Prelims pattern at a glance
The table below describes the preliminary examinations of IBPS PO/MT and IBPS Clerk (Customer Service Associate) as set out in the IBPS notifications and information handouts. SBI's PO and Clerk prelims follow a similar structure. The recruiting body's notification is the authority; use this page for orientation.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (PO) or Numerical Ability (Clerk) | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
- Mode: online, objective type.
- Sectional timing: each section has its own 20-minute limit; you cannot move between sections or return to one after its time ends.
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
- Cut-offs: sectional and overall cut-offs are applied for shortlisting to mains.
- Nature: qualifying for officer posts; marks are not counted in the final merit.
The sectional timer and what it demands
The 20-minute limit for each section means you have to pace every section individually. For a 35-question section that is about 34 seconds per question. Where English has 30 questions, the pace is about 40 seconds. The consequences:
- Time saved in one section cannot be used in another.
- Flagged questions must be revisited before the section's timer ends.
- A weak section is a risk because of sectional cut-offs, even if your total is high.
Mains pattern: IBPS PO and Clerk (summary)
The mains papers are longer and include awareness and computer sections. The summary below reflects recent patterns as set out in IBPS notifications; counts, marks and timings have changed over the years, so confirm them in the current notification.
| Exam | Objective sections in mains | Other parts |
|---|---|---|
| IBPS PO/MT | Reasoning and Computer Aptitude; English Language; Data Analysis and Interpretation; General, Economy and Banking Awareness | Descriptive test (letter and essay) in English; then interview |
| IBPS Clerk | General/Financial Awareness; English Language; Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude; Quantitative Aptitude | No interview |
Marking in mains has generally used the same one-fourth deduction for wrong answers in the objective sections. In IBPS PO mains, the descriptive test is evaluated after the objective test only for candidates who clear the cut-offs. The final merit combines mains and interview marks in the ratio given in the notification for PO, and mains alone for Clerk.
Marking scheme and worked examples
| Scenario (prelims section) | Calculation | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Quant: 28 attempted, 24 correct, 4 wrong | 24 − 4 × 0.25 | 23.0 of 35 |
| Quant: 35 attempted, 25 correct, 10 wrong | 25 − 10 × 0.25 | 22.5 of 35 |
| Reasoning: 30 attempted, 27 correct, 3 wrong | 27 − 3 × 0.25 | 26.25 of 35 |
| English: 25 attempted, 22 correct, 3 wrong | 22 − 3 × 0.25 | 21.25 of 30 |
The first two rows show that attempting seven more questions with lower accuracy gave a lower net score (22.5 against 23.0), because the extra attempts produced one more correct answer and six more wrong ones. The break-even accuracy is 20%, which is why informed attempts are usually worthwhile, but a section's cut-off depends on the net score, so accuracy is what counts.
Question styles in prelims, with worked examples
Approximation. Approximately, what is 49.8 × 20.1? Round to 50 × 20 = 1,000. Banking papers reward this: compare with the options before calculating exactly.
Number series. 3, 5, 9, 17, 33, ? The differences are 2, 4, 8, 16, so the next is 33 + 32 = 65.
Simple interest. What is the simple interest on 5,000 at 8% per annum for 3 years? 5,000 × 8 × 3 ÷ 100 = 1,200.
Quadratic comparison. Compare x and y if x² − 5x + 6 = 0 and y² − 7y + 12 = 0. The roots are x = 2 or 3 and y = 3 or 4, so x ≤ y in every case.
Inequality. Given A > B ≥ C = D, which conclusions are true: (I) A > C, (II) D ≤ B? Both are true: A is greater than B, which is at least C; and D equals C, which is at most B.
A seating puzzle. Five people, P, Q, R, S and T, sit in a row facing north. Q sits at the left end. P sits second to the right of Q. S sits immediately to the right of P. T does not sit at an end. Who sits at the right end? Q is in position 1, P in position 3, S in position 4. Positions 2 and 5 remain for R and T; T is not at an end, so T is in position 2 and R is in position 5. The arrangement is Q T P S R, and R sits at the right end.
English: error detection. "The committee has submitted their report." In formal usage, "their" is better replaced by "its" when the committee acts as one body: "The committee has submitted its report."
The puzzle example is a tiny version of the multi-entity puzzles that carry several questions each; real ones add attributes (floors, days, hobbies) and more conditions.
What the pattern means for your mocks
- Use mocks with three sections of 30, 35 and 35 questions, a 60-minute limit and a 20-minute timer for each.
- Check that the mock applies 0.25 negative marking.
- Practise on a computer, since the exam is online.
- Track each section against a cut-off safety margin, not only the total.
- Add mains-style tests (with awareness, computer and DI sections) once prelims is steady.
Checklist: is this mock faithful to the prelims pattern?
| Check | Faithful mock | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | English 30, Quant 35, Reasoning 35 | Different counts or sections |
| Timing | 60 minutes; 20 per section, enforced | One clock only |
| Marking | +1, −0.25 | No negative marking |
| Question style | Puzzles, DI, series, cloze, RC | Only direct formula questions |
| Explanations | Show the puzzle solution steps | Answer key only |
Use the banking mock test strategy to plan your tests and the banking hub for available papers.
Disclaimer and sources: the patterns above were checked in October 2026 against IBPS PO and Clerk notifications and information handouts on ibps.in. Mains structures are summarised and may change. TestMint is independent of IBPS, SBI and the RBI; please confirm the pattern in the notification for your exam.
