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UPSC Prelims 2026 CSAT, question 70

Topic: Data interpretation

Q70

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 0.20.2, 0.30.3 and 0.50.5, 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
  1. (a) 5.15.1Correct answer
  2. (b) 5.25.2
  3. (c) 5.35.3
  4. (d) 5.45.4

Solution.

Answer: (a) 5.15.1

  1. Using the component weights 0.2,0.3,0.2, 0.3, and 0.50.5, the weighted scores of the five candidates are: Candidate 1: 0.2(5)+0.3(4)+0.5(6)=5.20.2(5)+0.3(4)+0.5(6) = 5.2; Candidate 2: 0.2(4)+0.3(6)+0.5(5)=5.10.2(4)+0.3(6)+0.5(5) = 5.1; Candidate 3: 0.2(3)+0.3(2)+0.5(8)=5.20.2(3)+0.3(2)+0.5(8) = 5.2.
  2. Candidate 4 scores 0.2(9)+0.3(4)+0.5(3)=4.50.2(9)+0.3(4)+0.5(3) = 4.5 and Candidate 5 scores 0.2(8)+0.3(8)+0.5(2)=5.00.2(8)+0.3(8)+0.5(2) = 5.0.
  3. Ranking the five scores in descending order (5.2,5.2,5.1,5.0,4.55.2, 5.2, 5.1, 5.0, 4.5), the cutoff score to select the top three candidates (Candidates 1, 3, and 2) is 5.15.1.