Government Exam Terms Explained: CBT, PET, DV, Cut-Off and More
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Recruitment notices are full of short forms. This glossary explains the terms you will meet most often, in simple words.
Exam stages
- Notification: the official announcement of vacancies, eligibility, dates and process.
- Prelims and Mains: a first screening exam followed by a main exam. Prelims marks are often used only to qualify.
- Tier-I, Tier-II: separate stages of one recruitment, each with its own paper.
- CBT (Computer Based Test): an exam taken on a computer at a test centre.
- OMR sheet: an answer sheet where you fill circles with a pen or pencil.
Tests and verification
- PET (Physical Efficiency Test): running, jumping or similar tests for physical posts.
- PST (Physical Standard Test): measurement of height, chest and similar standards.
- DV (Document Verification): officials check your original documents against your application.
- Medical examination: a health check that decides whether you are fit for the post.
Results and marks
- Cut-off: the minimum marks needed to qualify, often different for each category.
- Merit list: the ranked list of qualified candidates.
- Normalisation: a method to make scores comparable when an exam is held in several shifts.
- Answer key and objection window: the board publishes the answers and allows you to challenge them within a given period.
- Reserve or waiting list: candidates who may be called if selected candidates do not join.
Application terms
- Cut-off date: the date on which your age and eligibility are checked.
- Correction window: a short period when you may edit your submitted form.
- Admit card: the document that allows you to enter the exam centre.
- Vacancy (UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS): the number of posts reserved for each category.