IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026: Check Paper Pattern for Prelims & Mains

The Mains exam of is divided into four sections. The total marks allotted to the exam are 200. The marks obtained at stage is considered for final selection.

IBPS Clerk exam is conducted in 13 regional languages. Earlier, the question papers are framed in English and Hindi only. 

Yes, there are sectional timings in IBPS Clerk exam. In prelims exam, candidates will get 20 minutes to answer each section. In the Mains exam, 35 minutes each will be given to answer questions from General/Financial Awareness, General English and 45 minutes each will be given to attempt Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude and Quantitative Aptitude questions. The section-wise exam timings for prelims and mains exam are given below.

Prelims Exam

Mains Exam

There are negative marking in IBPS Clerk exam. 0.25 marks are deducted as penalty for wrong answers. For correct answers, candidates score one mark. Candidates are advised to mark their answers carefully as there are negative markings. For wrong answers marked in the exam, the marks of candidates will be deducted. Candidates are required to secure both overall and sectional cut off marks.

IBPS Clerk syllabus PDF comprises the important topics for the prelims and Mains exams in PDF form. ThePDF can be downloaded for free only by registering on Shiksha. Candidates can download the IBPS Clerk exam syllabus PDF and start practising for the exam. They must also attempt mock tests.

IBPS Clerk prelims syllabus comprises topics from Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and English Language. IBPS Clerk syllabus of Mains exam is divided into four sections: Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General/ Financial Awareness. The chapter-wise IBPS Clerk syllabus is given below:

English Language: Reading Comprehension, Error Detection/ Sentence Correction, Fill in the Blanks, Error Correction, Para Jumbles, Cloze Test.

Reasoning: Inequality, Seating Arrangement, Alphanumeric Series, Miscellaneous, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Data Sufficiency,  

Numerical Ability: Number Series, Simplification/ Approximation, Data Sufficiency, Average, Ratio and Proportion, Time and Distance, Relations and Permutation and Combination, Data Interpretation, Puzzles.

General Awareness: Current Affairs,  Monetary Plans, Indian Financial System,  Introduction to National Institutions,  Indian Banking System,  Banking Terms.

Computer Aptitude: Basics of Hardware and Software, Operating Systems,  Internet and Associated Topics,  Microsoft Office and Other Word Processing Software,  History of Computing,  Basic Computer Networking,  Basics of Databases,  Basics of Cyber Security Tools and Processes.

Check tips below:

• English Language: Focus on improving Vocab and comprehension
• Reasoning Ability: Practice previous papers
• Numerical Ability: Learn Shortcuts

IBPS Clerk exam pattern two parts-prelims and mains. The prelims test comprises three sections and carries 100 marks. The Mains comprises four sections and carries 200 marks. 

There is no difference between IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk exam patterns. Level of both exams is the same. Pattern of both the exams is divided into prelims and Mains. Total marks allotted to the prelims exam are 100. The duration of the test is 60 minutes. Total marks allotted to the mains exam are 200. The duration of the test is 160 minutes. The difficulty level of both the exams vary.

Candidates can check below few important points related to IBPS Clerk exam pattern:

• IBPS Clerk Mains exam pattern comprises current affairs and computer knowledge
• Only three sections will be asked in the prelims exam
• The score of the preliminary exam will not be taken into consideration for the final selection. The score of the Mains exam will be taken into consideration for the final allotment
• There will be a penalty for wrong answers marked in the objective tests

The important topics for are below:

• Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Fillers, Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement, Fill in the Blanks, etc.
• Number Series, Simplification/ Approximation, Quadratic Equations, Data Interpretation, Data Sufficiency, etc.
• Puzzle and Arrangements, Inequality, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction sense and Order and Ranking, etc. 
• History and Generation of Computers, Introduction to Computer Organisation, etc.
• Banking and Insurance Awareness, Financial Awareness, Current Affairs government. Schemes and Policies, Static Awareness, etc.

The best books for IBPS Clerk exam are given below: English Language High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin Objective General English by Arihant Publications Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis Quantitative Aptitude Quantitative Aptitude by R S Agarwal Data Interpretation by Arun Sharma Objective Mathematics for Competitive Exams by Tarun Goal Fast Track Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma Reasoning Ability Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by RS Agarwal Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey A New Approach to Reasoning: Verbal and Non-Verbal by BS Sijwali and Indus Sijwali General and Financial Awareness India Year Book Manorama Yearbook Banking Awareness by Arihant Publications Lucent's GK book Computer Aptitude Banking & Computer Aptitude for IBPS Bank Clerk/PO Exams Paperback Computer Knowledge by Odisha Publication Computer Awareness by Arihant Publication Objective Computer Knowledge and Literacy by Kiran Publication.

Check exam timings below:

Prelims: 

Shift 1: 9-10 am

Shift 2: 11:30 am-2:30 pm

Shift 3: 2 pm-3 pm

Shift 4: 4:30 pm-5:30 pm. 

Mains exam: Single shift

The exam sof IBPS Clerk prelims comprises three sections. Total marks allotted to the exam are 100. The duration of the exam is one hour. Questions are asked from the syllabus.