IBPS PO: Latest Exam Syllabus, Pattern, Books & Preparation Tips

 

IBPS PO Exam Pattern

IBPS PO exam pattern provides details regarding the overall structure of the exam, such as marking scheme, total marks, number of sections, and time duration. Before beginning with the preparation for the IBPS PO exam, candidates must go through the exam pattern thoroughly to understand how they should utilize their time and secure a good ranking.

 

Preliminary Examination Pattern

• In IBPS PO Prelims exam has 100 multiple-choice questions.
• The candidate needs to qualify in each section of the exam as per the minimum cut-off list.

The total maximum mark for the exam is 100. And the total time duration is 1 hour.

 

• English Language: In English, a test of 30 questions and the maximum marks for the same is 30 marks. The total time allotted for this exam is 20 minutes.
• Reasoning Ability: It contains an examination of 35 questions, and the maximum marks for the same are 35 marks. But, the time duration of this exam is 20 minutes.
• Quantitative Aptitude: It also includes the same marking as Reasoning.

 

Candidates must pass each of the three examinations by achieving the minimal cut-off marks set by IBPS. For example, a suitable number of candidates in each category will be shortlisted for the Online Main Examination, as determined by IBPS based on requirements.

Candidates can find details related to IBPS PO Eligibility, Fees, Exam dates, and more by clicking here.

 

Main Examination Pattern

• In IBPS PO mains exam has 155 multiple-choice questions.
• The candidate needs to qualify in each section of the exam as per the minimum cut-off list.

The total maximum mark for the exam is 200. And the total time duration is 3 hours or 180 minutes.

 

• English Language: In English, a test of 35 questions and the maximum marks for the same is 40 marks. The total time allotted for this exam is 40 minutes.
• Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude: It contains an examination of 45 questions, and the maximum marks for the same are 60 marks. But, the time duration of this exam is 60 minutes.
• Data Analysis & Interpretation: In this paper, the total number of questions is 35, and the marks are the same as 60, but the time durations are 45 minutes.
• General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness: In this paper, the total number of questions is 40, and the marks are the same as 40. but the time durations are 35 minutes.
• English Language (Letter Writing & Essay): In this paper, the total number of questions is 2, and the marks are the same as 25. but the time durations are 30 minutes.

 

Wrong Answer Penalty (Applicable to both the Online Preliminary and Online Main Exams) In the Objective Tests, there will be a penalty for incorrect responses. Candidates will be penalized 0.25 points for each incorrect response, which will be subtracted from their overall score. There will be no penalty if a question is left blank, i.e. the candidate does not mark a response.

 

IBPS PO Syllabus

IBPS PO Prelims Exam Syllabus

We will discuss the IBPS PO syllabus for the prelims exam, and then we check the details for the mains exam syllabus. IBPS PO Syllabus for prelims exam consist of 3 sections.

1. Reasoning
2. Quantitative Aptitude
3. English Language

 

Here’s the complete list of topics asked under each section:

Reasoning	Quantitative Aptitude	English Language
Puzzle	Number Series	Reading Comprehension
Alphabets/Numeric Series & Alphanumeric Series	Simplification & Approximation	Cloze Test
Direction sense	Inequality (Quadratic & Quantity based)	Para jumbles
Data Sufficiency	Ratio & Proportion, Partnership	Vocabulary Based
Inequalities	Percentage	Fill in the blanks
Seating Arrangement	Mixtures & Alligations	Multiple Meaning/Error Spotting
Input-Output	Average & ages, Profit & Loss	Paragraph Completion
Syllogism	Time & work	Spelling Errors
Blood Relation	Pipe and cistern	Word Replacement
Order and Ranking	Simple Interest & Compound Interest	Column based Fillers and Sentence Connectors
coding-decoding	Time & Distance, Boat & stream	Word Usage
	Data sufficiency	Idioms and Phrases
	Mensuration (2D&3D)	Sentence Completion
	Data Interpretation
	Permutation, Combination And Probability

 

IBPS PO Mains Exam Syllabus

IBPS PO Syllabus for mains exam comprises five sections.

1. Data Analysis
2. General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness
3. English Language
4. Reasoning
5. Computer Aptitude

 

The complete IBPS PO Syllabus for mains is discussed below:

Data Analysis	General/Economy/Banking Awareness	English Language	Reasoning	Computer Aptitude
Series	Current Affairs (4-5 Months)	Reading Comprehension	Puzzle	Internet
Number System, HCF &LCM,	Banking and Financial Awareness	Error Detection	Syllogism	Memory
Inequality (Quantity based)	Static Awareness	Vocabulary	Input-Output	Memory
Ratio & Proportion, Partnership		Phrase Replacement	Seating Arrangement	Keyboard Shortcuts
Percentage		Word Association & Replacement	Blood Relations	Computer Abbreviation
Mixtures & Alligations		Sentence Improvement	Direction sense	Microsoft Office
Average & ages		Para Jumbles	Data Sufficiency	Networking
Profit & Loss		Cloze Test	Logical Reasoning	Operating System
Time and work & Pipe and cistern		Spelling Errors	Inequalities	Computer Software
Simple Interest & Compound Interest		Fill in the blanks	Coding-Decoding	Computer Hardware
Time & Distance, Boat & stream		Column Based Fillers		Computer Fundamentals/Terminologies
Permutation, Combination & Probability		Word Usage		Number System
Mensuration (2D&3D)		Sentence Connectors, Rearrangement & Completion		Basic of Logic Gates
Data Interpretation

 

In addition from above topics candidates have to write letter and essay as a part of descript test for English language.

 

Best Books for IBPS PO

The best IBPS PO books sufficiently address the exam’s syllabus. They are simple to follow and contain material pertinent to the IBPS PO syllabus and plenty of practice questions. 

The following is a list of the finest IBPS PO preparation books, organized by subject:

Reasoning Ability:

Although this subject is included in the Mains exam with Computer Aptitude, it should be studied independently. The following are the best books on the subject:

• A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S Agrawal
• A New Approach to Reasoning by B.S Sijwali and Indu Sijwali
• Analytical Reasoning by M.K.Pandey
• Verbal Reasoning by RS Agarwal
• Logical reasoning by K Kundan

 

English Language:

Even though no publications other than the usual IBPS guides appear to be relevant to the IBPS PO test at first look, these books cover practically all of the themes covered in both stages of the exam:

• High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin.
• How to Read Better and Faster by Norman Lewis
• Reading Comprehension, Ordering of Sentences, Ordering of Words and Cloze Test by Dilip Khushwaha
• Descriptive General English by S P Bakshi & Richa Sharma
• Essential Grammar in Use (3rd Edition) by Raymond Murphy

 

Quantitative Aptitude:

Because the Quantitative Aptitude component of the syllabus is common to PO and management entrance tests, there are a plethora of publications accessible. The top textbooks for this subject, however, are

• Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations by R.S Agarwal
• The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude by Dinesh Khattar
• Data Interpretation by Arun Sharma
• Objective Mathematics for Competitive Exams by Tarun Goyal
• Quantitative Aptitude Book by Wiley’s Publication
• Teach Yourself Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma
• Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma (Arihant Publications

 

Computer Aptitude:

The IBPS Computer Aptitude Syllabus is not extensive. The mains exam includes this subject. The following book, is made up of activities and tools that we use every day in modern offices, is sufficient for the topic:

• Objective Computer Awareness by Arihant

• Computer Knowledge by Disha Publications
• Objective Computer Knowledge & Literacy by Kiran Publications

 

General Awareness, Economy, and Banking:

This is a topic that has a lot of coverage. As a result, newspapers, weekly current events publications, and books should be used to prepare. The majority of current affairs questions are based on events within the last three to four months before the exam. The following are some valuable books on the subject:

• India Year Book by Publications Division, Government of India
• Banking Awareness by B.K Raut and S.R Behera
• Apart from these books, The Hindu and Indian Express are good sources of information on the latest developments.
• Pratiyogita Darpan (Monthly Edition)

Sections	Books for IBPS PO
English Language	Word Power Made Easy by Norman LewisHigh School Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin
Quantitative Aptitude	Quantitative Aptitude by RS Agarwal
Reasoning Ability	Modern Approach to Verbal Reasoning by RS AgarwalA New Approach to Reasoning Verbal & Non-Verbal (Arihant) by BS SijwaliAnalytical Reasoning by MK Pandey
General Awareness	Banking and Economic Awareness by Rakesh KumarBanking, Financial & General Awareness by I K Pavel

 

IBPS PO Preparation Tips

• To understand subtopics and the grading method, familiarise yourself with the syllabus and exam format.
• Select and solve past year’s question papers.
• The importance of planning is significant. As a result, set aside time to go over the entire curriculum and concentrate on the most crucial sections.
• Mock Tests are the best way to check your preparation growth. It helps to comprehend the solid and weak points.
• Prepare the strategy that works for you. Critical evaluation of your performance can help you identify the best approach.
• To prepare for the IBPS PO exam 2021, candidates should have complete knowledge of the syllabus.
• Work on your weak point
• Learn time management
• Start with the basic concept

 

Note: Only those candidates will be called for the interview round who will successfully clear both prelims and mains exam. The preliminary exam will be qualifying in nature. Marks of mains exam (objective+ descriptive) will be taken into the account for the selection of the candidates for the interview.

 

FАQs

Q. Is there аny сhаnge in IBPS РО exаm раttern?

А. Nо, there is nо сhаnge in IBPS РО exаm раttern. The exаm раttern is the sаme аs рreviоus yeаrs’.

 

Q. Whаt will be the tоtаl number оf questiоns in IBPS РО рrelims аnd mаins exаm?

А. IBPS РО рrelims exаm саrries а tоtаl оf 100 questiоns while there аre 157 questiоns in the mаins exаm.

 

Q. Whаt аre the different seсtiоns оf IBPS РО exаm?

А. The рreliminаry exаm соnsists оf English Lаnguаge, Quаntitаtive Арtitude, аnd Reаsоning Аbility. The mаins exаm соmрrises English Lаnguаge, Dаtа Interрretаtiоn аnd Аnаlysis, Reаsоning аnd Соmрuter Арtitude, аnd Generаl Аwаreness.

 

Q. Whiсh аre the sсоring tорiсs оf IBРS РО Reаsоning seсtiоn?

А. Sоme оf the mоst sсоring tорiсs in IBРS РО Reаsоning seсtiоn аre number series, соding deсоding, blооd relаtiоn, direсtiоn аnd distаnсe, seаting аrrаngements, syllоgism, саuse аnd effeсt аnd dаtа suffiсienсy.

 

Q. Whiсh аre the sсоring аreаs оf the IBРS РО English seсtiоn?

А. The sсоring аreаs оf the IBРS РО English seсtiоn аre fill in the blаnks, reаrrаngement, sроtting errоrs, reаding соmрrehensiоn, аnd vосаbulаry (synоnyms, аntоnyms).

 

Q. Whiсh аre the imроrtаnt tорiсs fоr the IBPS РО Quаntitаtive Арtitude seсtiоn?

А. The imроrtаnt tорiсs fоr IBPS РО Quаntitаtive Арtitude seсtiоn аre number systems, rаtiо аnd рrороrtiоn, рrоfit аnd lоss, simрle аnd соmроund interest, sequenсe аnd series, simрlifiсаtiоn questiоns.

 

Q. Whаt tyрe оf Dаtа Interрretаtiоn questiоns аre аsked in IBPS РО exаm?

А. Questiоns frоm Dаtа Interрretаtiоn аre bаsiсаlly bаsed оn grарhs аnd рie-сhаrts.

 

Q. Whiсh tорiсs shоuld I рreраre fоr the Generаl Аwаreness seсtiоn in IBРS РО exаm?

А. Fоr the Generаl Аwаreness seсtiоn in IBPS РО exаm, саndidаtes shоuld рreраre tорiсs suсh аs аwаrds аnd hоnоurs, bооks аnd their аuthоrs, bаnking terms, RBI guidelines аnd роliсies, sроrts news.

 

Q. Whiсh tорiсs tо соver fоr the Соmрuter Knоwledge seсtiоn in IBPS РО exаm?

А. Fоr the Соmрuter Knоwledge seсtiоn оf IBPS РО exаm, саndidаtes must рreраre tорiсs suсh аs bаsiсs оf соmрuters, bаsiс terminоlоgies оf internet, netwоrking bаsiсs like LАN аnd wаn, inрut аnd оutрut deviсes, shоrtсut keys, lаtest teсhnоlоgies.

 

Q. Hоw саn I рreраre fоr the GK seсtiоn оf IBРS РО exаm?

А. Саndidаtes саn рreраre fоr the GK seсtiоn оf IBРS РО exаm by reаding the newsрарer.

 

Q. Is it useful tо sоlve IBРS РО sаmрle рарers оr рreviоus yeаrs’ questiоn рарers?

А. IBРS РО sаmрle рарers оr рreviоus yeаrs’ questiоn рарers helр саndidаtes tо knоw the tyрe оf questiоns аsked in the exаm.

 

Q. Hоw imроrtаnt is IBРS РО mосk test?

А. Sоlving IBРS РО mосk tests helрs саndidаtes tо identify their рrоblem аreаs аnd they саn wоrk оn them.