On Sunday, 22 November 2025, thousands of aspirants walked out of test centers across India after completing the first shift of the IBPS RRB PO Preliminary Examination 2025. The mood? Relieved. Most candidates found the exam easy to moderate, with well-prepared aspirants managing to attempt between 59 and 65 questions out of 80. The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, conducted the exam for recruitment into Probationary Officer roles across Regional Rural Banks — a critical gateway for rural banking careers in India.
Section-Wise Breakdown: Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude
The exam had just two sections: Reasoning Ability and Quantitative Aptitude, each with 40 questions. No surprises there — the pattern matched previous years. But the twist? The reasoning section was packed with layered puzzles that tested not just logic, but stamina. According to Bankersadda.com, Reasoning featured five major puzzle types: a circular seating arrangement with 8 persons facing in and out, a designation-based puzzle involving 7 posts and 7 people, a linear arrangement with 9 persons facing north, a box-based puzzle with 9 persons, and a comparison-based set. Syllogisms (3–4 questions), inequalities (4–5), and direction-distance problems (3) rounded out the section. Adda247.com confirmed similar patterns, noting that while most questions were straightforward, a few seating arrangements were unusually long — a point echoed by Careerpower.in, which cited student feedback: "Some questions felt like endurance tests." Good attempts for Reasoning ranged from 29–32 across most platforms, though IBPSguide.com (run by Nishanth Goodwin) reported a lower range of 25–30, suggesting regional variation in difficulty perception.Quantitative Aptitude: Arithmetic Dominates, DI Gets Tricky
The Quantitative Aptitude section leaned heavily on arithmetic — 9 to 12 questions on profit-loss, time-work, percentages, and averages, according to Testbook.com and Adda247.com. Data Interpretation was the real differentiator: two pie charts, a table-based DI, and a caselet (paragraph-based data) made up nearly 15 questions. Candidates who’d practiced speed calculations and approximation techniques had an edge. Number series (5 questions), quadratic equations (5), and simplification (5) were relatively quick. But here’s the catch: IBPSguide.com reported a much narrower good attempt range of 16–20, while Oliveboard.in and Bankersadda.com placed it at 27–30. Why the gap? Likely due to varying levels of preparation among test-takers surveyed. One aspirant from Patna told Adda247: "I skipped the double pie chart — it took me 10 minutes just to decode the labels."
Consensus and Contradictions: Why Do Sources Differ?
It’s unusual — but not unheard of — for coaching institutes to report such wide ranges in good attempts. Bankersadda.com, Adda247.com, and Oliveboard.in all converged on 59–65 total good attempts. Careerpower.in said 56–60. IBPSguide.com went low: 41–50. The discrepancy isn’t error — it’s sampling bias. These platforms gather data through post-exam surveys on their apps and Telegram groups. If a platform’s user base leans toward candidates from tier-2 cities with less coaching access, their "good attempts" will be lower. Conversely, metro-heavy samples (like Oliveboard’s) may reflect more prepared aspirants. It’s not about who’s right — it’s about understanding your own context.What Comes Next? The Cut-Off Forecast
With Shifts 2, 3, and 4 also held on 22 November and continuing into 23 November, the final cut-off will depend on overall difficulty across all shifts. Historically, IBPS RRB PO prelims cut-offs hover between 55–62 for general category candidates, depending on the state. In 2024, the cut-off in Uttar Pradesh was 61. In Assam, it was 54. This year, with Shift 1 being relatively easier, experts expect a slight uptick — possibly 60–65 in high-competition states like Maharashtra, Bihar, and Punjab. The mains exam is expected in December. Candidates who attempted 60+ questions in prelims should start preparing for the descriptive paper — letter writing and essay topics often revolve around rural finance, digital banking, and financial inclusion.
Why This Matters Beyond the Score
This isn’t just another banking exam. The Regional Rural Banks serve over 70% of India’s rural population. Every Probationary Officer hired here becomes a bridge between formal banking and underserved communities. A candidate from a small town cracking this exam doesn’t just get a job — they bring financial literacy to villages that still rely on moneylenders. The fact that 80 questions had to be solved in 45 minutes? That’s not just testing knowledge. It’s testing resilience. And that’s the real lesson here.Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions should I aim for to clear the IBPS RRB PO Prelims 2025?
Most analysts suggest aiming for 60–65 total attempts across both sections to be safe for the general category. In high-competition states like Uttar Pradesh or Maharashtra, 62+ may be needed. Candidates from reserved categories should target 55–58, but cut-offs vary by state and shift difficulty. Always prioritize accuracy — negative marking is 0.25 per wrong answer.
Which section was harder: Reasoning or Quantitative Aptitude?
While both were rated easy to moderate, Reasoning had more time-consuming puzzles — especially the circular and box-based seating arrangements. Quantitative Aptitude had trickier data interpretation sets, but the arithmetic questions were standard. Candidates who practiced DI under timed conditions had a clear advantage. Overall, Reasoning was more about speed; Quant was more about calculation precision.
Why do different coaching sites report different good attempts?
Each platform surveys its own user base, which may be skewed by geography or preparation level. For example, Oliveboard’s respondents are often from metro cities with coaching exposure, while IBPSguide’s may include more rural aspirants. This creates a natural variation. Don’t rely on one source — cross-check with 2–3 platforms and focus on your own performance.
Will the mains exam be tougher?
Yes. The mains includes a descriptive paper (letter and essay writing) and a more complex professional knowledge section covering banking regulations, financial markets, and rural credit systems. While prelims test speed, mains tests depth. Start practicing essay topics on financial inclusion, digital banking in villages, and RBI policies now — these are recurring themes.
What’s the expected cut-off for Rajasthan?
Based on 2024 trends and Shift 1’s ease, Rajasthan’s general category cut-off is likely between 58–62. The state has high competition due to strong coaching infrastructure in Jaipur and Udaipur. Reserved category cut-offs may drop to 50–54. Keep an eye on IBPS’s official notification — cut-offs are released state-wise after all shifts are evaluated.
Are there any changes expected in the 2026 exam pattern?
No major changes are expected. IBPS tends to keep the prelims structure stable for consistency. However, expect more application-based arithmetic questions and complex caselets in Quant. Reasoning may introduce more machine-based logic puzzles. Candidates should focus on mastering previous years’ papers — patterns repeat more than you think.
