Bank Clerk Exams 2026: Exam Pattern & Detailed Syllabus | TargetPDF

1. Overview

The Bank Clerk exams in 2026, conducted by major institutions like IBPS and SBI, aim to recruit candidates for clerical positions in public sector banks. The selection process involves a two‑stage online examination (Prelims and Mains), followed by document verification and provisional allotment.

2. Exam Pattern

Preliminary Exam

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration
English Language	30	30	20 minutes
Numerical Ability	35	35	20 minutes
Reasoning Ability	35	35	20 minutes
Total	100	100	1 Hour

Main Exam

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration
General/Financial Awareness	50	50	35 minutes
General English	40	40	35 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	50	50	45 minutes
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude	50	60	45 minutes
Total	190	200	2 Hours 40 Minutes

Note: Negative marking applies (0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer). Candidates must qualify in each section with minimum cut‑off marks decided by the exam authority.

3. Detailed Syllabus

Prelims

• English Language: Reading Comprehension, Error Detection, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Vocabulary.
• Numerical Ability: Simplification, Data Interpretation, Profit & Loss, Percentage, Time & Work, Speed & Distance.
• Reasoning Ability: Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Coding‑Decoding.

Mains

• General/Financial Awareness: Current Affairs, Banking Awareness, Economic News, Static GK.
• General English: Advanced Reading Comprehension, Sentence Improvement, Idioms & Phrases, Fillers.
• Quantitative Aptitude: Advanced DI, Quadratic Equations, Probability, Mensuration, Number Series.
• Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: Logical Reasoning, Input‑Output, Decision Making, Computer Basics, Networking, MS Office.

4. Preparation Tips

• Focus on speed and accuracy through regular mock tests.
• Strengthen basics in Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning.
• Read newspapers daily for General Awareness and English improvement.
• Practice computer knowledge topics, as they are often overlooked.