IBPS PO Exam Pattern and Syllabus
IBPS PO Exam Pattern
The IBPS PO Exam is conducted in two main stages: the Preliminary and Main exams, followed by an Interview. The exam pattern of both of these exams is as follows:
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern
The first stage of the exam is the pre-exam called the IBPS PO preliminary examination which is conducted for 1 hour and gives 20 minutes for each section, the exam is conducted online. It consists of 3 sections with 100 questions and a maximum score of 100 marks. There is a negative marking in the IBPS PO pre-exam, and 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer. Candidates must clear the cut-off in all 3 sections to qualify for the IBPS PO Main exam. The section-wise details are given below:
S. No. | Tests (Objective type) | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
1 | English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
2 | Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
3 | Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes | |
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern
After the aspirants qualifies the prelims exam, they must write the mains exam which is divided into two parts. In the first part, they have to attempt the objective type of questions which is held for 3 hours followed by the English language test for 30 minutes. Please check the IBPOS PO mains exam pattern given below:
S. No. | Tests (Objective type) | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
1 | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 minutes |
2 | English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
3 | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 minutes |
4 | General Economy & Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
Total | 155 | 200 | 3 Hours | |
5 | English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) | 2 | 25 | 30 minutes |
Penalty for Wrong Answers / Negative marking
For every wrong answer to an objective question a penalty of one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty or negative marking. For example, 0.25 marks will be deducted as a penalty for a wrong answer to a question that carries one mark. There will be no penalty for leaving a question blank, i.e. if no answer is marked by the candidate.
IBPS PO Interview
Candidates who have qualified for the mains exam are called for a face-to-face interview which carries a maximum of 100 marks. The minimum qualifying mark in the interview is 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWD candidates).
The interview round is generally 15-20 minutes long, where a panel of bank officials will ask questions to the candidates about themselves, the banking sector, current affairs, general awareness, etc. The candidates must be well dressed, confident, and carry all required documents to the interview.
The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the main examination and interview. The final score is calculated by IBPS with weightage of marks given to the main examination and interview in the ratio of 80:20 respectively.
IBPS PO Syllabus
Now let us check the syllabus that has been prescribed for the above IBPS PO exam. The IBPS PO syllabus is similar to that of other bank exams, it has main subjects like Quantitative Aptitude Reasoning, English language, and General Awareness. They can be further bifurcated into individual topics, based on the questions that have appeared in the exams over the past few years. The IBPS PO syllabus is divided into two parts:
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Syllabus
The prelims exam syllabus comprises of three main sections – Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language.
Reasoning Ability | Quantitative Aptitude | English Language |
|---|---|---|
Logical Reasoning | Simplification | Reading Comprehension |
Alphanumeric Series | Profit & Loss | Cloze Test |
Ranking/Direction/ | Mixtures & Allegations | Para jumbles |
Data Sufficiency | Simple Interest & Compound Interest & | Multiple Meaning / Error |
Coded Inequalities | Work & Time | Fill in the blanks |
Seating | Time & Distance | Miscellaneous |
Puzzle | Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere | Paragraph Completion |
Tabulation | Data Interpretation | |
Syllogism | Ratio & Proportion, Percentage | |
Blood Relations | Number Systems | |
Input-Output | Sequence & Series | |
Coding-Decoding | Permutation, Combination, Probability |
IBPS PO Mains Exam Syllabus
This exam consists of 5 sections: Reasoning & Computer, English Language, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General Awareness, and Descriptive Test (Letter Writing &Essay).
Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus | General Awareness Syllabus | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude Syllabus | English Language Syllabus | |
Simplification | Financial Awareness | Verbal Reasoning | Internet | Reading Comprehension |
Average | Current Affairs | Syllogism | Memory | Vocabulary |
Percentage | General Knowledge | Circular Seating Arrangement | Keyboard Shortcuts | Grammar |
Ratio and Percentage | Linear Seating Arrangement | Computer Abbreviation | Verbal Ability | |
Data Interpretation | Double Lineup | Microsoft Office | ||
Mensuration and Geometry | Scheduling | Computer Hardware | ||
Quadratic Equation | Input-Output | Computer Software | ||
Interest | Blood Relations | Operating System | ||
Problems of Ages | Directions and Distances | Networking | ||
Profit and Loss | Ordering and Ranking | Computer Fundamentals /Terminologies | ||
Number Series | Data Sufficiency | |||
Time and Distance, relative Speed etc | Coding and Decoding | |||
Time and Work | Code Inequalities | |||
Number System | ||||
Data Sufficiency | ||||
Linear Equation | ||||
Permutation and Combination | ||||
Probability | ||||
Mixture and Allegations | ||||
IBPS PO: Eligibility Criteria
The first eligibility criterion for the IBPS PO exam is the age factor. Your age should be a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 30 years as per the notification released by IBPS.
Relaxation of Upper age limit for various category of aspirants is given below:
Sr. No. | Category | Age relaxation |
1 | Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe | 5 years |
2 | Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
3 | Persons With Benchmark Disabilities as defined under “The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016” | 10 years |
4 | Ex-servicemen, Commissioned Officers including Emergency Commissioned Officers (ECOs)/ Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) who have rendered at least 5 years military service and have been released on completion of assignment (including those whose assignment is due to be completed within one year from the last date of receipt of application) otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency or physical disability attributable to military service, subject to the ceiling as per Government guidelines | 5 years |
5 | Persons affected by 1984 riots | 5 years |
Educational Qualification
Secondly, you should possess a Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a university recognized by the Govt. Of India or any equivalent qualification recognized as such by the Central Government. The candidate must possess a valid mark sheet/Degree Certificate that he/ she is a graduate on the day he/she registers and indicate the percentage of marks obtained in Graduation while registering online.
Note:
(1) All the educational qualifications mentioned should be from a University/ Institution/ Board recognized by the Govt. of India/ approved by Govt. Regulatory Bodies and the final result should have been declared.
(2) A proper document from the Board / University for having declared the result on or before the date mentioned in the notification has to be submitted at the time of the interview. The date of passing the eligibility examination should comply with the date appearing on the mark sheet or provisional certificate issued by the University / Institute. In case the result of a particular examination is posted on the website of the University / Institute, and a web-based certificate is issued then the proper document/certificate in original should be issued and signed by the appropriate authority of the University / Institute indicating the date of passing properly mentioned thereon will be reckoned for verification and further process.
(3) Candidate should indicate the percentage obtained in Graduation calculated to the nearest two decimals in the online application. Where CGPA / OGPA is awarded, the same should be converted into the percentage and indicated in the online application. If called for an interview, the candidate will have to produce a certificate issued by the appropriate authority inter alia stating that the norms of the University regarding the conversion of grades into percentage and the percentage of marks scored by the candidate in terms of norms.
(4) Calculation of Percentage: The percentage marks shall be arrived at by dividing the total marks obtained by the candidate in all the subjects in all semester(s)/year(s) by aggregate maximum marks (in all the subjects irrespective of the honors/optional/additional optional subject, if any) multiplied by 100. This will be applicable for those universities also where Class/Grade is decided on basis of Honours marks only.
The fraction of percentage so arrived will be ignored i.e. 59.99% will be treated as less than 60% and 54.99% will be treated as less than 55%.
Computer Literacy: Knowledge of computer operation is a must, as the IBPS PO exam is conducted online.
IBPS PO recruitment process
The IBPS PO selection process consists of 3 phases (preliminary, mains, and interview) and the candidate must qualify each of these steps to proceed to the next phase. Important steps of the IBPS PO Recruitment Process are given for your reference:
IBPS PO Online Preliminary Examination:
IBPS conducts prelims exams to filter out the required number of candidates in each category for the main exam depending upon requirements.
IBPS PO Online Mains Examination:
Candidates who cleared the preliminary examination are called for the online mains exam, which must qualify both in each sectional and an overall cutoff to be eligible for an interview.
IBPS PO Interview:
The interview will be conducted by the participating organizations and coordinated by the Nodal Bank in each State/UT with the help of IBPS
Final Result of IBPS PO Exam:
Based upon the combined performance in the IBPS PO Mains examination and interview final results will be declared.
Salary of IBPS PO
The salary range of a PO starts from Rs 47000 and goes to 50000.
IBPS PO Pre-Exam Training
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) holds pre-exam training for the benefit of special category IBPS PO exam aspirants. IBPS releases the call letters for Probationary Officer (PO) aspirants as and when this training is scheduled.
Who can attend pre-examination training?
Pre-examination training is arranged by the Nodal Banks or Participating organizations for a limited number of aspirants who belong to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes/Minority Communities at select centers. Expenses such as traveling, boarding, and lodging have to be borne by the aspirants who will attend the training.
IBPS PO Exam Prelims Cut-Off Category-wise
IBPS PO Prelims Cut Off 2023 | |
Category | Cut-Off Marks |
GEN | 54.25 |
SC | 49.50 |
ST | 43 |
OBC-NCL | 54.25 |
EWS | 54.25 |
HI | 21.75 |
OC | 42.50 |
VI | 39 |
ID | 20.25 |
IBPS PO Prelims Cut Off 2022 | |
Category | Cut-Off Marks |
GEN | 49.75 |
SC | 46.75 |
ST | 40.75 |
OBC | 49.75 |
EWS | 49.75 |
HI | 17.50 |
OC | 32.75 |
VI | 24.75 |
ID | 19.75 |
IBPS PO Prelims Cut Off 2021 | |
Category | Cut-Off Marks |
GEN | 50.5 |
SC | 44.50 |
ST | 38 |
OBC | 50.5 |
EWS | 50.5 |
HI | 20.75 |
OC | 42 |
VI | 37 |
ID | 20.75 |
IBPS PO Exam Mains Cut-Off Category-wise
IBPS PO Mains Cut Off 2023 | |
Category | Cut Off Marks (Out of 225) |
General | 63 |
OBC | 62.25 |
SC | 50.25 |
ST | 41 |
EWS | 61 |
HI | 28.75 |
OC | 45.75 |
VI | 47.50 |
ID | 37 |
IBPS PO Mains Cut-Off 2022 | |
Category | Cut Off Marks (Out of 225) |
General | 71.25 |
OBC | 69.75 |
SC | 59.25 |
ST | 53.25 |
EWS | 70.50 |
HI | 37.75 |
OC | 50.50 |
VI | 66.25 |
ID | 36 |
IBPS PO Mains Cut Off 2021 | |
Category | Cut Off Marks (Out of 225) |
General | 80.75 |
OBC | 75.75 |
SC | 65.5 |
ST | 57.75 |
EWS | 77.25 |
HI | 42.50 |
OC | 62.50 |
VI | 77.75 |
ID | 46 |
A clear understanding of the IBPS PO exam pattern and syllabus is essential for focused and effective preparation. The multi-stage structure of preparation beginning with the Preliminary exam, advancing to the Main exam, and culminating in the Interview ensures a comprehensive assessment of a candidate’s skills in reasoning, quantitative aptitude, language proficiency, and banking awareness. Familiarity with each section requires a thorough understanding of concepts that can be achieved by enrolling in the best IBPS PO coaching followed by consistent practice of IBPS PO Mock Tests aligned with the syllabus, Rankers Hub helps candidates navigate the exam confidently and maximize their performance. With a disciplined approach and thorough preparation, candidates can successfully meet the demands of the IBPS PO exam and move closer to achieving their goal of becoming a Probationary Officer.
