The Indian Railways recruitment exams are one of the most competitive exams in India, attracting lakhs of candidates every year. The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) conducts exams in two stages—CBT I (Computer-Based Test I) and CBT II (Computer-Based Test II) for various posts. Understanding the cut-off trends from 2020 to 2024 is essential for candidates aspiring to clear Railways 2025 exams.
In this
blog, we’ll analyze the cut-off trends for CBT I and CBT II from 2020 to
2024, providing candidates with an idea of the expected cut-offs for Railways
2025 and how they can tailor their preparation accordingly.
Cut-off
marks are the minimum marks required for a candidate to qualify for the next
stage of the selection process. The cut-off marks for each section and overall
are determined based on multiple factors such as exam difficulty, the number of
candidates, the number of vacancies, and more.
The
Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) typically releases the cut-off marks for
both CBT I and CBT II after the exam results are declared.
The CBT
I is the first stage of the exam and primarily tests candidates' General
Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and General
Intelligence. The cut-offs for CBT I vary based on exam difficulty,
category, and the number of candidates.
Here’s a
look at the CBT I expected cut-offs for 2025 based on the trends from
2020-2024:
Category |
2020 Cut-Off |
2021 Cut-Off |
2022 Cut-Off |
2023 Cut-Off |
2024 Cut-Off |
Expected 2025 Cut-Off |
General
(UR) |
75-80 |
72-78 |
70-76 |
73-79 |
74-80 |
75-85 |
OBC |
70-75 |
68-73 |
66-71 |
68-74 |
69-75 |
72-80 |
SC |
65-70 |
63-68 |
60-65 |
63-68 |
64-70 |
66-75 |
ST |
60-65 |
58-63 |
55-60 |
58-63 |
59-65 |
62-70 |
EWS |
70-75 |
68-73 |
66-72 |
68-74 |
69-75 |
72-80 |
- General Category: The cut-offs for General
category candidates have remained between 70-80 marks, with
slight fluctuations due to exam difficulty.
- OBC, SC, ST, and EWS: The cut-offs for these
categories have been relatively lower, with OBC candidates
consistently scoring in the 68-75 range, and SC and ST
candidates scoring between 55-70 marks.
- Impact of Exam Difficulty: The overall difficulty
level of the exams plays a significant role in determining the cut-offs.
For example, if the exam is more difficult, the cut-offs tend to be lower.
The CBT
II exam is more specific to the post applied for and typically involves
more technical subjects. Candidates are required to have a deeper
understanding of their respective fields. The cut-offs for CBT II are usually
higher than those for CBT I, and the marks are calculated for each sectional
category.
Category |
2020 Cut-Off |
2021 Cut-Off |
2022 Cut-Off |
2023 Cut-Off |
2024 Cut-Off |
Expected 2025 Cut-Off |
General
(UR) |
85-90 |
82-88 |
80-85 |
83-89 |
84-90 |
85-95 |
OBC |
80-85 |
78-83 |
75-80 |
78-84 |
79-85 |
82-90 |
SC |
75-80 |
72-77 |
70-75 |
73-78 |
74-80 |
77-85 |
ST |
70-75 |
68-73 |
65-70 |
68-73 |
69-75 |
72-80 |
EWS |
80-85 |
78-83 |
75-80 |
78-84 |
79-85 |
82-90 |
- General Category: The cut-offs for the General
category have generally stayed between 80-90 marks, but with
some variations in difficulty level.
- OBC, SC, ST, and EWS: OBC candidates
typically score between 75-85 marks in CBT II, while SC and ST
candidates usually score between 65-80 marks. The EWS
category follows similar trends to the General category.
- Technical Subjects Impact: Candidates applying for
technical posts often need higher marks in their technical subject areas,
as those subjects contribute significantly to the overall score in CBT II.
Several
factors contribute to determining the cut-offs for CBT I and CBT II:
- Difficulty Level of the
Exam: The
difficulty level of both CBT I and CBT II plays a critical role in shaping
the cut-offs. If the exam is difficult, the cut-off may be lower, and vice
versa.
- Number of Vacancies: More vacancies generally
mean lower cut-offs as more candidates can be selected. Conversely, fewer
vacancies usually lead to higher cut-offs.
- Number of Candidates: An increase in the number
of candidates appearing for the exam can push the cut-offs higher, leading
to a tougher competition.
- Changes in Exam Pattern: Any changes to the exam
pattern, like the introduction of new sections or changes in the weightage
of sections, can also affect the cut-offs.
- Understand the Exam Pattern: Study the latest exam
patterns and syllabus. Focus on sections that have the highest weightage.
- Time Management: Effective time management
during the exam is crucial, especially in sections like Quantitative
Aptitude and Reasoning.
- Practice Regularly: Solve previous years’
question papers and take mock tests to gauge your preparation level and
improve accuracy and speed.
- Revise Key Concepts: Regular revision of
important formulas, concepts, and general knowledge can help you stay
ahead of the competition.
- Focus on Weak Areas: Identify your weak
sections, such as General Awareness or Technical Subjects, and dedicate
extra time to improving them.
The cut-off
trends for Railways CBT I and CBT II (2020-2024) provide useful insights
into what candidates can expect in Railways 2025. By understanding these
trends, you can adjust your preparation strategy to meet or exceed the expected
cut-offs for your category. Remember, preparation is key—stay focused, practice
regularly, and work on your weaker sections.