{"id":85129,"date":"2026-10-11T17:49:48","date_gmt":"2026-10-11T12:19:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.practicemock.com\/blog\/?p=85129"},"modified":"2026-10-11T17:49:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T12:19:50","slug":"ibps-clerk-exam-pattern","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.practicemock.com\/blog\/ibps-clerk-exam-pattern\/","title":{"rendered":"IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026: Prelims, & Mains Pattern, Marking Scheme and Sectional Timing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026<\/strong> consists of two online examinations: Prelims and Mains. The Prelims exam has 100 questions for 100 marks to be attempted in 60 minutes<\/strong>, while the revised IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern has 160 questions for 200 marks with a total duration of 125 minutes<\/strong>. Both stages have separate sectional timings, and negative marking applies to incorrect answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A major change has been introduced in the IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026<\/strong> under CRP CSA-XVI. The number of Mains questions has increased from 155 to 160<\/strong>, and the overall duration has increased from 120 to 125 minutes<\/strong>. Quantitative Aptitude now has 40 questions instead of 35<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Candidates preparing for IBPS Clerk 2026 should therefore follow the revised 160-question and 125-minute Mains pattern<\/strong> instead of the previous pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Download IBPS Clerk Free Prep Kit<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026: Overview<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026<\/strong> explains the number of questions, maximum marks, sections, sectional timings, and marking scheme for the Preliminary and Main examinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is the complete pattern at a glance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Particulars<\/strong><\/td>Prelims<\/strong><\/td>Mains<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Mode of Exam<\/td>Online<\/td>Online<\/td><\/tr>
Type of Questions<\/td>Objective MCQs<\/td>Objective MCQs<\/td><\/tr>
Number of Sections<\/td>3<\/td>4<\/td><\/tr>
Total Questions<\/td>100<\/td>160<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Maximum Marks<\/td>100<\/td>200<\/td><\/tr>
Total Duration<\/td>60 minutes<\/td>125 minutes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Sectional Timing<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
Negative Marking<\/td>1\/4th of marks assigned to the question<\/td>1\/4th of marks assigned to the question<\/td><\/tr>
Interview<\/td>No<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr>
Marks Considered for Final Merit<\/td>No<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Quick Answer:<\/strong> IBPS Clerk Prelims consists of 100 questions for 100 marks in 60 minutes<\/strong>, whereas Mains consists of 160 questions for 200 marks in 125 minutes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Take a Free IBPS Clerk Mock Test & Analyse Your Performance<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Has the IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern Changed in 2026?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes. The IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern has been revised for 2026 under CRP CSA-XVI.<\/strong> The Preliminary Examination pattern remains unchanged, but important changes have been made to the Mains examination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most important revision is in Quantitative Aptitude. The section now contains 40 questions instead of 35<\/strong>. Consequently, the total number of Mains questions has increased from 155 to 160<\/strong>, and the total duration has increased from 120 minutes to 125 minutes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern: What Changed in 2026?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Particulars<\/strong><\/td>Earlier Pattern<\/strong><\/td>Revised 2026 Pattern<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Total Questions<\/td>155<\/td>160<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Total Marks<\/td>200<\/td>200<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Total Duration<\/td>120 minutes<\/td>125 minutes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Quantitative Aptitude Questions<\/td>35<\/td>40<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Quantitative Aptitude Time<\/td>30 minutes<\/td>35 minutes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has not changed?<\/strong> The Mains examination continues to carry 200 marks<\/strong>. The major revisions are the addition of 5 Quantitative Aptitude questions and 5 extra minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, candidates appearing for IBPS Clerk 2026 should make sure that their mock tests follow the latest 160-question, 125-minute Mains format<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026<\/strong> consists of 100 objective questions carrying 100 marks<\/strong>. Candidates get a total of 60 minutes<\/strong>, with 20 minutes allotted separately to each section<\/strong>. The IBPS clerk prelims exam pattern will have 3 sections namely, English language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Section<\/strong><\/td>Questions<\/strong><\/td>Maximum Marks<\/strong><\/td>Time<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
English Language<\/td>30<\/td>30<\/td>20 minutes<\/td><\/tr>
Numerical Ability<\/td>35<\/td>35<\/td>20 minutes<\/td><\/tr>
Reasoning Ability<\/td>35<\/td>35<\/td>20 minutes<\/td><\/tr>
Total<\/strong><\/td>100<\/strong><\/td>100<\/strong><\/td>60 minutes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Candidates preparing for the examination should also check the IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026<\/a> to understand the topics that need to be covered under each section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important Points About IBPS Clerk Prelims<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n