The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) successfully conducted the IBPS Clerk Prelims exam on 4th October 2025. Based on extensive feedback from thousands of aspirants, we have compiled a detailed and accurate IBPS Clerk Exam Analysis 2025. This comprehensive review covers the shift-wise difficulty level, section-wise topic breakdown, good attempts, and the expected cut-off, giving you a clear picture of the exam trend.
IBPS Clerk Exam Analysis 2025 (4th Oct) – Overall Highlights
The overall difficulty level of the IBPS Clerk Prelims exam was Easy to Moderate. The Reasoning section was highly scorable across all shifts, while the Numerical Ability section in Shift 3 was reported to be slightly more calculative.
| Section | Overall Difficulty Level | Overall Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | Easy to Moderate | 22–26 |
| Numerical Ability | Moderate | 21–25 |
| Reasoning Ability | Easy to Moderate | 24–29 |
| Overall | Easy to Moderate | 70–77 |
IBPS Clerk Good Attempts 2025 (Shift-Wise)
Here is a quick comparison of the good attempts across the three shifts, reflecting the minor variations in difficulty.
| Aspect | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Difficulty | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate | Moderate |
| Good Attempts | 72-78 | 70-76 | 68-74 |
IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025: Exam Pattern at a Glance
Before analysing each shift, let’s understand the basic structure of the IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam 2025:
- Total Duration: 60 minutes (20 minutes per section)
- Total Questions: 100 (Computer-Based Test)
- Total Marks: 100
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
IBPS Clerk Prelims Section-Wise Analysis 2025 (All Shifts)
This consolidated, topic-wise breakdown for each section makes it easy to compare the paper’s structure across all three shifts.
1. Reasoning Ability Analysis
The Reasoning section was consistently the most scoring area, with a heavy emphasis on Puzzles and Seating Arrangements.
| Topic | No. of Questions (Shift 1) | No. of Questions (Shift 2) | No. of Questions (Shift 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puzzles & Seating Arrangement | 18 | 17 | 20 |
| Syllogism | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Inequality | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Blood Relation | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Alphanumeric Series | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Direction Sense | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 35 | 35 | 35 |
2. Numerical Ability Analysis
This section was rated as moderate, with Simplification and Arithmetic problems being the key focus. The difficulty increased slightly in the final shift.
| Topic | No. of Questions (Shift 1) | No. of Questions (Shift 2) | No. of Questions (Shift 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simplification | 15 | 12 | 10 |
| Number Series (Missing) | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Data Interpretation (DI) | 5 (Bar Graph) | 5 (Table) | 5 (Line Graph) |
| Arithmetic Problems | 10 | 13 | 15 |
| Total | 35 | 35 | 35 |
3. English Language Analysis
The English section was the easiest of the three, focusing on core grammar and comprehension skills.
| Topic | No. of Questions (Shift 1) | No. of Questions (Shift 2) | No. of Questions (Shift 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 10 | 9 | 10 |
| Cloze Test | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Para Jumbles | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Error Spotting | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Word Swap / Misspelt | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Fillers (Single) | 0 | 6 | 5 |
| Total | 30 | 30 | 30 |
Overall IBPS Clerk Exam Analysis 2025 (4th October)
Comparative Analysis of All Three Shifts
| Aspect | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate to Difficult |
| English | Easy to Moderate | Moderate | Moderate to Difficult |
| Numerical Ability | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate | Moderate to Difficult |
| Reasoning | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate | Moderate |
| Good Attempts | 62–73 | 64–73 | 58–69 |
Memory-Based Questions (Based on Student Feedback)
Here are a few questions recalled by candidates to give you an idea of the question types:
- Number Series:
5, 10, 20, 35, 55, ? - Simplification:
$(450 / 3) + 15 \times 5 = ?$ - Reasoning: A circular seating arrangement with 8 people all facing the centre was asked in Shift 1.
- English: The Reading Comprehension in Shift 1 was based on a story about ‘Forest Conservation’.
Key Observations from IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025:
- Balanced Paper: The exam maintained a moderate difficulty level across most sections, ensuring fair assessment.
- Time Management Crucial: With sectional timing of 20 minutes each, candidates needed strategic planning to maximize attempts.
- Reasoning – Scoring Section: Across all shifts, the reasoning ability section emerged as the most scoring, with candidates able to attempt 23-28 questions.
- Numerical Ability – Time Consuming: Data interpretation sets, while manageable, consumed significant time due to calculation intensity.
- English – Moderate Complexity: The English section tested comprehensive grammar knowledge, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.
- No Major Surprises: The IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025 followed the traditional pattern without introducing unexpected question types.
IBPS Clerk Expected Cutoff 2025
This expected cutoff range is based on the analysis of all shifts, the number of vacancies, and the overall performance data from various platforms.
Category-Wise Expected Cutoff:
| Category | Expected Cutoff Range |
|---|---|
| General | 71 – 77 |
| EWS | 70 – 76 |
| OBC | 68 – 74 |
| SC | 63 – 69 |
| ST | 57 – 63 |
Disclaimer: This is an expected cut-off based on analysis. The official cut-off released by IBPS may vary.
Student Reactions and Feedback
Candidates who appeared for the IBPS Clerk shift wise analysis shared varied experiences:
The overall sentiment from students was positive, with most finding the exam fair and balanced.
- Positives:
- The Reasoning section was hailed as the most scoring and manageable part of the paper.
- Reading Comprehension passages were relatable and not overly technical.
- The exam pattern had no major surprises and stuck to the expected format.
- Challenges:
- Time management in Numerical Ability was the biggest hurdle for many.
- The DI and Arithmetic questions in Shift 3 were calculation-intensive, consuming significant time.
Preparation Tips Based on IBPS Clerk Exam Analysis 2025
For Future Aspirants:
- Focus on Speed and Accuracy: Practice solving questions within time limits to improve both speed and precision.
- Master Reasoning Puzzles: Since reasoning is the scoring section, dedicate significant time to mastering various puzzle types.
- Strengthen DI Skills: Regular practice with different types of graphs and tables will help manage time better during the exam.
- Build Vocabulary: Read newspapers, magazines, and quality content daily to enhance vocabulary naturally.
- Solve Mock Tests: Take full-length mock tests simulating actual exam conditions to build stamina and time management skills.
- Sectional Practice: Allocate specific time slots for each section during practice to mirror the actual exam pattern.
- Revision Strategy: Create concise notes of formulas, shortcuts, and important concepts for quick revision.
What’s Next After IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025?
Candidates confident of clearing the cut-off should immediately start preparing for the IBPS Clerk Mains Exam. The mains exam has a higher difficulty level and introduces the crucial section of General/Financial Awareness, which requires consistent preparation.
IBPS Clerk exam analysis 2025 (4th October) Prelims Shift 1, 2 & 3 : Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the overall difficulty level of IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025 held on 4th October?
The IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025 held on 4th October had an overall moderate difficulty level. Shift 1 and Shift 2 were moderate, while Shift 3 was slightly more challenging, particularly in the English and Numerical Ability sections. Candidates who prepared thoroughly found the paper manageable and scoring.
Which section was the most difficult in the IBPS Clerk Prelims exam on 4th October 2025?
The Numerical Ability section was reported as the most challenging across all three shifts, particularly due to time-consuming Data Interpretation sets and calculation-intensive questions. In Shift 3, the English Language section also posed significant challenges with its complex reading comprehension.
What are the good attempts for the IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025 (4th Oct exam)?
An overall attempt of 71-77 questions with high accuracy is considered a good attempt. This may vary slightly depending on the shift and individual accuracy.
What was the theme of the Reading Comprehension (RC) in the English section?
The RC passages were story-based and relatively easy to comprehend. Themes included topics related to environmental conservation and moral stories.
What types of puzzles were asked in the Reasoning Ability section?
The Reasoning section featured standard puzzles, including Linear Seating Arrangements, Circular Seating Arrangements, Day-based puzzles, and Floor-based puzzles.
When can we expect the IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025 result?
Typically, IBPS declares the Prelims result within 2-3 weeks of the examination date. You can expect the results for the 4th October exam by the end of October 2025.
Which shift was the easiest in IBPS Clerk exam on 4th October 2025?
Based on candidate feedback and the IBPS Clerk shift wise analysis, Shift 1 was considered relatively easier, especially the Reasoning Ability section. However, IBPS follows a normalization process to ensure fairness across all shifts, so the difficulty difference won’t significantly impact final scores.
What is the expected cutoff for IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025?
The expected cutoff for General category candidates is between 62-68 marks, while OBC candidates can expect cutoffs around 59-65 marks. SC category cutoff is estimated at 54-60, and ST category at 52-58. These are approximate figures based on exam difficulty and may vary with actual results.
When will IBPS release the official answer key for Clerk Prelims 2025?
IBPS typically releases the official answer key 7-10 days after the examination. Candidates can download the answer key from the official IBPS website (ibps.in) and raise objections if needed within the stipulated time frame, usually 2-3 days.
What documents are required for IBPS Clerk Mains examination?
For IBPS Clerk Mains, candidates must carry their admit card, valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar card, PAN card, Driving License, Voter ID, or Passport), and recent passport-size photographs matching those uploaded in the application form. Ensure all documents are original and clearly readable.
Is there negative marking in IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025?
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect response.
How should I decide which shift’s performance is toughest or easiest?
Compare sectional difficulty, good attempts, and question types across shifts — normalization will account for variation.
Will the cutoff differ between shifts?
Yes. Since the exam is conducted in multiple shifts, normalisation is used to balance differences.
How can this analysis help future aspirants?
It helps understand question trends, sectional weightage, difficulty benchmarks, and time allocation strategies.
How difficult was the Reasoning section?
The Reasoning section was Easy to Moderate and was the most scoring section for a majority of the candidates. Puzzles and Seating Arrangements were straightforward.
Conclusion
The IBPS Clerk Prelims exam on 4th October 2025 was a well-balanced paper that tested candidates on their speed, accuracy, and fundamental concepts. Aspirants who managed their time well, especially in the Numerical Ability section, have a strong chance of clearing the cut-off. For future aspirants, this analysis highlights the importance of mastering puzzles and strengthening arithmetic skills. Best of luck with your results!
Important Official & Reference Links for IBPS Clerk Exam 2025
- Official IBPS Website: https://www.ibps.in – Visit the official IBPS portal to check notifications, answer keys, results, and latest updates.
- Reserve Bank of India – Banking Awareness: https://www.rbi.org.in – Stay updated on RBI policies, monetary decisions, and key financial topics useful for Mains preparation.
- IBPS Clerk Official Notification PDF: Download Official Notification – Verify the complete exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility criteria, and important dates.
- Financial Express – Banking & Finance Section: https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/banking-finance/ – Follow the latest banking news, economic trends, and current affairs relevant for IBPS exam preparation.