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The IBPS PO Mains Exam is the second stage of the IBPS Examinations. It takes place annually a month or two after the prelims exam. The only ¼ of the total candidates who appear for the prelims make it for the mains examination.
The prelims are only to qualify and reduce the competition. The mains examination decides the final rank and the score of the candidate. The mains have two papers – objective type and the descriptive type. Before they only had objective type paper but later introduced another paper.
The descriptive paper does not have any syllabus and solely depends on the writing skills of the candidate. It is either an essay writing paper or a letter-writing one. The question can be either related to the mains syllabus or from the current affairs.
The objective type paper has five sections. Two of them overlap with the prelims as they are – Reasoning Ability and English Language. The rest three are – Computer Aptitude, General Awareness, and Banking and Economy. Let us understand all the elements of the exam in detail now –
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern
- This exam is for a total of 225 marks.
- The total duration of the papers is 3 hours and 30 minutes.
- It is a single day exam.
- It has 155 objective-based questions in total.
- The objective paper has 200 marks.
- There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks in the objective paper.
- There is no deduction for a blank answer.
- There are 2 writing skills questions in essay or letter form.
- The descriptive paper is for 25 marks.
| 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 |
IBPS PO Mains Syllabus
The banks don’t lay down a proper syllabus for the exam. The exam analysis of every year’s paper concludes the syllabus as –
Quantitative Aptitude
- Simplification
- Average
- Percentage
- Ratio and Percentage
- Data Interpretation
- Mensuration and Geometry
- Quadratic Equation
- Interest
- Problems of Ages
- Profit and Loss
- Number Series
- Speed, Distance, and Time
- Time and Work
- Number System
- Data Sufficiency
- Linear Equation
- Permutation and Combination
- And Probability
- Mixture and Allegations
Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Syllogism
- Circular Seating Arrangement
- Linear Seating Arrangement
- Double Lineup
- Scheduling
- Input-Output
- Blood Relations
- Directions and Distances
- Ordering and Ranking
- Data Sufficiency
- Coding and Decoding
- Code Inequalities
Computer Aptitude
- Internet
- Memory
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Computer Abbreviation
- Microsoft Office
- Computer Hardware
- Computer Software
- Operating System
- Networking
- Computer Fundamentals
- Terminologies
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Verbal Ability
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General Awareness
- Financial Awareness
- Current Affairs
- General Knowledge
IBPS PO Mains Admit Card
The candidates who qualify for the mains receive an admit card from the institution. They receive it only which they need to download. They need to carry the card for the mains examination at their center. They should also carry an identity proof to enter the exam center.
IBPS PO Mains Cut Off
The cutoff for the bank mains exam 2019 according to different categories is –
- General Category – 71.50
- Other Backward Class – 70.25
- Scheduled Caste – 55.63
- Scheduled Tribe – 38.13
- Economically Weaker Sections – 65.88
- Hearing Impaired – 41.00
- Open Category – 46.13
- Visually Impaired – 70.50
- PWD – 45.88
IBPS PO 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
- Which celebrity unveiled the 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
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 Mains Result
The IBPS Mains results get released on their official website. Only the eligible candidates who clear the mains cut off can appear for the interviews. The mains assesses all the sections of the paper and then releases a merit list.
The cut-off for different categories differs every year and thus the final results are always different. The result for the mains comes out 2-3 months after the examination.
IBPS PO Interview Process
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.
Final Selection
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.
Conclusion
The IBPS Mains examination takes place at the end of the year annually. They have two equally important papers. The article you saw covered the exam pattern, syllabus, cut off, exam analysis, and the result. The exam has a lot more competition at this stage and thus aspirants must take it seriously.
The number of candidates may decrease but so their caliber only increases. The candidates appearing in the Bank PO exam must know the structure of the exam well. This helps to formulate a preparation strategy and avoid last-minute surprises.
The article is useful for future PO officers as they start their exam preparation. Do give it a read and structure your strategy accordingly.