IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 Revised: Check Paper Pattern for Prelims & Mains

Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Clerk Exam 2025 ( IBPS Clerk )

DeskCalelnderExam On - 29 Nov '25

Anangsha Patra
Updated on Sep 15, 2025 17:51 IST

By Anangsha Patra, Deputy Manager – Editorial

IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025: The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has revised the IBPS Clerk exam pattern, which also includes changes to the pattern of the mains exam. 

IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 is divided into prelims and mains exam. The prelims exam of IBPS Clerk carries sections such as English, Reasoning and Quant. The total marks allotted to the test are 100. The marks obtained in this stage are not counted for the final merit list. According to IBPS Clerk exam pattern, the mains exam comprises sections such as English, Reasoning, Quant, Computer Aptitude and General Awareness. The total marks allotted to the exam are 200. There are sectional timings in the IBPS Clerk 2025 exam for both prelims and mains. For wrong answers in the exam, 0.25 marks are deducted. For more details on IBPS Clerk exam pattern, read this article below.

Q:   What is IBPS Clerk exam pattern?
A: 

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. 

 

 

Q:   What is the overview of IBPS Clerk exam pattern?
A: 

The exam pattern is given below.

Specifications Prelims Mains

Number of sections

Three

Four

IBPS clerk exam time duration

60 minutes

160 minutes

IBPS Clerk sectional timing

20 minutes 

General/Financial Awareness and English: 35 minutes

Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude and Quantitative Aptitude: 45 minutes

Number of questions

100

190

IBPS clerk total marks

100

200

Language of question paper

13 regional languages along with English & Hindi

Mode of exam

Online

Q:   What is the difference between IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk paper pattern?
A: 

There is no difference between IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk exam pattern. The level of both exams is the same. The pattern of both the exams is divided into prelims and Mains. The prelims exam carries three sections-English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. The total marks allotted to the prelims exam are 100. The duration of the test is 60 minutes. The mains exam comprises four sections-General/ Financial Awareness, General English, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, and Quantitative Aptitude. The total marks allotted to the mains exam are 200. The duration of the test is 160 minutes. There is a difference in the difficulty levels. SBI Clerk exam is tougher than IBPS Clerk. 

Table of content
  • IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025
  • IBPS Clerk Marking Scheme
  • IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs
IBPS Clerk Logo

IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025

IBPS Clerk exam pattern is such that it is divided into prelims and mains exams. The prelims exam comprises three sections and the total marks allotted to the test are 100. The mains exam comprises four sections and carries 200 marks. Both the exams are conducted online in multiple shifts, therefore, normalisation process is followed to calculate the scores of candidates. The exam will be conducted in English, Hindi, and 13 regional languages. IBPS Clerk exam is a highly competitive exam and candidates should begin their preparation to score well. 

IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 

The prelims exam as per IBPS Clerk exam pattern comprises three sections: English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. Candidates need to answer 100 questions within 60 minutes of IBPS clerk exam time. Candidates get 20 minutes to answer each section. The score of the prelims exam is calculated out of 100 marks. The structure of IBPS Clerk prelims exam pattern is given below.

Sections No. of Questions Total Marks IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Time Duration (In Minutes)

English Language

30

30

20

Numerical Ability

35

35

20

Reasoning Ability

35

35

20

Total

100

100

60 Minutes

IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern

IBPS Clerk mains pattern comprises four sections: General/ Financial Awareness, General English, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, and Quantitative Aptitude. IBPS Clerk mains time duration is 160 minutes with IBPS clerk mains sectional timing. The test carries a total of 190 questions and total marks are 200. The structure of IBPS Clerk mains pattern is given in the table below as per IBPS clerk mains sectional timing, IBPS clerk mains total marks, IBPS clerk mains time duration

Revied Pattern

S.No. Name of Tests No. of Questions Maximum Marks Duration
1 Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude 40 60 35 minutes
2 English Language 40 40 35 minutes
3 Quantitative Aptitude 35 50 30 minutes
4 General/ Financial Awareness 40 50 20 minutes
Total 190 200 120 minutes

Previous Pattern

Sections No. of questions Ibps clerk mains total marks IBPS clerk mains sectional timing

General/Financial Awareness

50

50

35 minutes

General English

40

40

35 minutes

Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude

50

60

45 minutes

Quantitative Aptitude

50

50

45 minutes

Total

190

200

160 minutes

Get the Top Score in DI and Logical Reasoning section of Competitive Entrance Exams with Expert Prep Tips

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Get the Top Score in Numerical Ability section of Competitive Entrance Exams with Expert Prep Tips

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Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is SBI Clerk exam more difficult than IBPS Clerk?
A: 

There is not much difference in the difficulty level of SBI Clerk and IBPS Clerk exams. The exam pattern and syllabus of IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk are more or less the same. IBPS Clerk exam pattern comprises prelims and Mains exams. The prelims exam comprises three sections English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. The total marks allotted to the prelims exam are 100. The Mains exam comprises General/ Financial Awareness, General English Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, and Quantitative Aptitude. The total marks allotted to the test are 200. SBI Clerk exam pattern comprises prelims exam, Mains exam and language proficiency test. The prelims exam comprises three sections: English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. The total marks allotted to prelims exam are 100. The Mains exam comprises three sections: English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. The total marks allotted to the test are 200.

Q:   What are the languages of IBPS Clerk question paper?
A: 

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

Q:   What is prelims exam pattern for IBPS Clerk?
A: 

The prelims exam of IBPS Clerk is divided into three sections. The total marks allotted to the test are 100. The duration of the test is 60 minutes. The exam structure of IBPS Clerk prelims exam is given below.

SectionsNo. of QuestionsTotal MarksIBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Time Duration (In Minutes)

English Language

30

30

20

Numerical Ability

35

35

20

Reasoning Ability

35

35

20

Total

100

100

60 Minutes

IBPS Clerk Logo

IBPS Clerk Marking Scheme

The marking scheme of IBPS Clerk is prescribed by the examination authority. 

  1. For correct answer, one mark is awarded to candidates 
  2. For incorrect answers, 0.25 marks are awarded 
  3. The score is calculated based on the number of correct and incorrect answers
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Are there any sectional timings in the IBPS Clerk exam?
A: 

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

Sections

IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Time Duration (In Minutes)

English Language

20

Numerical Ability

20

Reasoning Ability

20

Total

60 Minutes

Mains Exam

Sections

IBPS clerk mains sectional timing

General/Financial Awareness

35 minutes

General English

35 minutes

Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude

45 minutes

Quantitative Aptitude

45 minutes

Total

160 minutes

Q:   What are the important points related to IBPS Clerk exam pattern?
A: 

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
Q:   What is IBPS Clerk marking scheme?
A: 

For correct answer, one mark is awarded. For incorrect answers, 0.25 marks are deducted The score is calculated based on the number of correct and incorrect answers. 

IBPS Clerk Logo

IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs

Candidates can check the IBPS Clerk 2025 Exam Pattern FAQs below.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How can I crack IBPS clerk exam?
A: 

Check tips below:

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

 

Q:   What are the important topics for IBPS Clerk exam?
A: 

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.
Q:   What are the criteria for shortlisting candidates for the interview?
A: 

IBPS RRB exam is conducted to select candidates for the post of Officers Scale 1, 2 and 3, 2024. The interview is conducted for the post of Officers Scale 1, 2 and 3. The selection of candidates for the interview is done based on the performance in the mains. The marks obtained in the prelims exam are not counted to select candidates for the interview. 

Q:   What are the best books for IBPS Clerk exam?
A: 

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.

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IBPS Clerk Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered a month ago

IBPS Clerk application form correction window was released on September 2. The last date to correct the details in the application form is September 3. Candidates are allowed to correct and re-submit the modified/ corrected application only once
during the 'Edit Window to Modify/ Correct Application

...Read more

B

Bhumika Arora

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

The overview of IBPS Clerk previous years' vacancies are given below.

  • IBPS Clerk Vacancy 2025: 10277
  • IBPS Clerk Vacancy 2024: 11826
  • IBPS Clerk Vacancy 2023: 4,545
  • IBPS Clerk Vacancy 2022: 6,035
  • IBPS Clerk Vacancy 2021: 7,855
  • IBPS Clerk Vacancy 2020: 2,557
  • IBPS Clerk Vacancy 2019: 12,075

I

Indrani Thakur

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

IBPS Clerk 2025 prelims admit card was released on September 24, 2025. The Mains admit card will be released in November. Candidates can download their admit cards online only by logging with the required credentials.

C

Chanchal Jain

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 months ago

IBPS Clerk syllabus remains the same every year. Any changes in the syllabus is informed by the examination authority. IBPS Clerk prelims syllabus comprises topics from English, Quant and Reasoning. IBPS Clerk Mains syllabus comprises topics from English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, G

...Read more

I

Ishita Aggarwal

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 months ago

IBPS Clerk syllabus PDF comprises the important topics for the prelims and Mains exams in PDF form. The syllabus PDF 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. 

B

Bhumika Lama

Contributor-Level 7

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