IBPS Clerk Exam Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2024

IBPS Clerk Exam Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2024

The IBPS Clerk exam is a gateway for candidates aspiring to join various Public Sector Banks in India. Understanding the detailed syllabus and exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation. Here's an in-depth look at the IBPS Clerk 2024 syllabus and exam pattern for both Preliminary and Mains exams:

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) Clerk Exam 2024 is a highly competitive examination conducted to recruit clerical staff for various public sector banks in India. It consists of two stages: Preliminary and Main exams. The Preliminary exam tests candidates on English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability, while the Main exam includes sections on General/Financial Awareness, General English, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, and Quantitative Aptitude. 

Conducted online, this exam assesses candidates' aptitude, reasoning skills, and banking knowledge, making it a crucial step for those aspiring to build a career in the banking sector.

 

IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2024

The IBPS Clerk Exam 2024 is conducted in two stages: Preliminary and Main exams. The Preliminary exam consists of three sections: English Language (30 questions, 20 minutes), Numerical Ability (35 questions, 20 minutes), and Reasoning Ability (35 questions, 20 minutes), totaling 100 marks. 

The Main exam comprises four sections: General/Financial Awareness (50 questions, 35 minutes), General English (40 questions, 35 minutes), Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude (50 questions, 45 minutes), and Quantitative Aptitude (50 questions, 45 minutes), totaling 200 marks. 

Both exams are conducted online with multiple-choice questions, and candidates must qualify in each section by securing the minimum cut-off marks.

IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern for Preliminary Exam 2024

• Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes)
• Sections: 3 (English Language, Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability)
• Total Questions: 100
• Maximum Marks: 100
• Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer
  

Prelims Exam Pattern:

• English Language: 30 questions, 30 marks, 20 minutes
• Numerical Ability: 35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes
• Reasoning Ability: 35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes

IBPS Clerk Exam Mains Exam Pattern 2024

• Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes (160 minutes)
• Sections: 4 (Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, General/Financial Awareness)
• Total Questions: 190
• Maximum Marks: 200
• Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer

Mains Exam Pattern:

• Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude: 50 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes
• English Language: 40 questions, 40 marks, 35 minutes
• Quantitative Aptitude: 50 questions, 50 marks, 45 minutes
• General/Financial Awareness: 50 questions, 50 marks, 35 minutes

IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2024

The IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2024 covers a comprehensive range of topics to evaluate candidates' aptitude and knowledge for clerical positions in public sector banks. The syllabus for the Preliminary exam includes English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. The Main exam syllabus extends to General/Financial Awareness, General English, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, and Quantitative Aptitude. Each section encompasses various subtopics, such as reading comprehension, grammar, simplification, data interpretation, and current affairs. Thorough preparation across these areas is essential for candidates to excel in the exam and secure a clerical position in the banking sector.

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IBPS Clerk Syllabus of English Language

The English Language section of the IBPS Clerk exam is designed to assess candidates' proficiency in understanding and using the English language. Here is a detailed breakdown of the syllabus for the English Language section:

1. Reading Comprehension

• Passages: Typically includes one or two passages.
• Types of Questions: Based on the passage, questions may include main idea, theme, inference, vocabulary (meaning of words/phrases), author's tone, and factual questions.
• Skills Tested: Ability to understand and analyze written text.

2. Grammar

• Topics Covered:
  • Parts of Speech: Nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.
  • Tenses: Present, past, and future tenses, including their various forms.
  • Subject-Verb Agreement: Rules of ensuring subject and verb agreement in sentences.
  • Articles: Use of 'a', 'an', and 'the'.
  • Prepositions: Correct use of prepositions in sentences.
  • Voice: Active and passive voice.
  • Speech: Direct and indirect speech.
  • Sentence Correction: Identifying and correcting grammatical errors in sentences.

3. Vocabulary

• Topics Covered:
  • Synonyms and Antonyms: Identifying words with similar and opposite meanings.
  • Homonyms and Homophones: Words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings.
  • Word Usage: Correct usage of words in different contexts.
  • Phrases and Idioms: Understanding the meaning and usage of common idiomatic expressions.
  • One Word Substitution: Replacing a phrase or sentence with a single word.
  • Spelling: Correct spelling of commonly misspelled words.

4. Verbal Ability

• Topics Covered:
  • Para Jumbles: Rearranging jumbled sentences to form a coherent paragraph.
  • Sentence Completion: Completing sentences with appropriate words or phrases.
  • Cloze Test: Filling in the blanks in a passage with suitable words.
  • Error Spotting: Identifying grammatical errors in sentences.
  • Phrase Replacement: Replacing a phrase in a sentence with a grammatically correct phrase.

5. Miscellaneous

• Sentence Rearrangement: Arranging sentences in a logical order.
• Word Association: Finding the relationship between pairs of words.
• Fillers: Filling in blanks within sentences with appropriate words.

Preparation Tips:

1. Regular Reading: Read newspapers, magazines, and books to improve comprehension and vocabulary.
2. Practice Grammar: Regularly practice grammar exercises to strengthen your understanding of rules and usage.
3. Vocabulary Building: Learn new words daily, including their meanings, synonyms, antonyms, and usage.
4. Mock Tests: Take mock tests to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and time management.
5. Review and Analyze: Review your performance in practice tests to identify areas of improvement.

By focusing on these areas, candidates can enhance their proficiency in the English Language and perform well in the IBPS Clerk exam.

IBPS Clerk Syllabus of Reasoning Ability

Reasoning Ability:

The Reasoning Ability section of the IBPS Clerk exam assesses candidates' logical and analytical thinking skills. Here's a detailed breakdown of the syllabus for the Reasoning Ability section:

1. Verbal Reasoning

• Syllogism
  • Questions based on logical statements and conclusions.
• Blood Relations
  • Understanding family connections and relationships through given information.
• Coding-Decoding
  • Deciphering codes and encoding messages using given rules.
• Inequalities
  • Solving direct and coded inequalities.
• Seating Arrangement
  • Linear, circular, and rectangular arrangements with given conditions.
• Puzzle
  • Complex arrangements, distribution puzzles, and logical puzzles.
• Direction Sense
  • Determining direction and distance based on given movements.
• Order and Ranking
  • Determining the order and ranking of individuals or objects based on given criteria.
• Alphabet Test
  • Questions based on alphabetical series and positional values of letters.

2. Non-Verbal Reasoning

• Series
  • Identifying the pattern in a series of figures and finding the missing one.
• Analogy
  • Finding the relationship between pairs of figures.
• Classification
  • Grouping figures based on common properties and identifying the odd one out.
• Mirror and Water Images
  • Determining the mirror and water images of given figures.
• Paper Folding and Cutting
  • Visualizing the result of folding and cutting paper.
• Embedded Figures
  • Identifying a smaller figure hidden within a larger one.

3. Analytical Reasoning

• Data Sufficiency
  • Determining if provided data is sufficient to answer a question.
• Statement and Assumptions
  • Evaluating assumptions based on given statements.
• Statement and Arguments
  • Analyzing arguments based on given statements.
• Statement and Conclusions
  • Drawing conclusions from given statements.
• Cause and Effect
  • Identifying cause and effect relationships between events.

4. Logical Reasoning

• Logical Sequence of Words
  • Arranging words in a logical sequence.
• Arithmetical Reasoning
  • Solving problems based on arithmetic operations.
• Figure Series
  • Identifying patterns in a series of figures.
• Decision Making
  • Making decisions based on given information.
• Assertion and Reason
  • Analyzing the relationship between assertion and reason statements.

Preparation Tips:

1. Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key to mastering reasoning skills.
2. Understand Concepts: Focus on understanding the underlying concepts rather than just memorizing solutions.
3. Time Management: Practice solving questions within a time limit to improve speed and accuracy.
4. Mock Tests: Take mock tests to simulate exam conditions and identify areas for improvement.
5. Review and Analyze: Review your performance in practice tests and analyze mistakes to avoid them in the future.

By focusing on these areas and practicing regularly, candidates can enhance their reasoning ability and perform well in the IBPS Clerk exam.

IBPS Clerk Syllabus of General Awareness

General/Financial Awareness:

The General/Financial Awareness section of the IBPS Clerk exam assesses candidates' knowledge of current events, general knowledge, and banking/financial awareness. Here's a detailed breakdown of the syllabus for this section:

1. Current Affairs

• National and International News
  • Recent events of national and international importance.
• Awards and Honors
  • Major awards (national and international) in various fields like sports, literature, and science.
• Sports
  • Major sports events, tournaments, and winners.
• Books and Authors
  • Recently published books and their authors.
• Science and Technology
  • Recent developments and discoveries.
• Government Schemes
  • Important schemes and initiatives launched by the Indian government.

2. Banking Awareness

• Banking Terms and Concepts
  • Basic banking terms like Repo Rate, Reverse Repo Rate, CRR, SLR, etc.
• Banking Regulations
  • Regulations and acts governing the banking sector in India (e.g., Banking Regulation Act, RBI Act).
• Types of Banks
  • Different types of banks (commercial banks, cooperative banks, regional rural banks, etc.) and their functions.
• Banking Products and Services
  • Different banking products like savings accounts, fixed deposits, loans, etc.
• Financial Institutions
  • Major financial institutions like RBI, SEBI, NABARD, SIDBI, etc., and their roles.
• Digital Banking
  • Concepts related to digital banking like UPI, IMPS, NEFT, RTGS, and mobile banking.

3. Financial Awareness

• Indian Economy
  • Basics of the Indian economy, GDP, GNP, inflation, deflation, etc.
• Budget and Economic Survey
  • Key points from the Union Budget and Economic Survey.
• Economic Terms
  • Important economic terms and their definitions.
• Monetary and Fiscal Policy
  • Understanding of India's monetary and fiscal policies.
• International Organizations
  • Major international organizations like IMF, World Bank, WTO, etc., and their roles.

4. Static GK

• Indian History
  • Important events and personalities in Indian history.
• Geography
  • Physical geography of India and the world, important geographical landmarks.
• Polity
  • Structure of the Indian Constitution, fundamental rights, duties, etc.
• Important Days and Events
  • Important national and international days and events.
• Miscellaneous GK
  • Other miscellaneous topics like capitals and currencies of countries, important national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries.

Preparation Tips:

1. Regular Reading: Read newspapers, magazines, and online portals regularly to stay updated with current affairs.
2. Use Reliable Sources: Refer to reliable sources like PIB, The Hindu, Economic Times, etc., for accurate information.
3. Make Notes: Maintain notes of important news, events, and financial terms for quick revision.
4. Practice Quizzes: Participate in online quizzes and mock tests to assess your knowledge and improve your speed.
5. Revision: Regularly revise your notes and practice static GK and banking awareness questions.

By focusing on these areas and staying updated with current events, candidates can enhance their general and financial awareness and perform well in the IBPS Clerk exam.

IBPS Clerk Syllabus of Quantitative Aptitude

Quantitative Aptitude

The Quantitative Aptitude section of the IBPS Clerk exam tests candidates' numerical ability and mathematical skills. Here is a detailed breakdown of the syllabus for the Quantitative Aptitude section:

1. Number Systems

• Fundamental Concepts
  • Place value, face value, types of numbers (natural, whole, integers, rational, irrational, prime, composite, etc.).
• Basic Operations
  • Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and properties of numbers.

2. Simplification

• BODMAS Rule
  • Questions based on the application of brackets, orders (powers and roots), division, multiplication, addition, and subtraction.
• Approximation
  • Simplifying expressions to find approximate values.

3. Ratio and Proportion

• Basic Concepts
  • Ratios, proportions, and their properties.
• Problems
  • Direct and inverse proportions, mixture and alligation problems.

4. Percentage

• Basic Concepts
  • Calculating percentages, percentage increase/decrease.
• Problems
  • Questions based on profit and loss, discount, and simple interest.

5. Profit and Loss

• Basic Concepts
  • Cost price, selling price, profit, loss, and their calculations.
• Problems
  • Calculating profit percentage, loss percentage, and discount.

6. Simple and Compound Interest

• Simple Interest
  • Calculations based on the formula for simple interest.
• Compound Interest
  • Calculations based on the formula for compound interest, including annual, half-yearly, and quarterly compounding.

7. Time and Work

• Basic Concepts
  • Relationship between time, work, and efficiency.
• Problems
  • Questions based on different workers working together or individually, work and wages.

8. Time, Speed, and Distance

• Basic Concepts
  • Relationship between time, speed, and distance.
• Problems
  • Questions on average speed, relative speed, and problems involving boats and streams, trains, and races.

9. Mensuration

• 2D Figures
  • Perimeter and area of squares, rectangles, triangles, circles, and other polygons.
• 3D Figures
  • Surface area and volume of cubes, cuboids, spheres, cylinders, and cones.

10. Algebra

• Basic Concepts
  • Simple equations, quadratic equations, and linear equations.
• Problems
  • Solving equations, inequalities, and algebraic expressions.

11. Data Interpretation

• Types of Data
  • Tabular data, bar graphs, line charts, pie charts, and mixed graphs.
• Problems
  • Interpretation and analysis of data to solve questions based on percentages, ratios, averages, etc.

12. Sequences and Series

• Arithmetic Progression
  • Problems based on the nth term and sum of an arithmetic series.
• Geometric Progression
  • Problems based on the nth term and sum of a geometric series.
• Number Series
  • Identifying patterns in sequences and finding the missing terms.

13. Permutation and Combination

• Basic Concepts
  • Understanding permutations and combinations, and their applications.
• Problems
  • Questions on arranging objects, selecting objects, and probability.

14. Probability

• Basic Concepts
  • Calculating the probability of events.
• Problems
  • Simple problems based on the concepts of probability.

Preparation Tips:

1. Conceptual Clarity: Focus on understanding the basic concepts and formulas.
2. Practice Regularly: Solve a variety of problems to strengthen your numerical ability.
3. Time Management: Practice solving questions within a time limit to improve speed and accuracy.
4. Mock Tests: Take mock tests to simulate exam conditions and identify areas for improvement.
5. Review and Analyze: Review your performance in practice tests and analyze mistakes to avoid them in the future.

By focusing on these areas and practicing regularly, candidates can enhance their quantitative aptitude and perform well in the IBPS Clerk exam.

IBPS Clerk Syllabus of Computer Knowledge

The Computer Knowledge section of the IBPS Clerk exam tests candidates' familiarity with basic computer concepts and operations. Here's a detailed breakdown of the syllabus for the Computer Knowledge section:

1. Computer Fundamentals

• Basic Computer Terminology
  • Understanding common terms and definitions related to computers.
• Hardware
  • Components of a computer, including input and output devices, storage devices, and processing units.
• Software
  • Types of software: system software (operating systems) and application software.
• Memory
  • Types of memory: RAM, ROM, cache memory, and storage devices (HDD, SSD).

2. Operating Systems

• Basic Concepts
  • Functions and types of operating systems (Windows, Linux, MacOS).
• File Management
  • Basic operations like creating, renaming, and deleting files and folders.

3. Networking

• Basics of Networking
  • Types of networks (LAN, WAN, MAN), networking devices (routers, switches, hubs).
• Internet Concepts
  • Basic understanding of the internet, browsers, search engines, and email.

4. MS Office

• MS Word
  • Basic operations, formatting text, tables, mail merge.
• MS Excel
  • Basics of spreadsheets, formulas, functions, charts.
• MS PowerPoint
  • Creating presentations, slide layouts, animations, transitions.
• MS Access
  • Basics of database management, tables, queries, forms, reports.

5. Computer Security

• Basic Security Concepts
  • Understanding of viruses, malware, antivirus software, firewalls.
• Safe Computing Practices
  • Importance of passwords, secure internet practices, data protection.

6. Internet and Email

• Internet Basics
  • Browsing the web, understanding URLs, using search engines.
• Email Concepts
  • Composing, sending, and receiving emails, email etiquette, attachments.

7. Database Management System (DBMS)

• Basic Concepts
  • Introduction to databases, data models, basic SQL queries.

8. Computer Abbreviations

• Common Abbreviations
  • Familiarity with common computer-related abbreviations (e.g., HTTP, URL, IP, CPU, etc.).

Preparation Tips:

1. Basic Understanding: Ensure a solid grasp of fundamental computer concepts and operations.
2. Practice Regularly: Regularly use a computer to get hands-on experience with operating systems, MS Office, and internet applications.
3. Study Resources: Use study guides and online resources specifically tailored to the IBPS Clerk computer knowledge syllabus.
4. Mock Tests: Take online quizzes and mock tests to assess your knowledge and improve your speed and accuracy.
5. Revision: Regularly revise key concepts and practice solving questions to strengthen your preparation.

By focusing on these areas and practicing regularly, candidates can enhance their computer knowledge and perform well in the IBPS Clerk exam.

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IBPS Clerk Exam Preparation Strategy

Preparing for the IBPS Clerk exam requires a structured and focused approach. Here’s a comprehensive strategy to help you prepare effectively:

1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus

• Familiarize Yourself with the Exam Structure: Know the sections, number of questions, and duration of both the Preliminary and Main exams.
• Detailed Syllabus: Go through the detailed syllabus for each section (English Language, Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability, General/Financial Awareness, and Computer Knowledge).

2. Create a Study Plan

• Daily Schedule: Create a Study Time Table and Allocate specific time slots for each subject daily.
• Weekly Targets: Set weekly targets to cover different topics and ensure you stay on track.
• Balanced Preparation: Distribute your study time evenly among all sections, focusing more on weaker areas.

3. Study Materials and Resources

• Books and Guides: Use recommended books and guides specifically for IBPS Clerk preparation.
• Online Resources: Utilize online courses, video lectures, and tutorials.
• Previous Year Papers: Practice with previous years’ question papers to understand the type of questions asked.

4. Topic-Wise Preparation

• English Language: Improve vocabulary, practice reading comprehension, grammar, and sentence rearrangement.
• Numerical Ability: Focus on arithmetic, data interpretation, simplification, and practice calculations.
• Reasoning Ability: Practice puzzles, seating arrangement, syllogism, coding-decoding, and blood relations.
• General/Financial Awareness: Stay updated with current affairs, banking terms, financial news, and static GK.
• Computer Knowledge: Learn basic computer concepts, MS Office, internet, and basic security practices.

5. Regular Practice

• Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to simulate exam conditions and improve time management.
• Sectional Tests: Focus on sectional tests to strengthen individual sections.
• Analyze Performance: After each test, analyze your performance to identify strengths and weaknesses.

6. Revision

• Regular Revision: Allocate time for regular revision of all topics to reinforce learning.
• Notes: Make concise notes of important formulas, concepts, and shortcuts for quick revision.

7. Time Management

• Practice Speed and Accuracy: Work on solving questions quickly and accurately.
• Prioritize Questions: Learn to prioritize easier questions first to ensure you attempt the maximum number of questions correctly.

8. Stay Updated

• Current Affairs: Read newspapers, watch news channels, and follow reliable online portals for daily current affairs.
• Financial News: Follow financial news to stay updated with banking and economic developments.

9. Health and Well-being

• Regular Breaks: Take regular breaks during study sessions to avoid burnout.
• Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and ensure adequate sleep.

10. Stay Positive and Confident

• Positive Mindset: Stay positive and confident about your preparation.
• Motivation: Keep yourself motivated by setting small achievable goals and rewarding yourself upon achieving them.

By following a structured approach aligned with the IBPS Clerk 2024 syllabus and exam pattern, candidates can enhance their preparation and increase their chances of success in the exam. Good luck!