The IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025 was held on 4th and 5th October across multiple shifts, with thousands of aspirants testing their skills in one of India’s most competitive banking exams. Each shift brought its own set of challenges, and understanding the pattern, difficulty level, and important topics is crucial for both current and future aspirants.
In this article, we bring you a complete analysis of all four shifts of the exam, combining insights from Shift 1, 2, 3, and 4. Our goal is to make this analysis practical, easy to read, and aspirant-friendly, so you can clearly understand:
- How the difficulty level varied across shifts.
- Which topics in Reasoning, Numerical Ability, and English were emphasized.
- Common tricky questions and areas where students often lost marks.
- Smart strategies to manage time, avoid mistakes, and maximize your score.
By consolidating all shifts, this analysis will help you get a realistic view of the exam, plan your preparation better, and feel more confident while attempting upcoming banking exams like RRB, SBI Clerk, or RBI Grade B.
Whether you appeared for the exam or are preparing for future attempts, this all-shifts review from Sankalp Institute is designed to save your time, guide your focus, and boost your preparation strategy.
The IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025, Shift 1 Exam Analysis to help aspirants understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and important topics to focus on.
Overall Difficulty Level – Shift 1
Based on feedback from students who appeared in Shift 1:
- Overall Exam: Easy to Moderate
- Reasoning Ability: Easy
- Numerical Ability: Moderate
- English Language: Easy to Moderate
Observation: The first shift was reported to be slightly easier than later shifts, but candidates needed good time management to attempt all questions comfortably.
Section-wise Analysis
Reasoning Ability
The Reasoning section was straightforward for most students, with a mix of puzzles and basic logic questions.
| Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Floor-based Puzzle (Persons) | 5 |
| Square-based Seating Arrangement | 5 |
| Certain Number of Persons Seating Arrangement | 3 |
| Floor & Flat-based Puzzle | 5 |
| Inequalities | 3 |
| Word-based | 2 |
| Mix Series (Letter, Number, Symbol) | 4 |
| Direction & Distance | 3 |
| Syllogism | 3 |
| Pair Formation | 1 |
| Meaningful Words | 1 |
| Total | 35 |
Key Takeaway: Students found puzzles simple but time-taking. Syllogism and direction-distance questions were moderate.
Numerical Ability
The Quant section had a mix of calculation-based and DI questions:
| Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Simplification | 11 |
| Arithmetic (SI, CI, Average, Partnership, etc.) | 12 |
| Missing Number Series | 2 |
| Table DI | 5 |
| Bar Graph DI | 5 |
| Total | 35 |
Observation: Students reported arithmetic questions were slightly tricky, while DI was moderate and manageable.
English Language
The English section was easy to attempt for students with regular reading and grammar practice:
| Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension (Fictional) | 9 |
| Error Detection | 5 |
| Single Fillers | 3 |
| Misspelt Words | 5 |
| Para Jumble (A-F) | 5 |
| Column-based | 3 |
| Total | 30 |
Observation: RC passages were short and direct, while Para Jumble required logical sequencing.
FAQs
Q1: What was the overall difficulty level for Shift 1?
A: Easy to Moderate
Q2: How many questions were there in total?
A: 100 Questions – 35 Reasoning, 35 Quant, 30 English
Q3: What is the total exam duration?
A: 60 minutes
Q4: Was Shift 1 easier than later shifts?
A: Yes, most students reported Shift 1 as slightly easier compared to Shift 2 and 3.
Conclusion:
Shift 1 of IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025 was balanced and slightly easier than other shifts. Candidates who managed time effectively and focused on puzzles, DI, and grammar performed well.
IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025 – Shift 2 Exam Analysis
Overall Difficulty Level – Shift 2
Based on feedback from students who appeared in Shift 2:
- Overall Exam: Moderate
- Reasoning Ability: Easy to Moderate
- Numerical Ability: Moderate
- English Language: Easy
Observation: Shift 2 was reported to be slightly tougher than Shift 1, especially in the Quant section, while English remained manageable.
Section-wise Analysis
Reasoning Ability
The Reasoning section included puzzles, seating arrangements, and basic logical questions.
| Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Floor-based Puzzle (Persons) | 5 |
| Square-based Seating Arrangement | 5 |
| Certain Number of Persons Seating Arrangement | 3 |
| Floor & Flat-based Puzzle | 5 |
| Inequalities | 3 |
| Word-based | 1 |
| Mix Series (Letter, Number, Symbol) | 5 |
| Direction & Distance | 3 |
| Syllogism | 3 |
| Pair Formation | 1 |
| Meaningful Words | 1 |
| Total | 35 |
Observation: Most students found floor & flat puzzles slightly tricky, while syllogism and inequalities were straightforward.
Numerical Ability
The Quant section was reported moderate, with a mix of calculation-based and DI questions:
| Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Simplification | 11 |
| Arithmetic (SI, CI, Average, Partnership, etc.) | 12 |
| Missing Number Series | 2 |
| Table DI | 5 |
| Bar Graph DI | 5 |
| Total | 35 |
Observation: Students needed accuracy in DI calculations. Arithmetic questions were moderately tricky, requiring careful attention.
English Language
The English section was relatively easy, with a mix of comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary:
| Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension (Fictional) | 8 |
| Error Detection | 5 |
| Single Fillers | 4 |
| Misspelt Words | 5 |
| Para Jumble (A-F) | 5 |
| Column-based | 3 |
| Total | 30 |
Observation: Reading Comprehension passages were short, and Para Jumble required logical sequencing.
FAQs
Q1: What was the overall difficulty level for Shift 2?
A: Moderate
Q2: How many questions were there in total?
A: 100 Questions – 35 Reasoning, 35 Quant, 30 English
Q3: What is the total exam duration?
A: 60 minutes
Q4: Was Shift 2 harder than Shift 1?
A: Yes, mainly due to Quant section being slightly more time-consuming.
Conclusion:
Shift 2 of IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025 was moderately difficult. Candidates who focused on time management, accuracy, and mock practice performed better.
IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025 – Shift 3 Exam Analysis
Overall Difficulty Level – Shift 3
According to student feedback:
- Overall Exam: Easy to Moderate
- Reasoning Ability: Easy to Moderate
- Numerical Ability: Easy to Moderate
- English Language: Easy to Moderate
The exam was well-balanced, with most questions straightforward but some requiring careful calculation and logical reasoning.
Section-wise Analysis
Reasoning Ability
The Reasoning section is crucial for clearing the prelims. Based on student reports, the Shift 3 reasoning section had the following pattern:
| Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Floor-based Puzzle (Persons) | 5 |
| Square-based Seating Arrangement | 5 |
| Certain Number of Persons Seating Arrangement | 3 |
| Floor & Flat-based Puzzle | 5 |
| Inequalities | 3 |
| Word-based | 1 |
| Mix Series (Letter, Number, Symbol) | 5 |
| Direction & Distance | 3 |
| Syllogism | 3 |
| Pair Formation | 1 |
| Meaningful Words | 1 |
| Total | 35 |
Observation: Students found puzzles and mix series questions slightly time-consuming, but overall manageable.
Numerical Ability
The Quant section was Easy to Moderate with a mix of calculation-based and DI questions:
| Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Simplification | 12 |
| Arithmetic (SI, CI, Boat & Stream, Average, Partnership etc.) | 11 |
| Missing Number Series | 2 |
| Table DI | 5 |
| Bar Graph DI | 5 |
| Total | 35 |
Observation: Students reported that simplification and arithmetic were straightforward, while DI required careful calculation.
English Language
The English section was generally easy for students familiar with reading comprehension and grammar:
| Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension (Fictional) | 10 |
| Error Detection | 5 |
| Single Fillers | 3 |
| Misspelt Words | 5 |
| Para Jumble (A-F) | 5 |
| Column-based | 3 |
| Total | 30 |
Observation: Reading Comprehension was short and direct, while Para Jumble required logical sequencing.
FAQs
Q1: What was the overall difficulty level for Shift 3?
A: Easy to Moderate
Q2: What are the main sections in IBPS Clerk Prelims?
A: Reasoning Ability, Numerical Ability, English Language
Q3: How many questions were there in total?
A: 100 Questions – 35 Reasoning, 35 Quant, 30 English
Q4: How much time is given for the prelims?
A: 60 minutes
Q5: How many shifts were conducted?
A: 4 shifts across India on 4th and 5th October 2025
Conclusion:
Shift 3 of IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025 was balanced with easy to moderate difficulty. Aspirants should focus on time management, practice of puzzles, DI, and grammar for best performance in upcoming shifts.
Stay tuned to Sankalp Institute for detailed exam analyses of all shifts, preparation tips, and mock tests.
IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025 – Shift 4 Exam Analysis
The final shift of IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025 was conducted on 5th October across India. Here, we present the Shift 4 Exam Analysis to help aspirants understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and key topics.
Overall Difficulty Level – Shift 4
Based on student feedback:
- Overall Exam: Moderate
- Reasoning Ability: Easy to Moderate
- Numerical Ability: Moderate
- English Language: Easy to Moderate
Observation: Shift 4 was similar in pattern to Shift 3, with slightly more tricky Quant questions. Reasoning and English sections remained manageable.
Section-wise Analysis
Reasoning Ability
The Reasoning section had puzzles, seating arrangements, and logical questions.
| Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Floor-based Puzzle (Persons) | 5 |
| Square-based Seating Arrangement | 5 |
| Certain Number of Persons Seating Arrangement | 3 |
| Floor & Flat-based Puzzle | 5 |
| Inequalities | 3 |
| Word-based | 1 |
| Mix Series (Letter, Number, Symbol) | 5 |
| Direction & Distance | 3 |
| Syllogism | 3 |
| Pair Formation | 1 |
| Meaningful Words | 1 |
| Total | 35 |
Observation: Puzzles were slightly tricky, but overall solvable within 15–20 minutes with practice.
Numerical Ability
The Quant section was reported moderate, with a focus on calculation and DI:
| Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Simplification | 11 |
| Arithmetic (SI, CI, Average, Partnership, Boat & Stream, etc.) | 12 |
| Missing Number Series | 2 |
| Table DI | 5 |
| Bar Graph DI | 5 |
| Total | 35 |
Observation: DI and arithmetic required accuracy and speed, making Quant the most time-consuming section for Shift 4.
English Language
The English section was easy to attempt, with RC, grammar, and vocabulary:
| Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension (Fictional) | 8 |
| Error Detection | 5 |
| Single Fillers | 4 |
| Misspelt Words | 5 |
| Para Jumble (A-F) | 5 |
| Column-based | 3 |
| Total | 30 |
Observation: Passages were short and clear, while Para Jumble needed logical sequencing.
FAQs
Q1: What was the overall difficulty level for Shift 4?
A: Moderate
Q2: How many questions were there in total?
A: 100 Questions – 35 Reasoning, 35 Quant, 30 English
Q3: What is the total exam duration?
A: 60 minutes
Q4: Was Shift 4 similar to Shift 3?
A: Yes, pattern and difficulty level were similar, with Quant being slightly trickier.
Conclusion:
Shift 4 of IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025 was balanced with moderate difficulty. Candidates who managed time well and focused on accuracy performed better.
Overall Conclusion
After going through all four shifts of the IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025, one thing became clear — this year’s exam was all about smart practice and time management. The overall paper level stayed between easy to moderate, and students who prepared with consistency found it quite comfortable.
In the English section, most questions were straightforward. Reading comprehension and grammar-based questions dominated, making it an easy scoring area for those with regular reading habits.
The Reasoning section turned out to be the deciding factor again. Puzzles and seating arrangements took most of the time, but those who stayed calm and focused could easily crack it. It was more about accuracy than tricks this time.
Quantitative Aptitude had a mix of simple and moderate-level questions. Simplification, Data Interpretation, and Arithmetic formed the core, testing students’ calculation speed rather than complex formulas.
Overall, IBPS Clerk 2025 felt like an exam designed to check clarity of concepts and presence of mind rather than deep theory. Every shift followed a similar pattern, giving equal opportunity to all candidates.
If you maintained good speed and avoided panic, you’re likely to score well. The expected cutoff should remain close to last year’s range, with minor differences state-wise.
In short, IBPS Clerk 2025 Prelims rewarded calmness, consistency, and clarity — not cramming.