IBPS Clerk Exam Syllabus: The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) Clerk examination is a highly sought-after competitive exam in India, serving as a gateway to employment opportunities in the public sector banking industry. This examination is conducted to recruit candidates for the position of Clerk in various public sector banks across the country. Aspiring candidates need to undergo a rigorous selection process, which includes a two-stage examination: the Preliminary Examination and the Main Examination.
Each of these stages has a specific syllabus designed to assess the candidates’ knowledge and skills in various subjects, including English language, numerical and reasoning abilities, general and financial awareness, and computer aptitude. This detailed syllabus serves as a roadmap for candidates to prepare effectively and succeed in their pursuit of a career in the banking sector.
IBPS Clerk Exam Overview
The IBPS Clerk examination is conducted in two phases:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
Both of these phases have their own specific syllabus and patterns. Let’s delve into each one in detail.
Preliminary Examination Syllabus
The IBPS Clerk Preliminary Examination is the first step in the selection process. It is an objective-type test consisting of three sections:
- English Language
- Numerical Ability
- Reasoning Ability
Let’s explore the syllabus of each section in the Preliminary Examination:
1. English Language:
This section assesses the candidate’s proficiency in the English language and consists of questions related to various aspects of English grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. The topics covered in this section include:
- Reading Comprehension
- Error Detection
- Sentence Correction
- Fill in the Blanks
- Cloze Test
- Para Jumbles
- Vocabulary (Antonyms, Synonyms)
- Sentence Completion
2. Numerical Ability:
The Numerical Ability section evaluates a candidate’s mathematical skills and includes questions on various mathematical topics. The key topics in this section are:
- Number Series
- Simplification/Approximation
- Data Interpretation (Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Line Graphs, Tabular Data)
- Quadratic Equations
- Arithmetic (Averages, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Time and Work, Time and Distance, etc.)
- Ratio and Proportion
- Percentage
- Mensuration
3. Reasoning Ability:
The Reasoning Ability section assesses the logical and analytical abilities of candidates. It includes questions based on various reasoning topics, such as:
- Syllogism
- Blood Relations
- Puzzles
- Seating Arrangement
- Direction Sense
- Coding-Decoding
- Inequalities
- Alphanumeric Series
- Data Sufficiency
- Order and Ranking
The Preliminary Examination is conducted for a total duration of 60 minutes, and each section has a specified time limit. Typically, candidates are required to solve 100 questions in this time frame.
Main Examination Syllabus
Candidates who qualify in the Preliminary Examination are eligible to appear for the IBPS Clerk Main Examination. The Main Examination is more comprehensive and consists of four sections:
- General/Financial Awareness
- General English
- Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
- Quantitative Aptitude
Let’s explore the syllabus of each section in the Main Examination:
1. General/Financial Awareness:
This section assesses the candidate’s knowledge of current affairs, banking, and financial subjects. The syllabus includes:
- Current Affairs (national and international)
- Banking Awareness
- Financial Awareness
- Static GK (Indian History, Culture, Geography, and more)
- Banking and Financial Terminology
- Government Schemes and Policies
2. General English:
The General English section in the Main Examination is similar to the English Language section in the Preliminary Examination but is more comprehensive and challenging. The syllabus includes:
- Reading Comprehension
- Error Detection
- Sentence Correction
- Fill in the Blanks
- Cloze Test
- Para Jumbles
- Vocabulary (Antonyms, Synonyms)
- Sentence Completion
- Descriptive Writing (Essay and Letter Writing)
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
This section combines reasoning ability with computer knowledge. It assesses the candidate’s logical and analytical abilities along with their understanding of computer-related topics. The syllabus includes:
- Syllogism
- Blood Relations
- Puzzles
- Seating Arrangement
- Direction Sense
- Coding-Decoding
- Inequalities
- Alphanumeric Series
- Data Sufficiency
- Order and Ranking
- Computer Fundamentals
- Computer Abbreviations
- Internet
- Memory
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Microsoft Office
- Operating Systems
- Computer Hardware and Software
Quantitative Aptitude
The Quantitative Aptitude section in the Main Examination is more complex than the Numerical Ability section in the Preliminary Examination. It includes questions on various mathematical topics. The syllabus includes:
- Data Interpretation (Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Line Graphs, Tabular Data)
- Quadratic Equations
- Arithmetic (Averages, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Time and Work, Time and Distance, etc.)
- Ratio and Proportion
- Percentage
- Mensuration
- Data Sufficiency
- Number Series
- Simplification/Approximation
The Main Examination is conducted for a total duration of 160 minutes, and each section has a specified time limit. Candidates are required to solve 190 questions in this time frame.
Note: Descriptive Test
In addition to the four sections mentioned above, there is a Descriptive Test in the Main Examination. Candidates are required to write an essay and a letter in this test. The Descriptive Test aims to evaluate the candidate’s writing skills and is usually conducted for a duration of 30 minutes.
Language Options
It’s important to note that the IBPS Clerk Main Examination allows candidates to choose between English and Hindi as the language of the exam. The Descriptive Test is also conducted in the chosen language.
Interview (if applicable)
After successfully clearing the Main Examination, candidates may be called for a personal interview, depending on the specific requirements of the participating banks. The interview evaluates a candidate’s communication skills, banking knowledge, and general awareness.
Final Selection:
The final selection is based on the combined marks obtained in the Main Examination and the interview (if applicable). The weightage of the Main Examination and interview marks may vary from one participating bank to another.
Preparation Tips
Preparing for the IBPS Clerk examination requires a systematic approach and dedicated effort. Here are some tips for effective preparation:
- Understand the Syllabus: The first step is to thoroughly understand the syllabus for both the Preliminary and Main Examinations. Make a study plan and allocate time to cover all the topics.
- Practice Regularly: Regular practice is essential to improve your speed and accuracy. Solve previous year’s question papers and take mock tests to get a feel for the actual exam.
- Improve Time Management: Time management is crucial in both the Preliminary and Main Examinations. Allocate specific time limits for each section and practice sticking to them during your mock tests.
- Stay Updated: For the General/Financial Awareness section, stay updated with current affairs, banking news, and financial developments. Reading newspapers and following reliable news sources can be helpful.
- Work on Weak Areas: Identify your weak areas and focus on improving them. Seek guidance from mentors or join coaching programs if necessary.
- Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a healthy lifestyle during your preparation. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep can enhance your focus and productivity.
- Time for Descriptive Test: Don’t neglect the Descriptive Test. Practice writing essays and letters on a variety of topics to improve your writing skills.
- Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude and stay motivated throughout your preparation. Consistency is the key to success.
- Exam Strategy: Develop a strategy for each section, especially in the Main Examination. Prioritize questions you are confident about and manage your time wisely.
- Revision: Regularly revise the topics you’ve covered to ensure retention of important concepts.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IBPS Clerk examination is a competitive test conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) to recruit candidates for the position of Clerk in various public sector banks in India.
The IBPS Clerk examination consists of two stages: the Preliminary Examination and the Main Examination. Candidates who clear the Preliminary Examination are eligible to appear for the Main Examination.
The IBPS Clerk Preliminary Examination consists of three sections: English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. The syllabus includes topics such as reading comprehension, numerical skills, and logical reasoning.
The IBPS Clerk Main Examination includes four sections: General/Financial Awareness, General English, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, and Quantitative Aptitude. It covers a wide range of topics, including banking awareness, computer fundamentals, and advanced mathematical concepts.
Yes, candidates can choose between English and Hindi as the language for the exam, both in the Preliminary and Main Examinations. The Descriptive Test is also conducted in the chosen language.
