IBPS SO Prelim Exam - About, Syllabus, Exam Pattern

 

IBPS SO Prelim Exam 2027- About, Syllabus, Exam Pattern

The IBPS SO AFO Preliminary Exam is the first and most crucial stage for aspirants aiming to become Agriculture Field Officers (Scale I) in public-sector banks. It is a qualifying exam — your Prelims marks are not added in the final merit list, but you must clear the sectional as well as overall cut-offs to qualify for the Mains.

Latest Update (as of 31 May 2026):

The IBPS SO 2027 (CRP SPL-XV) notification is expected in June 2027.

Tentative Prelims Exam Date: 29 August 2027

IBPS SO AFO Prelims Exam Pattern (2027)

• Mode: Online Computer-Based Test (CBT)
• Total Questions: 150
• Total Marks: 125
• Duration: 120 minutes (40 minutes per section)
• Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Marking Scheme: +1 for correct | –0.25 for wrong | 0 for unattempted

Section	No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
English Language	50	25	40 minutes
Reasoning Ability	50	50	40 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	50	50	40 minutes

Important Notes

• All sections except English are bilingual (English & Hindi).
• There is no General Awareness / Current Affairs section in the Prelims for AFO (it appears only in some other Specialist Officer posts).
• You must clear both sectional and overall cut-offs to qualify.

Detailed Syllabus – IBPS SO AFO Prelims 2027

1. Reasoning Ability (50 Questions | 50 Marks)

This section tests logical thinking, analytical skills, and decision-making ability. High-scoring and time-consuming topics dominate.

• Puzzles & Seating Arrangement (Floor, Circular, Linear, Box, Scheduling)
• Syllogism (New & Old Pattern)
• Blood Relations
• Direction Sense
• Input-Output
• Coding-Decoding (Letter, Symbol, Fictitious)
• Inequality (Coded & Direct)
• Alphanumeric Series
• Data Sufficiency
• Logical Reasoning (Statement & Assumption, Statement & Argument, Cause & Effect)
• Ranking & Order
• Miscellaneous (Alphabet Test, Number Test)

High-weightage topics: Puzzles & Seating Arrangement (usually 15–20 marks combined).

2. English Language (50 Questions | 25 Marks)

Focuses on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Speed and accuracy are key.

• Reading Comprehension (including synonyms/antonyms based on passage)
• Error Spotting / Error Detection
• Cloze Test (New Pattern)
• Fill in the Blanks (Single & Double)
• Para Jumbles / Sentence Rearrangement
• Sentence Improvement / Phrase Replacement
• Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, One-word Substitution)
• Idioms & Phrases
• Sentence Completion

High-weightage topics: Reading Comprehension + Cloze Test + Error Spotting (usually 30+ marks combined).

3. Quantitative Aptitude (50 Questions | 50 Marks)

This is the most scoring section if you are strong in calculations and concepts.

• Simplification / Approximation
• Number Series (Missing & Wrong Number)
• Data Interpretation (Tabular, Pie Chart, Line Graph, Bar Graph, Caselet, Radar, Mixed DI)
• Quadratic Equations
• Profit & Loss
• Time & Work
• Speed, Distance & Time
• Simple & Compound Interest
• Ratio & Proportion
• Average
• Percentage
• Permutation & Combination / Probability
• Mensuration (2D & 3D)
• Mixture & Alligation

High-weightage topics: Data Interpretation + Simplification + Number Series (usually 25–30 marks combined).

Preparation Tips for IBPS SO AFO Prelims 2027

• Focus on accuracy — negative marking can hurt your score badly.
• Practice time-bound mocks daily (especially puzzles, DI, and RC).
• Build speed in Quant and Reasoning while maintaining 90%+ accuracy in English.
• Solve previous 5–7 years’ IBPS SO papers for exact pattern clarity.
• Start with strong topics and gradually move to weaker areas.

The Prelims is your gateway to the Mains Professional Knowledge (Agriculture) paper. Clear it smartly and you are one step closer to your dream job as an Agriculture Field Officer.

Stay tuned to our blog for the complete IBPS SO AFO 2027 Study Plan, topic-wise weightage, and free mock tests as soon as the official notification is released.

All the best, future AFOs! 🌾

Start your Prelims preparation today — 29 August 2027 is closer than you think!

Note: Always refer to the official IBPS website (www.ibps.in) for the final notification and exact syllabus details.