IBPS stands for the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, which conducts IBPS exams every year to fill vacancies in management trainees and probationary officers’ posts. The institute selects the candidates based on their performance in the IBPS exams at preliminary and mains levels. If you want to appear for the IBPS PO exam 2020, check the IBPS syllabus and start your preparations now.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus for Prelims Exam
The first stage of the IBPS PO exam is the prelims exam. You can reach the mains round only after passing this preliminary test. Since 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer, avoid guesswork at this stage. There are three sections in this exam:
- English Language- 30 questions, 20 minutes
Includes topics like reading comprehension, cloze test, para jumbles, fill in the blanks, paragraph completion, multiple-meaning, and error spotting.
- Reasoning Ability- 35 questions, 20 minutes
Includes topics like logical reasoning, blood relations, alphanumeric series, data sufficiency, coded inequalities, seating arrangement, puzzle, tabulation, input-output, coding-decoding, syllogism, ranking, direction, and alphabet test.
- Quantitative Aptitude- 35 questions, 20 minutes
Includes topics like simplification, profit and loss, mixtures, allegations, simple interest, compound interest, time, distance, work, time, mensuration, data interpretation, ratio, proportion, percentage, number systems, sequence, series, permutation, probability, and combination.
Exam Pattern and IBPS Syllabus for Mains Exam
IBPS PO Mains exam has four sections:
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude- 45 questions, 60 minutes
Includes topics like verbal reasoning, syllogism, circular and linear seating arrangement, double lineup, scheduling, input-output, blood relations, directions, distances, ordering, ranking, data sufficiency, coding-decoding, code inequalities, Internet, memory, keyboard shortcuts, computer abbreviations, MS Office, computer hardware and software, operating system, networking, computer fundamentals, and terminologies
- English Language- 35 questions, 40 minutes
Includes topics like reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and verbal ability
- Quantitative Aptitude- 35 questions, 45 minutes
Includes topics like simplification, average, percentage, ratio, data interpretation, mensuration, geometry, quadratic equations, interest, age problems, profit, loss, number series, speed, time, distance, work, time, number system, data sufficiency, linear equations, permutation, combination, probability, mixture, and allegations
- General Awareness- 40 questions, 35 minutes
Includes topics like financial awareness, current affairs, and general knowledge
After you finish all four sections of the mains exam, you will have to give a descriptive test, in which you have to write an essay and a letter. This section has 25 marks, and you have to complete it in 30 minutes.
After the Prelim and Main Exams
If you score the minimum cut-off for the exam, you will be called for an interview. Marks you score in the interview make 20% of the overall IBPS PO score you achieve. Here are a few tips that can help you nail it during the interview:
- Dress neatly and preferably wear formals
- Carry a smile with confidence
- Come ready with your resume
- Go prepared with GK questions, current affairs, banking terminologies, etc.
- Develop good communication skills to impress the interviewers
- Once the interview is over, don’t beg for the job. Just leave the room silently
Now that you know the IBPS syllabus, gather your material, refer to the past exam papers, and prepare accordingly.
