What is the timing structure of the IBPS PO exam?

Each section has its own timer — English Language: 20 min; Quantitative Aptitude: 20 min; Reasoning Ability: 20 min. Sections lock when their time expires. Sections must be attempted in order — you cannot return to an earlier section. The test submits automatically when time runs out. The timer cannot be paused once started.

Is there negative marking in IBPS PO?

Yes — English Language: −0.25 per wrong answer; Quantitative Aptitude: −0.25 per wrong answer; Reasoning Ability: −0.25 per wrong answer.

IBPS PO

Cycle 2026

DRAFT — unverified

Unverified — pending official notification check.

Unverified — pending official notification check. Pattern from verbatim notification text reproduced across 4+ independent sources; official PDF not directly read. Do not treat as authoritative.

Exam pattern

1.Prelims

DRAFT — unverified

Main Session

Sections & timing

Section	Timing	Questions	Marks / Q	Negative	Nature
English Language	20 min (enforced)	30	1	−0.25	Qualifying
Quantitative Aptitude	20 min (enforced)	35	0.8571428571428571	−0.25	Qualifying
Reasoning Ability	20 min (enforced)	35	1.1428571428571428	−0.25	Qualifying

Start mock test

Timing & navigation rules

Each section has its own timer — English Language: 20 min; Quantitative Aptitude: 20 min; Reasoning Ability: 20 min. Sections lock when their time expires.
Sections must be attempted in order — you cannot return to an earlier section.
The test submits automatically when time runs out.
The timer cannot be paused once started.

Notes from the official source

Prelims · Prelims Paper · Main Session — note

2026 CHANGE: section marks split 30/30/40 (English/Quant/Reasoning); older cycles were 30/35/35.

Prelims · Prelims Paper · Main Session — navigation

Navigation rules not specified in excerpts — not inferred.

Prelims · Prelims Paper · Main Session — qualifying criteria

Must qualify in EACH of the three tests by minimum cut-off, plus adequate aggregate; shortlisted for Main.

Sources

Untitled document · official PDF not directly readable

IBPS PO

Cycle 2026

DRAFT — unverified

Unverified — pending official notification check.

Unverified — pending official notification check. Pattern from verbatim notification text reproduced across 4+ independent sources; official PDF not directly read. Do not treat as authoritative.

Exam pattern

1.Prelims

DRAFT — unverified

Main Session

Sections & timing

Section	Timing	Questions	Marks / Q	Negative	Nature
English Language	20 min (enforced)	30	1	−0.25	Qualifying
Quantitative Aptitude	20 min (enforced)	35	0.8571428571428571	−0.25	Qualifying
Reasoning Ability	20 min (enforced)	35	1.1428571428571428	−0.25	Qualifying

Start mock test

Timing & navigation rules

Each section has its own timer — English Language: 20 min; Quantitative Aptitude: 20 min; Reasoning Ability: 20 min. Sections lock when their time expires.
Sections must be attempted in order — you cannot return to an earlier section.
The test submits automatically when time runs out.
The timer cannot be paused once started.

Notes from the official source

Prelims · Prelims Paper · Main Session — note

2026 CHANGE: section marks split 30/30/40 (English/Quant/Reasoning); older cycles were 30/35/35.

Prelims · Prelims Paper · Main Session — navigation

Navigation rules not specified in excerpts — not inferred.

Prelims · Prelims Paper · Main Session — qualifying criteria

Must qualify in EACH of the three tests by minimum cut-off, plus adequate aggregate; shortlisted for Main.

Sources

Untitled document · official PDF not directly readable