How Many Marks Are Required to Clear IBPS PO Prelims Exam?

If you are planning to appear for the IBPS PO Exam 2025, one of the most common questions is How Many Marks Are Required to Clear IBPS PO Prelims Exam? Knowing the cutoff trends helps you set a clear target while preparing. In this article, we will explain the number of marks you need and also share the cutoffs from the past five years so that you get a complete idea.

How Many Marks Are Required to Clear IBPS PO Prelims Exam?

The IBPS PO Preliminary Exam is the first step in the selection process for the Probationary Officer post in various public sector banks. It is a computer-based test that lasts for 1 hour. The paper has three sections English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. Each section is timed separately for 20 minutes.

There are a total of 100 questions carrying 1 mark each. So the maximum marks are 100. For every wrong answer, 0.25 marks are deducted. This means accuracy is very important in this exam. You have to score minimum marks in each section (sectional cutoff) and a minimum total score (overall cutoff) to qualify for the next stage, which is the IBPS PO Mains Exam.

How Many Marks Should You Aim for?

The number of marks needed to clear the prelims changes every year. There is no fixed cutoff, but if we look at the trend over the years, it is usually between 48 to 59 marks out of 100 for general category candidates. For candidates belonging to reserved categories like SC, ST, or OBC, the cutoff is a bit lower.

It is important to note that the cutoff is decided based on factors like the difficulty level of the exam, the number of students who appear, and how many vacancies are available in that year. So even if you score 50 one year, it might be enough, but in another year, it might not be.

Apart from the overall marks, you also need to clear the sectional cutoffs. For example, in 2024, a general category student needed around 10 marks in English, 7 in Quantitative Aptitude, and around 6.75 in Reasoning Ability. If you score below these in any one section, you won’t qualify, even if your total score is good.

Trends in IBPS PO Prelims Cutoff Over the Last 5 Years

To give you a better understanding, here is a table showing the overall cutoff marks for the General category over the past five years:

As you can see, the cutoff has gone up and down depending on the exam conditions. In 2020, it was as high as 58.75, while in 2024, it dropped to 48.50. So you should always try to score as high as possible to stay on the safer side.

What Should Be Your Target?

To stay safe, it is better to aim for at least 55 to 60 marks in the prelims if you belong to the general category. This way, even if the cutoff is high, you still have a good chance. If you belong to a reserved category, you can aim for a little lower, around 45 to 50 marks, but higher scores always give you more confidence. Also, keep in mind that clearing sectional cutoffs is just as important. Practice all three sections regularly and don’t ignore any one subject.