IBPS SO 2025 Exam Pattern - Check Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Chapter Wise Weightage, Duration

IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2025

IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2025 describes the type and structure of the question paper that the candidates are about to face. The IBPS SO 2025 Prelims exam will be conducted on November 22 and 23, 2025, while the Mains exam will be conducted on January 4, 2026. Exam pattern helps candidates to understand the pattern of question paper, type of questions, the number of questions in each section, marks allotted to each question, and the duration of the examination.

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) announces the exam pattern for candidates of IBPS SO Prelims, on its official website. Candidates are advised to go through the pattern before they start preparing for the IBPS SO 2025 exam. Candidates can check out the content below for a better understanding of the IBPS SO 2025 exam pattern.

IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2025 - Highlights

Given below are the major highlights of the exam pattern of IBPS SO 2025:

• The IBPS SO exam will be organised into three levels, Preliminary, Main, and Interview.

• The question paper will be available in English as well as in the Hindi language.

• All the candidates will have to first appear for the Preliminary examination.

• The Preliminary exam of IBPS SO will include questions from English Language, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude/General Awareness based on their choice of post.

• IBPS SO 2025 Mains examination will examine the candidates based on their professional knowledge.

• Based on the performance in the Preliminary, candidates will be selected for the Mains examination.

• Candidates qualifying for both Preliminary and Mains exam will be called to appear for the Personal interview.

IBPS SO Prelim Exam Pattern 2025 - Post-wise

The tables given below consist of the IBPS SO 2025 exam pattern for Prelims exam: 

For the post of Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari: Candidates can refer to the table given below to gain information related to the IBPS SO exam pattern 2025 for the job profile of Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari. 

For the Post of IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer: Check out the below-mentioned table for information regarding the IBPS SO exam pattern 2025 for the job profile of IT Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, Agriculture Field Officer and Marketing Officer

IBPS SO 2025 Mains Exam Pattern - Post-wise

Candidates can check out the table given below for the IBPS SO 2025 exam pattern for Mains Exam: 

For the Post of Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer: Refer to the table to check the IBPS SO exam pattern for the job profile of IT Officer, Law Officer, Agriculture Field Officer,  Marketing Officer, and HR/Personnel Officer.

For the Post of Rajbhasha Adhikari: Here's the IBPS SO exam pattern 2025 for the job profile of Rajbhasha Adhikhari.

IBPS SO 2025 Marking Scheme

As the exam for IBPS SO 2025 is conducted in 2 parts, the marking scheme for both of their papers is also different.

Marking Scheme for IBPS SO Prelims

Marking Scheme for IBPS SO Mains

The marking scheme for IBPS SO 2024 Mains is mentioned below.

• Question paper is to be answered in Objective as well as Descriptive type questions for Part A and Part B respectively.
• Part A which is Professional Knowledge (Objective Type Question) contains 45 questions.
• Part B which is Professional Knowledge (Descriptive type Questions) Contains 2 questions.
• For Rajbhasha Adhikari, 1 mark each for MCQs and 15 marks for the 2 descriptive questions.
• For other posts, 1 mark each for all the MCQs.

How to Prepare for IBPS SO 2025?

Here are five detailed tips and strategies to help you prepare for IBPS SO 2025 and understand the exam pattern effectively:

1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus:

• Begin by thoroughly reviewing the official IBPS SO exam notification and syllabus. Understand the sections, topics, and weightage of marks for each specialization.
• Familiarize yourself with the structure of the exam, including the number of sections, time allotted, and marking scheme (including negative marking).

2. Create a Study Plan:

• Develop a comprehensive study plan that covers all sections and topics of the exam. Allocate sufficient time for each subject based on its complexity and your proficiency.
• Divide your study time into smaller, focused study sessions to maintain concentration and avoid burnout.

3. Study Materials and Resources:

• Gather the best study materials and resources, including textbooks, online courses, video lectures, and practice papers.
• Utilize previous years' question papers and mock tests to get a sense of the exam's difficulty level and pattern. This will help you simulate the actual exam environment.

4. Section-Wise Preparation:

• Break down your preparation into sections. For Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude, practice solving various types of problems regularly to enhance your problem-solving skills.
• For English Language, focus on improving your reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar. Read newspapers, articles, and novels to enhance your reading skills.
• For the Professional Knowledge section, dive deep into your chosen specialization's syllabus. Make concise notes to revise important concepts.

5. Time Management and Mock Tests:

• Time management is crucial during the exam. Practice solving mock tests and previous years' papers within the stipulated time. This will help you improve your speed and accuracy.
• Analyze your performance after each mock test. Identify areas where you are strong and weak. Focus on improving weak areas while maintaining your strengths.
• Develop a strategy for attempting the exam. Decide which sections you will start with and how much time you'll allocate to each. Stick to this strategy during practice tests to refine it.