IBPS SO Prelims Exam was conducted on 29th August 2026 in two shifts, and based on candidates’ feedback, we have provided the IBPS SO Prelims Exam Analysis 2026, including the overall difficulty level, section-wise analysis, good attempts, and topic-wise questions asked in the exam. This analysis helps candidates understand the latest trends and identify the most frequently asked topics.
IBPS SO Prelims Exam Analysis 2026
This analysis is based on feedback shared by candidates and questions reported after the exam. IBPS SO Prelims Exam consists of Reasoning, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude/General Awareness, and Professional Knowledge. A total of 100 questions are asked for a total of 125 marks.
The overall Good Attempts of the IBPS SO Prelims 1st shifts Exam is 71 – 81, and Shift 2 is 72 – 80. Difficulty Level is for both shifts is Easy to Moderate. Candidates can check detailed exam analysis, good attempt, difficulty level from here.
What was the IBPS SO Prelims 2026 difficulty level?
The IBPS SO Prelims difficulty level is updated shift-wise after each examination. Candidates can check both the overall difficulty level and the section-wise difficulty level to understand how the paper varied across different shifts.
| Section | Shift 1 | Shift 2 |
| English Language | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate |
| Reasoning | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate |
| General Awareness with Special Reference to the Banking Industry | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate |
| Professional Knowledge | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate |
| Overall | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate |
IBPS SO Prelims Good Attempts: What Should Be Considered a Good Score?
Our faculty has discussed with the candidates who appeared in the exam and has provided a section-wise IBPS SO Prelims Exam Analysis in this below article. The table includes the expected good attempts for each section along with the overall safe attempts based on the exam’s difficulty level.
| Section | Good Attempts (Shift 1) | Good Attempts (Shift 2) |
| English Language | 20 – 23 | 19 – 21 |
| Reasoning | 19 – 22 | 18 – 20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 17 – 19 | 17 – 19 |
| Professional Knowledge | 15 – 17 | — |
| General Awareness | — | 18 – 20 |
| Total | 71 – 81 | 72 – 80 |
The IBPS SO Prelims Section-wise Analysis 2026 provides a shift-wise overview of the questions asked from English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. Scroll down the age to check all details.
IBPS SO Exam Analysis 2026- Reasoning Ability
Questions were asked from Puzzle Box and Seating Arrangement, based on questions as per the candidates’ feedback.
1st Shift
- Box-based Puzzle (8 Boxes, Fruits)- 5 questions
- Seating Arrangement (7 Persons) – 5 questions
- Seating Arrangement (8 Persons) – 5 questions
| Names of the Topics | No. of Questions |
|---|---|
| Puzzle and Seating Arrangement | 15 |
| Syllogism | 3 |
| Blood Relation (8 Persons) | 3 |
| Alphanumeric | 2 |
| Pair Formation | 2 |
| Total | 25 |
2nd Shift
| Name of the Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Missing Number Series | 5 |
| Approximation | 5 |
| Table Data Interpretation | 5 |
| Caselet DI | 2 |
| Arithmetic (Boat, Partnership, Profit & Loss, Mensuration, Train, Time & Work) | 7 |
| Total | 25 |
IBPS SO Prelims Exam Analysis 2026- Quantitative Aptitude
As per the candidate feedback, the Quantitative Aptitude Section is Easy to moderate, and good attempts are 17 – 19. The questions were asked from Arithmetic, Approximation, and DI Bar Graph.
1st Shift
Questions were asked from data interpretation.
- Bar Graph Data – A, B, C, D (Car and Bike)
- Caselet DI (3 Shops) Sold and Unsold
Questions asked from the Arithmetic section
- Income
- Partnership
- Profit and Loss
- Fraction
- Compound Interest
- Average/ Speed and Time
| Name of the Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 7 |
| Approximation | 5 |
| DI Bar Graph | 5 |
| Wrong Number Series | 5 |
| Caselet DI (3 Shops) Sold and Unsold | 3 |
| Total | 25 |
2nd Shift
| Name of the Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Missing Number Series | 5 |
| Approximation | 5 |
| Table Data Interpretation | 5 |
| Caselet DI | 2 |
| Arithmetic (Boat, Partnership, Profit & Loss, Mensuration, Train, Time & Work) | 7 |
| Total | 25 |
IBPS SO Exam Analysis 2026- English Language
In IBPS SO Shift 1, candidates reported questions from reading comprehension, seating arrangement, phrase replacement, spotting error, etc.
| Topics | No. of Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 8 |
| Phrase Replacement | 4 |
| Miss Spelt | 4 |
| Seating Arrangement | 4 |
| Spotting Error | 4 |
| Connectors | 1 |
| Total | 25 |
As per candidates’ feedback in IBPS SO Shift 2, questions were asked from RC, Phrase Replacement, Error Detection, etc
| Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension (Self employment) | 5 |
| Fillers | 5 |
| Phrase Replacement | 5 |
| Error Detection | 2 |
| Miss Spelt | 5 |
| Word Rearrangement | 3 |
| Total | 25 |
IBPS SO Prelims Exam Analysis 2026- Professional Knowledge
IBPS PO Professional Knowledge section includes a total of 25 questions for 50 marks, and the section timing is 20 minutes. The questions are asked based on the candidate’s specialist subject, and the difficulty level may vary depending on the post and subject area.
- Page Replacement Numerical
- Page Replacement + Theory LRU
- Numerical
- Same key used in encryption tech.
- DNS Port Number
- Quantum computing Union
- Union
- In order
- Oops Polymorphism /etc
- SAAS
- AI (Statement Wise)
- KYC
- RAID
- Neural Network
- ARP
- Python Generator
- Agile Model
- Final Keyword
- Cyber Law
- JAVA Specifier
- C++ Default Access Modifier
- b + tree
IBPS SO Prelims Exam Analysis 2026- General Knowledge
- River – Flow in 1 Country
- Nobel Prize Author of the The Vegetarian
- ISS – Shantanu Shukla
- Dappu Festival
- 24 October
- Mahesh Dixit
- NSFR
- Agri Loan
- Bank HQ in Chennai
- Worlds Largest Archipelego
- Minimum age for opening a savings account
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs
- FIFA – Won
- IEA
- Aadhar + Email
- DICGC – RBI Wholly Owned Subsidiary
- Best Feature Film
- Dholavira
- White City
- KYC Documents
- Raj Sabha Retired Person in every 3 year
- Hydrogen Drain
IBPS PO Exam Timings 2026
IBPS PO Prelims Exam is scheduled in 2 shifts (morning and afternoon).
| Shifts | Exam Timing | Exam Duration |
| Shift 1 | 9 am to 11 am | 2 hour |
| Shift 2 | 2 pm to 2 pm | 2 hour |
IBPS PO Prelims Exam- What After the Exam?
Candidates who qualify for the IBPS SO Preliminary Examination will be shortlisted to appear for the mains examination. The main exam is scheduled for 1st November 2026. The prelims exam is qualifying in nature. The final selection is based on the main exam score and interview performance only.
| Related Links | |
| IBPS SO Syllabus & Exam Pattern | IBPS SO Previous Year Cut-Off |
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