IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection)
IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2027 — Complete Question Paper Structure
Understand the marking scheme, section weights, question distribution and time strategy for Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Specialist Officer
Exam Pattern at a Glance
Exam Mode
Online (CBT)
Language
English & Hindi
Negative Marking
-0.25
Sections
4
Section-wise Pattern
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks per Q | Total Marks | Time (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language (50) | 31 | +1 | 31 | 30 min |
| Reasoning (50) | 31 | +1 | 31 | 30 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude (50) | 31 | +1 | 31 | 30 min |
| Professional Knowledge (Mains 60Q) | 32 | +1 | 32 | 30 min |
| Total | 125 | — | 125 | 120 min |
Time is indicative. Candidates can attempt sections in any order in CBT mode.
Marking Scheme
Correct Answer
+1
marks
Wrong Answer
-0.25
marks
Unattempted
0
marks
Marking Scheme
+1 for correct, -0.25 for incorrect
Example Calculation:
If you attempt 75 questions, get 56 correct and 19 wrong:
Score = 56 × 1 − 19 × 0.25 = 51.25 marks
Skip questions you're unsure about — negative marking can reduce your score significantly.
Time Management Strategy
You have approximately 57.6 seconds per question on average.
| Phase | Time Budget | Target Questions |
|---|---|---|
| First pass (attempt easy Qs) | 72 min | 88 Qs |
| Second pass (attempt medium) | 36 min | 25 Qs |
| Review & guess | 12 min | Remaining |
Year-wise Pattern Changes
| Year | Questions | Duration | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 125 | 120 min | Current pattern |
| 2024 | 125 | 120 min | No major change |
| 2023 | 125 | 120 min | Section added |
Pattern history is approximate. Always check official notification.
Difficulty Distribution
Approximate question count: ~38 Easy | ~56 Medium | ~31 Hard
Based on difficulty level: moderate. Actual distribution may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
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