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Computer-based test (CBT) in TNPSC exams
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A computer-based test (CBT) is an exam you answer on a computer screen instead of shading an OMR sheet. In the TNPSC exams read for this site, two use it: the Group 2A Main Paper II, and the 2025 Combined Technical Services Exam for Interview Posts. The Group 4 paper and the Group 2 and Group 1 preliminary exams are on OMR sheets.
Where TNPSC uses CBT
| Exam | Mode |
|---|---|
| Group 2A (2025), Main Paper II | Computer based, objective |
| CTSE Interview Posts (2025) | Computer based, held 20 to 22 July 2025, 415 vacancies |
| Group 4 (2026) | OMR |
| Group 2 and 2A (2025) prelims | OMR |
| Group 1 (2025) prelims | OMR |
| Group II (2025), Main Paper II | Descriptive |
The CTSE details are from TNPSC Press Release 18/2026 dated 12.02.2026.
The Group 2A Main Paper II
This is the CBT most Group 2A aspirants will meet. In the 2025 scheme it has 200 objective questions for 300 marks in 3 hours. Part A is General Studies at degree standard with 150 questions, and Part B is General Intelligence and Reasoning at SSLC standard with 50 questions. The minimum qualifying mark is 90, and the paper decides the rank, since Group 2A has no interview. See qualifying paper.
How CBT differs from OMR for you
- No bubbles. Rules about the OMR sheet, such as the blank-answer deduction and thumb impression, belong to the OMR format. Read the instructions for the CBT in the notification, because they may differ.
- Screen skills. You read long questions and tables on a monitor, move between questions and manage the on-screen clock. Reasoning questions with figures and diagrams are especially affected.
- Time. Three hours for 200 questions is 54 seconds a question on average, whatever the mode.
An example
A Group 2A candidate who practised only on paper mocks finds the CBT's screen layout unfamiliar and loses time scrolling long passages. Practising full-length tests on a computer a few times beforehand removes that overhead. PrepMatic's full-length mocks follow the real paper's question count and duration, which gives you exam-length practice on a screen.
For the full scheme see the Group 2 exam pattern, and for how the OMR format works see the OMR sheet entry.
Frequently asked questions
Is TNPSC Group 4 a computer-based test?
No. The Group 4 2026 paper is answered on an OMR sheet.
Which TNPSC mains paper is computer based?
Main Paper II of Group 2A in the 2025 scheme.
Does the OMR blank-answer deduction apply to CBT?
Read the CBT instructions in the notification. The deduction is described for the OMR format.
Find your weak TNPSC units before the exam does
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- OMR sheetHow the TNPSC OMR sheet works in Group 4: five bubbles a question, the blank-answer deduction, thumb impression and register number rules, with an example.
- CTSECTSE is TNPSC's Combined Technical Services Exam for engineering, agriculture and other technical posts. See its three streams and the 2026 planner dates.
- Qualifying paperA qualifying paper must be passed but its marks are not added to your rank. See which TNPSC papers are qualifying (Group 1, 2, 2A Tamil) and which count.
- Group 2 exam patternTNPSC Group 2 and 2A exam pattern: 200-question prelims, qualifying Tamil paper, descriptive Group II mains, computer-based Group IIA mains, no interview.
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- EO Grade IVEO Grade IV in HR&CE is now filled through the TNPSC Group 4 exam, not a separate Group 8 exam. See the Level 8 pay, ages 25 to 35 and the Hindu-only rule.