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The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the IBPS PO Prelims and Mains Exam to select eligible candidates for Probationary Officer post in 11 participating PSBs. Those who are interested to become a PO, must be aware of the examination and how to prepare for it. Understanding the syllabus and exam pattern will help candidates effectively strategize their preparation to ensure success in the IBPS PO 2025. The candidates should go through all the topics to make sure they can answer most of the questions asked in the examination. This article details the latest IBPS PO Syllabus and exam pattern.
IBPS PO Syllabus 2025
The IBPS PO Syllabus 2025 is set by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) and will follow a similar pattern as in previous years. Every year lakhs of students apply for the post of PO in IBPS which makes the competition hard and the IBPS PO exam harder to crack. But if prepared properly nothing is difficult. The preliminary exam will have separate sectional timings for each section. The selection process consists of three phases: the Preliminary Exam, the Mains Exam, and the Interview Process.
Candidates must pass each stage to be selected for the Probationary Officer position in various Public Sector Banks. IBPS PO exams are considered one of the most prestigious exams in India. Candidates can check the IBPS PO Syllabus and exam pattern of all the stages in detail so that a better understanding can be drawn.
IBPS PO Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025
The IBPS PO Syllabus 2025 comprises English Languages, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and General Awareness from which the questions will be asked in the IBPS PO 20245 exam. The examination is going be commence soon and the candidates must start revising. Check the details regarding the syllabus from the table given below.
IBPS PO Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025 | |
Exam Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, IBPS |
Name of Exam | IBPS PO 2025 |
Post | Probationary Officer (PO) |
Marks Segregation IBPS PO Exam |
|
Duration of Exam |
|
Marking scheme | 1 mark each for every correct answer in the Online Test |
Negative marking | 1/4th of the marks assigned to the question in MCQ |
Mode of Examination | Online For Prelims & Mains |
Language of examination | English OR Hindi English Language paper has to be attempted in English. |
IBPS PO Selection Process 2025
The IBPS PO Exam is conducted in three different stages as listed below:
- IBPS PO Prelims Exam
- IBPS PO Mains Exam
- IBPS PO Interview
Each candidate will be required to obtain a minimum score in each test (Pre and Mains) of the Online examination and also a minimum total score to be considered to be shortlisted for the interview. Candidates should qualify both in the Online Main Exam and interview and be sufficiently high to be considered for the final appointment. Thus, the final selection is made on the marks scored by the candidate in the IBPS PO Mains Exam and Interview (Mains+ Interview).
IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025 Prelims
The Prelims exam is the first stage of the IBPS PO 2025. This is the screening round.
- The Prelims Stage of IBPS PO will have three sections of a total duration of 1 Hour.
- There will be a total of 100 Multiple Choice Questions.
- Candidates will have to qualify in each of the three tests by securing minimum cut-off marks to be decided by IBPS.
- An adequate number of candidates in each category as decided by IBPS depending upon requirements will be shortlisted for Online Main Examination.
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2025 | ||||
Subjects | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration | |
English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes | |
Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes | |
Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes | |
Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
Note: There will be a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus 2025
The IBPS PO Syllabus 2025 for Prelims is given below for the following sections:
- Reasoning Ability
- English Language
- Quantitative Aptitude
Check the subject-wise IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus 2025 below:
IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus 2025 | ||
Reasoning Syllabus | English Language Syllabus | Quantitative Ability Syllabus |
Logical Reasoning | Reading Comprehension | Simplification |
Alphanumeric Series | Cloze Test | Profit & Loss |
Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test | Para jumbles | Mixtures & Allegations |
Data Sufficiency | Word Usage, Word-Swap | Simple Interest & Compound Interest & Surds & Indices |
Inequalities | Fill in the blanks | Work & Time |
Seating Arrangement | Error Detection, Error Spotting | Time & Distance |
Puzzle | Paragraph Completion | Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere |
Tabulation | One word Substitution | Data Interpretation |
Syllogism | Miscellaneous | Ratio & Proportion, Percentage |
Blood Relations
|
– | Number Systems |
Input-Output | – | Sequence & Series |
Coding-Decoding
|
– | Permutation, Combination &Probability |
IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025 Mains
This is the 2nd Stage of the IBPS PO Exam. The candidates who will qualify for the Prelims of the IBPS PO Exam will be eligible to appear for the IBPS PO Mains Exam 2025.
- Introduction of Descriptive Paper: Similar to the SBI PO Exam, IBPS has introduced a Descriptive Paper in its Mains Examination. Candidates will be assessed on their writing skills through an essay and a letter, totaling 25 marks to be completed within 30 minutes.
- Negative Marking: A penalty of 0.25 marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer in the Objective Tests.
- Changed Sectional Timing: The overall time allotted for each section has been revised.
- Revised Timing for Mains Exam: The total time for the IBPS PO 2025 Mains Objective Exam has been increased from 140 minutes to 180 minutes, with an additional 30 minutes for the descriptive test, making the total duration 3 hours and 30 minutes.
- Division of Sections: The tests of Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, English Language, and Data Analysis & Interpretation are divided into Section A and Section B. All questions in both sections are mandatory, with some questions carrying 2 marks and others 1 mark.
- Combined Computer Applications and Reasoning: There will be no separate paper for Computer Applications. Instead, Computer Aptitude is combined with the Reasoning section, comprising 45 questions for a total of 60 marks.
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern 2025 | |||||
S. No. | Name of test | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Medium of Examination | Time Duration |
1 | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (Section A and Section B) |
45 | 60 | English & Hindi | 60 minutes |
2 | English Language (Section A and Section B) |
35 | 40 | English only | 40 minutes |
3 | Data Analysis and Interpretation (Section A and Section B) |
35 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
4 | General, Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | English & Hindi | 35 minutes |
Total | 155 | 200 | – | 180 minutes | |
English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) | 02 | 25 | English | 30 minutes | |
Total | 157 | 225 | – | 3 hours 30 minutes |
IBPS PO Mains Syllabus 2025
The candidates who secure a minimum cut-off will be eligible to appear for the IBPS PO Mains Exam. The syllabus for the IBPS PO Mains Exam is given below for the following sections:
- Quantitative Aptitude
- General Awareness
- English Language
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
IBPS PO Mains Syllabus 2025 | |
Topics | Sub-Topics |
Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus | Simplification |
Average | |
Percentage | |
Mixture and Allegations | |
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 | |
Probability | |
General Awareness Syllabus | Financial Awareness |
Current Affairs | |
General Knowledge | |
Static Awareness | |
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude Syllabus | Verbal Reasoning |
Syllogism | |
Circular Seating Arrangement | |
Code Inequalities | |
Linear Seating Arrangement | |
Double Lineup | |
Scheduling | |
Input-Output | |
Blood Relations | |
Directions and Distances | |
Ordering and Ranking | |
Data Sufficiency | |
Coding and Decoding | |
Internet | |
Memory | |
Keyboard Shortcuts | |
Computer Abbreviation | |
Microsoft Office | |
Computer Hardware | |
Computer Software | |
Operating System | |
Networking | |
Computer Fundamentals /Terminologies | |
English Language Syllabus |
Reading Comprehension
|
Vocabulary | |
Grammar | |
One word Substitution
|
|
Verbal Ability |
IBPS PO Descriptive Test
IBPS has included the descriptive test of 25 Marks in the PO Mains Exam. The candidates will have to write an essay and a letter of 25 marks. The English Language Paper is to assess the candidates’ writing skills and it is compulsory to pass this paper by securing a minimum cut-off.
IBPS PO 2025 Interview
Candidates who have been shortlisted in the Online Main examination for CRP- PO/MT-XIV will subsequently be
called for an Interview to be conducted by the Participating Organization and coordinated by the Nodal Bank in each State/ UT with the help of IBPS. Interviews will be conducted at select centers.
- The total marks allotted for the IBPS PO Interview are 100.
- The minimum qualifying marks in the interview will not be less than 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWBD candidates).
- The weightage (ratio) of the IBPS PO Online Main Exam and interview will be 80:20 respectively.
- The combined final score of candidates shall be arrived at based on scores obtained by the candidates in the Online Main Examination of CRP- PO/MT-XIV and Interview.
- A candidate should qualify both in the Online Main Exam and interview and be sufficiently high in merit to be shortlisted for the subsequent provisional allotment process.
IBPS PO Interview
Candidates who pass the Mains Exam are invited by IBPS to participate in the Interview Process. This interview is worth 100 marks. To qualify, candidates need to score at least 40%, with a reduced threshold of 35% for those in the SC, ST, OBC, and PWD categories.
Final Selection for IBPS PO
The IBPS PO final selection for the Probationary Officer position will be based on the combined scores of the Mains Exam and the interview process. These scores will be weighted at 80% and 20%, respectively. After the IBPS PO 2025 Interview Process is completed, a merit list will be generated. Candidates who appear on this list will receive joining letters from their chosen banks.
IBPS PO Negative Marking
An incorrect answer in the IBPS PO objective exam results in a penalty of one-fourth or 0.25 marks being deducted for that question. However, if you choose not to answer a question, there is no penalty. This encourages careful consideration of each question, as guessing incorrectly can lower your score.
Strategic answering and time management become crucial, as avoiding penalties can significantly impact your overall performance. Thus, focusing on accuracy is just as important as attempting all questions within the given time frame.
How to Prepare for IBPS PO with Syllabus?
- To prepare for IBPS PO, start by thoroughly understanding the syllabus, which includes sections like Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, English Language, General Awareness, and Computer Knowledge.
- Create a study plan that allocates time for each section based on your strengths and weaknesses.
- Practice with mock tests and previous years’ papers to improve speed and accuracy.
- Focus on time management and regularly review your progress to ensure comprehensive preparation.