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World MCQ Forum India

IBPS Clerk (CSA) Preliminary syllabus and paper pattern

IBPS Customer Service Associate (CRP-CSA-XVI, clerk) preliminary exam: official test structure, section-wise questions and timing, negative marking and a free 100-question model paper.

MCQs
100
Marks
100
Time
60 min

Official syllabus

Preliminary Examination (Objective Test): 1. English Language – medium English, 30 questions, 30 marks, 20 minutes; 2. Numerical Ability – 35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes; 3. Reasoning Ability – 35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes. Total 100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes (each test separately timed). Candidates have to qualify in each of the three tests by securing cut-off marks to be decided by IBPS. Penalty for wrong answers (applicable to both Online Preliminary and Online Main Examination): for each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate one fourth or 0.25 of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty. If a question is left blank, there will be no penalty for that question.

Source: wording from the official IBPS syllabus document(s) listed below.

Paper sections and what to study

English Language

30%

30 questions, 30 marks, 20 minutes

Numerical Ability

35%

35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes

Reasoning Ability

35%

35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes

Important notes

  • Each question carries one mark, and a wrong answer costs 0.25, the same as our mock test's negative marking setting.
  • Each section has its own 20-minute timer in the real exam. Our model paper uses one 60-minute timer.
  • The Main examination adds General/Financial Awareness, so pair your prelims practice with our Indian Economy and Banking topics.
  • Always read the notification for your own cycle on ibps.in.

Official sources

Checked on 27 October 2026. Always confirm the scheme and syllabus in the official notice or advertisement for your own exam.