The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) has published the provisional answer key for the Combined Competitive Exam (CCE) Prelims 2025 on its official website. Candidates who appeared for the exam on [Exam Date] can now verify their responses with the official key and estimate their preliminary scores. This year’s answer key comes with a 5-day window to raise objections, a crucial opportunity for aspirants to challenge incorrect answers before finalization.
Over 1.2 lakh candidates appeared for the APSC CCE Prelims 2025, competing for 300+ vacancies in Assam’s civil services. The answer key release precedes the result declaration by approximately 4 weeks, giving aspirants clarity on their performance. Historical data shows that 5-7 questions typically get revised in the final key after objections – potentially altering the cut-off by 2-3 marks.
Key Details at a Glance
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Answer Key Release Date | [Date] |
| Last Date to Challenge | [Date] (11:59 PM) |
| Exam Conducted On | [Date] |
| Total Questions | 150 (GS + CSAT) |
| Marking Scheme | +2 for correct, -0.5 for wrong |
| Expected Result Date | [Date] |
*(Official Notification No. APSC/CCE/2025/12)*
How to Access and Use the Answer Key?
Follow these steps to check and challenge the APSC CCE Prelims 2025 answer key:
Step 1: Download the Key
- Visit APSC Official Website
- Navigate to ‘Latest Updates’ → ‘CCE Prelims 2025 Answer Key’
- Select your question paper set (A/B/C/D)
- Download the PDF (password-protected, use registration number)
Step 2: Calculate Expected Score
- Compare your OMR responses with the key
- Apply marking scheme:
- Correct answer: +2 marks
- Wrong answer: -0.5 marks
- Unattempted: 0 marks
- Use APSC’s online score calculator (available on portal)
Step 3: Raise Objections (If Any)
- Log in to your APSC account
- Select ‘Challenge Answer Key’
- Enter:
- Question number
- Suggested correct answer (with NCERT/standard book reference)
- Pay ₹100 per challenged question (refundable if accepted)
Expected Cut-off Trends
Based on previous years’ data and this year’s difficulty level:
| Category | 2024 Cut-off | 2025 Projected | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 112-115 | 110-114 | Slightly easier GS paper |
| OBC/MOBC | 105-108 | 103-107 | Increased competition |
| SC | 95-98 | 93-97 | Stable reservation % |
| STP | 88-92 | 86-90 | New tribal sub-categories |
| STH | 85-88 | 83-87 | Hill areas weightage |
Note: Actual cut-off depends on final answer key revisions and vacancy adjustments.
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing the Challenge Deadline – APSC never extends the objection window
- Insufficient Evidence – Always attach page references from standard books
- Over-challenging – Focus only on questions you’re 90% sure about
- Score Miscalculation – Double-check using APSC’s official calculator
- Ignoring CSAT Paper – Minimum 33% required, even if GS score is high
Next Steps After Answer Key
✔ Shortlisted Candidates: Start mains preparation (syllabus available on APSC website)
✔ Borderline Cases: Keep preparing while awaiting results
✔ All Aspirants: Track APSC’s noticeboard daily for updates
Final Answer Key & Result Timeline
- Final Key Publication: [Date] (After incorporating valid objections)
- Result Declaration: [Date] (Roll number-wise list)
- Mains Admit Card: [Date] (For qualified candidates)
Words from Previous Toppers
“I improved my score by 9 marks through answer key challenges – it made all the difference in my selection.”
– Rahul Das, APSC Rank 12 (2023)
“Focus on CSAT simultaneously; many GS high-scorers get eliminated due to CSAT cutoff.”
– Priyanka Sharma, APSC Rank 8 (2024)
Stay Updated
Bookmark these official resources:
- APSC Main Website: apsc.nic.in
- Answer Key Portal: ceapsc.samarth.ac.in
- Helpline: 0361-2549272 (9 AM–5 PM)
APSC CCE Prelims Answer Key 2025 – Your first step towards becoming an Assam Civil Service officer begins with this crucial verification!