What are the best books for IBPS clerk exam?

Preparing for the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) Clerk exam requires a strategic approach and the right study materials. The IBPS Clerk exam consists of two stages—Prelims and Mains—and tests candidates on subjects like English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, General/Financial Awareness, and Computer Aptitude. Below is a list of some of the best books recommended for each section, based on their comprehensive coverage, practice questions, and alignment with the latest exam patterns as of April 1, 2025.

For Prelims and Mains Preparation

English Language

• "High School English Grammar and Composition" by Wren & Martin
  This classic book is excellent for building a strong foundation in grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills, which are crucial for both Prelims and Mains.
• "Objective General English" by S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
  Offers a wide range of practice questions on topics like cloze tests, reading comprehension, and error detection, tailored for competitive exams.
• "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis
  Ideal for improving vocabulary, which helps with sentence improvement and fill-in-the-blank questions.

Quantitative Aptitude

• "Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations" by R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand)
  A widely trusted book covering all key topics like number series, simplification, data interpretation, and arithmetic problems, with ample solved examples and practice questions.
• "Fast Track Objective Arithmetic" by Rajesh Verma (Arihant)
  Focuses on shortcuts and tricks to solve problems quickly, which is essential for time management in the exam.
• "Data Interpretation" by Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill)
  Perfect for mastering data interpretation, a critical component of both Prelims and Mains.

Reasoning Ability

• "A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning" by R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand)
  Covers puzzles, seating arrangements, syllogisms, and coding-decoding comprehensively, suitable for both stages of the exam.
• "Analytical Reasoning" by M.K. Pandey (BSC Publishing)
  Offers in-depth explanations and practice for complex reasoning topics, helping with the Mains’ higher difficulty level.
• "A New Approach to Reasoning: Verbal and Non-Verbal" by B.S. Sijwali & Indu Sijwali (Arihant)
  Provides a variety of question types with solutions, great for additional practice.

General/Financial Awareness (Mains Only)

• "Banking Awareness" by Arihant Publications
  Covers banking terms, financial awareness, and recent developments in the banking sector, a key area in the Mains exam.
• "Lucent’s General Knowledge" by Lucent Publication
  A concise resource for static GK topics like history, geography, and economy, complementing current affairs preparation.
• "Manorama Yearbook"
  Useful for staying updated on current affairs, including national and international events, up to early 2025.

Computer Aptitude (Mains Only)

• "Objective Computer Awareness" by R. Pillai (Arihant)
  Covers basics of computers, MS Office, networking, and abbreviations—everything needed for the Computer Aptitude section.
• "Computer Knowledge" by Shikha Agarwal (Disha Publication)
  Tailored for banking exams, with a focus on practical applications and exam-oriented questions.