No. The FRCA Primary MCQ no longer has negative marking.
The exam previously used a Multiple True/False (MTF) format where each question contained five independent true/false stems, and incorrect answers attracted a penalty mark. This format was removed, and the exam transitioned to a pure Single Best Answer (SBA) format.
In the current SBA format, each question has five options and you select the single best answer. There is no penalty for an incorrect answer. This means you should answer every question — even if you are guessing. Leaving a question blank guarantees zero marks; guessing gives you at least a 20 per cent chance.
Strategic implications
The removal of negative marking changes your exam strategy. Under the old MTF format, it was sometimes optimal to leave a stem blank rather than risk a penalty for guessing. Under SBA, it is never optimal to leave a question unanswered.
If you can eliminate even one option, your expected return from guessing improves from 20 per cent (one in five) to 25 per cent (one in four). If you can eliminate two options, your odds improve to 33 per cent (one in three). Systematic elimination is a core exam technique — practise it during your revision.
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