Official update · verified 30 September 2026
IBPS 2026-27 cycle update
IBPS currently organizes separate CRPs for PO/MT, Specialist Officers, Customer Service Associates and Regional Rural Banks. Older combined “Bank PO pattern” tables on this page should not be treated as universal for every current recruitment.
- CRP-SPL-XVI was notified in July 2026.
- CRP-RRBs-XV was notified in September 2026.
Check IBPS official website. The official notification controls dates, eligibility, vacancies, fees and pattern for the active cycle.
BANK PO, Clerk, and IBPS - Coaching, Exam Pattern, & Syllabus
IBPS, or Banking, is one of the important sectors in India, which provides a large number of employment opportunities in India. The sector has a reputation in the traditional Indian society and is also coming up with exciting job opportunities for the youngsters in India. The IBPS, or Banking sector, recruits candidates for posts like Bank Po, bank clerk, IT specialist officer, etc.
Not only the Banks of the public sector, but even the Banks of the private sectors are hiring the candidates from various exams conducted like IBPS PO, IBPS SO, SBI PO, SBI SO, IBPS Clerk, SBI Clerk, Allahabad Bank PO, PNB Bank PO, etc.
Scholars SSC Academy knows how to help the students to crack these exams and offers you all the tricks and trades that make it easier for our students to perform better at IBPS/banking exams conducted throughout the country.
In the best interest of you, we would advise you to come and visit our Scholars SSC Academy for detailed information from our dedicated counselors. Our information brochure extensively covers the various job exams, syllabus, eligibility, and other details. You can also attend demo classes for a better insight.
SOME BENEFITS OF COACHING ARE AS FOLLOWS:
- Excellent Guidance:
- Shortcuts and Tricks:
- Online Test:
BANK PO PATTERN:
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 40 | 40 |
| G.A. | 40 | 40 |
| Maths | 50 | 50 |
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| Computer | 20 | 20 |
| Marketing | Asked in a few exams. | |
| Clerical Aptitude | Asked in a few exams. | |
| Descriptive Paper on English Composition (Essay, Precis, Letter Writing etc.) | 25 | |
| Interview / Group Discussion (GD) | ||
BANK PO SYLLABUS:
Phase I: Preliminary Examination:
A preliminary examination consisting of Objective Tests for 100 marks will be conducted online. This test would be of 1 hour duration, consisting of 3 sections as follows:
Candidates have to qualify in each of the three tests by securing passing marks to be decided by the Bank. An adequate number of candidates in each category as decided by the Bank (approximately 20 times the number of vacancies, subject to availability) will be shortlisted for the Main Examination.
| S.L. | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Language | 30 | 30 | Composite Time of 1 hour |
| 2 | Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Phase II: Main Examination:
The main examination will consist of Objective Tests for 200 marks and a descriptive test for 50 marks. Both the Objective and Descriptive Tests will be online. Candidates will have to answer the descriptive test by typing on the computer. Immediately after completion of the objective test, the descriptive test will be administered.
(I) Objective Test:
The Objective Test of 3 hours duration consists of 4 sections for total 200 marks. The Objective Test will have separate timing for every section. The candidates are required to qualify in each of the tests by securing passing marks, to be decided by the Bank.
| Test | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 minutes |
| II | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| III | General/Economy/ Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| IV | English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 155 | 200 | 3 hours |
(II) Descriptive Test:
The Descriptive Test of 30 minutes duration with 50 marks will be a Test of English Language (Letter Writing & Essay). The candidates are required to qualify in the Descriptive Test by securing passing marks, to be decided by the Bank.
The descriptive test paper of only those candidates who have scored qualifying marks in the Objective Tests and are placed adequately high as per total marks in the objective test will be evaluated.
Penalty for Wrong Answers (Applicable to both – Preliminary and Main examination)
There will be a penalty for wrong answers marked in the Objective Tests. For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty to arrive at the corrected score. If a question is left blank, i.e., no answer is marked by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that question.
Phase III: Group Discussion (20 marks) & Interview (30 marks)
The aggregate marks of candidates qualifying in both the Objective Tests and the Descriptive Test will be arranged in descending order in each category. An adequate number of candidates in each category, as decided by the bank, will be called for Group Discussion and Interview. The qualifying marks in Group Discussion & Interview will be as decided by the Bank.
Candidates qualifying for GD & Interview under the ‘OBC’ category would be required to submit an OBC certificate containing the ‘Non-Creamy Layer’ clause. Candidates not submitting the OBC certificate containing the ‘Non-Creamy Layer’ clause and requesting to be interviewed under the General category will not be entertained.