The IBPS Exam Pattern gives an overall idea about the question format, marking scheme and weightage of each topic covered. Candidates willing to apply for the upcoming IBPS exams can refer to the IBPS exam pattern given in this article.
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection conducts multiple bank exams throughout the year to recruit employees for public sector banks in urban and rural areas.
Each IBPS examination has its own exam pattern and syllabus.
| To analyse the IBPS Exam Pattern even better, solve the Free Online IBPS Mock Test Series and test your preparation now!!
Also, refer to the links below:Â |
These examinations are designed based on the requirements given to the institute by participating banks and organisations.
For details on upcoming bank exams, refer to the linked article.
In this article, we will discuss in brief the IBPS Exam Pattern for officers and clerks recruited through IBPS SO, PO, Clerk and RRB Exams.
IBPS PO Exam Pattern
The IBPS Exam Pattern for the Probationary Officer Exam is set by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection and IBPS PO Exam pattern is designed to test candidates in multiple stages.
The following is the IBPS exam pattern for PO 2023:
IBPS PO Exam Pattern for Prelims
There are 100 questions in the prelims exam and a total of 60 minutes are given to solve the questions. The exam pattern is given below in brief:
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks Allotted | Time Allotted |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
IBPS PO Exam Pattern for Mains
The IBPS PO Exam Pattern for Mains consists of an Objective Test and a Descriptive Test of a total duration of 3 hours and 30 minutes and the table below, gives the exact exam pattern for mains exam:
| Paper | Section | Number of Questions | Marks Allotted | Time Allotted |
| Objective Test | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 min |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 min | |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 min | |
| General Awareness, Economy & Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 min | |
| Descriptive Test | English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) | 2 | 25 | 30 min |
Candidates can know the IBPS PO Salary at the linked article.
For the section-wise syllabus for the Bank Clerk exam, candidates can refer to the links below and apprehend the important topics based on the latest IBPS Exam pattern:
| Quantitative Aptitude | Logical Reasoning |
| Daily Current Affairs | Verbal Ability |
| Computer Knowledge | Banking Awareness |
IBPS PO Exam Pattern for Interview
The IBPS PO Interview consists of a panel interview of 100 marks. The minimum score required to clear this interview is 40 marks.
Candidates can know the detailed IBPS PO Syllabus at the linked article.
IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern
The IBPS Exam Pattern for Clerk Exam consists of topics related to the English language, Logical Reasoning, Numerical ability.
The IBPS Clerk Exam consists of two stages, Prelims and mains.
There is no interview for Clerk exam.
To know the detailed IBPS Clerk salary structure candidates can visit the linked article.
The clerk exam is conducted in the following order:
IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern for Prelims
The IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern for Prelims consists of one objective type paper, divided into three sections and the total duration is one hour.
Given below is the IBPS Clerk prelims exam pattern:
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks Allotted | Time Allotted |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
To know the section-wise IBPS Clerk Syllabus, candidates can visit the linked article.
IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern for Mains
The total duration for the IBPS PO mains is 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Given below is the IBPS Clerk Mains exam pattern:
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allotted |
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 min |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 min |
| Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 min |
Those who clear these stages of the exam are directly allotted banks based on their preference and position in the IBPS clerk merit list.
IBPS SO Exam Pattern
Like the PO exam, the IBPS Exam Pattern for SO consists of a three-stage exam.
The IBPS SO Exam is conducted to recruit Special Officers in various domains like I.T, Law Officer, HR, etc.
The prelims, mains and interview stages have significant differences in the pattern of questions and the subjects which are included in the IBPS SO syllabus.
The format of the IBPS SO Exam is discussed below.
IBPS SO Exam Pattern for Prelims
There are two online written examinations, followed by an interview phase.
The IBPS SO Exam Pattern is given below:
| Subject | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| English Language | 25 | 40 minutes |
| Reasoning | 50 | 40 minutes |
| General Awareness with Special Reference to the Banking Industry(For Law and Rajbhasha) | 50 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude( For IBPS SO I.T officer, Agriculture, HR/Personnel and Marketing) | 50 | 40 minutes |
Candidates willing to apply for the IBPS SO exam 2023 can check the IBPS SO salary structure at the linked article.
IBPS SO Exam Pattern for Mains
The IBPS SO Mains Exam Pattern consists of one objective type paper on professional knowledge.
For the post of Rajbhasha Adhikari, the IBPS SO Mains format has an additional subjective test.
The IBPS SO Exam Pattern for Mains is given below:
| Subject | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| Professional Knowledge(Objective for Law, I.T, HR, Marketing, Agriculture) | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge(Objective for Rajbhasha) | 60 | 30 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge(Descriptive for Rajbhasha) | 30 minutes |
IBPS Exam Pattern for SO Interview
Those who clear the written stages of the IBPS SO exam and score above the IBPS cut-off are called for an interview.
The interview is allotted 100 marks, out of which candidates have to score at least 40 marks.
Know the IBPS SO syllabus at the linked article and prepare yourself for the upcoming IBPS SO exam.
IBPS RRB Exam Pattern
The IBPS Exam Pattern for RRB Exam varies with respect to the posts applied for.
The IBPS RRB Exam is conducted to recruit officers and assistants (clerks) for Regional Rural Banks.
The exam is conducted differently for different posts.
IBPS RRB Assistant Exam Pattern
The IBPS RRB Assistant Exam Pattern is mentioned in this section.
Preliminary Exam
This stage consists of one objective type paper with two sections.
The Prelims section is listed below:
| Section | Maximum Marks | Allotted Time |
| Reasoning | 40 | Total time of 45 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 40 |
Main Exam
For the IBPS RRB Mains exam, candidates have to prepare the five main subjects: Computer, English, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness.
The structure of the Main Exam paper is as follows:
| Section | Maximum Marks | Allotted Time |
| Reasoning | 40 | Total time of 2 hours |
| Computer Knowledge | 40 | |
| General Awareness | 40 | |
| English Language or Hindi Language | 40 | |
| Numerical Ability | 40 |
IBPS RRB Officer Exam Pattern
The IBPS RRB exam pattern is different for different scales.
Officer Scale I Exam Pattern
This is a three-stage exam with prelims, mains and interview.
Preliminary Exam:
The Scale I Officers prelims pattern is an objective type paper with two sections.
The Prelims Exam Pattern is as follows:
| Section | Maximum Marks | Allotted time |
| Reasoning | 40 | Total time of 45 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 |
Main Exam
The Scale I Officers Main Exam consists of an objective type paper with five sections.
The Main Exam Pattern is listed below:
| Section | Maximum Marks | Allotted Time |
| Reasoning | 40 | Total time of 2 hours |
| Computer Knowledge | 40 | |
| General Awareness | 40 | |
| English or Hindi Language | 40 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 |
Candidates who clear the Main exam will be called for the IBPS RRB interview on November 2019. The merit list for Scale I Officers are drawn up based on the total marks secured in the mains and interview.
Know the IBPS RRB syllabus for the upcoming IBPS RRB exams at the linked article.
Officers Scale II and III Exam Pattern:
Scale II and III officers have one single level written exam, which consists of five sections based on the portfolio.
General Banking Officer Scale-II
This exam consists of the following sections:
| Section | Maximum Marks | Allotted Time |
| Reasoning | 40 | Total time of 2 hours |
| Computer Knowledge | 40 | |
| Financial Awareness | 40 | |
| English or Hindi Language | 40 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation | 40 |
Specialist Cadre Officer Scale-II
This exam has the following five sections:
| Section | Maximum Marks | Allotted Time |
| Professional Knowledge | 40 | Total time of 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Computer Knowledge | 40 | |
| Financial Awareness | 40 | |
| English or Hindi Language | 40 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation | 40 |
Officer Scale-III
The following structure is followed for the IBPS RRB Scale III Officers single level examination:
| Section | Maximum Marks | Allotted Time |
| Reasoning | 40 | Total time of 2 hours |
| Computer Knowledge | 40 | |
| Financial Awareness | 40 | |
| English or Hindi Language | 40 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation | 40 |
IBPS RRB Interview
Officer candidates who clear the written exams and score above the IBPS RRB cut off are called to interview with a panel of RRB and NABARD officers.
The interview is of 100 marks and candidates have to secure at least 40 marks to clear the interview.
A well-structured preparation strategy and strong knowledge of the subjects that make up the IBPS syllabus are the keys to success in these examinations.
The IBPS exams provide people with many opportunities to embark on a bright career path and earn well while helping develop the financial industry in the country.
Candidates can refer to BYJU’S for the latest notifications, study material and tips on IBPS exam preparation.
| Related Links: | |
| Bank Exam Syllabus | Bank Clerk |
| IBPS PO Eligibility | IBPS Online Registration |
| Bank Employee Salary Range | IBPS Notification |
Frequently Asked Questions on IBPS Exam Pattern
Q 1. How is the IBPS exam pattern for PO exam different from that of the Clerk exam?
Q 2. How many exams are conducted by IBPS?
Q 3. What is the IBPS exam pattern for the recruitment of Probationary Officers?
Ans. The IBPS exam pattern for the recruitment of Probationary Officers is conducted in three stages:
-
- Preliminary Examination – Objective Type (100 marks)
- Mains Exams – Objective & Descriptive Type (225 marks)
- Interview (100 marks)
Candidates need to attain the minimum qualifying marks to qualify each stage of the IBPS PO exam.
Comments