IBPS PO Prelims pattern
IBPS PO Prelims is 100 questions in 60 minutes, with sectional timing of 20 minutes each for English (30 Q), Quant (35 Q), and Reasoning (35 Q). Marking: +1 correct, -0.25 wrong, 0 unattempted. Total marks 100. Cutoff per section + aggregate cutoff.
IBPS PO Mains pattern
IBPS PO Mains is 200 questions in 3 hours + 30-minute descriptive English (essay + letter). Objective: Reasoning & Computer (45 Q, 60 min), General/Economy/Banking Awareness (40 Q, 35 min), English (35 Q, 40 min), Data Analysis & Interpretation (35 Q, 45 min). Marking: +1 correct, -0.25 wrong.
- Prelims: English (30 Q), Quant (35 Q), Reasoning (35 Q) — 20 min each
- Mains Objective: 4 sections totaling 155 questions in 180 minutes
- Mains Descriptive: Essay + Letter writing, 30 minutes, 25 marks
- Interview: After Mains, 100 marks
SBI PO and Clerk differences
SBI PO Prelims follows the same 100-question 60-minute structure as IBPS PO but has historically higher Reasoning difficulty. SBI PO Mains adds a Group Exercise + Interview stage.
IBPS Clerk Prelims is 100 questions in 60 minutes (no sectional cutoff), and Mains has 190 questions in 160 minutes with a different section distribution. Clerk has no interview — final merit is Prelims + Mains combined.
Banking Awareness topics
Banking Awareness appears only in Mains. Topics cover RBI structure, monetary policy, banking history, types of accounts, NPAs, SLR/CRR, priority sector lending, financial inclusion schemes, recent RBI circulars, and banking-related current affairs of the last 6-12 months.
- RBI — structure, functions, monetary policy tools
- Types of banks and their functions (scheduled, cooperative, RRB)
- NPA classification and resolution
- Digital payment systems — UPI, IMPS, NEFT, RTGS
- Basel III norms
- Recent banking news (6-12 month window)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which banking exam should I target first?
IBPS PO typically has the most openings (4,000+ annually) with moderate difficulty — a reasonable first target. SBI PO is more competitive (fewer openings, harder exam) but pays more. IBPS Clerk is the easiest gateway with ~6,000 openings. Most aspirants apply to all three.
Is there sectional cutoff in IBPS PO Prelims?
Yes. You need to clear sectional cutoff in all three sections AND the overall cutoff. Missing even one section by 0.25 marks disqualifies you regardless of overall score.
What is the syllabus for RBI Grade B?
RBI Grade B Phase 1 covers General Awareness, English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning — similar to banking PO exams but with higher difficulty. Phase 2 has three subject papers: Economic & Social Issues, English (Writing Skills), and Finance & Management.
Does IBPS Clerk have negative marking?
Yes, same as PO: -0.25 per wrong answer. However, Clerk does not have sectional cutoff in Prelims (only overall cutoff), making attempt strategy more flexible than PO.
How long should I prepare for IBPS PO?
6-8 months for focused preparation if you are starting with Class 12-level Quant and English. If you need to build basics, 10-12 months. Daily 3-4 hours of practice is the typical commitment.
What is the descriptive paper in IBPS PO Mains?
A 30-minute test with one essay (15 marks, 150-200 words) and one letter (10 marks, 100-150 words). Topics are usually current-affairs-linked. Minimum qualifying marks typically 10/25.
Ready to start?
Free to try — no credit card, no signup required for your first attempts.
Start Banking Prep