IB ACIO Cut Off: Qualifying Marks, Shortlist Rules and Target Score

The IB ACIO cut off works at more than one level, so it helps to know which number a source is talking about. There is a minimum qualifying mark for Tier I by category, a minimum of 33 per cent in Tier II, and a shortlist that depends on the number of vacancies. This page separates these figures and explains how to set a target score.

The figures here come from the latest completed cycle, ACIO-II/Exe 2025, as stated in the notification. The notification gives minimum qualifying marks, not the final marks at which candidates were shortlisted. Many websites publish "expected" or "safe" scores that are not official, and they often disagree with each other. Treat them with care and verify on the MHA vacancies page.

Table of Contents

IB ACIO Previous Qualifying Marks (2025 Cycle)

A candidate must reach these marks to be considered for Tier II, but reaching them does not guarantee a place. The shortlist is limited to a multiple of the vacancies, so the real competition happens above these numbers.

Tier II Qualifying Rule and Shortlist Ratios

With 3,717 vacancies in the 2025 cycle, a ten-times shortlist means a very large Tier II pool. That is why scoring only the minimum is risky. Treat the ratios as indicative, because the next notification may change them.

Trend

Testkart does not list a year-wise trend of actual shortlisting marks, because those numbers were not available from an official source we could verify. Only the qualifying minimums above are on record in the notification, and they sit between 33 and 35 marks across categories. For the real picture each year, check the result notice and the scorecard on the Ministry website.

What Affects the IB ACIO Cut Off

• Paper difficulty: A harder Tier I lowers scores and shifts the shortlist line down.

• Number of vacancies: More posts mean a bigger shortlist and a lower effective line.

• Number of applicants: Heavy competition pushes scores up at the top of the pool.

• Negative marking: The 0.25 penalty lowers net scores, even for strong candidates who guess often.

• Category and reservation: Each category is counted against its own vacancies.

How to Set Your Target

Cut-offs change every year with difficulty, vacancies and the number of applicants. Treat last year's figures as a benchmark only, and aim for a clear margin above them rather than a bare pass. As a working rule, try to score comfortably above your category's minimum in every mock, with no section left near zero.

1. Know your floor: Note the minimum for your category from the table above.

2. Add a margin: In mocks, aim for a net score well above that floor, for example 20 to 25 marks higher. This is a practice benchmark, not an official figure.

3. Balance the sections: Each section is worth 20 marks, so lift your weakest section first.

4. Protect Tier II: Reach 17 out of 50 with room to spare through weekly writing practice.