KVS ASO Cut-Off: Previous Data and Target Score
The KVS ASO cut-off is the lowest score at which candidates in each category were selected or moved to the next stage. In the 2025 drive run by CBSE for Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, there are two separate cut-off points: the Tier 1 score needed to be shortlisted for Tier 2, and the Tier 2 score at which the final merit list closes. Tier 1 marks do not count in the final merit.
As of 28 October 2026, CBSE and KVS have not published category-wise cut-off marks for the ASO post. Candidates can see their own scores and shortlisting status in the candidate login. This page sets out what the official data does show, how the cut-off is decided and how to set a realistic target.
How the KVS ASO Cut-Off Works
Stage | Type of cut-off | Out of |
|---|---|---|
Tier 1 | Shortlisting cut-off: score of the last candidate within 1:10 of category-wise vacancies | 300 |
Tier 2 | Final merit cut-off: score of the last selected candidate in each category | 100 |
Candidates tied with the last shortlisted candidate in Tier 1 are also shortlisted, so the actual number reaching Tier 2 can be slightly above ten times the vacancies.
Official Competition Data (2025 Drive)
CBSE published post-wise counts of registered, appeared and shortlisted candidates on 24 March 2026. For ASO, the figures across the five main categories are:
Category | Registered | Appeared in Tier 1 | Shortlisted for Tier 2 | Vacancies (revised) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
UR | 1,527 | 971 | 357 | 35 |
EWS | 116 | 80 | 51 | 8 |
OBC (NCL) | 1,243 | 843 | 220 | 22 |
SC | 1,037 | 473 | 131 | 13 |
ST | 456 | 211 | 70 | 7 |
Total | 4,379 | 2,578 | 829 | 85 |
CBSE's tables also list PwBD and ex-servicemen counts separately; those overlap with the main categories and are not added to the totals above. Some shortlists run slightly above ten times the vacancies because tied candidates are included, while the EWS shortlist is smaller because only 80 EWS candidates appeared.
Is There an Official Cut-Off?
No category-wise cut-off marks for KVS ASO have been released in the 2025 drive so far.
Cycle | Post | Stage | Category | Cut-off marks | Out of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 (Notification 01/2025) | ASO | Tier 1 (shortlisting) | UR, EWS, OBC (NCL), SC, ST | Not published as of 28 October 2026 | 300 |
2025 (Notification 01/2025) | ASO | Tier 2 (final merit) | UR, EWS, OBC (NCL), SC, ST | Not published as of 28 October 2026 | 100 |
Scores quoted elsewhere as the ASO cut-off should be treated as unofficial unless they link to a CBSE or KVS notice. If KVS or CBSE publishes a cut-off or final selection list, it will appear on the official websites listed below.
CBSE recruitment page: https://www.cbse.gov.in/cbsenew/recruitment.html
KVS official website: https://kvs.gov.in/
What Affects the Cut-Off
Factor | How it affects the cut-off |
|---|---|
Vacancies | ASO vacancies rose from 74 to 85 through Corrigendum-3. More posts usually means a slightly lower closing score. |
Applicant pool | The experience condition keeps the pool small and experienced, so many candidates already know the rules well. |
Paper difficulty | Tougher Tier 2 objective questions or demanding descriptive questions pull scores down. |
Negative marking | Candidates who guess heavily lower their own scores, which affects the overall distribution. |
How to Set Your Target Score
Cut-offs change every cycle with difficulty, vacancies and the number of applicants. Without official figures, set your targets by competition level rather than by an assumed number.
Stage | Competition in the 2025 drive (official data) | Indicative target approach |
|---|---|---|
Tier 1 | 829 of 2,578 candidates who appeared were shortlisted, about one in three | Finish comfortably within the top quarter of your mock test group in your category |
Tier 2 | 829 shortlisted candidates for 85 posts, about ten per post | Strong accuracy in the objective part and complete, rule-based answers in all ten descriptive questions |
Under negative marking, your net score after deductions is the number to track, not the number of questions attempted.
Timed mock tests are the most practical way to see where you stand. You can attempt KVS ASO online tests on Testkart and compare your section-wise scores across attempts to track progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
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