The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) successfully conducted the IBPS PO Mains Exam 2024 on November 30, 2024. The candidates who wish to secure their positions as Probationary Officers (PO) in the different public sector banks all over India are going through a critical process with 3,955 total available vacancies. Many of these candidates are now anxiously awaiting the cut-off marks, which will be expected by the exam authorities, determining who will advance to the next stage of the selection process: the interview.
Expected cut-off marks for the IBPS PO Mains Exam depend on several factors and, therefore, vary considerably. These include the number of vacancies, the difficulty level of the exam, and trends from previous years’ cut-off marks. According to preliminary analysis and feedback coming from students who attended this year’s examination, cut-off marks are likely to change across different categories.
For example, general category applicants are very likely to have expected cut-off ranges between 60-68. The cut-off in the case of OBC-NCL will be placed between 58-68, and there may be an expectation for 58-65 from an applicant belonging to the category of Economically Weaker Section. In the case of SC, it is expected to be in between the range of 50-58, while for candidates from scheduled tribes, it is probable in a range of 40 to 48.
Besides the overall cutoffs, the candidates will also be assessed based on their performance in the individual subjects. Cut-off marks for quantitative aptitude are likely to be in the range of 6 to 8 for general candidates, and SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates may have a cut-off around 4 to 5. Cut-off marks for Reasoning Ability are likely to be between 9 and 12 for general candidates, and the cut-off for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates may be in the range of 5 to 7.
As general candidates, they may obtain marks between 10 and 12. But if they are SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates, then probably about 7 to 9 marks will be good. Lastly, for general/economy/banking awareness of general candidates, one must expect a cutoff of roughly 9 to 12; for SC/ST/OBC/PwD students, it is approximately 8 to 10.
Factors Influencing Cut-off Marks
A number of parameters determine the cut-off marks annually. One such factor includes the number of candidates taking the exam. Normally, the more candidates who are appearing for the exam, the higher the cut-off is due to the intensified competition. Vacancies that are available are also determining factors. In cases with fewer vacancies, the marks are normally high since there will be more applicants vying for the limited posts available.
The difficulty level of the exam is another important factor that determines cut-offs. If the exam is tough, overall scores may be lower, and therefore, cut-offs may be lower. The performance of candidates in a particular year can also influence how high or low the cut-offs are set.
While awaiting the official declarations for the final cut-off scores and results, these candidates should not lose focus on preparation in case of interviews. Knowing these ‘expected cut-offs’ will help the students assess their own performance and keep their expectations realistic going ahead.
The IBPS PO Mains Exam is the turning point in securing a seat for Probationary Officers in the banking sector of India. Final results and cut-offs should be accessed with updated information from the official portal of IBPS. Preparation with thorough vigilance of the outcome and preparation would enhance the chance to achieve success in the very competitive selection process. Congratulations to all participants who take the very crucial step of their banking career.
