IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 Change, Check Prelims & Mains New Pattern

IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025: The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the IBPS Clerk exam annually to recruit candidates for clerical cadre posts in public sector banks across India. Thousands of banking aspirants appear for this competitive exam every year. As you know, with increasing competition and changing exam strategies, candidates need to know the latest exam pattern and syllabus to crack the IBSP Clerk 2025 exam. While there has been no change in the preliminary exam pattern, a revised marking scheme has been implemented in the IBPS Clerk Main exam pattern 2025, giving a new dimension to the way candidates plan and prioritise their preparation. In this article, we are providing in-depth information on the updated pattern, section-wise details, time allocation and important preparation strategies based on the revised structure.

No Major Changes In the IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025

The IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 remains unchanged in the Preliminary stage, retaining the standard structure of three sections: English Language, Numerical Aptitude and Reasoning Ability, containing a total of 100 questions for 100 marks to be answered in 60 minutes. However, the marking scheme has been slightly changed in the Mains exam pattern. The distribution of marks has been revised even though the number and duration of questions remain the same. Now, 60 marks are allotted for 40 questions of Reasoning Ability, 50 marks for 35 questions of Quantitative Aptitude, 50 marks for 40 questions of General/Financial Awareness and 40 marks for 40 questions of General English. This revised marking pattern places more emphasis on the Reasoning and Quantitative sections, making strategic preparation crucial to score good marks.

IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025: Overview

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection has released the IBPS Clerk Notification 2025 on its official website. The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection made the same changes in the IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern and syllabus. Candidates can check the IBPS Clerk exam pattern updated information in the table below.

IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025

The IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 consists of two phases: Prelims & Mains Exam. To get selected, candidates must pass both stages to secure a clerk post in participating banks. Here we are providing the IBPS Clerk Prelims & Mains exam pattern 2025. Candidates must check the IBPS Clerk exam pattern and start preparation with our free mock test.

IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 For Prelims

• The prelims exam is conducted online and consists of objective-type questions.
• It consists of three sections: English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability.
• Each correct answer carries one mark, while a penalty of 0.25 marks is applied for each wrong answer.
• The IBPS Clerk Prelims marks obtained in this phase are not considered for the final merit list.

IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 For Mains (Revised)

• The IBPS Clerk Mains Exam consists of four sections: Quant Reasoning, English Language and General/Financial Awareness
• The duration of the main exam is 120 minutes.
• Each section has a specific number of questions and a corresponding number of marks allotted to it.
• A negative marking of 0.25 marks for incorrect answers, as in the Prelims Exam 

IBPS Clerk Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) Introduced

The candidates applying for vacancies of a particular State/UT, should be proficient in (reading, writing, speaking and understanding) the specified / opted local language of that State/UT (mentioned in the list provided for each Sate/ UT as per Annexure III).

• Candidate has to opt for ONE language at the time of online application for local language test from the list provided for each State/ UT as per Annexure III.
• Candidates who produce 10th standard or above mark sheet/ certificate evidencing having studied the specified/ opted local language will not be required to undergo the language test.
• The test will be conducted after qualifying the Online Main examination/ Provisional Allotment but before joining the Bank.
• The test for knowledge of specified/ opted local language will be conducted as a part of selection process by an independent body or by the Bank and will be marks-based and qualifying in nature.
• Candidates who fail to qualify for this test will not be offered an appointment and will be disqualified from the process.

IBPS Clerk Exam 2025 Preparation Tips

• Take a Free Mock Test to understand your current level of preparation. It’s very important that you get started with the right foot. And with the analysis of the free mock test, you can easily understand your strengths and weaknesses and proceed accordingly.
• It is important to understand the IBPS Clerk exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly. This is important so as to understand which section contains how many questions and has how many marks. Take a print-out of the syllabus and mark each topic of all the sections as ‘Strong’, ‘Moderate’ or ‘Weak’ and put it on a wall somewhere where you can view it on a daily basis. This will help you in the long run as you will know where and how to put your efforts.
• Practice previous years’ question papers to understand which kind of questions were asked in previous years and what their level was.
• Solve a variety of questions from different topics. Then, candidates, improve your speed and boost your preparation level.
• To boost your English language section preparation by reading daily newspapers, magazines, and novels. Focus on improving vocabulary and grammar.
• Join our PracticeMock Mock Test Series and take one mock test daily to improve your time management skills and know your strengths and weaknesses, so that candidates can work on it.

IBPS Clerk Marks Distribution

IBPS Clerk exam has two stages: Prelims and Mains. Prelims carries 100 marks with 3 sections—English (30), Numerical Ability (35), and Reasoning (35). Mains has 190 questions for 200 marks—Reasoning (50), English (40), Quant (50), and GA (50). Each wrong answer deducts 0.25 mark of that question.

IBPS Clerk Prelims Total Marks

IBPS Clerk Prelims is conducted for a total of 100 marks. It includes three sections: English Language (30 marks), Numerical Ability (35 marks), and Reasoning Ability (35 marks). Each section has a sectional time limit of 20 minutes. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.

IBPS Clerk Mains Total Marks

IBPS Clerk Mains exam is conducted for a total of 200 marks. It comprises four sections: General/Financial Awareness (50 marks), General English (40 marks), Reasoning Ability (60 marks), and Quantitative Aptitude (50 marks). The total duration of the exam is 160 minutes.

IBPS Clerk Negative Marking

Here are the IBPS Clerk Negative Marking Structure for both IBPS Clerk Prelims and Mains exams:

IBPS Clerk Prelims & Mains Negative Marking Rule

• Negative Marking: Yes
• Penalty for Wrong Answer:
  • 0.25 mark of the question will be deducted for every wrong answer.
  • No deduction for unattempted questions.

IBPS Clerk Negative Marking Explanation with Example:

If a question carries 1 mark:

• Correct answer = +1 mark
• Wrong answer = -0.25 mark
• Unattempted = 0 mark

IBPS Clerk Pre-Exam Training

All eligible candidates who opt for and wish to avail of Pre-Examination Training should fill in the relevant column in the ONLINE APPLICATION. While training will be imparted free of cost, all other expenses regarding travelling, boarding, lodging, etc., will have to be borne by the candidate for attending the pre-examination training programme at the designated Centres. Depending on the response and administrative feasibility, etc. The right to cancel any of the Pre-Examination Training Centres and/ or add some other Centres and/or make alternate arrangements is reserved by IBPS.

By merely attending the Pre-Examination Training, no candidate acquires any right to be selected in any of the Participating Banks mentioned.

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