The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the Specialist Officer (SO) exam annually to recruit professionals in various specialized roles within the banking sector. A crucial aspect of this selection process is the cut-off marks, which determine candidate eligibility at different stages. Understanding these cut-off trends can significantly enhance your preparation strategy.
Key Highlights
- Organization Name: Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
- Exam Name: IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) Exam
- Purpose: Recruitment of Specialist Officers in Public Sector Banks
- Stages: Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, Interview
- Cut-Off Release: Post each examination stage
- Factors Influencing Cut-Offs: Number of vacancies, exam difficulty, candidate performance
- Importance: Determines candidate progression to subsequent stages
- Latest Exam Year Analyzed: 2025
- Official Website: ibps.in
Understanding IBPS SO Cut-Offs 📊
Cut-off marks are the minimum scores candidates must achieve to advance to the next phase of the selection process. These marks vary annually based on several factors:
- Number of Vacancies: More openings can lead to lower cut-offs.
- Exam Difficulty: Tougher exams might result in lower cut-off marks.
- Candidate Performance: Higher overall performance can push cut-offs higher.
Previous Year Trends 🗓
Analyzing past cut-off trends offers valuable insights. Here’s a snapshot of the IBPS SO Prelims Cut-Offs over recent years.
Category-Wise Analysis 📈
Cut-off marks also differ across categories. For instance, the IBPS SO Prelims 2022 cut-offs for the IT Officer (Scale-I) were:
- General/EWS: 65.00
- OBC: 65.00
- SC: 61.88
- ST: 55.88
Sectional Cut-Offs 📚
Beyond overall cut-offs, candidates must meet sectional cut-offs in each test area. For the IT Officer (Scale-I) in 2022, the sectional cut-offs were:
- English Language: 10.5 (General/EWS), 8.0 (SC/ST/OBC/PWBD)
- Reasoning: 11.25 (General/EWS), 6.75 (SC/ST/OBC/PWBD)
- Quantitative Aptitude: 8.0 (General/EWS), 5.0 (SC/ST/OBC/PWBD)
Factors Influencing Cut-Offs 🎯
Several elements impact the determination of cut-off marks:
- Vacancy Numbers: Higher vacancies may lower cut-offs.
- Exam Difficulty Level: More challenging exams can lead to reduced cut-offs.
- Overall Candidate Performance: Superior performance can elevate cut-off thresholds.
Preparing for IBPS SO 2025 📝
To enhance your chances:
- Analyze Past Cut-Offs: Understand trends to set target scores.
- Focus on All Sections: Ensure you meet sectional cut-off requirements.
- Stay Updated: Regularly check the official IBPS website for updates.
By comprehending cut-off trends and their influencing factors, you can strategically plan your preparation and improve your prospects in the IBPS SO examination.

Neha Gupta is an education content creator with expertise in admit cards and exam notifications. She holds a degree in Education and has 3+ years of experience. Neha loves mentoring students and spends her free time reading novels.