Introduction
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) Probationary Officer (PO) exam is one of the most prestigious banking exams in India. It recruits management trainees for public sector banks. With a huge number of aspirants every year, a clear understanding of the exam pattern, eligibility and preparation strategies is essential to succeed.
Exam Pattern
Prelims:
- The preliminary exam has three sections – English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability.
- There are 100 multiple-choice questions carrying 1 mark each (30 in English, 35 in Quantitative Aptitude and 35 in Reasoning Ability).
- Candidates get 20 minutes for each section (total duration 60 minutes).
- For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted
Mains:
- The mains exam has an objective test and a descriptive test.
- The objective test has four sections: Reasoning (40 questions, 60 marks, 50 minutes), Data Analysis & Interpretation (35 questions, 50 marks, 45 minutes), General/Economy/Banking Awareness (35 questions, 50 marks, 35 minutes) and English Language (35 questions, 40 marks, 40 minutes).
- The descriptive test contains two questions (letter writing and essay) worth 25 marks to be completed in 30 minutes
- Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies in both prelims and mains.
Eligibility
- Age: Candidates must be 20–30 years old as of the notification date
- Educational Qualification: A graduation degree with at least 55–60 % aggregate from a recognised university and basic computer knowledge
- Nationality: Applicants must be Indian citizens or subjects of Nepal, Bhutan or a Tibetan refugee who settled in India before 1 January 1962
- Age relaxation applies to reserved categories (SC/ST: +5 years, OBC: +3 years, PwD: +10 years)
Preparation Tips
- Understand the syllabus and weightage of each section.
- Build strong fundamentals in English, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning.
- Practise previous years’ papers and take timed mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
- Read newspapers and follow financial news for the General Awareness section.
- Analyse mock test results to identify weak areas and revise them regularly.
“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” — Henry David Thoreau
FAQs
How many sections are there in the IBPS PO prelims exam?
Three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability.
Is there a descriptive paper in IBPS PO?
Yes, the mains exam includes a 30‑minute descriptive test with letter and essay writing
What is the age limit for IBPS PO 2025?
Candidates must be between 20 and 30 years old as of the specified date
For more practice, explore our free mock tests. Good luck!