IBPS Clerk Exam Analysis
IBPS Clerk exam analysis last 3 years prelims and mains topic wise questions difficulty level and good attempts with exam trends.
Complete IBPS Clerk Pre & Mains analysis 2023–2025 with difficulty level, questions asked, good attempts.
IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2026: The IBPS Clerk/CSA Prelims examination conducted on 10 October 2026 consisted of 100 questions from English Language, Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability. Based on Shift 1 candidate feedback, the paper was Easy to Moderate, with overall good attempts estimated at 69–82. Reasoning was the easiest section, while English was comparatively moderate. Shift 1 included Reading Comprehension, Simplification, Data Interpretation, Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Inequality and Coding-Decoding.
The examination is being conducted in four shifts. Shift 2, 3 and 4 figures should remain marked Expected until sufficient candidate feedback is received. The four exam timings are 9:00–10:00 AM, 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, 2:00–3:00 PM and 4:30–5:30 PM.
Last Updated: 10 October 2026, 12:35 PM IST
Key Highlights
- Shift 1 overall level: Easy to Moderate
- Shift 1 good attempts: 69–82
- Easiest section: Reasoning Ability
- Comparatively moderate section: English Language
- Total questions: 100
- Total marks: 100
- Exam duration: 60 minutes
- Sectional timing: 20 minutes per section
- Negative marking: 0.25 mark per incorrect answer
- Exam sequence reported: English → Numerical Ability → Reasoning
The official examination structure contains 30 English questions, 35 Numerical Ability questions and 35 Reasoning questions, with a separate 20-minute timer for every section.
Table 1: Shift-Wise Good Attempts & Difficulty Level
Shift | English Language (30) | Numerical Ability (35) | Reasoning Ability (35) | Overall Good Attempts | Overall Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shift 1 – Actual | 20–24, Moderate | 21–25, Easy | 28–33, Easy | 69–82 | Easy–Moderate |
Shift 2 – Expected | 21–25, Easy–Moderate | 22–26, Easy–Moderate | 27–32, Easy | 70–83 | Easy–Moderate |
Shift 3 – Expected | 20–24, Moderate | 21–25, Easy–Moderate | 27–31, Easy–Moderate | 68–80 | Easy–Moderate |
Shift 4 – Expected | 20–24, Moderate | 21–25, Easy–Moderate | 26–31, Easy–Moderate | 67–80 | Easy–Moderate |
Table 2: Shift-Wise Topics Asked and Expected
Section | Shift 1 – Topics Asked | Shift 2 – Expected Topics | Shift 3 & 4 – Expected Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
English Language | Reading Comprehension – 9; Error Spotting – 5; Cloze Test – 5; Sentence Rearrangement – 3; Word Swap – 5; Word Usage – 3 | RC – 8–10; Error Detection – 4–5; Cloze Test – 5–6; Word Swap – 4–5; Rearrangement/Usage – 5–7 | RC, Cloze Test, Error Detection, Word Swap, Phrase Replacement, Sentence Rearrangement and Word Usage |
Numerical Ability | Simplification – 10; Arithmetic – 9; Bar Graph DI – 5; Table DI – 5; Caselet DI – 6 | Simplification – 10–15; Arithmetic – 8–12; Table/Bar DI – 5–10; Caselet DI – 3–5 | Simplification, Arithmetic, Missing/Wrong Number Series, Table DI, Bar/Line Graph DI and Caselet DI |
Reasoning Ability | Parallel Row Seating – 5; Sequence Puzzle – 5; Floor Puzzle – 5; Chinese Coding – 5; Direction – 2; Inequality – 5; Alphanumeric Series – 5; Miscellaneous – 3 | Puzzles and Seating – 15; Inequality – 4–5; Coding-Decoding – 4–5; Series – 5; Direction/Misc. – 5–7 | Floor/Box/Sequence Puzzle, Seating Arrangement, Inequality, Coding-Decoding, Alphanumeric Series, Direction, Pair Formation and Meaningful Word |
Table 3: IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
Section | Questions | Marks | Sectional Time |
|---|---|---|---|
English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
The paper follows separate sectional timings and carries a penalty of 0.25 mark for each incorrect answer.
IBPS Clerk Mains 2025
Section Difficulty
Section | Questions | Good Attempts | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
Reasoning & Computer | 50 | 28-34 | Moderate |
GA | 50 | 30-38 | Moderate |
English | 40 | 26-32 | Moderate |
Quant | 50 | 26-32 | Moderate |
Overall | 190 | 110-135 | Moderate |
Reasoning & Computer Topics
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
Puzzle Sets | 20 |
Seating | 10 |
Coding | 5 |
Input Output | 5 |
Logical Reasoning | 5 |
Computer Awareness | 5 |
Total 50
Quantitative Aptitude Topics
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
DI | 20 |
Arithmetic | 15 |
Approximation | 5 |
Series | 5 |
Data Sufficiency | 5 |
Total 50
English Language Topics
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
RC | 15 |
Cloze | 5 |
Error | 5 |
Sentence Correction | 5 |
Vocabulary | 5 |
Para Jumble | 5 |
Total 40
GA Topics
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
Current Affairs | 30 |
Banking | 10 |
Static | 5 |
Economy | 5 |
Total 50
IBPS Clerk 2024 Exam Analysis
Official Exam Dates
Stage | Date |
|---|---|
Prelims | 24 August 2024 |
Prelims | 25 August 2024 |
Prelims | 31 August 2024 |
Mains | 13 October 2024 |
IBPS Clerk Prelims 2024
24 August 2024
Section-Wise Difficulty and Good Attempts Comparison
Shift | English Attempts | English Difficulty | Reasoning Attempts | Reasoning Difficulty | Quant Attempts | Quant Difficulty | Overall Attempts | Overall Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shift 1 | 23–26 | Easy | 25–29 | Easy-Moderate | 23–27 | Easy-Moderate | 72–81 | Easy-Moderate |
Shift 2 | 22–25 | Easy | 24–28 | Moderate | 22–26 | Moderate | 70–78 | Moderate |
Shift 3 | 21–24 | Easy-Moderate | 23–27 | Moderate | 21–25 | Moderate | 67–75 | Moderate |
Shift 4 | 20–23 | Moderate | 22–26 | Moderate | 20–24 | Moderate | 65–73 | Moderate |
Reasoning Ability – All Shifts Topic Wise Questions
Topic | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Square Seating | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Floor Puzzle | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Month Puzzle | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Parallel Row Seating | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Linear Seating | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Box Puzzle | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Blood Relation | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Direction | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Coding Decoding | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Syllogism | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Inequality | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Pair Formation | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Meaningful Word | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Odd Word | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Total = 35
Quantitative Aptitude – All Shifts Topic Wise Questions
Topic | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Simplification | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
Arithmetic | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
Bar DI | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Table DI | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Number Series | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total = 35
English Language – All Shifts Topic Wise Questions
Topic | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Reading Comprehension | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Cloze Test | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Error Detection | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Para Jumble | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Vocabulary | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Fillers | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Total = 30
25 August 2024
Section Difficulty Comparison
Shift | English Attempts | Reasoning Attempts | Quant Attempts | Overall Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Shift 1 | 22–25 | 24–27 | 22–25 | 69–77 |
Shift 2 | 21–24 | 23–26 | 21–24 | 67–74 |
Shift 3 | 20–23 | 22–25 | 20–23 | 65–72 |
Shift 4 | 19–22 | 21–24 | 19–22 | 62–70 |
Reasoning
Topic | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Square Seating | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Floor Flat Puzzle | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Day Puzzle | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Linear Seating | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
Parallel Row | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Designation Puzzle | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Blood Relation | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Direction | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Coding | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Syllogism | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Inequality | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Pair Formation | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Total = 35
Quantitative Aptitude
Topic | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Simplification | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
Arithmetic | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Bar DI | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Table DI | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Total = 35
English Language
Topic | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
RC | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Cloze | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Error | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Para Jumble | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Vocabulary | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Fillers | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Total = 30
31 August 2024
Section Difficulty
Shift | English | Reasoning | Quant | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Shift 1 | Easy | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Shift 2 | Easy | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Shift 3 | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Shift 4 | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Reasoning
Topic | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Square Seating | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Floor Puzzle | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
Linear Seating | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Month Puzzle | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Box Puzzle | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
Blood Relation | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Direction | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Coding | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Syllogism | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Inequality | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Total = 35
Quantitative Aptitude
Topic | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Simplification | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 |
Arithmetic | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 |
Bar DI | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Table DI | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Total = 35
English Language
Topic | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
RC | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Cloze | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Error | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Para Jumble | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Vocabulary | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Fillers | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Total = 30
IBPS Clerk Mains 2024
Section Difficulty and Attempts
Section | Questions | Good Attempts | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
Reasoning & Computer | 50 | 30–36 | Moderate |
GA | 50 | 32–38 | Moderate |
English | 40 | 28–33 | Moderate |
Quant | 50 | 27–33 | Moderate |
Overall | 190 | 120–145 | Moderate |
Reasoning & Computer Topics
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
Puzzle Sets | 20 |
Seating | 10 |
Coding | 5 |
Input Output | 5 |
Logical Reasoning | 5 |
Computer Awareness | 5 |
Total 50
Quantitative Aptitude Topics
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
DI | 20 |
Arithmetic | 15 |
Approximation | 5 |
Series | 5 |
Data Sufficiency | 5 |
Total 50
English Language Topics
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
RC | 15 |
Cloze | 5 |
Error | 5 |
Sentence Correction | 5 |
Vocabulary | 5 |
Para Jumble | 5 |
Total 40
GA Topics
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
Current Affairs | 30 |
Banking | 10 |
Static | 5 |
Economy | 5 |
Total 50