IBPS CWE Clerk Exam 2014 Pattern/ Format/ Structure

An in-depth analysis of the exam pattern of IBPS CWE Clerk along with sample questions.

IBPS Common Written Examination (CWE) for Clerks is going to be held on six dates from 6th to 7th December, 2014. What is the Exam Pattern of IBPS CWE Clerk? This is a very important information, as your whole preparation for the exam depends on the format of the exam. I am therefore making this dedicated blog post to tell you about the Exam Pattern/Structure of IBPS CWE Clerk and showing you at the same time how this exam is identical to SBI Clerk Exam. In addition, I am posting a sample question for each test section, so that you know what is the standard/pattern of question asked in IBPS CWE Clerk Exam.

I had also posted following two previous articles on IBPS CWE Clerk Exam:

IBPS CWE - What is it? An introduction: Gives a Birds-Eye-View about IBPS exams.

IBPS CWE Clerk 2014 Notification, Form & Eligibility: Tells you how to apply for IBPS CWE Clerk.

You may find the information posted on above articles useful.

Without wasting time further, let us go ahead to the subject matter of this article.

Structure/Exam Pattern of IBPS CWE Clerk 2014:

Structure of IBPS CWE Clerk Exam 2014 is as given in the table at right. As you can see, there are five test sections, each having 40 questions, each question of 1 marks. Thus there are 200 questions, 200 total marks in IBPS CWE for Clerks. 

Total duration for IBPS CWE Clerk Exam is 2 hours. You thus have about half-a-minute (36 seconds to be precise) to answer each question. As the time given for each question is short, you may expect the questions of IBPS CWE Clerk Exam 2014 to be easy.

Except for the section "English Language" you can appear in the IBPS exam either in English or in Hindi (i.e. IBPS CWE Clerk Exam is bilingual).

Negative Marking:

Yes, there is negative marking in IBPS CWE Clerk Exam 2014: For each wrong answer, 0.25 marks would be deducted. Hence if you want to make guess answers, make it wisely!

Mode of delivery of test:

IBPS CWE Clerk 2014 is an Online Exam and is not a pen-paper exam. It means you have to answer the questions on computer in the IBPS exam venue. There are five answers (options) for each question and you have to choose the correct one by using mouse (no use of keyboard).
You can navigate (jump from one to another) between questions and can end the test only schduled time of 2 hours.

Comparison of Exam Pattern IBPS CWE Clerk vis-a-vis SBI Clerk Exam:

Exam Pattern of IBPS CWE Clerk is identical to that of SBI Clerk Exam as you can find in the comparison of exam pattern given below:

As you can see above, there is small difference of nomenclature of the test sections - for instance: Numerical Ability section of IBPS CWE Clerk is called as Quantitative Aptitude SBI Clerk Exam. Also in the fifth section, in addition to Computer Knowledge, "Marketing Aptitude" is also asked in SBI Clerk Exam.

Why this comparison of exam format is given? This is just to tell you that once if you prepare for IBPS CWE Clerk Exam, you can appear for SBI Clerk Exam without any further preparation!

IBPS CWE Clerk Question Pattern:

Once if you come to know about the pattern of exam of IBPS CWE Clerk (i.e. name of the test sections and marks/questions/time for each section), you would naturally like to know what sort of questions are asked in each of the test sections.

I am giving below two sample question in each of the five test sections of IBPS CWE for Clerk (quoted from the "Information Handout" given to the examinees for IBPS CWE Clerk 2012:

Test of Reasoning Question Pattern:
Directions : In following two questions, there is a group of letters or words given. Four of the five are alike in a certain way, while one is different. Find out the one which is different.
Q.1. (1) black (2) red (3) green (4) yellow (5) paint
Q.2. (1) XZ (2) MN (3) PQ (4) BC (5) ST

Test of English Language Question Pattern:
Directions : Pick out the most appropriate word from amongst the words given below each sentence to complete it meaningfully.
Q.1. He quickly glanced .............................. the book to find what it said about the Indian economy.
(1) at (2) through (3) in (4) to (5) over
Q.2. The counsel urged the court to ........................... down the obnoxious law.
(1) enact (2) enforce (3) cancel (4) strike (5) declare

Test of Numerical Ability Question Pattern:
Directions : In each of the following questions one number is missing. The place where the number is missing is shown by a question mark (?). You have to find out which one of the answers shown against 1, 2, 3 and 4 can replace the question mark. If none of these four can replace the question mark, you will indicate (5) i.e. ‘None of these’ as your answer.
Q.1. 42 + 73 + 137 = ?
(1) 352 (2) 252 (3) 242 (4) 142 (5) None of these
Q.2. 20 ×1/2= ?
(1) 4 (2) 5 (3) 12 (4) 20 (5) None of these

Test of General Awareness Question Pattern:
"General Awareness" paper of IBPS CWE Clerk Exam is "General Awareness with special reference to Banking Industry". Two sample questions are given below:
Q.1. Which of the following financial institutions has introduced the ‘Know Your Customer’ guidelines for Banks ?
(1) IDBI (2) RBI (3) NABARD 4) SIDBI (5) None of these
Q.2. Which of the following sectors contributes the maximum in deciding the growth in income of the states in India ?
(1) Energy (2) Tourism (3) Service (4) Transport (5) Agriculture

Test of Computer Knowledge Question Pattern:

Q.1. What is the full form of RAM ?
(1) Random Adaptive Mouse (2) Random Adaptive Memory (3) Random Access Memory (4) Random Access Mouse (5) None of these
Q.2. Pick the odd man out.
(1) Monitor (2) Keyboard (3) Floppy drive (4) Windows (5) Hard-disk drive.

These sample questions of IBPS CWE Clerk enables you to know the pattern/standard of questions asked in the exam. But for a full-fledged preparation, you need some more prep materials. So I am posting a subsequent blog post titled:  IBPS CWE Clerk Exam Papers & Prep Books. Please visit me again for that!