In the IBPS SO (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Specialist Officer) Exam, candidates are required to go through multiple stages of selection, including a preliminary exam, a main exam, and an interview. Each stage has its own qualifying criteria that candidates must meet in order to proceed to the next stage. However, if a candidate fails to meet the minimum qualifying criteria in one stage, it does not necessarily mean that they cannot qualify for the next stage. Let's understand this in more detail.



1. Preliminary Exam:
- The preliminary exam is the first stage of the IBPS SO Exam.
- Candidates are required to achieve the minimum qualifying marks in each section as well as the overall cutoff to move to the next stage, i.e., the main exam.

2. Main Exam:
- The main exam is the second stage of the IBPS SO Exam.
- Candidates need to meet the minimum qualifying marks in each section as well as the overall cutoff to be shortlisted for the interview round.

3. Interview:
- The interview is the final stage of the IBPS SO Exam.
- Candidates are assessed based on their communication skills, knowledge, and suitability for the specialist officer role.
- A minimum qualifying mark is set for the interview process as well.



While it is important to meet the minimum qualifying criteria in each stage, performing well in other stages can still be beneficial for a candidate. Here's how:

1. Preliminary Exam:
- If a candidate fails to meet the minimum qualifying criteria in the preliminary exam, they will not be eligible to appear for the main exam.
- However, their performance in the preliminary exam can still be helpful in terms of gaining experience, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and preparing better for future exams.

2. Main Exam:
- If a candidate fails to meet the minimum qualifying criteria in the main exam, they will not be shortlisted for the interview round.
- However, a good performance in the main exam can enhance their overall score and increase their chances of securing a higher rank and preference during the final selection process.

3. Interview:
- The interview round plays a crucial role in the final selection of candidates.
- If a candidate performs exceptionally well in the interview, it can compensate for any shortcomings in the previous stages and improve their chances of qualifying for the specialist officer position.



While meeting the minimum qualifying criteria in each stage is important, a strong performance in other stages of the IBPS SO Exam can still be advantageous. Candidates should aim to perform well in all stages to maximize their chances of qualifying for the next stage and ultimately securing the specialist officer position.