How do I crack the IBPS Clerk 2025 with self-preparation

The IBPS Clerk 2025 Preliminary Exam is scheduled for October 4th, 5th, and 11th, with the Mains slated for November 29th. If you’re reading this now, congratulations, you have more than 100 days to get serious and start your preparation. With the right mindset, resources, and strategy, cracking IBPS Clerk on your own is 100% possible. This blog is especially for aspirants who believe in self-preparation and are ready to put in consistent effort. Read this blog till the end because maybe you can go from zero to selection.

Can You Crack IBPS Clerk 2025 with Self-Preparation?

Absolutely, YES! Thousands of successful aspirants clear the IBPS Clerk every year without any online or classroom coaching. All you need is:

• Clarity of the syllabus
  
• Consistent study hours
  
• Topic-wise practice
  
• Full-length Mock Test
  
• Smart time management

How to Start Self-Preparation for IBPS Clerk 2025?

Starting your preparation for IBPS Clerk 2025 is easy if you plan it well. First, understand the exam pattern and syllabus clearly. Go through the previous year’s question papers to know what kind of questions are asked. Make a daily study timetable and stick to it. Start with basic topics in Reasoning, Quant, and English. Watch videos or read beginner-friendly books to understand concepts. Practice questions daily and keep a notebook for important formulas or rules. Don’t rush, go step by step. Here we are providing you way to start your prep :

Understand the Exam Pattern & Syllabus:

First things first, get a clear idea of what you will be facing in both Prelims and Mains.

IBPS Clerk 2025 Prelims Exam Pattern

The Prelims exam is a qualifying round. It consists of 100 multiple-choice questions divided into three sections and is conducted online.

Name of the Test	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Duration
English Language	30	30	20 minutes
Numerical Ability	35	35	20 minutes
Reasoning Ability	35	35	20 minutes
Total	100	100	60 minutes

Notes:

• Sectional Timing: Yes, 20 minutes per section (no switching allowed between sections).
  
• Medium: English and Hindi (except English Language section).
  
• Cut-Off: Yes, there is a Sectional cut-off.
  
• Negative Marking: 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer.
  
• Qualifying Nature: Marks of Prelims will not be counted in final selection.
  

IBPS Clerk 2025 Mains Exam Pattern

The Mains exam is the decisive phase for final selection. It includes 190 questions across four sections, and each section has a fixed time limit.

Section	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Sectional Timings
General/ Financial Awareness	50	50	35 minutes
General English	40	40	35 minutes
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude	50	60	45 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	50	50	45 minutes
Total	190	200	160 minutes

Notes :

• Sectional Timing: Yes, Each section has its own fixed time.
  
• Medium: English and Hindi (except English Language section).
  
• Cut-Off: Yes there is sectional cut off .
  
• Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deduction for every incorrect answer.
  
• Final Selection: Marks scored in the Mains will be considered for the final merit list.
  

Analyze Previous Year Papers (PYQs):

Go through the last 3-5 years of IBPS Clerk question papers. It helps you understand the trend, weightage, and type of questions asked. This also shows which topics are scoring and which are time-consuming.

Topic-Wise Distribution of Questions (Based on the Previous Year Paper)

After giving a glance at PYQs, look at the weightage of each question asked last year, and you will get a clear idea about which topics dominate and where you should spend most of your time. To give you a clearer picture, here’s a section-wise and topic-wise analysis of the previous year’s IBPS Clerk exam:

English Language

Topic	Difficulty Level	No. of Questions
Reading Comprehension	Easy-Moderate	15
Cloze Test	Moderate	6
Vocabulary	Moderate	2
Letter Formation	Moderate	4 (2+2)
Fillers	Easy	2

Reasoning Ability

Topic	Difficulty Level	No. of Questions
Puzzle	Moderate	15
Inequality	Easy	5
Coding-Decoding	Easy	5
Para Jumbles	Moderate	12
Syllogism	Easy	4
Data Sufficiency	Easy-Moderate	5
Letter Formation	Moderate	4 (2+2)
Assumption	Moderate	2

Numerical Ability

Topic	Difficulty Level	No. of Questions
Simplification	Easy	5
Data Interpretation	Easy-Moderate	18
Boat and Stream	Easy-Moderate	2
Speed, Time, Distance	Easy	1
Arithmetic (Avg., P&L, Time & Work etc.)	Easy-Moderate	15

Best Study Material for IBPS Clerk 2025 (Self-Study Friendly)

Using the right study material helps a lot in self-preparation. Watch free YouTube videos to understand tough topics. Don’t collect too many books, stick to 1–2 for each subject, and revise them well. Quality matters more than quantity. Here is a list of books recommended by experts that can be useful in your prep.

Books:

• Quantitative Aptitude – RS Aggarwal / Fast Track Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
  
• Reasoning Ability – R.S. Aggarwal
  
• English Language – Objective English by SP Bakshi
  
• Banking Awareness – Read all updated current affairs  and banking affairs topics
  
• Computer Aptitude – Lucent Computer Knowledge
  

Online Platforms:

• PracticeMock – Best for topic-wise quizzes, mini-tests, sectional & full mocks
  
• YouTube – For concept videos & practice tricks

Study Plan for Self-Preparation

This is the type of study plan you can follow if you’re serious about cracking IBPS Clerk 2025 in one go. Start with the basics and prepare for both Prelims and Mains from Day 1, as there isn’t much time between the two exams. In the first month, focus on clearing your basics and attempt topic-wise tests daily. In the second month, start covering General Awareness and Current Affairs, and begin attempting full-length tests. By the third month, your syllabus should be done. Now focus only on full-length mock tests, speed, accuracy, and revision to ensure you’re exam-ready. Stay consistent!

Take the Test Series to Crack IBPS Clerk 2025

Here’s a simple practice strategy to follow during your IBPS Clerk 2025 preparation. Start with topic-wise quizzes daily to build your conceptual clarity. Along with that, include mini tests of 10–15 minutes on alternate days to boost speed and time management. As you progress, begin taking sectional tests (English, Reasoning, and Quant) at least three times a week to make strong individual sections. From the second month onwards, include 2–3 full-length mock tests every week. Most importantly, analyze every test you take, understand your mistakes and weak points. Use PracticeMock for high-quality test series and detailed performance analysis.

Stay Positive and Consistent

Preparation is not just about books and tests; your mindset matters too. There will be days when you feel stuck or low, but don’t give up. Stay positive, take breaks when needed, and come back stronger. Be consistent in your efforts; studying 3 hours daily is better than 10 hours once a week. Trust the process, believe in your preparation, and keep reminding yourself why you started. Every small step you take brings you closer to your goal.

In The Nutshell

Cracking IBPS Clerk 2025 with self-preparation is absolutely 100% possible. All you need is a smart study plan, quality practice, and daily commitment. Also, You will save a lot of money by not joining any classes. Follow the right resources, give regular mock tests, and revise consistently. Avoid distractions, stay focused, and believe in your journey. You don’t need coaching, you just need clarity, effort, and confidence. With the right strategy and mindset, success will follow. You can do it!

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