Customer Service Associate - Preliminary Examination
The Common Recruitment Process for Customer Service Associates, the clerical cadre of participating public sector banks. There is no interview: selection rests on the Mains marks alone.
100 questions · 60 minutes · 100 marks · 0.25 negative marking
IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 0.25 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 0.25 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 35 | 35 | 0.25 |
Eligibility
A degree in any discipline from a recognised University, proficiency in the specified local language of the state or union territory applied for, and computer literacy evidenced by a certificate, diploma or degree in computer operations, or by having studied Computer or Information Technology as a subject.
20 to 28 years, reckoned as on the date stated in the notification. Note this upper limit is lower than the Probationary Officer's.
Selection Process
- Preliminary Examination — 100 questions in 60 minutes across three separately timed 20-minute sections.
- Main Examination — 160 questions for 200 marks in 125 minutes, fully objective with no descriptive paper.
- Local Language Proficiency Test — Held after provisional allotment but before joining. Candidates who produce a class 10 or higher certificate showing they studied the language are exempt.
- Provisional Allotment — Based on Mains marks alone, state-wise against vacancies.
IBPS Clerk Prelims Syllabus
General Intelligence and Reasoning
- Puzzles: floor, box, scheduling, comparison and category-based
- Seating arrangement: linear, double-row, circular and square
- Syllogism
- Inequality
- Coding and decoding
- Blood relations
- Direction and distance
- Order and ranking
- Alphanumeric series
- Alphabet test
- Data sufficiency
- Statement and assumption
- Statement and conclusion
- Logical Venn diagrams
Numerical Ability
- Simplification and approximation
- Number series, missing and wrong term
- Quadratic equations
- Data interpretation: tabular, bar, line, pie and caselet
- Data sufficiency
- Percentage
- Ratio and proportion
- Average
- Problems on ages
- Profit and loss
- Simple and compound interest
- Time and work
- Pipes and cisterns
- Time, speed and distance
- Boats and streams
- Mixture and alligation
- Partnership
- Mensuration
- Permutation, combination and probability
- Number system
English Language
- Reading comprehension
- Cloze test
- Error detection
- Sentence improvement
- Para jumbles
- Single and double fillers
- Word swap
- Column matching
- Para completion
- Phrase replacement
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Idioms and phrases
- Spelling errors
Qualifying Marks
A minimum must be cleared in each preliminary test and each Mains test, plus a minimum total. Cut-offs are decided state-wise and category-wise against vacancies.
Exam Calendar
Based on recent cycles rather than any announcement: notification around June or July, preliminary examination between August and October, Mains between October and January, and provisional allotment around March or April.
IBPS Clerk Prelims FAQs
Is there an interview?
No. Selection ends at the Mains followed by provisional allotment.
Is there sectional timing?
Yes. The preliminary examination allows 20 minutes per section, and the Mains allows 20, 35, 35 and 35 minutes across its four sections.
Can I return to an earlier section?
No. Sections are separately timed and cannot be revisited.
Is there negative marking?
Yes, a quarter of the marks assigned to that question, in both phases.
Does the preliminary score count toward the final merit?
No. Only the Mains marks are used.
Is there a descriptive paper?
No. The Clerk Mains is fully objective.
What is the Local Language Proficiency Test and can I skip it?
It is a test of the local language held after the Mains but before joining. You are exempt if you produce a class 10 or higher certificate showing you studied that language.
Do I need a computer certificate?
Yes. Computer literacy is an essential qualification, satisfied either by a certificate, diploma or degree, or by having studied Computer or Information Technology as a school or college subject.
What is the maximum age?
28 years before relaxation, which is lower than the Probationary Officer limit of 30.
How does this differ from the RRB Office Assistant examination?
The employer differs: public sector banks rather than Regional Rural Banks. The preliminary examination has three sections rather than two, and there is no Computer Knowledge section or language choice in the Mains.