IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2026
Stage-wise IBPS PO exam pattern: number of questions, marks, duration and negative marking for each stage.
Prelims
Mode
Computer Based Test (CBT, Online)
Marks
100
Duration
60 minutes (20 minutes per section)
Negative marking
-0.25 mark per wrong answer
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 30 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 40 |
Shortlisting stage for Mains — Prelims marks do not carry forward to final selection.
Mains — Objective
Mode
Computer Based Test (CBT, Online)
Marks
200
Duration
160 minutes
Negative marking
-0.25 mark per wrong answer
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning and Computer Aptitude | — | — |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation | — | — |
| General, Economy and Banking Awareness | — | — |
| English Language | — | — |
170 questions across 4 objective sections totalling 200 marks. Per-section question/mark splits vary slightly by cycle; check the official IBPS notification for the exact current breakdown.
Mains — Descriptive
Mode
Computer Based Test (CBT, Online)
Marks
25
Duration
30 minutes
Negative marking
Not applicable (descriptive answers)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language (Letter Writing and Essay) | 2 | 25 |
Descriptive writing test, part of the same Mains sitting as the objective paper.
Interview / Personality Test
Mode
Common Interview
Marks
100
Duration
Varies
Negative marking
Not applicable
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Interview | — | 100 |
Final selection combines Mains and Interview marks in an 80:20 ratio — Prelims marks play no role in final selection, same as Mains-qualifying-stage exams elsewhere.