For TNPSC Group 2 / 2A aspirants in Tamil Nadu, 2026. Pattern summarised from the TNPSC notification — confirm the current notification for your exam. Educational information.
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| Group 2 prelims: 200 questions, 300 marks, no negative marking. |
TNPSC Group 2 Prelims Marks Calculator
- 200 questions × 1.5 = 300 marks; marks = correct × 1.5.
- No negative marking — attempt all 200.
- 90 is the minimum qualifying mark out of 300.
- The real cut-off is category-wise and set each year — usually well above 90.
- Prelims is the first filter → maximise attempts to reach the mains.
How are TNPSC Group 2 marks calculated out of 300?
The Group 2 / 2A preliminary exam is a single objective paper of 200 questions, each carrying 1.5 marks, for a maximum of 300 marks in 3 hours. Your score is simply:
Marks = correct answers × 1.5
There is no negative marking, so a wrong answer costs you nothing — which is exactly why you should never leave a question blank. Example: 150 correct = 225 / 300 (75%).
The Group 2 prelims exam pattern
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| General Tamil / General English (SSLC standard) | 100 |
| General Studies (Degree standard) | 75 |
| Aptitude & Mental Ability (SSLC standard) | 25 |
| Total | 200 (= 300 marks) |
What is the TNPSC Group 2 cut-off out of 300?
This is the question every aspirant asks, so here's the honest breakdown. There are two different numbers:
- Qualifying mark = 90 out of 300. Score below this and you're out, regardless of category.
- Selection cut-off = set category-wise, every year. This is the mark you actually need to move forward, and it depends on the number of vacancies and how tough that year's paper was. It is almost always well above 90, and differs for each communal category.
Because the selection cut-off shifts each year, treat 90 as the floor, not the target. As an indicative guide, a score around 180–200+ (roughly 120–135 correct) puts most candidates in a competitive position — but always check the official cut-off published for your year and category.
How normalisation and selection work
When the exam runs in multiple sessions, TNPSC applies normalisation to keep scores fair across different question papers, so your final considered mark may differ slightly from the raw calculator figure. For interview posts, selection combines prelims, a main written exam and an interview; for non-interview posts, the written stage decides it. Either way, your prelims score is the gate to the next stage.
Score-planning tip
With no negative marking, your strategy is simple: attempt every one of the 200 questions. The 100-question Tamil/English section is the biggest block of marks, so securing it lifts your total fast; aptitude is the most scoreable with practice. Use timed previous-year papers to push your accuracy toward that 120–135 correct band.
Related exam tools
Also sitting the other TNPSC exam? Use our TNPSC Group 4 marks calculator. For other exams, try the NEET marks-to-rank predictor, the JEE Main percentile-to-rank calculator, or the general percentage calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How are Group 2 marks calculated out of 300?
200 questions × 1.5 marks = 300; marks = correct × 1.5 (150 correct = 225/300). No negative marking.
Is there negative marking in Group 2?
No — attempt every question; wrong answers don't reduce your score.
What is the Group 2 cut-off out of 300?
90 is the minimum qualifying mark; the actual selection cut-off is category-wise, set each year, and usually well above 90.
What is a good Group 2 prelims score?
Aim well above 90 — indicatively around 180–200+ (≈120–135 correct) is competitive, but it depends on the year's cut-off.
How is final selection done?
Prelims + main written + interview for interview posts (written stage for others), normalised with category cut-offs.
About ComplyKraft. Built by Dinesh Kumar S in Chennai — B.Sc. Mathematics, M.Sc. IT. ComplyKraft makes free calculators and plain-language guides for Tamil Nadu students and citizens.
Disclaimer: General educational information. The TNPSC Group 2 pattern, qualifying mark and cut-offs can change and vary by year and category. Always confirm the current position in the official TNPSC notification and result at tnpsc.gov.in.