IBPS PO Exam

To recruit probationary officers in public sector banks

Exam Date: August 17, 2025

Test Structure

The IBPS Probationary Officer (PO) Exam is a prestigious and highly competitive banking exam conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS). IBPS PO is a recruitment exam for the post of Probationary Officer in around 12+ public sector banks (like Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, etc.). The role of a PO involves managerial duties, customer handling, credit appraisal, and various banking operations. This exam is conducted annually and is considered one of the most sought-after banking exams in India.

Exam Structure & Selection Process

The IBPS PO recruitment process is divided into three stages:

1. Preliminary Exam (Prelims)

• Mode: Online Computer-Based Test (CBT)

• Purpose: Qualifying round to shortlist candidates for the main exam

• Sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability

• Number of Questions: 100 questions in total

• Duration: 60 minutes

• Marks: 100 marks (Sectional and overall cut-offs apply)

Details:

• English Language: 30 questions (30 marks)

• Quantitative Aptitude: 35 questions (35 marks)

• Reasoning Ability: 35 questions (35 marks)

• Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer

Syllabus:

Preliminary Exam Syllabus

English Language: Reading comprehension, error detection, fill in the blanks, sentence rearrangement, synonyms/antonyms, cloze test.

Quantitative Aptitude: Number systems, simplification, ratio & proportion, percentage, time & work, averages, simple & compound interest, profit & loss.

Reasoning Ability: Puzzles, seating arrangement, syllogism, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, inequality.

Main Exam Syllabus

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: Advanced puzzles, logical reasoning, input-output, coding-decoding, seating arrangement, computer basics.

General/Economy/Banking Awareness: Current affairs related to banking and economy, RBI policies, financial awareness, government schemes, static GK.

English Language: Advanced grammar, reading comprehension, para jumbles, error spotting, vocabulary.

Data Analysis & Interpretation: Tables, pie charts, bar graphs, line graphs, data sufficiency, case lets.

Exam Pattern

The selection process is conducted in three stages—Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview. Candidates must qualify in each stage to be shortlisted for the final appointment. The exam tests a candidate's aptitude, reasoning, general awareness, and language skills, as well as banking knowledge.

IBPS PO Exam Pattern

Preliminary Exam (Stage 1)

• Mode: Online

• Total Questions: 100

• Total Marks: 100

• Duration: 60 minutes (20 minutes per section)

Sections:

o English Language – 30 Questions | 30 Marks

o Quantitative Aptitude – 35 Questions | 35 Marks

o Reasoning Ability – 35 Questions | 35 Marks

• Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer

• Qualifying: Sectional and overall cutoff (decided by IBPS)

Main Exam (Stage 2)

• Mode: Online

• Total Questions: 155 (Objective) + 2 (Descriptive)

• Total Marks: 200 (Objective) + 25 (Descriptive)

• Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes total

• Sections:

o Reasoning & Computer Aptitude – 45 Questions | 60 Marks | 60 mins

o General/Economy/Banking Awareness – 40 Questions | 40 Marks | 35 mins

o English Language – 35 Questions | 40 Marks | 40 mins

o Data Interpretation & Analysis – 35 Questions | 60 Marks | 45 mins

o Descriptive Test (Essay & Letter Writing) – 2 Questions | 25 Marks | 30 mins

• Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer (only for Objective)

Interview (Stage 3)

• Conducted By: Participating Banks & IBPS

• Marks: 100

• Qualifying Marks: Minimum 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD)

• Weightage in Final Score:

o Mains: 80%

o Interview: 20%

Final Selection

• Based on the combined score of Main Examination and Interview.

• Preliminary Exam is qualifying only and not counted in final merit.

• Provisional allotment is done as per candidate’s preferences, merit rank, and available vacancies.

How to Prepare

IBPS PO Exam Preparation Tips | Just My IQ Experts

Cracking the IBPS PO exam requires a smart and strategic approach due to its competitive nature and vast syllabus. Our Just My IQ experts have put together detailed preparation tips to help you maximize your chances of success.

1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus Thoroughly

Before you start preparing, familiarize yourself with the latest IBPS PO exam pattern and syllabus for both Prelims and Mains exams. Knowing the structure, sectional timings, marks distribution, and types of questions helps you plan better and avoid surprises on exam day. Download the official syllabus from the IBPS website and break it down topic-wise.

2. Create a Realistic and Consistent Study Plan

Make a daily and weekly timetable covering all sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, General Awareness, and Computer Knowledge. Allocate time based on your strengths and weaknesses. For instance, spend extra time on topics you find difficult. Ensure your plan includes time for learning concepts, practicing questions, revising, and taking mock tests.

3. Strengthen Your Basics

Focus on building strong fundamentals first. For Quantitative Aptitude, revise basic arithmetic concepts like percentages, ratios, simplification, profit & loss, and time-speed-distance. For Reasoning, practice puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding, and syllogisms regularly. In English, work on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. A clear grasp of fundamentals makes solving complex problems easier.

4. Practice with Previous Year Papers and Mock Tests

Solve previous years’ question papers to understand question patterns, difficulty levels, and time management. Regularly attempt full-length mock tests to simulate real exam conditions. Analyze your performance after every test to identify weak areas and work on improving speed and accuracy. Many online platforms and apps offer free and paid mock tests tailored for IBPS PO.

5. Improve Time Management Skills

Time is a crucial factor in both Prelims and Mains exams. Practice solving questions under strict time limits to increase your speed without compromising accuracy. Learn to prioritize easy questions and avoid getting stuck on difficult ones. Effective time management can significantly boost your overall score.

6. Focus on General/Economy/Banking Awareness

Stay updated with current affairs related to banking, economy, finance, government schemes, and important events. Read newspapers daily, follow reliable news websites, and refer to monthly current affairs compilations specifically designed for banking exams. Make short notes or flashcards for quick revision before the exam.

7. Enhance Your English Language Skills

Practice reading comprehension passages, vocabulary exercises, and grammar questions every day. Improve your understanding of sentence correction, para jumbles, and cloze tests. Reading newspapers, editorials, and English novels can also enhance your language skills. Good command over English is essential to clear the language section with high scores.

8. Don’t Neglect Computer Knowledge

Though the Computer Aptitude section in Mains is limited, having basic computer knowledge is necessary, especially for the interview stage. Focus on topics like MS Office, internet basics, computer abbreviations, and hardware/software fundamentals. Many online resources and short courses can help strengthen this area quickly.

9. Maintain a Healthy Study-Life Balance

Avoid burnout by taking regular breaks during study sessions. Maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and ensure adequate sleep to keep your mind fresh and focused. A balanced routine improves concentration and productivity during preparation.

10. Stay Positive and Consistent

Consistency is the key to cracking IBPS PO. Keep a positive mindset even if progress seems slow initially. Celebrate small victories like improving speed or clearing mock test cut-offs. Join online forums or study groups to stay motivated and learn from fellow aspirants.

Preparation Tip from Just My IQ Experts:

Revise Regularly: Revision is as important as learning new topics. Allocate at least one day each week solely for revising previously covered material to reinforce your memory and boost confidence.