IBPS SO (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Specialist Officer Exam) is conducted every year for selection to several scale I officer posts in public sector banks. The test will be conducted in online mode. IBPS SO Exam Pattern will vary for different posts.
Also check- IBPS SO Application Process
Exam Pattern Highlights | |
Exam Mode | Online |
Number of Papers | 2 (Prelims and Mains) |
Number of Sections | Prelims - 3 sections, Mains - 2 sections |
Question Paper Type | Objective type MCQs |
IBPS SO Total marks | Prelims- 125 marks Mains- 60 Marks |
Exam Duration | 2 hours each |
Exam language | Hindi and English |
Also, check the IBPS Exam Calendar for 2021-22
IBPS SO will comprise 2 tiers for selection namely Prelims and the Mains. Both the tests are computer-based objective-type questions primarily. Here is the section-wise distribution of questions in IBPS SO Prelims and Mains.
Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Medium of Exam |
---|---|---|
English Language | 50 | English |
Reasoning | 50 | English and Hindi |
General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry/ Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | English and Hindi |
Note: Candidates applying for Rajbhasha Adhikari and Law Officers need to attempt the General Awareness section.
Also Practice IBPS SO 2021 Prelims Sample Papers for free during your IBPS SO Preparation Time
For Law Officer, Marketing Officer, Agriculture Field Officer HR/Personnel Officer, and IT Officer Scale 1 (Mains)
Name of the Test | No. of Questions | Medium of Exam |
---|---|---|
Professional Knowledge | 60 | English & Hindi |
Name of the Test | No. of Questions | Medium of Exam |
---|---|---|
Professional Knowledge (Objective) | 45 | English & Hindi |
Professional Knowledge (Descriptive) | 2 | English & Hindi |
As the exam for IBPS SO 2021 is conducted in 2 parts, the marking scheme for both of their papers is also different.
Paper Number- | Sections | Number of Questions | For Correct Response | Negative Marking |
---|---|---|---|---|
Paper-1 Post of Rajbhasha Adhikari and Law Officer |
Reasoning | 50 Questions each | 1 mark | 0.25 marks |
English Language | 0.5 mark | |||
General Awareness with special reference to Banking Industry | 1 mark | |||
Paper-2 post of Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer HR/Personnel Officer, and IT Officer Scale 1 |
Reasoning | 50 Questions each | 1 mark | |
English Language | 0.5 mark | |||
Quantitative Aptitude | 1 mark |
The marking scheme for IBPS SO 2021 Mains is mentioned below.
Paper Number | Number of Questions | Marks Allotted | Negative Marking |
---|---|---|---|
Paper-1 (post of Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer HR/Personnel Officer, and IT Officer Scale 1) | 60 | 60 Marks | 0.25 Marks |
Paper -2 (post of Rajbhasha Adhikari) | 45 |
Ques: What kind of questions are asked in Prelims?
Ans: All the questions asked in Prelims are objective in nature.
Ques: Is there a provision for negative marking in IBPS SO?
Ans: Yes, 0.25 or 1/4th of the allotted marks are deducted for every wrong answer in IBPS SO.
Ques: What is the difficulty level of IBPS SO?
Ans: The difficulty level of IBPS SO is moderate.
Ques: Is there a round of Personal Interview after the Mains exams?
Ans: Yes, the candidates who pass the cut-offs of the Mains exam are called for the Personal Interview.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.