After every government exam, candidates eagerly wait for the cut-off marks. But how are these marks decided? Understanding the process will help you set realistic targets.
Factors That Decide Cut-Off
- Number of Vacancies
- Fewer seats = higher cut-off.
- More seats = relatively lower cut-off.
- Difficulty Level of Exam
- Tougher exams usually have lower cut-offs.
- Easy exams push the cut-off higher.
- Number of Candidates Appearing
- More candidates = higher competition.
- Reservation Rules
- Different categories (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS) have separate cut-offs.
Example
If an exam has 1,000 vacancies but 5 lakh applicants, the cut-off will be high because of intense competition.
Conclusion
Cut-off marks are not random; they are calculated based on vacancies, difficulty level, and candidate performance. Knowing this helps you plan your preparation wisely.