Railways 2025 CBT I and CBT II Cut-Off Trends (2020-2024)

 

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.

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What Are Cut-Off Marks in Railways Exams?

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.

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Railways CBT I and CBT II Cut-Off Trends: 2020-2024 

  CBT I Cut-Off Trends (2020-2024)

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.

Expected Cut-Offs for CBT I (2025)

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

Key Insights:

• 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.

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CBT II Cut-Off Trends (2020-2024)

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.

Expected Cut-Offs for CBT II (2025)

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

Key Insights:

• 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.

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Factors Affecting CBT I and CBT II Cut-Offs

Several factors contribute to determining the cut-offs for CBT I and CBT II:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

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Tips for Preparing to Clear CBT I and CBT II Cut-Offs

1. Understand the Exam Pattern: Study the latest exam patterns and syllabus. Focus on sections that have the highest weightage.
2. Time Management: Effective time management during the exam is crucial, especially in sections like Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning.
3. Practice Regularly: Solve previous years’ question papers and take mock tests to gauge your preparation level and improve accuracy and speed.
4. Revise Key Concepts: Regular revision of important formulas, concepts, and general knowledge can help you stay ahead of the competition.
5. Focus on Weak Areas: Identify your weak sections, such as General Awareness or Technical Subjects, and dedicate extra time to improving them.

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Conclusion

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.