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The IBPS PO examination is an annual exam that selects the Bank PO officers for the banks in India. The examination has three stages – Prelims, Mains, and the Interview. The institute doesn’t launch an official syllabus for these papers.
Thus since long back, candidates prepare for these exams based on exam analysis of every year’s paper. The exam analysis studies the number of questions in the exam, questions under each section, topics present under each section, cut off, and much more.
The syllabus for the first two stages is almost similar because of overlapping paper sections.
This allows applicants to prepare for both the paper together. The study material is also similar. Only the level of difficulty increases with each stage. And the prelim’s score is not applicable for the final score, it is only to qualify for the mains exam.
The interview doesn’t have any syllabus and tests the applicant’s personality. The questions are mostly about personal life and contemporary issues. The applicants can check out the detailed syllabus for the IBPS PO examination below –
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks | Time |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus
Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Alphanumeric Series
- Directions
- Reasoning Puzzles
- Order and Ranking
- Alphabet Combination
- Data Sufficiency Tests
- Coded Inequalities
- Seating Arrangements
- Picture Series Puzzles
- Tabulation
- Syllogism
- Input/Output
- Coding and Decoding
- Assertion and Reason
- The statement, Argument, and Assumption
- Word Formation
- Analogy
- Number Series
- Problem Solving
- Passage and conclusions type questions
- Alphanumeric Series
- Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test
- Blood Relations
Quantitative Aptitude
- Number Series
- Number System
- Percentage
- Simplification
- Average
- Time and work
- Time, Speed, and Distance
- Probability
- Quadratic Equations
- Profit and Loss
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Ratio and proportion
- Permutation and Combination
- Surds and Indices
- Boats and Streams
- Pipes and Cisterns
- Mixtures and Allegations
- Mensuration
- Data Interpretations
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Para jumbles
- Miscellaneous
- Fill in the blanks
- Multiple Meaning/Error Spotting
- Paragraph Completion
- Idioms & Phrases
- Vocabulary/Word Association
- Sentence Completion
- Multiple Meaning
- Error Spotting
- Active/Passive Voices
- Rules For Tenses
- Rules For Prepositions
- Rules and List of Conjunctions
- Active And Passive Voice Rules
- Word Substitutions
- Homophones/Homonyms
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Letter Writing Format
- Precis Writing
- Adjective Degree Of Comparison Rules
- Article Rules
- Direct & Indirect Speech Rules
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2020
All the sections lie between easy to moderate level of exam. The section-wise division of the paper was –
Reasoning
- Puzzles and Seating Arrangement – 20 Questions
- Syllogism – 04 Questions
- Inequality – 03 Questions
- Direction Sense – 04 Questions
- Blood Relation – 03 Questions
- Alphabets – 03 Questions
- Data Sufficiency – 03 Questions
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Quantitative Section
- Data Interpretation – 15 Questions
- Missing Number Series – 05 Questions
- Approximation – 05 Questions
- Data Sufficiency – 05 Questions
- Arithmetic Word Problems – 10 – 12 Questions
English Language
- Reading Comprehension – 10 Questions
- Cloze Test – 07 Questions
- Filler – 07 Questions
- Sentence Rearrangement – 07 Questions
- Phrase Arrangement – 08 Questions
- Sentence Correction – 04 Questions
- Error Detection – 07 Questions
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern
| Paper | Section | Medium | Questions | Marks | Time |
| Objective Test | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | English & Hindi | 45 | 60 | 60 min |
| English Language | English | 35 | 40 | 40 min | |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | English & Hindi | 35 | 60 | 45 min | |
| General Awareness, Economy & Banking Awareness | English & Hindi | 40 | 40 | 35 min | |
| Descriptive Test | Letter Writing & Essay | English | 2 | 25 | 30 min |
| Total | 155
+2 |
225
+25 |
2.5 hours + 30 Min | ||
IBPS PO Mains Syllabus
Quantitative Aptitude
- Data Interpretation
- Simplification
- Average
- Percentage
- Ratio and Percentage
- Data Interpretation
- Mensuration and Geometry
- Quadratic Equation
- Interest
- Age
- Profit & Loss
- Number Series
- Speed, Distance & Time
- Number System
- Data Sufficiency
- Linear Equation
- Permutation & Combination
- Probability
- Mixture and Allegations
- Graph-Based Questions
- Missing Case DI
- Caselet
Reasoning and Computer Aptitude
- Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Syllogism
- Seating Arrangements
- Double and Triple Lineups
- Scheduling
- Input/Output
- Blood Relations
- Ordering and Ranking
- Coding and Decoding
- Sufficiency of Arguments and Data
- Directions and Displacement
- Code Inequalities
- Alphanumeric Series
- Computer Aptitude
- Internet
- Memory
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Computer Related Terms Abbreviations
- Computer Fundamentals
- Microsoft Office and Related Word Processing
- Spreadsheet Applications
- Computer Hardware and Software
- Operating Systems and GUI Basics
- Networking
- Computer Network
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Windows
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Para jumbles
- Miscellaneous
- Fill in the blanks
- Multiple Meaning/Error Spotting
- Paragraph Completion
- Idioms & Phrases
- Vocabulary/Word Association
- Sentence Completion
- Multiple Meaning
- Error Spotting
- Active/Passive Voices
- Rules For Tenses
- Rules For Prepositions
- Rules and List of Conjunctions
- Active And Passive Voice Rules
- Word Substitutions
- Homophones/Homonyms
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Letter Writing Format
- Precis Writing
- Adjective Degree of Comparison Rules
- Article Rules
- Direct & Indirect Speech Rules
- Letter Writing – Descriptive Paper
- Essay Writing – Descriptive Paper
General Awareness
- Banking awareness
- RBI Functions and Power
- Monetary Policy
- Politics
- Awards and Honors
- Major organizations and headquarters
- Important dates and events
- Prime Ministries
- Indian History
- Agriculture
- Cricket World Cup Winners
- Indian Constitution
- List of Neighbouring Countries of India
- Finance and Insurance
- List of Banking Abbreviations
- Budget and Taxes
- Government Schemes
- Authors and Writers
- Current Affairs and Economy
- Capitals and Countries
- Currencies
- Sports and recreation
- Some topics of Static GK
IBPS PO Mains Exam Analysis 2019
English Language
- Reading Comprehension – 12 questions
- Error Detection – 5 questions
- Cloze Test – 3 questions
- Word Rearrangement – 5 questions
- Sentence Rearrangement – 5 questions
- Para jumble – 5 questions
Data Analysis & Interpretation
- Data Interpretation – 34 questions
- Number Series – 1 question
- Probability
- Missing DI
- Time and Work
- Pie Chart Based DI
- Percentage
- Population-based Bar Graph
Reasoning Ability
- Puzzles & Seating Arrangement – 20 questions
- Syllogism – 2 questions
- Inequality – 3 questions
- Input-Output – 3 questions
- Coding-Decoding – 3 questions
- Blood Relations – 4 questions
- Direction & Distance – 4 questions
- Miscellaneous – 1 question
General Awareness
- World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2019 Theme
- Chief Justice of India
- Central government healthcare center with robotic surgery facility
- COP25 Summit
- Vikram Solar
- International Solar Alliance Framework
- Questions related to the Asian Development Bank
- ICC World Cup Men & Women’s Trophies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Hyderabad award as the “Creative City” by UNESCO
- ABADIA Scheme
- Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Headquarters
- Operation Dhanush
- Government Schemes
- Important Dates and Events
- RBI and its order
- Important Bank and their recent activities
Descriptive Paper
The essay writing topics for the 2019 paper were –
- Social Media Influencers Impact on Us
- Ethical Banking
- FDI in the Retail Sector
- Contribution of Unorganised sector in the Indian Economy
The letter writing topic for the 2019 exam was –
- Letter to Bank Manager
- Letter to the Road Transport Authority
- Letter to the editor of a newspaper
IBPS PO Interview
The IBPS of India calls the qualified candidates for the mains exam for the interview process. There are 100 marks for the interview and candidates must score 40% to make the final cut. For the reserved category, the percentage comes down to 25%.
The questions are mainly around the application and general knowledge topics. The institute generates a merit list at the end of the examination process. The ratio between the mains and the interview is 80:20.
And in the end, a merit list comes out with the names of the qualified candidates. And the final candidates receive a joining letter from the bank.
Books for IBPS PO Exam
English Language
- Wren and Martin High School Book
- How to Read Better and Faster by Norman Lewis
- Cloze Test by Dilip Khushwaha
Quantitative Aptitude
- Quantitative Aptitude by R.S Agarwal
- The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude by Dinesh Khattar
- Data Interpretation by Arun Sharma
- Objective Mathematics by Tarun Goyal
Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude
- 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
- Objective Computer Awareness by Arihant
General Awareness
- India Year Book by Publications Division, Government of India
- Banking Awareness by B.K Raut and S.R Behera
- Pratiyogita Darpan
- National Newspapers and Magazines
Conclusion
The article was a guide for all the IBPS PO exam applicants. If you are appearing for any competitive exam, knowing the structure and the syllabus is very important. This helps you prepare well for the examination with a well-developed exam strategy.
The IBPS Bank PO exam is a tough one to crack due to high competition. This is the reason why all the applicants must follow a structured approach to crack this exam. And knowing the syllabus inside out is the way to do it. Read the syllabus thoroughly before starting your preparation.