The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) is an autonomous organization that conducts recruitment exams for various public sector banks in India. The IBPS exam pattern is an essential aspect that every candidate must know before appearing for the exam. The IBPS exam is conducted in three phases – Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview. Each phase has its own exam pattern and syllabus. In this article, we will discuss the IBPS exam pattern in detail.
IBPS Preliminary Exam Pattern:
The IBPS Preliminary Exam is the first phase of the recruitment process. The Preliminary Exam consists of three sections – English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. Each section has 20-30 questions, and the time duration of the exam is 1 hour. The exam is conducted online.
The IBPS Preliminary Exam is conducted to test the basic knowledge and skills of the candidates. The exam pattern for the Preliminary Exam is as follows:
Maximum Marks
- English Language – 30
- Quantitative Aptitude – 35
- Reasoning Ability – 35
- Total – 100
The IBPS Preliminary Exam is a screening test, and the marks obtained in this exam are not counted for the final selection. The candidates who qualify for the Preliminary Exam are eligible to appear for the Main Exam.
IBPS Main Exam Pattern:
The IBPS Main Exam is the second phase of the recruitment process. The Main Exam consists of four sections – English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and General Awareness. Each section has 40-50 questions, and the time duration of the exam is 2 hours and 40 minutes. The exam is conducted online.
The IBPS Main Exam is conducted to test the advanced knowledge and skills of the candidates. The exam pattern for the Main Exam is as follows:
Maximum Marks
- English Language 40
- Quantitative Aptitude 50
- Reasoning Ability 50
- General Awareness (with special reference to Banking) 40
- Total 180
The IBPS Main Exam is a crucial phase of the recruitment process, and the marks obtained in this exam are counted for the final selection. The candidates who qualify for the Main Exam are called for the Interview.
IBPS Interview Pattern:
The IBPS Interview is the final phase of the recruitment process. The Interview is conducted to test the personality, communication skills, and overall suitability of the candidate for the job. The Interview is conducted for a maximum of 100 marks, and the minimum qualifying marks for the Interview are 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWD candidates).
The Interview is conducted by a panel of experts, and the candidates are asked questions related to their educational background, work experience, hobbies, interests, and general knowledge. The Interview is conducted in English or Hindi, and the candidates are expected to be well-versed in both languages.
IBPS Exam Syllabus:
The IBPS Exam Syllabus is different for each phase of the recruitment process. The syllabus for the Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview is as follows:
Preliminary Exam Syllabus:
English Language:
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Para Jumbles
- Fill in the blanks
- Error Spotting
- Sentence Improvement
Quantitative Aptitude:
- Simplification
- Number Series
- Data Interpretation
- Quadratic Equation
- Data Sufficiency
- Miscellaneous (Time and Work, Time and Distance, Boats and Streams, etc.)
Reasoning Ability:
- Seating Arrangement
- Puzzle
- Blood Relation
- Inequality
- Syllogism
- Coding-Decoding
- Miscellaneous (Order and Ranking, Direction Sense, etc.)
Main Exam Syllabus:
English Language:
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Para Jumbles
- Fill in the blanks
- Error Spotting
- Sentence Improvement
- Vocabulary
Quantitative Aptitude:
- Simplification
- Data Interpretation
- Quadratic Equation
- Number Series
- Percentage
- Ratio and Proportion
- Profit and Loss
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Time and Work
- Time and Distance
- Boats and Streams
- Probability
- Permutation and Combination
Reasoning Ability:
- Seating Arrangement
- Puzzle
- Blood Relation
- Inequality
- Syllogism
- Coding-Decoding
- Input-Output
- Data Sufficiency
- Logical Reasoning
- Miscellaneous (Order and Ranking, Direction Sense, etc.)
General Awareness:
- Current Affairs (National and International)
- Banking and Financial Awareness
- Static GK (Indian History, Geography, Polity, Culture, etc.)
- Economic Awareness
- Awards and Honours
- Sports
- Science and Technology
IBPS Exam Preparation Tips:
Preparing for the IBPS Exam requires a strategic approach and consistent efforts. Here are some tips that can help candidates prepare for the IBPS Exam:
- Know the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: Before starting the preparation, it is essential to understand the IBPS Exam pattern and syllabus. Knowing the exam pattern and syllabus will help candidates plan their preparation accordingly.
- Create a Study Plan: Once the exam pattern and syllabus are known, candidates should create a study plan that covers all the topics and sections of the exam. A study plan should be realistic and achievable.
- Practice Mock Tests: Practicing mock tests is an excellent way to prepare for the IBPS Exam. Mock tests help candidates understand the exam pattern and get familiar with the types of questions asked in the exam.
- Focus on Weak Areas: Candidates should identify their weak areas and focus on improving them. Candidates can refer to books, online resources, or take guidance from experts to improve their weak areas.
- Read Newspapers and Magazines: Reading newspapers and magazines regularly can help candidates improve their General Awareness and current affairs knowledge.
- Take Breaks and Stay Motivated: Preparing for the IBPS Exam can be challenging and stressful. Candidates should take breaks and stay motivated to avoid burnout and keep their spirits high.
Conclusion:
The IBPS Exam is one of the most popular banking exams in India. The IBPS Exam pattern and syllabus are designed to test the knowledge and skills of the candidates in various areas of banking and finance. Candidates who are aspiring to join public sector banks in India must prepare well for the IBPS Exam. By following the tips and strategies mentioned in this article, candidates can increase their chances of clearing the IBPS Exam and securing their dream job in the banking sector.
Team Lead 
Paresh Borah