📝 IBPS Clerk Prelims Syllabus and Pattern 2024-25

Complete guide to IBPS Clerk preliminary examination syllabus, pattern, marking scheme, and preparation strategy for 2024-25 exam.

🎯 IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Overview

Exam Importance

The IBPS Clerk preliminary exam is the first stage of the selection process. It’s a qualifying exam where candidates need to secure minimum cutoff marks to proceed to the mains examination.

Key Features

• Mode: Online Computer-Based Test
• Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes)
• Total Questions: 100
• Total Marks: 100
• Nature: Objective Multiple Choice Questions
• Languages: English and Hindi (except English language section)

Selection Process

Prelims → Mains → Document Verification → Final Selection

📊 Detailed Exam Pattern

Section-wise Distribution

Sectional Time Management

• Total Duration: 60 minutes
• No sectional time limits (candidates can attempt sections in any order)
• Recommended Time Allocation:
  • English Language: 20 minutes
  • Numerical Ability: 20 minutes
  • Reasoning Ability: 20 minutes

Marking Scheme

• Correct Answer: +1 mark
• Wrong Answer: -0.25 marks
• Unattempted: 0 marks
• No marks deduction for unattempted questions

📚 Detailed Subject-wise Syllabus

1. English Language (30 Questions)

A. Reading Comprehension (7-10 questions)

• Topics: Story-based passages, social issues, moral stories
• Focus: Main idea, specific details, inference, vocabulary
• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
• Passage Type: Story-based (unlike IBPS PO)

B. Cloze Test (5-7 questions)

• Topics: Story-based passages
• Focus: Vocabulary, grammar, contextual understanding
• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
• Context: Simple stories and moral tales

C. Error Spotting (5-7 questions)

• Topics: Basic grammar rules, sentence structure
• Focus: Subject-verb agreement, tenses, prepositions, articles
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Complexity: Simple grammatical errors

D. Para Jumbles (3-5 questions)

• Topics: Simple story sequences, general topics
• Focus: Logical arrangement of sentences
• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
• Length: 4-5 sentences

E. Fill in the Blanks (3-5 questions)

• Topics: Basic vocabulary, prepositions
• Focus: Contextual word usage, basic grammar
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Word Type: Common words and phrases

F. Vocabulary/Synonyms/Antonyms (3-5 questions)

• Topics: Basic vocabulary, common words
• Focus: Word meanings, simple synonyms/antonyms
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Word Level: Common usage words

2. Numerical Ability (35 Questions)

A. Number System (2-3 questions)

• Topics: LCM & HCF, divisibility rules, remainders
• Focus: Basic number properties, calculations
• Difficulty Level: Easy

B. Simplification and Approximation (5-8 questions)

• Topics: BODMAS rules, percentage approximations
• Focus: Mental calculations, shortcuts, speed
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Weightage: High priority area

C. Percentage, Ratio and Proportion (3-5 questions)

• Topics: Percentage calculations, ratio comparisons
• Focus: Basic percentage problems, simple ratios
• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

D. Profit and Loss (2-3 questions)

• Topics: Basic profit/loss, discount
• Focus: Simple business applications
• Difficulty Level: Easy

E. Time and Work (2-3 questions)

• Topics: Work efficiency, pipes and cisterns
• Focus: Basic work distribution problems
• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

F. Time and Distance (1-2 questions)

• Topics: Speed, distance, relative speed
• Focus: Basic train problems, simple scenarios
• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

G. Simple and Compound Interest (1-2 questions)

• Topics: Basic interest calculations
• Focus: Simple interest scenarios
• Difficulty Level: Easy

H. Data Interpretation (5-8 questions)

• Topics: Simple tables, bar graphs
• Focus: Basic data analysis, simple calculations
• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
• Complexity: Simple compared to PO exam

I. Mensuration (1-2 questions)

• Topics: Basic area, perimeter calculations
• Focus: Simple geometric shapes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

J. Algebra (2-3 questions)

• Topics: Simple linear equations
• Focus: Basic problem-solving
• Difficulty Level: Easy

K. Average and Age Problems (2-3 questions)

• Topics: Basic averages, age calculations
• Focus: Simple arithmetic applications
• Difficulty Level: Easy

3. Reasoning Ability (35 Questions)

A. Puzzle and Seating Arrangement (8-12 questions)

• Types: Simple linear, circular arrangements
• Focus: Basic logical arrangement, position identification
• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
• Complexity: Simpler than PO exam

B. Syllogism (3-5 questions)

• Topics: Two statement syllogisms
• Focus: Basic logical deduction, Venn diagrams
• Difficulty Level: Easy

C. Blood Relations (2-4 questions)

• Topics: Simple family relationships
• Focus: Basic family tree construction
• Difficulty Level: Easy

D. Direction Sense (2-3 questions)

• Topics: Basic directions, simple distances
• Focus: Simple spatial understanding
• Difficulty Level: Easy

E. Coding-Decoding (2-3 questions)

• Topics: Simple letter coding, number coding
• Focus: Basic pattern recognition
• Difficulty Level: Easy

F. Inequality (2-3 questions)

• Topics: Simple mathematical inequalities
• Focus: Basic logical conclusions
• Difficulty Level: Easy

G. Alphanumeric Series (3-5 questions)

• Topics: Letter-number sequences, simple patterns
• Focus: Basic pattern identification
• Difficulty Level: Easy

H. Order and Ranking (2-3 questions)

• Topics: Simple ranking problems
• Focus: Basic position calculations
• Difficulty Level: Easy

I. Logical Reasoning (2-3 questions)

• Topics: Simple cause-effect, basic assumptions
• Focus: Basic critical thinking
• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

🔢 Previous Year Analysis

Topic-wise Distribution (2020-2023)

English Language

Numerical Ability

Reasoning Ability

Topic	Average Questions	Difficulty
Puzzles & Seating	10-12	Easy-Moderate
Syllogism	3-5	Easy
Blood Relations	3-4	Easy
Coding-Decoding	2-3	Easy
Direction Sense	2-3	Easy
Inequality	2-3	Easy
Series	3-4	Easy

📊 Cut-off Marks Analysis

Category-wise Cut-off (2023)

Section-wise Cut-off Analysis

• English Language: 18-20 marks
• Numerical Ability: 20-23 marks
• Reasoning Ability: 22-25 marks

Success Rate

• Total Applicants: 15-18 lakhs
• Selected for Mains: 40,000-50,000
• Success Rate: 2.5-3%

🎯 Preparation Strategy

Phase 1: Foundation Building (30 Days)

Week 1: Basic Concepts

Daily Schedule:
- Numerical Ability: 2 hours
- Reasoning Ability: 1.5 hours
- English Language: 1 hour
- Practice: 1 hour

Focus Areas

• Basic arithmetic concepts
• Fundamental reasoning techniques
• Basic English grammar rules
• Simple reading comprehension

Phase 2: Practice and Improvement (20 Days)

Week 2-3: Problem Solving

Daily Schedule:
- Practice Tests: 1 hour
- Weak Area Improvement: 1 hour
- Speed Practice: 30 minutes
- Mock Test Analysis: 30 minutes

Focus Areas

• Time management
• Accuracy improvement
• Pattern recognition
• Quick solving techniques

Phase 3: Mock Test and Revision (10 Days)

Week 4: Final Preparation

Daily Schedule:
- Full Mock Test: 1 hour
- Analysis and Review: 1 hour
- Revision of Weak Areas: 1 hour
- Speed Practice: 30 minutes

⏰ Time Management Tips

During the Exam

1. Scan all questions first (30 seconds)
2. Attempt easy questions first
3. Spend 12-15 seconds per question initially
4. Allocate 30-45 seconds for difficult questions
5. Leave tough questions if time is running out

Section-wise Time Allocation

English Language: 20 minutes (35-40 seconds per question)
Numerical Ability: 20 minutes (30-35 seconds per question)
Reasoning Ability: 20 minutes (30-35 seconds per question)

Smart Time Management

- Attempt your strongest section first
- Skip and return to difficult questions
- Don't spend more than 45 seconds on any question
- Keep 5 minutes buffer for review

🎯 Section-wise Preparation Tips

English Language

1. Reading Speed: Read daily to improve speed
2. Vocabulary: Learn 5-10 new words daily
3. Grammar: Focus on basic rules
4. Practice: Solve at least 2 passages daily

Numerical Ability

1. Calculation Speed: Practice mental calculations
2. Shortcuts: Learn time-saving tricks
3. Simplification: High weightage area
4. Practice: Daily numerical practice

Reasoning Ability

1. Puzzles: Practice different types daily
2. Speed: Focus on quick solving
3. Accuracy: Balance speed with accuracy
4. Pattern Recognition: Identify common patterns

🔗 Related Topics

• Mains Syllabus and Pattern
• Previous Year Question Papers
• Mock Test Series
• Study Plans

🎯 Quick Reference

Exam Pattern

• Total Questions: 100
• Total Duration: 60 minutes
• Negative Marking: -0.25 per wrong answer
• No sectional time limit

Subject-wise Questions

• English Language: 30 questions
• Numerical Ability: 35 questions
• Reasoning Ability: 35 questions

Preparation Focus

• English: Reading speed, basic vocabulary, grammar
• Numerical: Simplification, basic arithmetic, simple DI
• Reasoning: Simple puzzles, basic reasoning concepts

📱 Recommended Resources

Books

• Numerical Aptitude: RS Aggarwal, Fast Track Objective Arithmetic
• Reasoning: MK Pandey, B.S. Sijwali
• English: SP Bakshi, Objective General English

Online Resources

• Official Website: ibps.in
• Current Affairs: GK Today, AffairsCloud
• Practice Platforms: Various online platforms

Remember: IBPS Clerk prelims is about accuracy and speed. Focus on basics, practice regularly, and manage time well!