ISLAMABAD – In a significant development, the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has decided to abolish conventional written examinations for recruitment, opting instead for a fully MCQ-based testing system.
The decision was finalized during the 175th meeting of the commission. Under the new structure, all general recruitment posts from BS-16 to BS-21 will now be tested through objective-type questions only.
Candidates will attempt a 100-mark MCQ paper, with 0.25 marks deducted for every wrong answer under the negative marking policy. The passing threshold will range from 40 to 50 marks, depending on the nature of the post.
The new system will officially be implemented from September 21, 2025.
FPSC officials said the change is meant to make the examination process more efficient, transparent, and uniform, ensuring that results are processed quickly. Critics, however, argue that descriptive exams tested analytical and writing skills, which may be overlooked in the new setup.