IB Security Assistant Exam Pattern: Tiers and Marks

The IB Security Assistant exam pattern is not the same for both posts covered on this page: Security Assistant/Executive (SA/Exe) and Security Assistant/Motor Transport (SA/MT). Both are recruited by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. SA/Exe has three stages: a 100-mark online test, a 50-mark translation test and a 50-mark interview. SA/MT has two stages: a similar online test, followed by a motor mechanism and driving test cum interview.

This guide explains each stage, the marking scheme, negative marking, qualifying marks and the way the final merit list is prepared. It is based on the 2025 recruitment cycle, the latest one notified. Always match the details with the current notification on the official Ministry of Home Affairs website (mha.gov.in) before you finalise your plan, because the pattern can be revised in a new cycle.

Table of Contents

• IB Security Assistant Exam Pattern: Overview

• Selection Process and Stages

• Exam Pattern for Security Assistant/Executive

• Exam Pattern for Security Assistant/Motor Transport

• Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

• Qualifying Marks and Shortlisting

• How the Final Merit List Is Prepared

• Multiple Shifts and Normalisation

• A Simple Attempt Strategy for Tier I

• Common Mistakes Candidates Make with the Pattern

• Section-wise Topics at a Glance

• How to Use the Pattern in Your Preparation

IB Security Assistant Exam Pattern: Overview

The table below puts the two posts side by side so you can see what is common and what differs.

In the 2025 cycle, the notification for SA/Exe came out in July 2025 and the SA/MT notification followed in September 2025. The SA/Exe Tier I was held in several shifts across 29 and 30 September 2025, so scores of different shifts were normalised.

Selection Process and Stages

The IB does not select candidates on a single written paper. Each stage filters the pool, and only candidates who clear the earlier stage move ahead.

Security Assistant/Executive

• Tier I: Online objective test of 100 marks across five sections.

• Tier II: Descriptive translation test between English and the local language. It is qualifying in nature.

• Tier III: Interview or personality test of 50 marks.

• After the tiers: Document verification and medical examination for the finally shortlisted candidates.

Security Assistant/Motor Transport

• Tier I: Online objective test of 100 marks, with a section on basic transport and driving rules.

• Tier II: Motor mechanism and driving test cum interview of 50 marks.

• After the tiers: Document verification and medical examination, along with a check that every eligibility condition is met.

Exam Pattern for Security Assistant/Executive

Tier I: Online Objective Test

Tier I is a computer-based test with 100 multiple-choice questions. Every question carries one mark, and the whole paper must be finished in 60 minutes. The paper has five sections of equal weight.

The pattern lists one overall time limit of 60 minutes for the entire paper. That means you can move between sections freely unless the notification of a particular cycle says otherwise. The two knowledge-based sections, General Awareness and General Studies, together carry 40 marks, which is why steady current affairs and static GK revision pays off.

Tier II: Translation Test

Tier II checks how well you can handle the local language of the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB) you applied for. It is descriptive, and it is purely qualifying, so marks scored here do not add to the merit score.

Because this is a language test, candidates who rely only on English-medium practice often struggle here. Regular translation practice in both directions, with attention to grammar and vocabulary, is the only reliable preparation.

Tier III: Interview or Personality Test

Tier III is conducted by the Intelligence Bureau and carries 50 marks. The panel looks at your personality, communication, presence of mind, general awareness and overall suitability for the role. This is a merit-based stage, so your interview marks count towards the final result.

Exam Pattern for Security Assistant/Motor Transport

Tier I: Online Objective Test

The SA/MT Tier I is also a 100-mark online test of 60 minutes. The difference from SA/Exe is that one section is replaced by basic transport and driving rules, which suits the nature of the post.

Drivers with practical experience usually find the transport rules section easy, so they can use the saved time on aptitude and reasoning, where scores are decided.

Tier II: Motor Mechanism and Driving Test cum Interview

Tier II is practical. You are required to drive a motor vehicle as instructed by the examiner, and you are assessed on knowledge of motor mechanism, upkeep of the vehicle and handling of minor repairs or defects. The stage carries 50 marks, and the minimum qualifying score is 20 marks, which is 40 percent.

Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

Every question in Tier I carries one mark. For each wrong answer, one-fourth of a mark (0.25) is deducted. Questions you leave unattempted neither add nor subtract marks.

Here is a simple way to work out your score:

• Net score = Number of correct answers minus (0.25 x number of wrong answers)

• Example: If you attempt 80 questions and get 68 right and 12 wrong, your score is 68 minus 3, which is 65 out of 100.

The deduction is small, but guesses add up. If you guess four questions blindly and get only one right, you lose more than you gain in the long run. Attempt a question when you can eliminate at least one or two options.

Qualifying Marks and Shortlisting

A candidate has to clear the minimum marks of each stage, apart from being among the top scorers. The minimum qualifying marks in Tier I, out of 100, are as follows.

Ex-servicemen are considered in their own category. For SA/Exe, shortlisting works in two steps. Candidates equal to ten times the number of vacancies are shortlisted for Tier II, based on normalised Tier I scores, provided they meet the minimum marks. After Tier II, candidates equal to five times the number of vacancies, who have scored at least 20 out of 50 in Tier II, are called for the interview. A waiting list is also prepared as per Government guidelines.

How the Final Merit List Is Prepared

• Security Assistant/Executive: The final merit list is based on the combined performance in Tier I and Tier III. Tier II only has to be cleared; its marks are not added.

• Security Assistant/Motor Transport: The result is prepared on the combined performance in Tier I and Tier II, followed by document verification and medical examination.

This has a practical meaning for SA/Exe aspirants. Your Tier I score is carried forward to the final merit, so a high score in the online test gives a lasting advantage, while a weak interview can pull a good score down.

Multiple Shifts and Normalisation

When an online exam is held over several days and shifts, no two candidates face exactly the same paper. To keep the result fair, the IB shortlists on normalised Tier I scores. Normalisation adjusts raw marks for differences in difficulty between shifts, so a score of 62 in a hard shift may be treated differently from 62 in an easy one. You cannot control the shift you get, so the sensible approach is to prepare for a paper of any difficulty and avoid depending on a fixed cut-off number.

A Simple Attempt Strategy for Tier I

A planned order of attempt saves time and protects marks. This sequence works well for most candidates.

1. First 3 to 4 minutes: Scan the question palette and note which section looks easiest to you.

2. Round one (about 35 minutes): Solve the questions you are sure of in General Awareness, General Studies, English and Reasoning. These are quick to answer.

3. Round two (about 15 minutes): Move to Quantitative Aptitude and the longer reasoning sets. Skip any calculation that looks lengthy.

4. Last 5 to 6 minutes: Return to skipped questions, and attempt those where you can remove at least two options.

Candidates in the SA/MT exam can fit the transport rules section into round one, since these questions are direct.

Common Mistakes Candidates Make with the Pattern

• Ignoring Tier II until the result: The translation test and the driving test are separate skills and need weeks of preparation, not days.

• Over-guessing: Random guesses in a paper with negative marking lower the net score.

• Neglecting static GK: Two sections together carry 40 marks in SA/Exe, and many of these questions are factual.

• Using old patterns: Earlier cycles had a different structure, so use the latest notification and recent mock tests.

Section-wise Topics at a Glance

The detailed syllabus is covered on a separate page. The table below shows the main areas from which questions are generally asked.

How to Use the Pattern in Your Preparation

Plan your 60 minutes

With 100 questions in 60 minutes, you have roughly 36 seconds per question. A workable split is to spend about 10 to 12 minutes on each section, and to keep a few minutes at the end for review. Start with the section where you are strongest, bank those marks, and then move to the harder ones.

Protect your accuracy

Since the cut-off decides who proceeds to the next stage, accuracy matters as much as speed. Track the number of wrong answers in every practice test and treat anything above 8 to 10 as a warning sign.

Prepare for the stages beyond Tier I

• SA/Exe candidates: Start translation practice early. Pick short passages, translate them both ways, and compare with a reliable source or a person fluent in the language.

• SA/MT candidates: Keep your driving practice regular, and learn the basics of engine, battery, brakes, tyres and fluids so that you can explain minor defects confidently.

• All candidates: Revise your own profile, state, current affairs and the role of the Intelligence Bureau for the interview.

Practise in the exam format

The online mode makes timed practice essential. Attempting full-length mock tests helps you build speed, find weak sections and get used to negative marking. Testkart offers online tests and test series that you can use to practise in a format similar to the actual exam, and you can review your performance after every attempt.

Final Words on the IB Security Assistant Exam Pattern

The IB Security Assistant exam pattern is easy to follow once you separate the two posts: a common 100-mark online test, then a language test and interview for SA/Exe, or a driving and mechanism test for SA/MT. Build your preparation around the Tier I sections first, then add the stage-specific skills. When you are ready to test yourself, attempt the IB Security Assistant mock tests and test series available on Testkart.