The IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 has been designed to assess candidates on their speed, accuracy, and understanding of key banking concepts. The exam is conducted in two stages: preliminary and mains each testing different skill areas such as English language, reasoning ability, numerical ability, and general awareness. Having a clear understanding of the updated exam pattern, including the number of questions, sectional timing, and marking scheme, helps candidates create an effective study plan. Familiarity with the structure also enables better time management during the exam and boosts confidence for scoring higher marks.
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What is the exam pattern for IBPS PO 2026?
The IBPS PO 2026 exam pattern has been officially revised and shared in the latest notification. These changes aim to assess candidates more effectively across reasoning, numerical, and banking knowledge. A major change in the IBPS PO Descriptive Test Pattern has also been made.
- Preliminary Exam: Qualifying in nature
- Mains Exam: Determines merit ranking
- Interview: Final selection round
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What is the revised IBPS PO prelims exam pattern?
The IBPS PO Prelims Exam is an online test with three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. The exam has a total of 100 questions for 100 marks, and candidates get 60 minutes to complete it. Each section has a fixed time limit of 20 minutes, and there is negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer. To qualify for the Mains, candidates must clear the sectional as well as the overall cut-off.
- Mode of Exam: Online (MCQ-based)
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 100
- Exam Duration: 60 minutes
- Sectional Timing: 20 minutes per section
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer
- Sectional and overall cut-off must be cleared
What is the revised IBPS PO mains exam pattern?
The IBPS PO Mains Exam is a mix of objective and descriptive tests conducted online. It consists of four objective sections along with a descriptive English test, making the total duration 3 hours and 10 minutes. The objective paper has 145 questions carrying 200 marks, while the descriptive test adds 25 marks. Candidates must clear both sectional and overall cut-offs to qualify for the interview round. Negative marking of 0.25 marks will be applied for every wrong answer.
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Time Duration |
|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | English & Hindi | 50 minutes |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | English only | 40 minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 50 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
| General Economy & Banking Awareness | 35 | 50 | English & Hindi | 25 minutes |
| Total (Objective) | 145 | 200 | | 160 minutes |
| English Language (Descriptive) | 2 | 25 | English only | 30 minutes |
| Grand Total | 147 | 225 | | 3 hours 10 minutes |
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What is the IBPS PO Descriptive Test pattern?
The IBPS PO Descriptive Test is an important part of the Mains exam. It carries 25 marks and needs to be completed in 30 minutes on a computer. The test includes one essay (15 marks) and one comprehension (10 marks). Earlier, the paper had an essay and a letter, but the letter has been replaced by comprehension. The topics can cover banking, economy, social issues, technology, ethics, or current events. Since the marks from this section are added to the Mains score, doing well here is important to clear the cut-off and move to the interview round.
- The letter has been removed and replaced by a comprehension passage.
- Essay marks: 15
- Comprehension marks: 10 (likely 5 questions × 2 marks each)
- Topics are wider, including economic, social, ethical, and technological issues.
- Candidates must type answers online, so practicing on a computer is recommended.
| Section / Paper | No. of Questions | Marks | Medium | Time Duration |
| Descriptive Paper (Essay & Comprehension) | 2 | 25 | English | 30 minutes |
What is the IBPS PO interview process?
Candidates who qualify the mains exam are shortlisted for the interview, which assesses their personality, communication skills, and suitability for the banking sector.
- Total Marks: 100
- Qualifying Marks: 40% for the general category; 35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates
- Assessment Areas: Banking knowledge, current affairs, communication skills, leadership qualities, and problem-solving abilities
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What is the IBPS PO final selection criteria?
The final selection of candidates for the probationary officer post is based on the combined performance in the mains exam and interview.
Mains Exam Weightage: 80%
- Interview Weightage: 20%
- Candidates who rank high in the merit list are selected as Probationary Officers (POs).
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IBPS PO Marking Scheme
The IBPS PO exam follows a strict marking scheme in both prelims and mains. Each correct answer awards 1 mark, while 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer. No marks are deducted for unattempted questions. This makes accuracy essential for scoring well.
Key Takeaways
Here are the key takeaways for this article:
- IBPS Clerk & PO exams are structured to test speed, accuracy, and core banking aptitude, making familiarity with the exam pattern essential for success.
- IBPS PO 2026 selection has three stages: Prelims (qualifying), Mains (merit-deciding), and Interview (final selection).
- IBPS PO Prelims is an online MCQ exam with 100 questions, 100 marks, and sectional timing of 20 minutes each, along with negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer.
- Clearing both sectional and overall cut-offs in Prelims is mandatory to qualify for the Mains exam.
- IBPS PO Mains 2026 includes both objective and descriptive tests, totaling 225 marks and 3 hours 10 minutes in duration.
- The Descriptive Test pattern has been revised: the letter-writing task is removed and replaced with a comprehension passage, along with an essay.
- Descriptive test performance is crucial, as its marks are added to the Mains score and affect interview shortlisting.
- Negative marking (0.25 marks) applies to all objective sections in both Prelims and Mains; unattempted questions carry no penalty.
- Interview carries 100 marks, with qualifying marks set at 40% for General and 35% for reserved categories.
- Final selection is based on combined scores: Mains (80%) + Interview (20%), emphasizing the importance of strong Mains performance.
