IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 – Prelims & Mains Pattern Explained (Official)

The IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 has been officially defined in the IBPS CRP CSA XV notification. The IBPS Clerk exam is conducted in two stages – Preliminary Exam and Main Exam – followed by Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) and final allotment. Candidates looking for the IBPS Clerk pattern, IBPS Clerk mains pattern, or IBPS Clerk preliminary exam pattern will find the complete and official structure here.

All details in this article are taken directly from:

  • IBPS Official Notification (CRP CSA XV) – Pages 12 to 17
  • PDF Path: sandbox:/mnt/data/IBPS.pdf

The exam pattern defines the marking scheme, time duration, sectional timings, number of questions, difficulty level and selection rules. This guide will help candidates plan their preparation with accuracy.

IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 – Overview

The IBPS Clerk exam consists of two Computer-Based Tests:

  1. Preliminary Examination
  2. Main Examination

Only candidates who qualify in Prelims are allowed to appear for Mains. The exam is conducted online as per page 12–13 of the IBPS PDF. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

IBPS Clerk Preliminary Exam Pattern 2025

The IBPS Clerk preliminary exam pattern includes 3 sections with sectional timing and individual cut-offs. The total duration is 60 minutes.

Section No. of Questions Marks Time
English Language 30 30 20 min
Numerical Ability 35 35 20 min
Reasoning Ability 35 35 20 min

Total:

  • 100 Questions
  • 100 Marks
  • 60 Minutes

This structure is officially mentioned on Page 12 of the IBPS notification. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Important Rules for Prelims:

  • Sectional timing is fixed (20 minutes each)
  • No skipping between sections
  • Negative marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer (Page 13–14) :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
  • Sectional cut-off applicable
See also  IBPS Clerk Eligibility Criteria 2025 – Age Limit, Qualification, Nationality Rules

IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2025

The IBPS Clerk mains pattern is more detailed and includes 4 sections with separate timings. Only the marks of the Mains exam are used for final merit ranking, as stated on Page 16. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Section No. of Questions Marks Time
General/Financial Awareness 50 50 35 min
General English 40 40 35 min
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude 50 60 45 min
Quantitative Aptitude 50 50 45 min

Total:

  • 190 Questions
  • 200 Marks
  • 160 Minutes

Important Rules for Mains:

  • Sectional time limits apply
  • No switching sections
  • Negative marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer
  • Mains marks alone determine final merit (Page 16–17) :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
  • LLPT (Local Language Test) may be conducted after Mains

Comparison: IBPS Clerk Prelims vs Mains Pattern

Feature Prelims Mains
Total Questions 100 190
Total Marks 100 200
Duration 60 min 160 min
Sections 3 4
Cut-Off Sectional + overall Only overall
Switching No No
Used for final merit? No YES

IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 – Negative Marking

Negative marking applies in both Prelims and Mains:

  • -0.25 marks for each wrong answer
  • No negative marks for unattempted questions

This rule is officially mentioned on Page 13–14. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern – Normalization

As per Page 15–16 of the IBPS PDF, normalization is used for:

  • Equalizing difficulty levels across shifts
  • Calculating final scores
  • Creating final merit list

IBPS uses the Equi-percentile Method for normalization. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Language of Examination

IBPS Clerk exam is conducted in:

  • English
  • Hindi
  • Multiple regional languages (as per state)

This is confirmed on Page 7 of the IBPS notification. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

See also  IBPS Clerk Category-Wise Vacancy 2025 – SC, ST, OBC, EWS, UR Full List

Key Points About IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025

  • Prelims is qualifying only
  • Mains marks = Final merit
  • Sectional timings in both exams
  • Negative marking applies everywhere
  • No descriptive paper
  • No interview for Clerk posts

Frequently Asked Questions – IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern

Q1: What is the IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025?
Two stages: Prelims (100 marks) and Mains (200 marks). Only Mains marks count for final selection.

Q2: What is the IBPS Clerk Preliminary Exam Pattern?
3 sections, 100 marks, 60 minutes, sectional timing.

Q3: What is the IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2025?
4 sections, 200 marks, 190 questions, 160 minutes. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Q4: Is there negative marking?
Yes, 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.

Q5: Does IBPS Clerk have an interview?
No. Final selection is based only on Mains marks + LLPT.

Conclusion

The IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 clearly defines how the Prelims and Mains examinations are structured. With sectional time limits, negative marking, normalization, and a strong focus on Mains performance, candidates must plan their preparation strategically. Understanding the exact pattern helps improve accuracy, speed and overall exam performance.

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