How it's calculated
Unattempted questions score zero. Fractions are kept exact and the total is rounded once, to two decimals.
Estimate only. Official results, marks and eligibility are decided by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection. Verify on the official website.
Worked example: IBPS Clerk Preliminary Examination
English Language: 24 right, 3 wrong; Numerical Ability: 28 right, 3 wrong; Reasoning Ability: 28 right, 3 wrong. Total: 77.75 out of 100.
IBPS Clerk 2026 exam pattern and marking
IBPS Clerk Preliminary Examination
| Section | Questions | Marks each | Wrong answer | Max marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 1 | −1/4 | 30 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 1 | −1/4 | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 1 | −1/4 | 35 |
1 hour, each test separately timed (20 minutes each). Penalty: "one fourth or 0.25 of the marks assigned to that question". Candidates must qualify in each of the three tests at cut-offs decided by IBPS.
IBPS Clerk Main Examination
| Section | Questions | Marks each | Wrong answer | Max marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 40 | 1.25 | −5/16 | 50 |
| General English | 40 | 1 | −1/4 | 40 |
| Reasoning Ability | 40 | 1.5 | −3/8 | 60 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 1.25 | −5/16 | 50 |
125 minutes, each test separately timed. Marks per question differ by test: General/Financial Awareness and Quantitative Aptitude 1.25, General English 1, Reasoning Ability 1.5. The penalty is a quarter of the marks assigned to that question, so it is 0.3125, 0.25 and 0.375 respectively. Only the Main Examination marks count for the final merit list.
Using your score
- Count right and wrong answers from the official answer key for a reliable score.
- Each test is separately timed: 20 minutes per test in the Preliminary exam, and 20 to 35 minutes per test in the Main exam.
- Marks per question are the test maximum divided by its number of questions, as printed in the notification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the negative marking in IBPS Clerk 2026?
IBPS Clerk Preliminary Examination: +1 for a right answer, −1/4 for a wrong one. IBPS Clerk Main Examination: +1.25 for a right answer, −5/16 for a wrong one; +1 for a right answer, −1/4 for a wrong one; +1.5 for a right answer, −3/8 for a wrong one.
What are the total marks in IBPS Clerk Preliminary Examination?
100 marks: English Language (30 questions), Numerical Ability (35 questions), Reasoning Ability (35 questions).
Is an unattempted question marked negatively?
No. Only wrong answers carry a penalty. A question left blank scores zero.
How do I count my right and wrong answers?
Compare your responses with the official answer key published by the exam body. Count only the questions you marked: those matching the key are right, the rest are wrong.
Do IBPS Clerk prelims marks count for the final merit list?
No. The notification says in capitals that marks obtained in the Online Main Examination only will be considered for final merit listing. The Preliminary exam decides who sits the Main exam.
How much is deducted for a wrong answer?
A quarter of the marks assigned to that question. In the Main exam the questions are not all worth 1 mark, so the penalty is 0.3125 for General/Financial Awareness and Quantitative Aptitude, 0.375 for Reasoning Ability and 0.25 for General English. A blank answer costs nothing.
Is there a sectional cut-off?
Yes in both phases. In the Preliminary exam candidates must qualify in each of the three tests at cut-offs decided by IBPS, and in the Main exam each test has a minimum score as well as a minimum total.
Sources
- IBPS Notification CRP CSA-XVI, clause D (Structure of Examination) and clause E (Penalty for Wrong Answers), Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)