test entry.

What an estimate can and cannot tell you

A self-scored result is useful for planning, but it is an estimate: the final key may differ from the tentative one, and the official result also reflects the sheet rules. It does not tell you your rank. Rank depends on how everyone else scored, and the cut-off is known only after results.

Using the key well

1. Write down your answers as soon as you leave the hall, while you still remember them.
2. Compare with the tentative key and flag disagreements.
3. Re-check disputed questions in your textbook before challenging anything.
4. Re-compute with the final key once it appears.

The exam guides explain the process in more detail: Group 4 answer key and Group 2 answer key.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the TNPSC answer key published?

On tnpsc.gov.in, under the answer keys pages for objective type exams.

Is the tentative key final?

No. TNPSC lists a final key separately, so re-check your score once it appears.

How many marks is each Group 4 question worth?

1.5 marks, since the paper is 300 marks for 200 questions.

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