Many candidates interested in appearing for the IBPS RRB Clerk exam often wonder about the exam’s difficulty level. Questions like “Is IBPS RRB Clerk an easy exam?” stem from the belief that understanding the exam’s difficulty can enhance preparation. These types of questions are frequently asked by aspirants who have started their preparation late or who are feeling unsure about their chances of success after attempting the first RRB Clerk Mock Test.
The difficulty of the IBPS RRB Clerk exam varies from person to person. The two important factors that influence the difficulty of the exam are the exam pattern and the marking system. The RRB Clerk exam is divided into two stages:
| Exam Stage | Sections | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration | Mode of Exam |
| Prelims | Reasoning | 40 | 40 | 45 minutes | Online |
| Numerical Ability | 40 | 40 | |||
| Total | 80 | 80 | |||
| Mains | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 40 | 2 hours | Online |
| Numerical Ability & Data Analysis | 40 | 40 | |||
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | |||
| English / Hindi Language | 40 | 40 | |||
| Total | 200 | 200 |
Important Points:
Note: The final selection is based on marks scored in the Mains exam. Candidates need to clear both Prelims and Mains exams to be eligible for the final merit list.
Therefore, the candidates who clear the preliminary exam can proceed to the mains exam. The preliminary exam has no English Language section, unlike other banking exams. So, this part may make the exam tougher for some candidates. Although the preliminary exam is considered easy, speed and accuracy are crucial for success. Also, due to the easier level of the preliminary exam, the cut-off tends to be high.
IBPS RRB Clerk is generally easier to crack compared to other clerical banking exams. But success depends mainly on exam preparation. Good preparation and practice are needed to perform well in the exam. The final selection is based solely on performance in the main exam. It acts as a decisive factor for the inclusion of candidates in the final merit list.
Check out the table below to quickly go through all the important highlights regarding the difficulty level of the IBPS RRB Clerk exam:
| Important Point | Details |
| Difficulty Level | Varies from person to person. |
| Factors Influencing Difficulty | Exam pattern and marking system. |
| Exam Structure | Two stages: |
| Preliminary Exam | – Duration: 45 minutes – Total Questions: 80 – Marks: 40 for Reasoning, 40 for Numerical Ability |
| Main Exam | – Total Questions: 200 – Total Marks: 200 – Sections: Reasoning, Numerical Ability, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge, Hindi/English |
| Key Difference in Preliminary Exam | No English Language section, unlike other clerical exams. |
| Challenge in Preliminary Exam | Speed and accuracy are crucial for success. |
| Preliminary Exam Cut-off | Typically, high due to easier level. It is influenced by the total number of vacancies, candidates, and the difficulty level of the exam. |
| Ease Compared to Other Clerical Exams | Easier to crack, but success depends on preparation. |
| RRB Clerk Main Exam Eligibility | Candidates who clear the preliminary exam are eligible. |
| Final Selection | Based solely on performance in the main exam; determines inclusion in the final merit list. |
Candidates who prepare well clear the exam easily and with flying colors. Therefore, it is suggested to start your preparation right away, as time passes quickly. Time is money, and it should be fully utilized. Start your preparation with the free resources and get ready to clear the exam. Begin with the free mock test and experience the improvement yourself.
| IBPS RRB Clerk 2024 Free Preparation Resources | |
| Free Mock Test | IBPS RRB Clerk 2024 Free Mock Test |
| Free Sectional Test | IBPS RRB Clerk 2024 Free Sectional test |
| Free Mini Mock Test | IBPS RRB Clerk 2024 Mini Mock Test |
| Free Prelims Topic Test | IBPS RRB Clerk Free Prelims Topic Test |
| Free Mains Topic Test | IBPS RRB Clerk Free Mains Topic Test |
It varies by person, but with good preparation, it can be easier compared to other clerical exams.
The exam has two stages: Preliminary and Main.
The preliminary exam has 80 questions.
The main exam covers Reasoning, Numerical Ability, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge, and Hindi/English.
The exam pattern and marking system are key factors.
The cut-off depends on the number of vacancies, candidates, and the exam’s difficulty level.
Yes, free mock tests, sectional tests, and topic tests are available for practice.
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