In a recruitment process, the selection of candidates is based on their performance in three components. The weightages of the components 1, 2 and 3 are 0·2, 0·3 and 0·5, respectively. Use the data given below and find the cutoff score if exactly three candidates are to be selected : | Candidate | Score in component 1 | Score in component 2 | Score in component 3 | |---|---|---|---| | 1 | 5 | 4 | 6 | | 2 | 4 | 6 | 5 | | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | | 4 | 9 | 4 | 3 | | 5 | 8 | 8 | 2 |
- (a) 5·1 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 5·2
- (c) 5·3
- (d) 5·4
Why the answer is (a)
• Calculate the weighted score for Candidate 1: (5 × 0.2) + (4 × 0.3) + (6 × 0.5) = 1.0 + 1.2 + 3.0 = 5.2.
• Calculate the weighted score for Candidate 2: (4 × 0.2) + (6 × 0.3) + (5 × 0.5) = 0.8 + 1.8 + 2.5 = 5.1.
• Calculate the weighted score for Candidate 3: (3 × 0.2) + (2 × 0.3) + (8 × 0.5) = 0.6 + 0.6 + 4.0 = 5.2.
• Calculate the weighted score for Candidate 4: (9 × 0.2) + (4 × 0.3) + (3 × 0.5) = 1.8 + 1.2 + 1.5 = 4.5.
• Calculate the weighted score for Candidate 5: (8 × 0.2) + (8 × 0.3) + (2 × 0.5) = 1.6 + 2.4 + 1.0 = 5.0.
• The sorted scores are 5.2, 5.2, 5.1, 5.0, and 4.5; selecting the top three candidates requires a minimum score of 5.1, which is the third-highest score.
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 5·2
- 5.2 is the score of the top two candidates, but the third selected candidate scored 5.1, so the cutoff must be 5.1.
- (c) 5·3
- No candidate achieved a weighted score of 5.3, making it an invalid cutoff for selecting exactly three candidates.
- (d) 5·4
- No candidate achieved a weighted score of 5.4, making it an invalid cutoff for selecting exactly three candidates.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.