Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts IBPS clerk exam every year, so as to recruit deserving candidates in the clerical cadre for renowned public sector banks in India. IBPS clerk is a much-awaited exam among banking aspirants and every year a large number of candidates apply for it but only a handful of them make it through.
And as expected, it is pivotal for a candidate to know about the exam pattern before starting his/her preparation. There are a number of aspects pertaining to this particular exam that a candidate needs to know about, such as, Eligibility, Syllabus, IBPS Clerk Admit Card, Online application, Exam dates and more.
IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern
IBPS conducts recruitment for Clerk vacancies in two phases of online computer based tests, i.e., Online Preliminary Exam and Online Mains Exam. Candidates who qualify the online prelims exam are shortlisted to appear for the online mains exam. It is to be noted that the final shortlisting and provisional allotment solely depends on the marks scored by the candidate in Mains examination.
On that note, let’s discuss the IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern including the two stages mentioned above in detail.
● IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern for Prelims
Online Preliminary Exam consists of 100 objective type questions (MCQs) that are to be attempted in 60 minutes. The test covers three sections. The number of questions under each section, stipulated time and marks are given in the table below.
| Name of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration(min.) |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 |
Some Important Points to be Noted:
- Prelims are of qualifying nature only. Marks obtained in prelims exams will not be considered in the final merit of the candidate.
- Candidate not only has to clear the overall cut off of the test, but also cut off in each section prescribed that year by the IBPS.
- Section will automatically change once the sectional time is up,after which the candidate cannot revisit that section again.
- For each correct answer, a candidate is awarded 1 mark and for each incorrect answer, 0.25 marks is deducted.
- All questions, both in prelims and mains exam are of objective type.
● IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern for Mains
Online Mains Exams comprises four sections with a total of 190 objective type questions for which a candidate is allotted 160 minutes. This exam really tests how sound a candidate is when it comes to fundamental concepts of the topics and awareness of general/current affairs. The pattern of the Mains exam is tabulated below.
| Name of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration(min.) |
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 160 |
Some Important Points to be Noted:
- Marks obtained in the Online Mains exams are considered for final shortlisting of the candidate to join as a clerk in one of many renowned PSBs.
- There is sectional time/cutoff and candidates should be able to attempt that section before the end of allotted time.
- For each incorrect answer 0.25 marks is deducted as penalty.
- For General/Financial awareness section, it is required that a candidate should have the knowledge of Current Affairs and developments in the Financial sector of at least six months prior to the date of exam.
● IBPS Clerk Document Verification
Document verification can be termed as the third and final phase of IBPS Clerk Selection Process. Once a candidate has qualified the Mains examination, he/she is called up for document verification. Any dissimilarity between the data provided during applying and in documents produced or in case of any discrepancy found at this stage may also lead to declaring the candidate’s application invalid.
A list of documents to be presented during document verification are as follows:-
- System generated printout of the online application.
- Photo Identity proof.
- Proof of date of birth (i.e., Birth certificate / Std. X certificate with DOB).
- Marksheets and Certificates of degrees mentioned in online application form.
- Disability certificate (if applicable).
- Caste certificate (if applicable).
- Income and Asset certificate (for EWS category candidates).
- No objection certificate for candidates serving in government or quasi govt. Offices.
- Experience certificate (if applicable).
Besides the above given list of documents, other documents seeking relaxation are necessary. Any other relevant document supporting your eligibility should be included.
Candidates applying for IBPS Clerk Exam should solve previous years papers as well as should check previously released IBPS Clerk Results to get a feel of the previous years cutoffs.