Previous Years' Exam Cut-Off Marks & Target Estimator
Analyze official category-wise qualifying marks for State PSC and Central exams (TNPSC, UPPSC, BPSC, SSC, MPSC, KPSC, HSSC). Use our interactive simulator to measure your mock score against the safe selection zone.
Sarkari Exam Target Score & Safety Estimator
Simulate your mock test marks against official previous cut-offs to discover your selection probability.
Needs Practice: Your score is currently 6.0 marks below the previous cut-off (169). Focus on high-yield syllabus sections to elevate your benchmark.
TNPSC Group 4 Combined Civil Services Examination
Trend Analysis: General Tamil (Part-A) saw high scoring with toppers achieving 95+ out of 100 questions. The competitive differentiator remains General Studies History, Polity, and Mental Ability.
Official Category-wise Qualifying Cut-Off Marks
| Category Name | Qualifying Cut-off | Percentage | Safe Score Buffer |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / GT (Open Merit) | 169 / 300 | 84.5% | +3.0 marks recommended |
| BC (Backward Class) | 166 / 300 | 83% | +6.0 marks recommended |
| MBC / DNC | 165 / 300 | 82.5% | +7.0 marks recommended |
| BCM (Backward Class Muslim) | 159 / 300 | 79.5% | +13.0 marks recommended |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 156 / 300 | 78% | +16.0 marks recommended |
| SCA (SC Arunthathiyar) | 153 / 300 | 76.5% | +19.0 marks recommended |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 149 / 300 | 74.5% | +23.0 marks recommended |
| PSTM (Tamil Medium - GT) | 163 / 300 | 81.5% | +9.0 marks recommended |
| PSTM (Tamil Medium - BC) | 160 / 300 | 80% | +12.0 marks recommended |
UPPSC Combined State / Upper Subordinate (PCS) Prelims
Trend Analysis: Negative marking (0.33) punishes blind guessing. CSAT Paper-2 requires 33% qualifying threshold. A net score of 130+ on GS Paper 1 safely assures Mains selection.
BPSC 69th Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) Prelims
Trend Analysis: BPSC abolished the controversial 5th option ('None of the above / More than one') and instituted 1/3 negative marking. Cut-off stabilized around 91.67 marks.
SSC CGL 2024 Combined Graduate Level Tier-1 Examination
Trend Analysis: Normalized scores reflected tough competition across shifts. Strong speed in Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension is required to cross the 150+ threshold.
SSC GD Constable 2024 (BSF, CISF, CRPF, SSB, ITBP)
Trend Analysis: All India elite Secretariat Security Force (SSF) posts witnessed fierce cut-offs exceeding 148/160, while general state border area vacancies qualified in the 110–125 range.
HSSC Haryana Police Constable (General Duty) Recruitment
Trend Analysis: Physical Screening Test (PST) and Physical Measurement Test (PMT) are qualifying. Academic marks weightage and socio-economic criteria points influence final merit ranking.
MPSC Maharashtra Civil Services (Rajyaseva) Prelims
Trend Analysis: CSAT Paper-2 is now qualifying (33% required). Selection for State Services Mains hinges completely on Paper 1 GS scores, with Maharashtra Geography & Polity acting as major scoring areas.
KPSC Karnataka First Division Assistant (FDA) Examination
Trend Analysis: Compulsory General Kannada / General English paper sets the baseline. General Knowledge Paper (Paper 3) determines high percentile ranks.
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How Government Exam Cut-Offs Are Determined
1. Ratio of Vacancies to Applicants
When vacancies double, cut-offs generally ease downward by 3–5 percentile points. Conversely, limited cadre vacancies in exams like UPPSC PCS or BPSC CCE result in intensely tight qualifying score brackets.
2. Shift Normalization & Negative Marking
Negative markings (such as 1/3rd in BPSC/UPPSC or 0.5 in SSC CGL) punish wild guesses. Normalization mathematical curves adjust shift disparity so that candidate scores reflect relative percentile excellence.
3. Horizontal & Domicile Quotas
Reservation policies include vertical quotas (OBC, SC, ST, EWS) and horizontal quotas (Women, Ex-Servicemen, PwD, State Medium of Instruction like PSTM). Candidates qualify against their designated roster cohort.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exam Cut-Offs
What is the difference between Qualifying Marks and Cut-Off Marks?
Qualifying marks are the statutory minimum percentage (e.g. 33% or 40%) required to avoid disqualification. The Cut-Off mark is the actual score secured by the last shortlisted candidate in each category based on total vacancies, examination difficulty, and reservation roster ratios.
How does normalization affect SSC and State PSC cut-off marks?
When an examination is conducted across multiple shifts with different question papers, commission algorithms (such as the Equipercentile method or Mean-Standard Deviation formula) normalize raw scores to account for variations in shift difficulty. Cut-offs are then established on normalized marks rather than raw marks.
Why do female or domicile cut-offs vary from General / UR cut-offs?
States such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu maintain horizontal reservation quotas for women (30% to 33%), local state domicile holders, and persons studied in state language mediums (e.g., PSTM in TNPSC). This frequently results in specific qualifying cut-offs tailored to these categories.
What is considered a 'Safe Target Score' for State PSC Prelims exams?
A safe target score is typically 5% to 8% above the previous year's official category cut-off. Scoring within this buffer protects candidates against paper difficulty fluctuations, negative marking errors, and increased candidate competition.