IBPS SO Prelims Exam Analysis 2026: Shift 1 Difficulty & Good Attempts

The IBPS SO Prelims examination, conducted on 29th August 2026, has provided candidates with vital insights into the current assessment patterns. With the Mains exam scheduled for 1st November 2026, understanding the Shift 1 analysis is crucial for aspirants to calibrate their final preparation strategy. The exam remains a qualifying stage where performance is essential to move toward the Mains and the subsequent interview process.

Overall Exam Performance

The first shift of the IBPS SO Prelims was categorized as having an overall Moderate difficulty level. With 100 questions totaling 125 marks, candidates found the balance of sections to be fair. Good attempts were recorded between 71–81, reflecting a competitive yet manageable paper.

IBPS SO Prelims Sectional Breakdown

The exam comprised Reasoning, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude/General Awareness, and Professional Knowledge. Below are the detailed tables highlighting the difficulty levels and good attempts per section:

Topic-Wise Question Distribution

Candidates should review the specific topics that appeared in the first shift to refine their revision process.

Reasoning Ability Topics

• Puzzle and Seating Arrangement (15 questions)
• Syllogism (3 questions)
• Blood Relation (8 Persons) (3 questions)
• Alphanumeric (2 questions)
• Pair Formation (2 questions)

Quantitative Aptitude Topics

• Arithmetic (7 questions)
• Approximation (5 questions)
• DI Bar Graph (5 questions)
• Wrong Number Series (5 questions)
• Caselet DI (3 Shops) Sold and Unsold (3 questions)

English Language Topics

• Reading Comprehension (8 questions)
• Phrase Replacement (4 questions)
• Miss Spelt (4 questions)
• Seating Arrangement (4 questions)
• Spotting Error (4 questions)
• Connectors (1 question)

Professional Knowledge Key Topics

• Page Replacement Numerical
• Page Replacement + Theory LRU
• Encryption tech keys
• DNS Port Number
• Quantum computing Union
• Oops Polymorphism
• 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

Next Steps for Aspirants

After evaluating your performance based on this analysis, ensure you IBPS SO Prelims Expected Cut Off 2026 – Click to Check. Preparation for the Mains should prioritize the Professional Knowledge section, given its high weightage (50 marks for 25 questions within 20 minutes).

Exam Shift Details