• Updated on 3 Oct, 2025 by Souvik
IBPS Clerk Preparation Tips 2025: Candidates preparing for the IBPS Clerk exam should make sure to adopt the right preparation strategy. The exam is conducted in two stages i.e., Prelims and Mains, so the study plan should be designed separately for both. Aspirants must give priority to the Prelims first and then move on to Mains preparation. Having a proper timetable and disciplined study approach is essential to crack the exam. It is important to check the IBPS Clerk syllabus to understand all the topics included and go through the IBPS Clerk exam pattern to know the exam structure clearly. Since the Prelims exam only serves as a qualifying stage, the final merit list is prepared based on marks scored in the Mains exam. Below are some important IBPS Clerk preparation tips to help candidates succeed.
IBPS Clerk Preparation Tips 2025
Preparing for the IBPS Clerk 2025 exam requires candidates to have a clear plan, consistent effort, and smart study techniques. Below are simple and effective tips designed to guide candidates through their preparation journey.
Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Candidates should first familiarize themselves with the IBPS Clerk exam pattern and syllabus for both Prelims and Mains. The exam is held in two stages with different subjects and time limits. Knowing the topics and format helps candidates focus their study efficiently and plan their time well.
Make a Realistic Study Plan
Candidates must create a balanced study timetable that fits their daily schedules. It is important to allocate dedicated time for each subject, English, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness. Setting small daily or weekly goals helps candidates stay on track and maintain consistency throughout their preparation.
Use Quality Study Materials
Candidates should select reliable and updated study materials aligned with the latest syllabus and exam pattern. Referring to previous years’ question papers and mock tests is helpful for understanding question formats and difficulty levels. Avoid using too many different sources to prevent confusion and distractions.
Strengthen Each Subject
- English: Candidates need to focus on improving reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and sentence correction. Regular practice of cloze tests and error spotting is recommended.
- Reasoning: Daily practice of puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding, inequalities, and syllogisms will help candidates improve speed and accuracy.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Candidates should build a strong foundation in basic arithmetic, simplification, number series, data interpretation, and quadratic equations.
- General Awareness: Staying updated on banking, economic news, and current affairs through daily reading is essential for scoring well.
Practice Mock Tests Regularly
Mock tests are crucial for candidates to simulate real exam conditions. Candidates should start taking sectional mock tests after completing topics and gradually move to full-length tests. Regular analysis of mock tests helps identify weak areas, improve time management, and build confidence.
Focus on Time Management
With sectional timing applied in both Prelims and Mains, candidates must learn to manage time effectively during the exam. Practicing solving questions within time limits and mastering shortcuts for calculations can help increase speed while maintaining accuracy, reducing the chances of negative marking.
Revise Frequently
Frequent revision helps candidates retain concepts and strengthens memory. Candidates should use their notes for quick reviews and revisit important problems regularly. Closer to the exam, revision and mock tests should get priority over learning new topics.
Maintain Health and Positivity
Good physical and mental health supports better concentration and learning. Candidates should ensure they eat balanced meals, get enough sleep, and take breaks to refresh their minds during study sessions. Positive thinking and motivation are essential to overcome stress and stay focused.
Last Month Strategy
In the final month before the exam, candidates should increase the frequency of mock tests and focus more on improvement areas. Starting new topics should be avoided. Instead, candidates must revise thoroughly and focus on current affairs quizzes to sharpen general awareness.
Exam Day Tips
Candidates should reach the exam center early and stay calm. Reading instructions carefully and managing time during the exam is critical. Candidates are advised to begin with sections they are most confident in to build momentum. Difficult questions should not be dwelled on too long; candidates can move ahead and return if time permits.
IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Preparation Tips
IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam 2025 is an important first step that candidates must clear to move to the mains exam. It lasts 60 minutes and has three sections: English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. Here are some simple and effective preparation tips for candidates to score well and succeed in this exam.
Understand the Exam Pattern
Candidates should begin by fully understanding the prelims exam pattern. There are 100 questions total: 30 in English, 35 in Numerical Ability, and 35 in Reasoning. Each section has 20 minutes, and each question carries 1 mark. Be aware that 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer.
Make a Detailed Study Plan
A well-organized study plan is essential. Divide daily or weekly hours to focus on each section equally. Candidates should allocate extra time to weak areas while not neglecting strengths. Planning helps assure all topics get covered before the exam date.
Practice Time Management
Since each section has only 20 minutes, candidates must practice completing questions within this strict timing. Use timers while solving practice papers to build speed and accuracy. Mastering time management reduces stress on exam day.
Strengthen English Language Skills
Focus on reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and sentence correction. Daily reading of newspapers or simple English articles can improve understanding. Solve previous years’ papers and mock tests to become familiar with question types.
Build Numerical Ability Fundamentals
Work on basic arithmetic topics such as simplification, number series, percentages, ratio and proportion, and data interpretation. Regular practice improves calculation speed and problem-solving skills, both vital for this section.
Enhance Reasoning Ability
Practice puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding, inequalities, and syllogisms regularly. Logical thinking comes with practice, so solving diverse reasoning problems sharpens skills.
Take Mock Tests Regularly
Mock tests simulate the real exam environment. Candidates should take weekly full-length tests after covering the syllabus. Reviewing mistakes and understanding weak points help improve over time.
Focus on Accuracy
Due to negative marking, blind guessing can reduce scores. Candidates should attempt questions only when reasonably sure of answers and avoid random guesses. Accuracy improves the overall score alongside speed.
Revise Important Topics Often
Revising formulas, shortcuts, vocabulary, and common reasoning tricks frequently helps retention. Use short notes or flashcards for quick last-minute revision.
Stay Healthy and Positive
Good physical and mental health boosts concentration and performance. Candidates should maintain proper sleep, eat healthy, and take breaks during study to avoid burnout.
IBPS Clerk Mains Preparation Tips 2025
IBPS Clerk Mains Exam 2025 is the final and most important stage to secure a clerical job in banks. Candidates should prepare smartly to cover four sections within 120 minutes: Reasoning Ability, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and General/Financial Awareness. Here are simple and focused tips especially for mains preparation.
1. Know the Revised Exam Pattern
Candidates must understand that the mains exam now has 155 questions for 200 marks, with sectional timings: Reasoning (40 Qs, 35 minutes), English (40 Qs, 35 minutes), Quantitative Aptitude (35 Qs, 30 minutes), and General Awareness (40 Qs, 20 minutes). Time management is crucial because every section has its own fixed time.
2. Focus on General/Financial Awareness
This section is new and important for mains only. Candidates should daily follow banking news, economic updates, and current affairs. Make concise notes to quickly revise topics like bank schemes, RBI policies, and important events. Regular reading boosts confidence and scoring in this less-practiced area.
3. Strengthen Reasoning Ability
Reasoning in mains covers puzzles, seating arrangement, coding-decoding, inequalities, and basic computer knowledge. Practice a variety of reasoning puzzles and problems, especially with updated computer-related questions on MS Office, networking, and hardware basics. Regular practice sharpens logical thinking and improves speed.
4. Improve English Skills
Candidates need accuracy in English comprehension, grammar, fill in the blanks, and vocabulary. Reading editorials and practicing comprehension improves understanding. Focus on grammar rules and common mistake types. Attempting sectional mocks enhances speed and identifies weak points.
5. Refine Quantitative Aptitude
Focus on topics like data interpretation, number series, simplification, interest, average, ratio-proportion, and quadratic equations. Practicing previous years’ questions and mock tests will improve accuracy and help solve questions quickly. Learn shortcut methods for calculations to save time.
6. Take Sectional Timed Practice
Since each section has specific timing, practicing full-length mocks with sectional limits trains candidates to allocate time wisely and maintain accuracy across all sections.
7. Avoid Negative Marking
Each wrong answer deducts 0.25 marks, so candidates should avoid guesswork. Attempt questions only when confident after eliminating wrong options to maximize scores.
8. Revision is Key
Make short notes for all sections, especially general awareness and formulas for quantitative aptitude. Regular revision solidifies concepts and improves recall speed during the exam.
9. Solve Previous Year Papers
Going through questions from earlier mains exams familiarizes candidates with difficulty level and question style, helping develop an effective approach.
10. Stay Healthy and Confident
Good sleep, a balanced diet, and relaxation techniques help keep the mind fresh. Confidence reduces exam stress and improves performance on test day.
IBPS Clerk Subject-wise Preparation Tips 2025
Preparing for the IBPS Clerk Exam 2025 requires strong focus on each subject with strategies tailored for the exam's unique pattern and syllabus. Here are clear, subject-wise tips using simple words and sentences to help candidates prepare effectively.
1. Reasoning Ability
Reasoning Ability tests a candidate’s logic and problem-solving skill. For IBPS Clerk 2025, focus on puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding, syllogisms, inequalities, and direction sense. Practice different puzzles daily to improve speed and accuracy. Since the mains exam also includes basic computer knowledge, practice questions on MS Office, networking basics, internet terms, and computer hardware/software to score well. Solve mock sets regularly to get used to question patterns and sectional timings.
2. Quantitative Aptitude
This section measures numerical ability and problem solving. Concentrate on topics like simplification, number series, data interpretation, percentages, profit and loss, ratio and proportion, averages, and quadratic equations. Learn shortcut methods to solve questions faster. Work on accuracy to avoid negative marking. For mains, data interpretation gets heavier weightage, so practice tables, pie charts, line graphs regularly. Time yourself while practicing to manage the 30 minutes allocated in mains.
3. English Language
English tests grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Strengthen basics such as tenses, subject-verb agreement, error spotting, and sentence rearrangement. Read newspapers and short articles daily to build your comprehension and vocabulary. Practice previous year question papers and mock tests to improve reading speed and accuracy. Focus on understanding the question pattern of the IBPS Clerk exam, especially in reading comprehension and fill-in-the-blanks.
4. General/Financial Awareness
This section is included in the mains exam and tests awareness of current affairs, banking, and economic news. Candidates should read daily banking updates, RBI schemes, financial terms, and latest government economic policies. Make brief notes of important events and revise them regularly to retain. Watch monthly current affairs videos or follow reliable news portals focused on banking awareness. This section is scoring for those who prepare consistently.
5. Computer Knowledge (Mains Reasoning & Computer Aptitude)
The mains exam includes questions on basic computer knowledge merged with reasoning. Cover topics such as hardware and software basics, operating systems, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), internet terms, computer memory, and networking fundamentals. Practicing these questions improves overall scores. Use online quizzes and tutorials to familiarize with practical computer concepts, which help save time in the exam.
Additional Tips
- Mock Tests and Previous Papers: Regularly attempt full-length mock tests for both prelims and mains to simulate the real exam environment. Analyze mistakes to improve weak sections.
- Time Management: Each section has a fixed time in mains; practicing with a timer helps in allocating time wisely and avoiding last-minute rush.
- Balanced Preparation: Do not focus too much on only one or two subjects. Balance your time to cover each subject as per its weight in the exam.
- Revision is Vital: Use short notes for quick revision before exams. Revisiting formulas, vocabulary, and important facts boosts confidence.
- Accuracy Over Guessing: Negative marking is applicable in both prelims and mains, so avoid guesswork and answer only when reasonably sure.
How to Prepare for IBPS Clerk Exam in 1 Month?
Preparing for the IBPS Clerk exam in just one month needs focus, dedication, and the right study plan. By breaking down the preparation week by week, candidates can cover important topics efficiently and improve their chances of success.
Week 1: Understand and Build Basics
In the first week, candidates should focus on understanding the exam pattern and building strong basics in all subjects. This foundation is crucial to tackle more complex problems later on.
- Get familiar with the exam pattern and syllabus for Prelims and Mains.
- Study the basics of English grammar, reading comprehension, and vocabulary.
- Practice fundamental numerical topics like simplification, number systems, and basic arithmetic.
- Solve easy reasoning puzzles and coding-decoding problems to get comfortable.
- Start reading daily banking and current affairs news for general awareness.
- Solve previous years’ easy questions to boost confidence.
2: Practice and Increase Speed
In week two, candidates should shift to practicing more questions and improving speed and accuracy. Time management during this phase will help get accustomed to the exam environment.
- Practice moderate-level questions in English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.
- Use timers to solve section-wise questions within the allocated time limits.
- Focus on reading comprehension and sentence improvement exercises in English.
- Solve seating arrangement puzzles, inequalities, and number series regularly.
- Learn shortcut tricks and formulas for faster calculations.
- Continue following banking news and make notes for revision.
Week 3: Take Mock Tests and Find Weaknesses
This week is critical for self-assessment. Mock tests provide insights into strengths and weaknesses, allowing targeted improvements. Candidates should analyze their errors carefully.
- Take full-length mock tests under exam-like conditions.
- Identify weak areas and allocate extra time to improve them.
- Practice difficult reasoning puzzles and advanced quantitative problems.
- Revise grammar rules and vocabulary for English.
- Update general awareness notes with recent banking and economic events.
- Review and solve previous years’ question papers for mains exam insights.
Week 4: Revision and Final Touches
In the last week, candidates should focus on revising important topics and improving accuracy and speed. Avoid adding new material to reduce stress before the exam.
- Revise all important formulas, vocabulary, and reasoning tricks.
- Take 2-3 full-length mock tests and review mistakes quickly.
- Solve previous year question papers to familiarize exam structure.
- Focus on accuracy to avoid negative marking.
- Stay healthy, get enough rest, and maintain a positive mindset.
- Plan exam day strategy, like starting with strongest sections first.
IBPS Clerk Preparation Tips 2025 FAQs
What is the first step for IBPS Clerk preparation?
The first step for IBPS Clerk preparation is to understand the syllabus and exam pattern. Candidates should check all the subjects and topics given for both Prelims and Mains. Knowing the structure of the paper helps in planning the study schedule. Once candidates know the syllabus, they can divide study hours accordingly. A clear idea of what to prepare first makes preparation easier and saves valuable time.
How should candidates plan their study schedule?
Candidates should make a daily study timetable and follow it strictly. The timetable should include all subjects, with more time for weaker areas. Short breaks can be added to maintain focus. Regular revision time must be included, along with practice for mock tests. A balanced schedule helps cover the syllabus fully and leaves enough time for improvement before the exam.
Why is it important to start with Prelims preparation first?
Prelims is the first stage of the IBPS Clerk exam and is qualifying in nature. Candidates need to clear it to move to the Mains exam. Starting with Prelims helps in building basic speed and accuracy. Once candidates are confident with Prelims topics, they can devote time to Mains, which has more sections and higher difficulty. This phased approach increases chances of success.
How should candidates prepare for the English Language section?
Candidates should read newspapers and magazines daily to improve vocabulary and grammar. Practicing comprehension and error detection questions is very useful. Keeping a notebook of new words and meanings can help revision. Candidates should also solve practice papers for sentence improvement and fill-in-the-blank exercises. Continuous reading and practice build speed for answering English questions quickly and correctly.
What is the best way to improve reasoning skills for IBPS Clerk?
Candidates can improve reasoning skills by solving puzzles and reasoning questions daily. Important topics include seating arrangement, syllogism, coding-decoding, and blood relations. Starting from easy questions builds confidence, then candidates can try moderate and difficult ones. Using previous year papers helps understand question patterns. Consistent practice increases accuracy and reduces time spent in solving reasoning questions during the exam.
How can candidates improve their Quantitative Aptitude?
For Quantitative Aptitude, candidates should first learn formulas for key topics like simplification, percentages, ratio, interest, and time work. Then they should practice lots of questions to apply these formulas. Working on speed calculation is important. Candidates should take sectional tests to identify weak areas. Regular practice will help reduce mistakes and improve speed in numerical problem solving.
Why is solving mock tests important for IBPS Clerk?
Mock tests help candidates practice under real exam conditions. They show the level of preparation for each section. Candidates can understand how much time they spend per question and can improve time management skills. Checking wrong answers helps learn from mistakes. Regular mock test practice is one of the best ways to build confidence before the actual exam.
How should candidates revise before the exam?
Candidates should start revision at least two weeks before the exam. They should go through all the key topics and formulas. Solving short quizzes and previous year papers will strengthen memory. It is important to revise weaker areas and ensure no topic is left out. A well-planned revision boosts confidence and ensures better performance in the exam.
How can candidates manage time in the IBPS Clerk exam?
Time management starts during preparation. Candidates should practice sectional tests and mock exams within the given time limits. In the real exam, they must avoid spending too long on difficult questions. First, attempt easier questions from each section and then move to harder ones. By improving speed and accuracy in practice, candidates can manage exam time effectively.
What study material should candidates use?
Candidates should choose standard books for each subject like R.S. Aggarwal for Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning, and good grammar books for English. Online quizzes and mock test platforms are helpful. They should also use previous year papers for practice. Reliable study material ensures correct understanding of topics and improves chances of scoring well in both Prelims and Mains.
Can candidates prepare for IBPS Clerk without coaching?
Yes, candidates can prepare without coaching by making a strong self-study plan. They should use standard books, online materials, and mock tests to cover the syllabus. Discipline and consistency are key to success. Solving previous year question papers is important. Without coaching, candidates must ensure they stay motivated and manage time wisely during preparation.
How important is current affairs for IBPS Clerk Mains?
Current affairs is very important for the General Awareness section. Candidates should read newspapers daily and follow monthly current affairs magazines. Topics like banking news, economy updates, and national events must be covered. Keeping notes of important facts helps during revision. Good preparation in current affairs can greatly improve scores in Mains and boost overall rank.
How can candidates stay motivated during preparation?
Candidates should set small goals and celebrate achievements along the way. Taking breaks for hobbies or light exercise can reduce stress. Studying with a friend or in a group can make preparation more engaging. Reminding themselves of the goal to clear IBPS Clerk keeps the focus strong. Positive thinking and discipline help maintain motivation through the preparation period.
When should candidates start IBPS Clerk preparation?
Candidates should ideally start preparation at least 6–8 months before the exam. This allows enough time to cover all topics for both Prelims and Mains. Early preparation also helps in building speed and accuracy through consistent practice. Candidates who start early can revise more effectively and feel less pressure as the exam date approaches.
What are common mistakes candidates should avoid in IBPS Clerk preparation?
Common mistakes include ignoring weaker subjects, avoiding mock tests, and not revising regularly. Candidates may also waste time on topics not in the syllabus. Lack of time management and overconfidence can affect performance. The best approach is to balance all subjects, practice consistently, and check progress regularly to avoid these mistakes during preparation.