The IBPS Clerk exam is one of the most sought-after banking exams in India. It consists of two stages: Preliminary Examination and Main Examination, both conducted online. Below is a detailed format and strategy to crack the exam.
: English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability.
: 100 marks.
: 60 minutes (20 minutes per section).
: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
: General/Financial Awareness, English Language, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, and Quantitative Aptitude.
: 200 marks.
: 160 minutes.
: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| English Language | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
1.
Familiarize yourself with the syllabus for both Prelims and Mains.
Focus on high-weightage topics like Data Interpretation, Puzzles, Current Affairs, Grammar rules, etc.
2.
Allocate time wisely across sections based on your strengths and weaknesses.
Dedicate at least 5–6 hours daily for preparation.
3.
Solve previous years’ question papers to understand the pattern and difficulty level.
Attempt sectional mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
4.
Identify weak areas through mock test analysis and work on improving them.
For Quantitative Aptitude, practice shortcut methods for calculations like squares, cubes, percentages, etc.
5.
Regularly take full-length mock tests to simulate exam conditions.
Analyze your performance after every test to identify mistakes.
6.
Revise important formulas, grammar rules, and current affairs daily.
Maintain concise notes for quick revision.
7.
Practice solving questions within the stipulated time frame.
Skip time-consuming questions during the exam and revisit them later if time permits.
Below are the state-wise cut-off marks for IBPS Clerk Mains (out of 100) for General category:
| Year | Cut-off Range (General) |
|---|---|
| Expected: 30–40 | |
| State-wise: Assam (79), Delhi (84.5), Gujarat (81), Bihar (87.75) | |
| State-wise: Bihar (37.63), Rajasthan (40), Himachal Pradesh (40) | |
| State-wise: Bihar (37.63), Delhi (38.88), Rajasthan (40) | |
| State-wise: Bihar (36.68), Delhi (35.5), Rajasthan (36.88) |
Cut-offs vary by state and category based on factors like exam difficulty level and number of vacancies.
The number of vacancies announced over the last five years:
| Year | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| 6,128 | |
| 4,545 | |
| 6,035 | |
| 12,314 | |
| 11,463 |
Vacancies fluctuate yearly depending on bank requirements.