1. Introduction

Once the exam is over, the toughest phase begins-not the waiting, but the uncertainty.
Most PSSSB candidates today are stuck between relief (“at least the exam is done”) and anxiety (“did I do enough?”). The release of the final answer key is a decisive moment because it quietly settles many doubts, even before the result is declared.

For the PSSSB Clerk, Telephone Operator, and Assistant Superintendent exams (18 January 2026), the Final Answer Key released on 28 January 2026 is not just a document-it is the official lens through which your performance will be judged.

Understanding what this answer key does (and does not do) is essential to avoid wrong assumptions and emotional overreaction.

2. Answer Key Overview

  • Type of Answer Key: Final
  • Released By: Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSB)
  • Applies To: Clerk, Telephone Operator (TO), Assistant Superintendent (AS) & related posts
  • Exam Date: 18 January 2026 (two shifts)

This is the final version, prepared after evaluating objections raised against the provisional key.
No further challenges are allowed, and all results will be prepared strictly using this key.

If a question or option has been modified here, it means the Board has already accepted or rejected objections at its end.

3. How to Check and Use the Answer Key Properly

Many candidates rush through the answer key emotionally. That is a mistake.

The right way to check:

  1. Open the final answer key PDF.
  2. Match answers question-wise, not section-wise.
  3. Use your actual responses, not memory-based guesses.
  4. Keep rough calculation separate for each section.

Common mistakes to avoid:

  • ❌ Counting bonus marks based on coaching keys
  • ❌ Ignoring negative marking while calculating
  • ❌ Assuming normalization will “fix” large gaps
  • ❌ Re-checking the same question repeatedly (leads to panic)

Treat this as an audit, not a post-mortem.

4. How to Calculate Expected Score

General marking pattern (as per typical PSSSB exams):

  • Correct answer: +1 mark
  • Wrong answer: -0.25 mark
  • Unattempted: 0 mark

Formula:
Expected Score = (Correct × 1) - (Wrong × 0.25)

Two important realities:

  1. Raw score ≠ final merit position
    Normalization, category cut-offs, and post-wise competition matter.
  2. One or two questions rarely change outcomes
    Large emotional swings usually come from overestimating impact.

Calculate once. Recalculate only if you made a genuine counting error.

5. Cut-Off Expectations (Reality Check)

As of now, official cut-offs are not available yet.

Cut-offs depend on:

  • Number of candidates per post
  • Shift-wise difficulty
  • Category-wise distribution
  • Normalization formula used by PSSSB

Why guessing cut-offs is risky:

  • Online “expected cut-off” figures are often inflated
  • Different posts (Clerk vs AS vs TO) have different competition levels
  • Borderline scores cannot be judged accurately without data

If your score is clearly high or clearly low, decisions are easier.
If it is borderline, patience matters more than prediction.

6. Objection Process - Who Should Raise It & Who Shouldn’t

This is a final answer key.
👉 No objection window is open now.

Still, this clarification helps future exams:

Who should raise objections (during provisional stage):

  • Candidates with documented, syllabus-backed proof
  • Errors affecting many candidates, not personal logic

Who should not:

  • Candidates relying on coaching PDFs
  • Those objecting based on “common sense”
  • Those emotionally attached to a doubtful question

Objections cost money and time. Strategic restraint is a skill.

7. What to Do After the Answer Key

If your score is high:

  • Start preparing documents early
  • Track PSSSB result notices regularly
  • Avoid overconfidence-verification stages are strict

If your score is borderline:

  • Mentally prepare for both outcomes
  • Continue light preparation for similar exams
  • Do not stop applying elsewhere

If your score is low:

  • Do not internalize failure
  • Analyze why: speed, accuracy, syllabus gaps
  • Course-correct before the next notification

Exams test readiness, not worth.

8. Timeline Ahead - What Comes Next

Based on standard PSSSB workflow:

  1. Final Answer Key - Released (28 Jan 2026)
  2. Result Declaration - To be announced
  3. Next Stage (if applicable):
    • Typing test / Skill test
    • Document verification
    • Final merit list

Exact dates are not available yet. Candidates should monitor only the official PSSSB website.

9. Pros & Cons of the Answer Key Phase

Pros:

  • Transparency in evaluation
  • Early performance clarity
  • Reduces result-day shock

Cons:

  • Over-analysis anxiety
  • Comparison with others
  • Obsession with cut-offs

The answer key is a tool, not a verdict.

10. Candidate Checklist

  • ✔ Final answer key PDF downloaded
  • ✔ Score calculated once, calmly
  • ✔ Exam notification saved for reference
  • ✔ Category & post details verified
  • ✔ Official website bookmarked
  • ✔ No reliance on unofficial cut-off claims

11. Conclusion

The release of the PSSSB Final Answer Key 2026 closes one chapter of uncertainty-but it should not open a chapter of panic.

Whether your score excites you or disappoints you, respond with clarity, restraint, and maturity. Government exams reward consistency over emotion and preparation over prediction.

Stay alert. Stay grounded. Keep moving forward.

12. FAQs

Q1. Can I challenge the final answer key?
No. The final answer key is binding.

Q2. Will marks change after this?
No changes unless the Board issues a corrigendum (rare).

Q3. When will the result be declared?
Exact date is not available yet.

Q4. Is normalization applicable?
Likely yes, as the exam was held in multiple shifts.

Q5. Should I start preparing for the next stage now?
If your score is comfortably high, yes-light preparation is advisable.