IBPS conducts the Probationary Officer (PO) and Clerk exams for public sector banks. Any graduate can apply, and each exam has its own age limit and stages. SBI holds its own PO and Clerk recruitment with separate notifications.

How the exams work
Both IBPS PO and Clerk begin with a Prelims of 100 questions, 100 marks and 60 minutes. It has three sections with fixed 20-minute timing each: English (30 questions), Quantitative or Numerical Ability (35) and Reasoning (35). Each wrong answer costs 0.25 marks. Prelims only qualifies you, and you must clear the cut-off in every section as well as overall.

The Mains decides selection. For PO, there is also an interview. For Clerk, final merit comes from the Mains alone.

What this means for your preparation

• Sectional timing means you can't spend extra minutes on a strong section, so practise in 20-minute blocks.
• English is only 30 marks in Prelims, but a weak section can fail you, since sectional cut-offs apply.
• Puzzles and seating arrangements take time, so they are worth practising in advance.

Preparing with FOBS
Our Banking Batch 2026 costs ₹25,000. The Mock Test Series starts at ₹299. We are near Uttam Nagar East Metro Station, open Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm. Call 93113 90202.

FAQs

• What is the difference between PO and Clerk? PO is an officer-level post with an interview. Clerk is a clerical post selected on Mains marks alone.
• Is there negative marking? Yes, 0.25 marks per wrong answer.
• Are the sections timed separately? Yes, 20 minutes each in Prelims.
• How much is the banking batch? ₹25,000.