IB Security Assistant Cut Off 2025: What to Expect

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If you’ve just walked out of the IB Security Assistant/Executive (SA/Exe) Tier 1 Exam, I can imagine the mix of relief and anxiety you're feeling right now. After all the hard work, the waiting game begins. With a massive 4987 posts on the line, thousands of us across India who took the test on September 29th and 30th, 2025, are all asking the same question: did I make the cut for Tier 2?

Key Highlights

• ✓ The Tier 1 Exam for 4987 vacancies was held on September 29th and 30th, 2025.
• ✓ Expected cut-off for the UR category is around 62-66 marks.
• ✓ A 'safe score' to aim for is 65+ for UR/OBC and 55-58 for SC/ST candidates.
• ✓ The 2025 cut-offs are expected to be much higher than in 2019, when the UR cut-off was just 35.
• ✓ The official answer key will be released soon on www.mha.gov.in, allowing you to calculate your score.

While the official results from the Ministry of Home Affairs will have the final say, we aren't completely in the dark. By looking at the exam's difficulty, past trends, and expert analysis, we can get a pretty solid idea of the expected cut-off scores. So, let's grab a coffee and break down what the numbers are telling us this year.

The Numbers Everyone's Talking About: Expected 2025 Cut-Offs

Alright, let's get straight to the point. The provisional cut-offs are the talk of the town, and they give us a benchmark to measure our performance against. These numbers are crunched based on the paper's difficulty, how many people showed up, and what we've seen in the past. It’s not official yet, but it’s our best guess for now.

Based on the initial analysis, here’s what the expected cut-off marks for the Tier 1 exam look like for different categories:

• ✓ UR (Unreserved): 62-66 Marks
• ✓ OBC (Other Backward Classes): 60-64 Marks
• ✓ SC (Scheduled Caste): 52-58 Marks
• ✓ ST (Scheduled Tribe): 50-55 Marks

Seeing these numbers, you might be wondering what a truly "safe" score is—a score that almost guarantees you a spot in the next round. Experts suggest that to be on the safer side, UR and OBC candidates should aim for a score of 65 or higher. For SC and ST candidates, a score in the 55-58 range would significantly boost your chances. Remember, these are just estimates to help you gauge your performance.

💡 What's Interesting: The jump in cut-off scores from previous years is significant. The 2019 cut-off for the UR category was only 35 marks, which highlights just how much the competition has intensified.

A Blast from the Past: Why 2019 Was So Different

To really understand how competitive this year’s exam is, you just have to look back at the IB Security Assistant Cut Off from 2019. The numbers were drastically lower, and it almost feels like a different exam entirely. It’s a real eye-opener and shows just how much things have changed in a few years.

Here’s a quick look at the Tier 1 cut-offs from back then:

• ✓ UR: 35
• ✓ OBC: 34
• ✓ SC: 33
• ✓ ST: 33

So, what gives? Why the massive jump? The main reason is simple: increased competition. The number of aspirants vying for these coveted government jobs has skyrocketed. More candidates mean a tougher fight for every single spot, which naturally drives the cut-off scores way up. The difficulty level of the exam paper itself also plays a huge role in this.

Behind the Scenes: What Shapes the Cut-Off Score?

The cut-off isn't just a random number plucked from thin air. It's a carefully calculated threshold influenced by several key factors. Understanding these can help demystify the entire process and give you a clearer picture of where you stand. It's like a balancing act between several moving parts.

The Key Influencers

First up is the Number of Candidates who appeared for the exam. The more people that take the test, the higher the competition, and usually, the higher the cut-off. It’s basic supply and demand. This year, with thousands of aspirants, the competition is fierce.

Next is the Total Number of Vacancies. This year we have a solid number of 4987 vacancies. A higher number of vacancies can sometimes ease the cut-off slightly, but with so many candidates, its effect is balanced out. It's all about the ratio of candidates to available spots.

Of course, the Difficulty Level of the Exam is a huge factor. Initial analysis of Shift 1 on September 29th suggested the paper was 'Easy to Moderate,' though some found the Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning sections a bit time-consuming. If other shifts were tougher, the overall cut-off might see a slight dip to even things out.

Finally, there are the Category-wise Reservations. Cut-offs are never one-size-fits-all. They differ for UR, OBC, SC, ST, and ESM candidates based on the government's reservation norms, ensuring fair representation for everyone.

Your Personal Scorecard: Using the Answer Key

The next big event on the calendar is the release of the IB Security Assistant Answer Key 2025. This is your chance to move from guessing to knowing. The Ministry of Home Affairs will release a provisional answer key soon on its official website, mha.gov.in. This key is your tool to calculate a tentative score and see how you really did.

How to Calculate Your Score

Once you download the answer key PDF, it's time for some simple math. The marking scheme is straightforward: you get +1 mark for every correct answer, and there’s a negative marking of -0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. No marks are deducted for questions you didn't attempt.

Here's the formula to use:
Total Marks = (Number of Correct Answers × 1) - (Number of Wrong Answers × 0.25)

For example, if you answered 70 questions correctly and 20 incorrectly, your score would be (70 × 1) - (20 × 0.25) = 70 - 5 = 65 marks. This simple calculation gives you a solid estimate of your final score.

Found a Mistake? Here's How to Raise an Objection

What if you're sure an answer in the provisional key is wrong? Don't worry, there's a process for that. The MHA provides an objection window where you can challenge the answers. You'll need to log in to the portal, select the question you want to dispute, and provide valid proof or reference to support your claim. After reviewing all objections, a final answer key is released along with the results.

A Strategic Look at the Tier 1 Paper

Let's also take a moment to reflect on the exam paper itself. Knowing what constituted a "good attempt" in each section can provide even more context to your performance. The paper had five sections, each with 20 questions, making a total of 100 questions.

Here’s a breakdown of what experts consider a good number of attempts per section:

• ✓ General Awareness: 12-14 attempts
• ✓ Quantitative Aptitude: 11-13 attempts
• ✓ Reasoning & Analytical Ability: 12-14 attempts
• ✓ English: 14-16 attempts
• ✓ General Studies: 15-17 attempts

Overall, a total of 64-74 good attempts with high accuracy is considered a strong performance. The strategy for many successful candidates involves focusing on high-scoring sections like General Studies and English, which were generally seen as easy to moderate. The key was effective time management, especially in the calculation-heavy Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning sections.

Conclusion

So there you have it—a deep dive into the IB Security Assistant Cut Off 2025. The bottom line is that due to increased competition, we're looking at significantly higher cut-offs this year compared to 2019. Your next step is to keep an eye on the official MHA website for the answer key, calculate your estimated score, and see how it stacks up against the expected numbers.

Remember that these are provisional figures, and the final cut-off might vary. Regardless of the outcome, taking on a competitive exam like this is a huge achievement in itself. For now, take a deep breath, trust in your preparation, and get ready for the official announcements. Good luck!