Willing to know about the IBPS PO Exam pattern? This article will help you know about it briefly.
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection has released the official notification of IBPS PO recruitment for 2025. As per the notification, there are a total of 3955 posts vacant in the Probationary Officer position. The IBPS PO exam will begin from the Prelims Exam, which is scheduled on the 4th, 5th, and 11th October 2025. Likewise, the following exam, i.e., the IBPS PO Mains exam, will be held on 29th November 2025
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection has set the syllabus for the IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025. It is predicted that the syllabus will mostly be the same for the upcoming examination conducted by IBPS.
Every year, millions of students apply for the IBPS PO post, which makes the competition harder to crack. However, if the students adequately prepare for the examination, the result can be in their favor. IBPS PO is one of India’s most prestigious and sought Government exams.
For students to qualify for the IBPS PO Exam, it is essential to understand the detailed syllabus and exam pattern of the said examination. Learning the IBPS PO exam pattern and syllabus will help you draw a better understanding and judiciously prepare for the same. This will help you to prepare judiciously for the IBPS PO Exam. Without getting delayed, let’s discuss the IBPS PO Exam Pattern and Syllabus for the year 2025.
| Exam Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Post | Probationary Officer (PO) |
| Exam Name | IBPS PO 2025 |
| Exam Phases | Preliminary Exam Mains Exam Interview |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Exam Duration | Prelims: 60 minutes, Mains: 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Exam Dates | Prelims: 4th, 5th & 11th October 2025 Mains: 29th November 2025 |
| Sectional Timing in Prelims | Yes (each section has a fixed time limit) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks deducted for every wrong answer |
| Selection Process | Candidates must clear Prelims, Mains, and the Interview to qualify |
| Official Website | www.ibps.in |
Before you go through the IBPS syllabus and begin preparing, go through the exam pattern first. This article explains every angle of the IBPS PO Exam Pattern briefly. Take a glimpse of the sections below.
| IBPS PO Exam | Question Paper | Marks |
| Prelims Examination | Objective | 100 |
| Mains Examination | Descriptive/Objective | 225 |
| Interviews | Personal Interview Round | 100 |
The IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2025 will have three sections: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English. The Reasoning Section will be 35 marks, the Quantitative Aptitude Section will be 35, and the English Section will be 30. The IBPS PO Prelims exam duration will be 60 minutes. Therefore, the aspirants qualify for the sectional IBPS PO cut off to take the Mains exam for the said post.
| Section | Total no. of Questions | Total Marks | Time Duration |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Skills | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus for the exam consists of three sections: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language. Candidates who clear the prelims qualify for the mains exam.
| Quantitative Ability | Reasoning Ability | English Language |
|---|---|---|
| Simplification | Logical Reasoning | Reading Comprehension |
| Profit and Loss | Alphanumeric Series | Cloze Test |
| Mixtures and Allegations | Ranking, Direction, Alphabet Test | Para jumbles |
| Simple and Compound Interest, Surds and Indices | Data Sufficiency | Word Usage, Word-Swap |
| Work and Time | Inequalities | Fill in the Blanks |
| Time and Distance | Seating Arrangement | Error Detection, Error Spotting |
| Mensuration (Cylinder, Cone, Sphere) | Puzzle | Paragraph Completion |
| Data Interpretation | Tabulation | One Word Substitution |
| Ratio, Proportion, and Percentage | Syllogism | Miscellaneous |
| Number Systems | Blood Relations | |
| Sequence and Series | Input-Output | |
| Permutation, Combination, and Probability | Coding-Decoding |
| S.no. | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Time duration for each test |
| 1 | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | English & Hindi | 60 minutes |
| 2 | General/ Economy/ Banking/ Awareness | 40 | 40 | English & Hindi | 35 minutes |
| 3 | English Language | 35 | 40 | English | 40 minutes |
| 4 | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
| TOTAL | 155 | 200 | 3 hours | ||
| 5. | English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) | 2 | 25 | English | 30 minutes |
Note: It is essential to improve your grammar to answer the descriptive questions in the grammar section.
Candidates who meet the minimum cut-off in the Preliminary Exam qualify for the IBPS PO Mains Exam. The syllabus includes four major sections: Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, English Language, and Reasoning & Computer Aptitude.
| Section | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | Simplification, Average, Percentage, Mixture & Allegations, Ratio & Proportion, Data Interpretation, Mensuration & Geometry, Quadratic Equation, Interest, Problems on Ages, Profit & Loss, Number Series, Speed-Distance-Time, Time & Work, Number System, Data Sufficiency, Linear Equation, Permutation & Combination, Probability |
| General Awareness | Financial Awareness, Current Affairs, General Knowledge, Static Awareness |
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | Verbal Reasoning, Syllogism, Circular Seating Arrangement, Coding & Inequalities, Linear Seating Arrangement, Double Lineup, Scheduling, Input-Output, Blood Relations, Directions & Distances, Ordering & Ranking, Data Sufficiency, Coding & Decoding, Internet, Memory, Keyboard Shortcuts, Computer Abbreviations, Microsoft Office, Computer Hardware & Software, Operating System, Networking, Computer Fundamentals |
| English Language | Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, One Word Substitution, Verbal Ability |
This format makes it easier to understand and refer to while preparing for the exam.
The interview process for IBPS PO 2025 is conducted for candidates who qualify for the Mains Exam. It carries a total of 100 marks, with a minimum qualifying score of 40% for general candidates and 35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWD categories.
A penalty of 0.25 marks is applied for each incorrect answer in both the Preliminary and Mains Exams. However, no marks are deducted for unanswered questions.
Final selection is based on the combined scores of the Mains Exam and the Interview, with a weightage ratio of 80:20. A merit list is prepared, and candidates who make it to the list receive a joining letter from their assigned bank. The individual interview will carry 100 marks, and the aspirant’s score must reach 40% to be on the merit list. Once the interview is done, IBPS will release its merit list on the official website.
The entire process ensures a fair and transparent selection of deserving candidates for the prestigious role of IBPS PO.
Also Read:- IBPS PO Handwritten Declaration 2024: Latest Guidelines & tips
Now that you have understood the IBPS PO Exam Pattern let’s quickly recall the IBPS PO syllabus for the prelims and mains examination of the said post.
| Subjects | Topics |
| Hindi Language | MS Office Computer Basics Computer Networks Model Internet Computer Components Output and Input Devices Computer storage device |
| Computer Knowledge | Organizations Deposits Credit Risk Management Restructuring of Loans Bad Loans Advanced Non-Performing Assets Loans Bank Accounts & Special Individuals ACCORDSBASEL IBASEL II |
| English Language | Noun, Tenses, Verb, and Adverb Voices and Articles Phrasal verbs and conjunctions Reading Comprehension Cloze Test |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Puzzles: Inserting the missing characterological Venn Diagrams, Situation reaction test coding-decoding Analogy Number, Ranking and Time Sequence Logical Sequence of Words Arithmetical reasoning, Analogy Data sufficiency |
| Financial Awareness | Puzzles: Inserting the missing characterological Venn Diagrams, Situation reaction test, Coding-decoding Analogy Number, Ranking and Time Sequence, Logical Sequence of Words, Arithmetical reasoning Analogy, Data sufficiency |
| Reasoning | Puzzles Inserting the missing characterological Venn Diagrams, Situation reaction test coding-decoding Analogy Number, Ranking and Time Sequence Logical Sequence of Words Arithmetical reasoning, Analogy Data sufficiency |
| General Awareness | Solar System Geography, History, Economic News, Books and Authors, Current Important Events, Sports Terminology, Indian States and Capitals |
Now, the IBPS syllabus and IBPS PO exam pattern must be cleared by the aspirants. Sign up with Chegg India and send your queries on Chegg India Expert Hiring to get guidance from the experts.
IBPS has incorporated the descriptive test of 25 Marks in the PO Mains Exam. The applicants will have to compose an essay and a letter of 25 marks. The English Language Paper is designed to examine the candidates’ writing skills, grammar, vocabulary, and coherence. It is required to pass this paper by attaining a minimum cut-off to qualify for the final selection process successfully.
The IBPS PO objective exam penalizes incorrect answers by one-fourth or 0.25 marks. However, if you choose not to answer a question, there is no penalty. This encourages careful consideration of each question, as guessing incorrectly can lower your score. Avoiding penalties can significantly impact your overall performance, so focusing on accuracy, effective time management, and practicing mock tests regularly is equally important for success in the IBPS PO exam.
To prepare effectively for the IBPS PO 2025 Prelims Exam, candidates should follow a well-structured strategy. Begin by thoroughly understanding the syllabus, which covers Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, English Language, General Awareness, and Computer Knowledge. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the IBPS PO Exam Pattern to understand the structure, marking scheme, and time allocation for each section.
Develop a study plan that includes all topics and sets daily or weekly goals. Allocate time for each section based on personal strengths and areas that need improvement.
Regularly practice with mock tests and previous years’ question papers to enhance speed and accuracy. Focus on time management and continuously review progress to ensure thorough preparation.
Ans. The IBPS PO exam pattern will have three sections, i.e., Prelims examination, Mains section, and a personal interview. For more details, read the complete article closely. The time duration for the prelims examination will be 60 minutes, for the mains examination the duration will be 3 hours and 30 minutes, and for the personal interview, the duration will be 20-30 minutes.
Ans. With proper preparation, it may be easy to crack the examination. However, to ensure your qualification in all the examination stages, you must go through the IBPS PO Exam Pattern, study material, and also follow the IBPS syllabus mentioned in the article above.
Ans. There are 2 examinations and 1 personal interview for the IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2022. The IBPS PO prelims examination will carry 100 marks, the IBPS PO mains examination will carry 225 marks, and the IBPS PO interview will carry 100 marks.
Ans. Yes, the IBPS PO Exam Pattern has a personal interview of 100 marks. To clear the interview, the candidates must score 40%. Once you have secured 40% marks in the personal interview, you can expect your name to be on the merit list that gets released after the final round.
Ans. IBPS PO interview is neither easy nor tough. It depends on the candidate’s preparation and presence of mind in the interview. They need to be spontaneous and creative with their answers. The interview is more of a personality test than a test of knowledge.
The cut-off varies yearly. It depends on the number of vacancies, difficulty level, and candidates appearing.
Editor's Recommendations
Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
