BPSC TRE 4.0 Exam Pattern 2026: Marks and Negative Marking

BPSC TRE 4.0 is filling 32,388 school teacher posts in Bihar through a single written test. This guide explains the paper for each class group, how the language part works, the 1/3 negative marking (which also applies to questions you leave blank), the minimum qualifying marks, and how the merit list is made. Every point below is taken from BPSC Advertisement No. 15/2026 dated 22 September 2026.

BPSC TRE 4.0 exam pattern at a glance

Item	Details
Advertisement	BPSC Advt. No. 15/2026 (replaces Advt. No. 14/2026 of 18.08.2026)
Total posts	32,388
Selection	Written examination (objective) only – no interview
Papers	One paper for each class group
Questions / marks	150 questions, 150 marks
Time	2 hours 30 minutes
Question type	MCQ with five options (A, B, C, D, E)
Negative marking	1/3 mark for every wrong answer and for every question where no option is marked
Language part	Part I, 30 questions, qualifying only (minimum 30%)
Interview	None
Re-evaluation	Not allowed

Posts and starting pay by class group

The written paper depends on the class group you apply for. The advertisement gives these posts and pay:

Class group	Posts	Pay as per advertisement
Primary (Class 1–5)	3,847	Initial pay Rs. 25,000 + allowances
Middle (Class 6–8)	8,563	Initial pay Rs. 28,000 + allowances
Secondary (Class 9–10)	3,877	Basic pay Rs. 31,000 per month + allowances
Higher Secondary (Class 11–12)	16,101	Basic pay Rs. 32,000 per month + allowances
Total	32,388

The advertisement notes that the number of vacancies can go up or down if the Education Department changes its requisition, and that the exam may be held in more than one phase depending on the number of candidates.

Paper structure for each class group

Class 1–5 (Primary school teacher)

The paper has two parts:

• Part I – Language (qualifying): 30 questions. Practical knowledge of English and one of Hindi, Urdu or Bangla.
• Part II – General Studies: 120 questions. Elementary mathematics, mental ability test, general awareness, general science, social science, Indian national movement, geography and environment.

Class 6–8 (Middle school teacher)

The paper has three parts:

• Part I – Language (qualifying): 30 questions (English and Hindi/Urdu/Bangla).
• Part II – General Studies: 40 questions. Elementary mathematics, general awareness, general science, Indian national movement and geography.
• Part III – Subject: 80 questions. You choose one subject: Mathematics & Science, Social Science, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit or English.

Class 9–10 (Secondary and Special School Teacher)

• Part I – Language (qualifying): 30 questions.
• Part II – General Studies: 40 questions, linked to the secondary school curriculum (elementary mathematics, general awareness, general science, Indian national movement and geography).
• Part III – Subject: 80 questions. Subject options listed are Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit, English, Science, Mathematics, Physical Education, Music, Social Science, Bangla, Fine Arts, Dance, Maithili, Arabic and Persian.

Class 11–12 (Higher Secondary school teacher)

• Part I – Language (qualifying): 30 questions.
• Part II – General Studies: 40 questions, linked to the higher secondary curriculum (same topic areas as above).
• Part III – Subject: 80 questions. Options include Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Urdu, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, History, Political Science, Geography, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Home Science, Music, Philosophy, Computer Science, Business Studies, Entrepreneurship, Accountancy, Bangla, Bhojpuri, Magahi, Maithili, Pali, Prakrit, Arabic and Persian.

According to the advertisement, subject papers are based on the SCERT/NCERT syllabus and the General Studies part on the SCERT syllabus, but the level is set according to the minimum qualification for that post.

Social Science rule (Class 6–8 and 9–10)

If you pick Social Science, the subject part has two sections. If you choose History in Section I, you must pick one of Geography, Economics or Political Science in Section II. If you choose Geography in Section I, you pick Economics or Political Science in Section II.

The language part is qualifying only

Part I (30 questions) does not count for rank, but you must score at least 30% in it. The language you choose (Hindi, Urdu or Bangla, along with English) for one class group will apply to all class groups you apply for.

Negative marking: blank answers also lose marks

This is the rule most candidates miss. Each question has five options:

• Options A, B, C, D are the possible answers.
• Option E means "I do not want to answer this question". If you do not want to attempt a question, you must mark E.
• A wrong answer costs 1/3 mark.
• If you leave a question completely unmarked (none of A–E), you also lose 1/3 mark.
• You can mark only one option per question.

Minimum qualifying marks in the written exam

Category	Minimum marks
General (Unreserved)	40%
Backward Class (BC)	36.5%
Extremely Backward Class (EBC)	34%
SC / ST / Women / Divyang	32%

The advertisement says the 32% minimum for women (under the 35% horizontal reservation) and for divyang candidates (under the 4% horizontal reservation) is available only to domicile residents of Bihar. It also says the Commission has the discretion to fix qualifying marks under the Bihar State School Teacher Rules, 2023.

How the merit list is made

• Class 1–5: merit is based on Part II (General Studies) marks. If two candidates tie, Part I (language) marks decide, then age, then name in Devanagari alphabetical order.
• Class 6–8, 9–10, Special School Teacher (9–10) and 11–12: merit is based on the total of Part II and Part III. On a tie, Part III (subject) marks decide, then Part I, then age, then name order.
• Guest teachers who meet the stated conditions get 5 bonus marks per year of service, up to 25 marks, added only after they clear the minimum qualifying marks. The advertisement says this depends on the outcome of a pending appeal (LPA No. 593/2024).
• You can choose only one subject, and it must be a subject in which you passed the teacher eligibility test.

Applying for more than one class group

If you are eligible for several class groups, you fill one online form and give a priority order. Your result is published for the highest-priority group in which you succeed, and your other choices are then cancelled. If you give no priority, the result is published only for the higher post.

Other points from the advertisement

• Exam fee: Rs. 100 for every candidate, plus bank charges. Candidates who do not enter an Aadhaar number must pay an extra biometric fee of Rs. 200.
• A candidate can take this exam a maximum of 5 times under the 2024 amended teacher rules.
• District allotment is done by the Education Department, not by BPSC.

Preparation tips (general advice)

• Practise marking option E: in mock tests, train yourself never to leave a bubble empty.
• Because each wrong answer costs 1/3 mark, attempt a question only when you can rule out most options.
• For Class 6–12, the subject part (80 questions) carries the most weight in merit, so give it the most study time.
• Do not ignore the language part: missing 30% there can end your chance even with a high subject score.

FAQs

How many questions are there in BPSC TRE 4.0?

Each class group paper has 150 objective questions for 150 marks, and the time given is 2 hours 30 minutes.

Is there negative marking in BPSC TRE 4.0?

Yes. 1/3 mark is cut for every wrong answer, and also for every question where you do not mark any of the five options. To skip a question safely, mark option E.

Do language marks count in the merit list?

No. Part I (language) is qualifying only, with a minimum of 30%. It is used only to break ties.

Is there an interview in BPSC TRE 4.0?

No. The advertisement clearly says there will be no interview. Selection is through the written exam.

For posts, eligibility, dates and the apply link, see our BPSC TRE 4.0 School Teacher Recruitment 2026 page. Always confirm details in the official BPSC Advertisement No. 15/2026 on bpsc.bihar.gov.in before applying.