UPSC Prelims 2010 · General Studies
Question 116: Basic Numeracy
A candidate attempted 12 questions and secured full marks in all of them. If he obtained 60% in the test and all questions carried equal marks, then what is the number of questions in the test ?
AnswerThe answer is (d).
Full marks in 12 questions gave him 60 per cent of the test's total, and all questions carry equal marks, so those 12 questions are 60 per cent of all questions. Total questions = 12 / 0.6 = 20. Check: 12 out of 20 is 60 per cent. Remember: when all questions carry equal marks, the percentage of marks equals the percentage of questions.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) 36 would make 12 questions only one-third.
- (b) 30 would make 12 questions 40 per cent.
- (c) 25 would make 12 questions 48 per cent.
- (d) Right: 12 out of 20 is 60 per cent.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2010, General Studies, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.