The CAIIB Exam is a top-level banking certification offered by the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF) to enhance the skills and knowledge of banking professionals. With the CAIIB Exam 2025 scheduled for 1, 14, 22, 28, and 29 June, candidates need a clear knowing of the passing criteria, attempt limits, and re-attempt rules to boost their preparation and avoid common pitfalls. This article simplifies all the key details about CAIIB Passing Criteria 2025 and related attempt guidelines.
Table of Contents
Criteria
Let’s start with the most important question: what does it take to pass the CAIIB exam? According to the IIBF guidelines, the rules are pretty straightforward.
To pass a paper, you must score:
- A minimum of 50 marks out of 100 in each subject
- Or at least 45 marks in each subject, if the overall average across all subjects is 50% or more in the first attempt
This means you don’t have to score 50 in every paper as long as your total average balances it out and you don’t score below 45 in any subject.
Example
Here’s a quick breakdown to understand this better:
| Paper | Marks Scored |
|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 60 |
| Paper 2 | 55 |
| Paper 3 | 45 |
| Paper 4 | 50 |
| Elective Paper | 48 |
| Total | 258/500 |
That’s an average of 51.6%. Since all subjects are above 45 and the average is above 50%, this candidate passes—even though one paper is below 50.
Attempts
Now let’s look at how many tries you actually get. The CAIIB exam has strict limits to ensure candidates don’t delay endlessly.
- You’re allowed five consecutive attempts or a maximum period of three years, whichever comes first.
- These are counted from your date of registration.
- Even if you skip a scheduled exam, it still counts as one attempt.
So plan your study schedule accordingly and don’t waste attempts thinking you’ll try later.
Retention
Here’s the good news. If you clear one or more papers within the valid period (5 attempts or 3 years), your marks in those papers are safe.
- The scores you’ve passed will be retained till your attempt period is over.
- This gives you time to focus only on the remaining papers in future sessions.
But this benefit is lost if you exceed the attempt limit.
Reattempt
Didn’t pass all subjects within your five attempts or three years? That’s okay—but you’ll need to start from scratch.
- You’ll have to re-register for the CAIIB exam.
- All previous marks will be invalidated.
- You’ll need to retake all five subjects again.
This makes it super important to use your attempts wisely and try clearing as many papers as possible early on.
Preparing for CAIIB isn’t just about knowing the syllabus—it’s about knowing the rules that decide whether your effort pays off. Knowing how marks are calculated, how many attempts you get, and when you lose your eligibility helps you stay focused and make smarter decisions. Plan your preparation with these rules in mind, and you’ll have a clear edge in clearing this prestigious banking exam.
FAQs
How many attempts are allowed in CAIIB?
Five consecutive attempts or three years max.
What is the passing mark for CAIIB paper?
Minimum 50, or 45 with 50% overall average.
Will skipped exams count as an attempt?
Yes, skipped exams still count as an attempt.
Are passed subjects retained in CAIIB?
Yes, within five attempts or three years.
What happens after 5 failed attempts?
You must re-register and retake all papers.
