The first shift of the IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam 2025 has officially concluded on 5th October, kicking off the much-awaited recruitment journey. Held from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, this review walks you through the section-wise breakdown, difficulty level, and the number of good attempts based on genuine feedback from candidates.
Whether you’ve already taken the test or are gearing up for the later shifts, this detailed exam analysis will give you a clear knowing of what to expect.
Overview
The exam was structured into three sections: Numerical Ability, English Language, and Reasoning Ability. All sections carried equal weight, and candidates had to complete 100 questions in 60 minutes. The overall level of the paper was reported as easy to moderate. For most aspirants, attempting 70+ questions with good accuracy could be considered safe.
Here’s a quick difficulty snapshot:
| Section | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|
| Numerical Ability | Easy to Moderate |
| English Language | Easy |
| Reasoning Ability | Easy to Moderate |
| Overall | Easy to Moderate |
Reasoning
This section leaned slightly towards the moderate side but was largely manageable for anyone with consistent practice. Puzzles made up a significant chunk of the section, with a mix of classic and creative patterns. Chinese coding and syllogism also made an appearance.
Here’s a breakdown of the types of questions asked:
| Topic | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Syllogism | 3 |
| Mix Series | 5 |
| Chinese Coding | 5 |
| Pair Formation | 1 |
| Word Based | 1 |
| Square Table Puzzle | 5 |
| Floor-Based Puzzle | 5 |
| Post-Based Puzzle | 5 |
| Number Based | 1 |
| Comparison-Based Puzzle | 4 |
| Total | 35 |
Nothing felt too unfamiliar here. Most puzzles were straightforward, but accuracy and time management made all the difference.
Numerical
The Numerical Ability section was a blend of simplification, data interpretation, and arithmetic. Simplification and DI questions were mostly direct and scored well by candidates. A few arithmetic problems tested conceptual understanding, but nothing beyond what’s normally expected.
Here’s the full breakdown:
| Topic | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Simplification | 12 |
| Bar Graph DI | 5 |
| Table DI | 5 |
| Arithmetic | 13 |
| Total | 35 |
Questions covered topics like boats and streams, simple and compound interest, time and work, ages, and trains. If you’ve practiced enough mock tests, this section would’ve been a walk in the park.
English
English in Shift 1 was rated as easy by most candidates. The reading comprehension was based on a solo traveller theme and had both vocabulary-based and inference questions. Apart from that, fillers, para jumbles, and sentence-based error spotting made up the section.
Here’s how the English section looked:
| Topic | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 9-10 |
| Single Fillers | 1-4 |
| Phrase Replacement | 1-2 |
| Error Detection (Traditional) | 1-2 |
| Para Jumble | 1-4 |
| Word Swap | 3 |
| Sentence-Based Error | 2 |
| Total | 30 |
The section didn’t throw any curveballs, making it a scoring opportunity for most.
Timings
Knowing the schedule helps plan better, especially for those in upcoming shifts. Here are the official shift timings for 5th October:
| Shift | Reporting Time | Handwriting Sample | Exam Start | Exam End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shift 1 | 8:00 AM | 8:55 AM | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Shift 2 | 10:30 AM | 11:25 AM | 11:30 AM | 12:30 PM |
| Shift 3 | 1:00 PM | 1:55 PM | 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| Shift 4 | 3:30 PM | 4:25 PM | 4:30 PM | 5:30 PM |
Make sure to reach the center at least 30–45 minutes early to avoid any last-minute stress.
Overall, the Shift 1 exam turned out to be on the lighter side compared to some previous years. No surprise elements, no drastic changes. Candidates who kept their basics strong and managed time well were in a comfortable spot. For upcoming shift takers – keep your cool, manage your time wisely, and you’re good to go!
FAQs
What was the difficulty level of Shift 1?
The overall difficulty was easy to moderate.
How many good attempts are considered safe?
Around 70 or more good attempts are considered safe.
Was reasoning in Shift 1 tough?
No, reasoning was mostly easy to moderate.
Which topic had most questions in English?
Reading comprehension had the most questions.
What type of DI was asked in Quant?
Bar graph and table DI were asked.
