IBPS SO Exam Analysis
IBPS SO Exam Analysis 2025 Shift 1 & 2 + 2024 Full Analysis with Expected Score 2026
Check IBPS SO exam analysis 2025 and 2024 for all shifts with topic wise questions, difficulty level, good attempts, mains post wise analysis and expected score for 2026.
IBPS SO Exam Analysis : Last Two Years Complete Details
Expected Good Score 2026–27, Topic-Wise Questions, Difficulty Level, Post-Wise Mains Analysis
The IBPS SO exam conducted by Institute of Banking Personnel Selection follows a consistent pattern where prelims acts as a qualifying stage and mains determines final selection. For the 2026–27 cycle, expected good attempts in prelims are 85–100 for Quant-based posts and 80–95 for GA-based posts. In mains, candidates should target 45–60+ marks out of 60 in the professional knowledge paper depending on the post. The exam focuses on reasoning puzzles, data interpretation, English comprehension in prelims, and core subject knowledge in mains across IT, Agriculture, HR, Marketing, Law, and Rajbhasha posts.
IBPS SO 2026–27 EXPECTED GOOD SCORE
Prelims Expected Good Attempts
Quant-Based Posts (IT, AFO, HR, Marketing)
Section | Expected Attempts |
|---|---|
English Language | 30–40 |
Reasoning Ability | 27–33 |
Quantitative Aptitude | 24–31 |
Overall | 85–100 |
GA-Based Posts (Law Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari)
Section | Expected Attempts |
|---|---|
English Language | 28–38 |
Reasoning Ability | 25–32 |
General Awareness | 30–38 |
Overall | 80–95 |
Mains Expected Good Score (Post-Wise)
Post | Safe Score (Out of 60) |
|---|---|
IT Officer | 48–60 |
Agriculture Field Officer | 45–58 |
HR / Personnel Officer | 45–55 |
Marketing Officer | 46–58 |
Law Officer | 48–60 |
Rajbhasha Adhikari | 42–52 |
👉 Key Insight:
- Prelims = qualifying
- Mains = selection deciding
- Accuracy > Attempts
IBPS SO EXAM STRUCTURE (OFFICIAL)
Conducted by Institute of Banking Personnel Selection
Official Website: https://www.ibps.in
Prelims Pattern
Quant-Based Posts
- English Language
- Reasoning Ability
- Quantitative Aptitude
GA-Based Posts
- English Language
- Reasoning Ability
- General Awareness (Banking)
Mains Pattern
Post | Paper |
|---|---|
All Posts | Professional Knowledge |
👉 Only 1 paper in Mains, but highly decisive
IBPS SO PRELIMS EXAM ANALYSIS 2025
Exam Date: 30 August 2025 (All Shifts)
IBPS SO Prelims 2025 was moderate across both shifts. English was the most scoring section, Reasoning was puzzle-heavy and moderate to difficult, while Quant was calculation-intensive with multiple DI sets. Good attempts ranged between 80–103 depending on shift.
SHIFT 1 – 2025
Overall
Section | Questions | Good Attempts | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
English | 50 | 35–45 | Easy–Moderate |
Reasoning | 50 | 25–30 | Moderate–Difficult |
Quant | 50 | 20–25 | Moderate–Difficult |
Overall | 150 | 80–100 | Moderate |
Quantitative Aptitude
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
Table DI | 6 |
Double Pie DI | 6 |
Line Graph DI | 6 |
Caselet DI | 6 |
Approximation | 6 |
Data Sufficiency | 3 |
Wrong Number Series | 6 |
Arithmetic | 11 |
Total | 50 |
Reasoning Ability
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
Square Seating | 5 |
Circular Seating | 5 |
Box Puzzle | 5 |
Sequence Puzzle | 5 |
Condition Puzzle | 5 |
Input Output | 5 |
Data Sufficiency | 3 |
Inequality | 3 |
Direction | 3 |
Blood Relation | 3 |
Critical Reasoning | 6 |
Miscellaneous | 2 |
Total | 50 |
English Language
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
Reading Comprehension | 16 |
Cloze Test | 6 |
Error Spotting | 6 |
Word Swap | 6 |
Sentence Rearrangement | 6 |
Phrasal Replacement | 5 |
Connectors | 2 |
Word Usage | 2 |
Miscellaneous | 1 |
Total | 50 |
SHIFT 2 – 2025
Overall
Section | Questions | Good Attempts | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
English | 50 | 30–40 | Moderate |
Reasoning | 50 | 27–32 | Moderate–Difficult |
Quant | 50 | 26–31 | Moderate |
Overall | 150 | 83–103 | Moderate |
Quantitative Aptitude
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
Caselet DI | 5 |
Pie Chart DI | 6 |
Bar Graph DI | 6 |
Table DI | 6 |
Approximation | 6 |
Quadratic | 6 |
Arithmetic | 15 |
Total | 50 |
Reasoning Ability
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
Parallel Seating | 5 |
Circular Seating | 5 |
Floor Puzzle | 5 |
Linear Seating | 5 |
Order Ranking | 3 |
Data Sufficiency | 3 |
Input Output | 5 |
Direction | 3 |
Syllogism | 3 |
Blood Relation | 4 |
Inequality | 3 |
Critical Reasoning | 3 |
Miscellaneous | 3 |
Total | 50 |
English Language
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
Reading Comprehension | 18 |
Para Jumble | 5 |
Error Spotting | 4 |
Word Swap | 6 |
Double Fillers | 7 |
Connectors | 2 |
Match Column | 2 |
Miscellaneous | 6 |
Total | 50 |
IBPS SO PRELIMS EXAM ANALYSIS 2024
Exam Date: 9 November 2024 (All Shifts)
IBPS SO Prelims 2024 was easier than 2025. English and Reasoning were more scoring, while Quant remained moderate. Candidates attempting 90–100 questions with accuracy had strong chances.
SHIFT 1 – 2024
Overall
Section | Questions | Good Attempts | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
English | 50 | 32–38 | Easy–Moderate |
Reasoning | 50 | 28–32 | Easy–Moderate |
Quant | 50 | 25–30 | Moderate |
Overall | 150 | 90–100 | Easy–Moderate |
Reasoning Ability
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
Puzzle (Cities/Persons) | 10 |
Parallel Seating | 5 |
Linear Seating | 5 |
Input Output | 4 |
Syllogism | 5 |
Inequality | 4 |
Blood Relation | 3 |
Verbal Reasoning | 5 |
Miscellaneous | 9 |
Total | 50 |
Quantitative Aptitude
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
Table DI | 6 |
Double Pie | 6 |
Line Graph DI | 6 |
Caselet DI | 6 |
Wrong Number Series | 6 |
Quadratic | 6 |
Arithmetic | 10 |
Quantity Comparison | 4 |
Total | 50 |
English Language
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
Reading Comprehension | 20 |
Double Fillers | 5 |
Word Swap | 5 |
Phrase Replacement | 5 |
Sentence Rearrangement | 5 |
Match Column | 1 |
Word Usage | 2 |
Error Detection | 4 |
Miscellaneous | 3 |
Total | 50 |
SHIFT 2 – 2024
Overall
Section | Questions | Good Attempts | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
English | 50 | 30–37 | Easy–Moderate |
Reasoning | 50 | 26–31 | Moderate |
Quant | 50 | 23–29 | Moderate |
Overall | 150 | 86–97 | Moderate |
Reasoning Ability
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
Puzzle Sets | 15 |
Seating Arrangement | 10 |
Input Output | 4 |
Syllogism | 4 |
Inequality | 3 |
Blood Relation | 3 |
Direction | 3 |
Verbal Reasoning | 4 |
Miscellaneous | 4 |
Total | 50 |
Quantitative Aptitude
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
DI (Multiple Sets) | 20 |
Arithmetic | 12 |
Quadratic | 6 |
Number Series | 6 |
Approximation | 6 |
Total | 50 |
English Language
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
Reading Comprehension | 18 |
Fillers | 5 |
Word Swap | 5 |
Para Jumble | 5 |
Error Spotting | 5 |
Phrase Replacement | 4 |
Miscellaneous | 8 |
Total | 50 |
IBPS SO MAINS EXAM ANALYSIS (POST-WISE – MOST IMPORTANT)
IBPS SO Mains exam is completely post-specific and tests professional knowledge. The paper is concept-based, and candidates must focus on accuracy. A score above 45–60 marks out of 60 is considered strong depending on the post and difficulty level.
IT OFFICER
Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
DBMS | High |
Networking | High |
Operating System | Medium |
Data Structures | Medium |
Cyber Security | Medium |
Cloud Computing | Low–Medium |
AGRICULTURE FIELD OFFICER
Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
Crop Science | High |
Soil Science | High |
Animal Husbandry | Medium |
Irrigation | Medium |
Government Schemes | High |
Agri Economics | Medium |
HR OFFICER
Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
HR Theories | High |
Organizational Behavior | High |
Motivation | Medium |
Labour Laws | Medium |
Training & Development | Medium |
MARKETING OFFICER
Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
Marketing Concepts | High |
Consumer Behavior | High |
Branding | Medium |
Digital Marketing | Medium |
Sales Management | Medium |
LAW OFFICER
Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
Banking Regulation Act | High |
Companies Act | High |
Negotiable Instruments Act | High |
Contract Act | Medium |
SARFAESI Act | Medium |
RAJBHASHA ADHIKARI
Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
Translation | High |
Hindi Grammar | High |
Vocabulary | Medium |
Official Language Act | Medium |
IBPS SO exam requires a dual approach: speed and accuracy for prelims and deep professional knowledge for mains. Candidates should aim for 85–100 attempts in prelims and 45–60+ marks in mains for selection. The exam consistently focuses on reasoning puzzles, data interpretation, English comprehension, and post-specific subject knowledge.