To find the cutoff score, we first need to calculate the total weighted score for each candidate. The formula for the total score is:

Total Score = $(\text{Score in component 1} \times 0.2) + (\text{Score in component 2} \times 0.3) + (\text{Score in component 3} \times 0.5)$

Let's compute the total score for each candidate step-by-step:

• Candidate 1: $5 \times 0.2 + 4 \times 0.3 + 6 \times 0.5 = 1.0 + 1.2 + 3.0 = 5.2$

• Candidate 2: $4 \times 0.2 + 6 \times 0.3 + 5 \times 0.5 = 0.8 + 1.8 + 2.5 = 5.1$

• Candidate 3: $3 \times 0.2 + 2 \times 0.3 + 8 \times 0.5 = 0.6 + 0.6 + 4.0 = 5.2$

• Candidate 4: $9 \times 0.2 + 4 \times 0.3 + 3 \times 0.5 = 1.8 + 1.2 + 1.5 = 4.5$

• Candidate 5: $8 \times 0.2 + 8 \times 0.3 + 2 \times 0.5 = 1.6 + 2.4 + 1.0 = 5.0$

Now, let's arrange the total scores of all candidates in descending order to identify the top performers:

1. Candidate 1: $5.2$
2. Candidate 3: $5.2$
3. Candidate 2: $5.1$
4. Candidate 5: $5.0$
5. Candidate 4: $4.5$

The recruitment process requires exactly three candidates to be selected. This means we must select the top three scorers.

The top three scores are $5.2$, $5.2$, and $5.1$.

To ensure exactly three candidates make the list, the cutoff score (the minimum score required to be selected) must be set at the score of the third-highest candidate.

Therefore, the cutoff score is $5.1$.