IBPS SO Exam Analysis 2024 (Available): Check Prelims & Mains Difficulty Level, Student Reactions

Updated By Tiyasa Khanra on 19 Feb, 2024 14:25

Registration Starts On June 14, 2024

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IBPS SO Exam Analysis 2024

The Shift 1 of the IBPS SO Mains 2024 Examination was conducted on January 28, 2024, and the analysis has been updated on this page. The duration of the exam was 2 hours, i.e. from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Based on real-time candidate feedback, the difficulty level of the exam ranged from easy to moderate. The sections in the exam included HR, IT, Marketing, and Law. The second shift is scheduled to be conducted from 2:00 pm onwards.

Previously, the IBPS SO exam analysis prelims exam for all shifts conducted on December 30 and 31, 2023, had been made available on this page. As per the initial reactions from the students, the difficulty level of all three sections of the exam (Reasoning, English Language, and Quantitative Aptitude) was moderate. Candidates can view the IBPS SO 2024 Prelims analysis on this page.

IBPS SO exam analysis provides valuable insights into the evolving trends, the nature of questions, and the overall examination structure. With this knowledge, aspirants can formulate effective study strategies, identify potential challenges, and better prepare themselves for the demands of the IBPS SO 2024 examination.

Day-wise IBPS SO Exam Analysis 2024 (All Shifts)

According to the feedback from candidates, the IBPS SO 2024 Prelims exam in Shift 1 was assessed as having a moderate difficulty level, with an estimated range of 89-103 for overall good attempts.

IBPS SO 2024 Prelims Exam Analysis Dec 30 Shift 1

Sections

Good Attempt

Difficulty Level

English Language

32-36

Moderate

Reasoning Ability

28-33

Moderate

Quantitative Aptitude

29-34

Moderate

Overall

89-103

Moderate

IBPS SO 2024 Prelims Exam Analysis Day 1 Shift 1: Section-wise

Reasoning Ability

Topics

Number of Questions

Box Puzzle (Variable-Color)

5

Ranking Based Puzzle (Variable-Color)

5

Linear Seating Arrangement (Uncertain Number)

5

Circular Seating Arrangement (9 Persons)

5

Inequality

3

Data Sufficiency

5

Pair Formation

1

Coding Decoding

3

Direction Distance

4

Syllogism

5

Chinese Coding

3

Miscellaneous

6

Total

50

English Language

Topics

Number of Questions

Reading Comprehension (Calculator Invention)

10

Reading Comprehension (Country Sustainable Development)

10

Fillers

5

Error Detection

5

Cloze Test

5

Word Swap

5

Word Usage

5

Phrase Replacement

5

Total

50

Quantitative Aptitude

Topics

Number of Questions

Missing Number Series

5

Quadratic Equation

5

Line Graph Data Interpretation

5

Tabular Data Interpretation

5

Caselet DI

5

Arithmetic (Simple Interest, Partnership, Boat & Stream, Permutation & Combination, Age, Profit & Loss)

25

Total

50

IBPS SO 2024 Prelims Exam Analysis Day 1 Shift 2

The IBPS SO Exam 2024 Shift 2 took place on December 30, 2023, at multiple examination centres organized by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection. Based on the candidates' reviews, it is observed that the overall difficulty level of the exam was deemed to be moderate.

Sections

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

Reasoning Ability

Moderate

27-32

Quantitative Aptitude

Easy

34-37

English Language

Moderate

26-31

Overall

Moderate

87-100

IBPS SO Exam Analysis Day 2 Shift 1

Below are the tables containing the difficulty levels for each section of the IBPS SO Prelims 2024 held on December 31, 2023, for shift 1:

Section

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts Range

Quantitative Aptitude

Moderate

29-34

Reasoning Ability

Moderate

28-33

English Language

Moderate

29-34

OverallModerate

86-101

IBPS SO Exam Analysis Day 2 Shift 2

Section

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts Range

Quantitative Aptitude

Moderate

26-31

Reasoning Ability

Easy

27-32

English Language

Moderate

34-37

Overall Moderate

87-100

IBPS SO 2024 Mains Exam Analysis

Shift 1 of the IBPS SO mains exam has been concluded at 12:40 pm. The overall difficulty level of the first shift of the exam has been described to range between easy to moderate. The sections in the exam involved topics from IT, Law, Marketing, and HR. The shift-wise analysis will be updated in the following sections. 

IBPS SO 2024 Mains Shift 1

Applicants can refer to the table provided below to acquaint themselves with the exam questions and the corresponding difficulty levels in each section.

SectionsTopics/ QuestionsDifficulty Level
HRMaternity Act, Evaluation Method, Validity, test validity, International HRM, Leadership Style, Standing Order Act
(​one-liner questions mostly), ​Employee Standard Order Act, Human Capital Management, Ergonomic, Dead Wood, Employee branding, Labour court, HUL, Balance scorecard, HR Audit, EDLI, Perception Bias, Workflow Analysis, Selection Test Process, Interview Type, Halsey Plan, Michigan model of HRD
Easy to Moderate
MarketingModerate to easy, attempt 50 to 55 out of 60, Variable cause-numerical, Ambush marketing direct, product lifecycle, Diffusion of innovation, umbrella branding, Distribution in PLC, Demand and Supply, Ansoff, hierarchy of needs, value proposition, Distribution channel 2-3, SWOT, Break-even analysis, Surrogate advertising, the elasticity of demand Easy to Moderate
ITJava output, SMTP, Post, Not a c function, Redo and undo-data structure, Submitting, SJF- numerical questions, Cartesian product, Highest precedence, Functional Dependency, SQL query, Aggregation functions, Hexa Decimal, ACID, DOS, Addressing mode, Cloud ComputingEasy to Moderate
Law(Soon to updated)Easy to Moderate

The table below provides an overview of the difficulty level for different posts in the IBPS SO exam 2024. 

Posts

Difficulty Level

IT Officer

To Be Updated

Law Officer

To Be Updated

Agriculture Field Officer

To Be Updated

HR/Personnel Officer

To Be Updated

Marketing Officer

To Be Updated

Rajbhasha Adhikari

To Be Updated

IBPS SO 2022 Exam Analysis

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducted the Specialist Officer Preliminary examination on December 31st,2022, and the IBPS SO Mains 2022 exam took place on January 30th, 2022. Numerous candidates from all over India participated in these exams. Now, many banking aspirants are eagerly awaiting the IBPS SO Exam analysis for 2022. This analysis covers the exam pattern, the overall level of difficulty, the number of good attempts, and the number of safe attempts for each section. But first, let us review the exam pattern of IBPS SO 2022.

The exam pattern of IBPS SO has somewhat continued the trend from the previous year. The IBPS SO Prelims Exam for Specialist Officers, which includes roles like Agriculture Field Officer, Marketing Officer (Scale I), HR/Personnel Officer, and IT Officer Scale I, consists of three sections: Reasoning, English Language, and General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry. Each section has 50 questions, with a total of 150 questions, and carries a combined total of 125 marks. The duration of the entire exam is 120 minutes.

For the IBPS SO Mains Exam 2022, the pattern for the Rajbhasha Adhikari position includes two parts. The first part is a Professional Knowledge (Objective) section with 45 questions, to be completed in 30 minutes, and it carries a maximum of 60 marks. The second part is a Professional Knowledge (Descriptive) section with 2 questions, also to be completed in 30 minutes.

The overall exam experience was at a 'moderate' difficulty level according to students. Below is a section-wise analysis of the IBPS SO Prelims and Mains examination.

IBPS SO 2022: Prelims Exam Analysis

According to the feedback from candidates, the IBPS SO 2022 Prelims exam in Shift 1 was assessed as having a moderate difficulty level, with an estimated range of 88-96 for overall good attempts.

IBPS SO Prelims 2022 Exam Analysis Shift 1

Sections

Good Attempt

Difficulty Level

English Language

22-24

Moderate

Reasoning Ability

33-37

Moderate

Quantitative Aptitude

32-34

Moderate

Total

88-96

Moderate

IBPS SO 2022 Exam Analysis Shift 2

Sections

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

Reasoning Ability

Moderate

29-35

Quantitative Aptitude

Moderate to Difficult

28-34

English Language

Moderate

33-36

Overall

Moderate

90-105 

IBPS SO Exam Analysis Mains

The table below provides an overview of the difficulty level for different posts in the IBPS SO Exam 2022. 

Posts

Difficulty Level

IT Officer

Moderate

Law Officer

Moderate

Agriculture Field Officer

Moderate

HR/Personnel Officer

Moderate

Marketing Officer

Moderate

Rajbhasha Adhikari

Moderate

IBPS SO 2022 Exam Pattern

The tables below show a detailed division of IBPS SO Prelims marks distinction according to the topics in the exams.

Serial No.

Sections

No. of Questions

Total Marks

Duration

1

Reasoning

50

50

40 minutes

2

English Language

50

25

40 minutes

3

General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry

50

50

40 minutes

Total

NA

150

125

120 minutes

This table provides below the exam pattern for the positions of Specialist Officers, including Agriculture Field Officer, Marketing Officer (Scale I), HR/Personnel Officer, and IT Officer Scale I.

Serial No

Section

No. of Questions

Total Marks

Duration

1

Reasoning

50

50

40 minutes

2

English Language

50

25

40 minutes

3

Quantitative Aptitude

50

50

40 minutes

Total

NA

150

125

120 minutes

IBPS SO 2021 Exam Analysis

The IBPS SO 2021 recruitment process consisted of two phases: the Online Preliminary and Online Main exams. The 1st and 2nd shifts of IBPS SO Prelims 2021 took place on December 26, 2021, while the mains were conducted on January 30, 2022. Based on the candidates' feedback, it was reported that both the IBPS SO Prelims and the Main Exam had a moderate difficulty level. 

This recruitment drive aimed to fill a total of 1,828 Scale I Specialist Officer (SO) positions across 11 participating Public Sector Banks as part of the CRP SPL-XI. These Specialist Officer positions encompassed roles such as IT Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, Agricultural Field Officer, Law Officer, Marketing Officer, and HR/Personnel Officer. 

Read on as we provide an analysis of the IBPS SO Prelims and Mains Exam, including an overview of the Exam Pattern, good attempts, and a detailed section-wise analysis. Refer to the tables below to understand the difficult levels of IBPS SO 2021 Prelims and Main Exams.

The Overall difficulty level was reported to be ‘moderate’ by candidates who appeared for the exam. The table covers the overall difficulty level in IBPS SO Prelims Shift 1 and 2.

IBPS SO 2021 Prelims Shift 1 Exam Analysis

Sections

Good Attempts

Difficulty Level

English Language

22-24

Moderate

Reasoning Ability

33-37

Moderate

Quantitative Aptitude

32-34

Moderate

Total

88-96

Moderate

IBPS SO 2021 Prelims Shift 2 Exam Analysis

Subjects

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

English Language

Easy-moderate

34-37

Reasoning

Moderate

28-34

Quantitative Aptitude

Moderate

33-38

Overall

Moderate

95-109

There are two distinct patterns for the IBPS SO preliminary examination, each tailored to different job posts. To successfully pass the IBPS SO 2021 preliminary exam, candidates are required to meet the sectional cutoff for all sections. Furthermore, the mains examination also follows a dual-type format.

IBPS SO 2021: Exam Pattern Prelims

The exam pattern for the post of Rajbhasha Adhikari:

S.No.

Name of Tests

No. of Questions

Maximum Marks

Medium of Exam

Duration

1

English Language

50

25

English

40 minutes

2

Reasoning

50

50

English & Hindi

40 minutes

3

General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry

50

50

English & Hindi

40 minutes

Total

150

125

120 minutes

The exam pattern for the post of IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer:

S.No.

Name of Tests

No. of Questions

Maximum Marks

Medium of Exam

Duration

1

English Language

50

25

English

40 minutes

2

Reasoning

50

50

English & Hindi

40 minutes

3

Quantitative Aptitude

50

50

English & Hindi

40 minutes

Total

150

125

120 minutes

IBPS SO 2021: Mains Exam Pattern

The mains exam pattern for the remaining posts of Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer:

Sr. No.

Name of Tests

No. of Questions

Maximum Marks

Medium of Exam

Duration

1

Professional Knowledge

60

60

English & Hindi

45 minutes

Mains Exam Pattern for the post of Rajbhasha Adhikari:

Sr. No.

Name of Tests

No. of Questions

Maximum Marks

Medium of Exam

Duration

1

Professional Knowledge (Objective)

45

60

English & Hindi

30 minutes

2

Professional Knowledge (Descriptive)

2

English & Hindi

30 minutes

The above tables provide a clear breakdown of the IBPS SO 2021 Prelims and Mains Exam patterns for different posts, including the number of questions, maximum marks, medium of the exam, and duration.

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FAQs about IBPS SO Exam Analysis

What is the IBPS SO Exam, and when is it conducted?

The IBPS SO Exam is conducted annually by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) to recruit Specialist Officers for various positions in India's public sector banks. The Preliminary Exam for 2023 is scheduled for December 30-31, 2023, and the Main Exam will take place on January 28, 2024.

 

Why is it important to analyze the IBPS SO exams from previous years?

Analyzing previous years' IBPS SO exams helps candidates understand the difficulty levels, question patterns, and overall exam structure. This analysis provides valuable insights for formulating effective study strategies and preparing for the upcoming IBPS SO 2023 examination.

 

What positions were available in the IBPS SO 2021 recruitment drive?

In the IBPS SO 2021 recruitment drive, there were 1,828 Specialist Officer positions available across 11 participating Public Sector Banks. These positions included IT Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, Agricultural Field Officer, Law Officer, Marketing Officer, and HR/Personnel Officer.

 

What was the difficulty level of the IBPS SO 2021 Prelims and Mains exams?

Candidates reported that both the IBPS SO Prelims and Mains exams in 2021 had a moderate difficulty level. For specific difficulty levels for each section, you can refer to the article.

 

What was the difficulty level of the IBPS SO 2022 Prelims and Mains exams?

The IBPS SO 2022 Prelims exam in Shift 1 was assessed as having a moderate difficulty level, with an estimated range of 88-96 for overall good attempts. The article provides a detailed analysis of the difficulty levels for each section.

 

 

How can candidates prepare for the IBPS SO 2023 examination effectively?

To prepare effectively for the IBPS SO 2023 exam, candidates should analyze the difficulty levels and patterns of previous years' exams, as provided in the article. They should also refer to the detailed exam patterns and tailor their preparation strategies accordingly.

 

 

What are the key highlights of the IBPS SO 2023 examination?

Key highlights of the IBPS SO 2023 examination include the conducting body (IBPS), participating institutes, application mode (online), examination mode (online/computer-based), and the official website (www.ibps.in). Candidates should stay updated with these details for a smooth application process.

 

How can candidates increase their chances of success in the IBPS SO 2023 examination?

Candidates can increase their chances of success in the IBPS SO 2023 examination by utilizing insights from previous years' exam analyses, understanding the exam patterns, and formulating a comprehensive study plan. Staying updated with official notifications and deadlines is also crucial.

 

Where can I find more information about the IBPS SO 2023 examination?

For more information about the IBPS SO 2023 examination, including official notifications, application procedures, and updates, you can visit the official website of IBPS at www.ibps.in and refer to reputable sources for exam preparation materials and guidance.

 

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