The much-awaited IBPS SO Prelims 2025 is finally over. Lakhs of aspirants appeared across two shifts, and now the biggest question in everyone’s mind is – how was the paper?
If you attempted it or are planning for future attempts, here’s a clear breakdown of what candidates experienced in yesterday’s exam.
Overall Difficulty: Moderate And Balanced
This year’s paper was designed in a way that felt fair to most aspirants. Both shifts were almost similar in level – moderate and predictable. No tricky surprises came up, which means anyone who prepared with consistency and proper strategy had a good chance to comfortably clear the cutoff. The paper maintained balance across all sections, giving well-prepared candidates a decent edge.
Also Read: SSC CGL 2025: 30 Lakh Aspirants Stuck in Uncertainty After Exam Confusion
Section-Wise Good Attempts
| Section | Difficulty Level | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | Easy to Moderate | 29–31 |
| Reasoning Ability | Moderate | 26–28 |
| Quantitative Aptitude / GA | Moderate | 25–27 |
| Overall | Moderate | 80–86 |
Exam Pattern Recap
- Total: 150 questions for 125 marks
- Duration: 120 minutes (40 minutes per section)
- Negative Marking: –0.25 for each wrong answer
- Two slots: Morning (9:00–11:00) and Afternoon
The structure varied slightly depending on the post. While IT, HR, Marketing, and Agriculture candidates faced Quantitative Aptitude, Law and Rajbhasha aspirants attempted General Awareness instead.
Section-Wise Analysis
1. English Language (Most Comfortable Section)
Candidates found English the smoothest part of the paper. Straightforward questions and manageable timing worked in their favor.
Topics Asked:
- Reading Comprehension: 16–20 questions (Passages on Lake Elements & Online Gaming)
- Cloze Test: 6 questions
- Error Detection: 5 questions
- Word Rearrangement & Word Swap: 4–5 questions each
2. Reasoning Ability (Time Management Was Key)
Although question types were familiar, this section demanded quick thinking. The main challenge was puzzles and seating arrangements, which consumed more time than expected.
Topics Asked:
- Input-Output (5 questions)
- Blood Relations (5 questions)
- Inequality (5 questions)
- Direction Sense, Coding-Decoding
- Data Sufficiency & Critical Reasoning
3. Quantitative Aptitude / General Awareness (Varied Mix)
- For Quant (IT, HR, Marketing, Agriculture):
- Data Interpretation dominated with 24 questions (Pie Chart, Tables, Line Graphs)
- Arithmetic on basics like Profit & Loss, Boat & Stream
- Approximation and Number Series appeared as expected
- For General Awareness (Law, Rajbhasha):
- Current Affairs: Nobel Prize 2024, Kargil Vijay Diwas
- Banking Awareness: UPI limits, RBI policy rates, Sovereign Gold Bonds
- Sports & Awards: IPL Purple Cap, Filmfare Awards
Expected Cut-Offs (General Category
Based on difficulty and student feedback, here are the expected ranges:
- Overall: 70–80 marks out of 125
- Sectional Cut-Offs:
- English: 8–12 marks
- Reasoning: 15–20 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude / GA: 15–20 marks
(Note: These are estimates; actual cut-offs will depend on number of candidates, vacancies (1007 this year), and overall performance.)
Results & Next Steps
When to Expect Results
IBPS usually releases results within 15–30 days. Candidates can expect their scorecards by mid-to-late September 2025.
How to Check
- Visit www.ibps.in
- Go to “CRP Specialist Officer” section
- Click “Result Status of Online Preliminary Examination”
- Enter Registration Number & Password
- Download and save your scorecard
If You Clear Prelims
Your next challenge is the IBPS SO Mains 2025, scheduled for November 9, 2025. This round is all about professional knowledge, so sharpen your subject expertise early.
Lessons for Future Aspirants
What Worked in 2025:
- Balanced preparation across sections
- Strong basics in reasoning and arithmetic
- Time management and accuracy
Areas to Improve:
- Puzzle-solving speed
- Current affairs (especially banking & finance)
- Data interpretation strategies
Final Word
The IBPS SO Prelims 2025 maintained its reputation as a balanced and fair exam. With 1007 vacancies across IT, Law, HR, Marketing, Agriculture, and Rajbhasha, the competition is stiff but opportunities are plenty.
Whether you’re analyzing your attempt or preparing for the next cycle, remember: banking exams reward consistency. Stay focused, practice regularly, and build both speed and accuracy.
