The IBPS clerk exam is conducted annually to recruit clerks for public sector banks in India. If you are an aspiring candidate looking to appear for the IBPS clerk exam, it’s essential to know what’s included in the IBPS clerk syllabus and get acquainted with the exam topics and pattern.
This will help prepare for the IBPS clerk exam and eventually clear the exam to get selected for a clerical role in one of India’s reputed public sector banks.
IBPS Clerk Syllabus: Exam Pattern
The IBPS clerk exam is no different from other bank exams. It has two papers – IBPS clerk preliminary exam and the IBPS clerk mains exam. However, there is no interview round for this clerical role. However, it’s vital to clear both exams to secure a position.
The syllabus for both stages of the exam is different. Here’s an overview of the IBPS clerk syllabus of both exams and its sections:
IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Syllabus
This preliminary exam has a total of 100 questions with a total score of 100 marks and timing of 60 minutes:
- English Language – With 30 questions, you can expect to answer on topics ranging from Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para jumbles, Sentence Completion, Phrase Replacement, Error Detection, Fill in the blanks, Inference, Connectors, Vocabulary, Word Usage, etc.
- Numerical Ability – It has a total of 35 questions intending to test your quantitative skills, including main topics of data interpretation, number series, percentages, time and wages, probability and more.
- Reasoning Ability – Another section with 35 questions on logical reasoning skills is examined with a range of questions related to advanced puzzles, coding, series, inequalities, syllogism and more.
IBPS Clerk Syllabus for Mains Exam
The second stage consists of five sections with 190 questions in total for 200 marks and a duration of 160 minutes:
- General/Financial Awareness – This section has a total of 50 questions that aim to assess your general knowledge about current affairs and other static knowledge about the banking, economic, and financial sectors.
- General English – With topics covering Sentence Improvement, Formation and Reconstruction, One-word substitution, Para Jumbles, Match-ups, Fill in the blanks, Vocabulary, this section has 40 questions.
- Reasoning Ability – This section covers a diverse array of topics testing your decision-making skills of input-output, blood relations, analogy, passage and conclusions, sitting arrangement, etc.
- Computer Aptitude – Assessing your basic computer knowledge, including MS Office, short-cut keys, and basic software/hardware and networking concepts, this section has 50 questions.
- Quantitative Aptitude – Vital number-crunching skills including data interpretation, pie charts, simple and compound interest, permutation and combinations, trigonometry, equations and more.
All the tests will be conducted in English and Hindi except for the English language section. There will be an applicable negative marking of 0.25 marks for wrong answers. It’s vital to clear the sectional and overall cut-off determined by IBPS every year to qualify for selection.
Important Pointers to Prepare for IBPS Clerk Exam
Firstly, it’s recommended to become familiar with the IBSP clerk syllabus to know your potential strengths and weaknesses. Aspirants should also look at previous year IBPS clerk question papers and attempt mock tests before appearing for the final exam. Thorough preparation will help candidates ace both stages and make it to the final merit list.
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