IB SA MT Cut Off: Qualifying Marks and Final Merit Guide
The IB SA MT cut off is the score you need to move from one stage of the Intelligence Bureau's Security Assistant (Motor Transport) recruitment to the next. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) conducts the exam in two tiers: a 100-mark online test (Tier-I) and a 50-mark motor mechanism and driving test cum interview (Tier-II).
The 30, 28 and 25 marks often quoted as "the cut-off" are only minimum qualifying marks. The score that gets you shortlisted is usually much higher. This page explains both, how final merit works, and how to set a target.
Table of Contents
IB SA MT Cut Off
Stage | Total marks | Minimum to qualify | What decides progress |
|---|---|---|---|
Tier-I (online test) | 100 | 30 (UR/EWS), 28 (OBC), 25 (SC/ST) | Merit rank, with about 10 candidates shortlisted per vacancy |
Tier-II (motor mechanism and driving test cum interview) | 50 | 20 (40%) | Must qualify to enter final merit |
Final merit | 150 | Category-wise closing score | Tier-I plus Tier-II marks |
Tier-I Minimum Qualifying Marks
The SA(MT) 2025 notice sets the following minimum marks for Tier-I. Ex-servicemen are assessed within their own category.
Category | Minimum qualifying marks (out of 100) |
|---|---|
UR | 30 |
EWS | 30 |
OBC | 28 |
SC / ST | 25 |
Why the Real Tier-I Cut-off Is Higher
Crossing 30 marks does not guarantee a Tier-II call. MHA shortlists candidates for Tier-II at about 10 times the number of vacancies, based on Tier-I marks after normalisation. The notice itself states that the cut-off may rise depending on performance and vacancies.
For the 2025 cycle, 455 posts meant roughly 4,550 Tier-II seats, split by category and Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB). In a competitive SIB, the last shortlisted score can sit far above the minimum. MHA has not published an official category-wise table of closing scores, so treat figures circulating online as unofficial.
Tier-II and Final Merit Cut-off
Tier-II carries 50 marks, and you need at least 20 to qualify. Once you qualify, your Tier-I and Tier-II marks are added to form a final score out of 150. The final cut-off is the lowest combined score selected in your category. Because vacancies are allotted SIB-wise, it can differ from one SIB to another.
Ties are broken by higher Tier-I marks, then higher Tier-II marks, then the older candidate, then alphabetical order. Strong Tier-I marks therefore help you twice.
What Affects the IB SA MT Cut Off
Vacancies per SIB: Total posts rose from 362 in 2023 to 455 in 2025, but a SIB with few posts and many applicants still closes higher.
Number of applicants: More candidates competing for the same seats push the shortlisting score up.
Paper difficulty and normalisation: A tougher paper lowers raw scores. Normalisation adjusts marks if the test runs in several shifts.
Negative marking: Each wrong answer costs 0.25 marks, so accuracy shapes net scores.
How to Set Your Target Score
Cut-offs change every cycle with vacancies, applicants and paper difficulty. Treat any previous figure as a benchmark only, and aim for a clear margin above it rather than the bare minimum.
Use full-length mocks as your gauge: A steady net score in the high 60s to 70s out of 100 across several mocks is a sensible practice target. This is a Testkart practice benchmark, not an official cut-off.
Do not ignore Tier-II: Its 50 marks count in final merit, so practise driving and basic motor mechanism alongside the written test.
Check official notices and results on the MHA website.
Frequently Asked Questions
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