IITM BS Qualifier Exam Passing Marks and Cutoffs

To pass the IITM BS qualifier exam as a General candidate, you need at least 40% in each of the four courses and at least 50% on average across all four. OBC-NCL and EWS candidates need 35% per course and a 45% average. SC, ST and PwD candidates need 30% per course and a 40% average. These cutoffs are the same for Data Science (DS) and Electronic Systems (ES).

Qualifier cutoffs by category

Both handbooks give this table, and the official admissions pages list the same numbers. The ES handbook labels the last column as the minimum "total" score, but it uses the same percentages, so it works out the same as an average.

How the result is worked out

You must meet both conditions:

1. Per course: your score in each of the four courses must reach the minimum for your category.
2. Overall: your average across all four courses (or your total, which is the same thing scaled up) must reach the category minimum.

Failing either one means you do not qualify. The cutoffs are fixed marks. The handbooks do not describe any rank list or merit ranking for the qualifier.

Worked examples (General category)

The first example shows why you cannot ignore any subject. A strong average does not save you if one course falls under the line.

You can test your own marks with the qualifier score calculator.

One unclear point: exactly on the line

The table heading in both handbooks says "minimum required", which suggests that exactly 50% is enough for a General candidate. But the sentence above the table says the total of all subject marks should be "greater than" the total cutoff. If your average lands exactly on the cutoff, confirm with the support team before you assume either way.

Do these lower cutoffs continue after you join?

No. The handbooks are clear that category relaxations apply only to the qualifier process. Once you are registered in the programme, the same grades and pass rules apply to every student. For regular courses, see the IITM BS pass criteria.

These are exam marks, not assignment marks

There are two separate cutoffs in the qualifier:

• Assignment cutoff: decides whether you get a hall ticket. It is 40% for General, 35% for OBC-NCL and EWS, and 30% for SC, ST and PwD, in each course. See how to become eligible for the qualifier exam.
• Exam cutoff: the table on this page. It decides whether you pass.

If you do not pass

If you had a hall ticket and failed the first exam, you can take the second qualifier exam in the same term, held at the end of week 8. You do not need to redo the assignments. There is a re-attempt fee of Rs 2,000 for General and OBC, Rs 1,000 for SC, ST or PwD, and Rs 500 for SC/ST candidates who are also PwD. Details are in the second attempt rules.

The qualifier application fee is not refunded if you fail.

Common questions

Where will I see my qualifier marks?

Your marks are shown inside your login on the portal. You also get an email alert, and the DS handbook mentions a WhatsApp alert too. More in how the qualifier result is announced.

Is there a limit on how many people can pass?

The handbooks do not mention any seat limit or rank list. They describe fixed cutoff marks, and anyone who meets both conditions for their category is treated as qualified.

Does a higher qualifier score help me later?

Yes, in two ways. Your qualifier marks decide how many courses you can take in your first term (unless you join in the same term, where the limit is 4). And in the term right after the qualifier, your exam score is used as your Quiz 1 score.