IBPS PO Prelims and Mains Exam Subjects and Topics (2025 Updated)
Get complete details about IBPS PO Prelims and Mains Exam Subjects and Topics. Know the updated syllabus, marking scheme, key topics, and preparation strategy for 2025
IBPS PO Prelims and Mains Exam Subjects and Topics (2025 Updated)
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the Probationary Officer (PO) examination annually to recruit officers for public sector banks in India. The exam consists of two main stages — Prelims and Mains — followed by an Interview. Each stage tests different skills essential for a banking career.
IBPS PO Exam Structure Overview
The IBPS PO exam is designed to assess a candidate’s analytical ability, reasoning skills, general awareness, and command over English. Below is the detailed structure:
| Exam Stage | Mode | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Exam | Online (Objective) | Multiple Choice | 60 Minutes |
| Main Exam | Online (Objective + Descriptive) | Multiple Choice + Writing | 3 Hours 30 Minutes |
| Interview | Offline | Face-to-Face | 15-20 Minutes |
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
The Preliminary exam serves as the first screening stage. It includes three main subjects — English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability.
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 mins |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 mins |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 mins |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 mins |
- Reading Comprehension
- Spotting Errors
- Cloze Test
- Para Jumbles
- Fill in the Blanks
- Sentence Correction
- Number Series
- Quadratic Equations
- Data Interpretation
- Simplification/Approximation
- Arithmetic (Time & Work, Profit & Loss, Percentage, Ratio, SI & CI)
- Puzzle & Seating Arrangement
- Inequalities
- Syllogism
- Blood Relation
- Coding-Decoding
- Direction Sense
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern 2025
The Mains exam is more in-depth and evaluates conceptual understanding and analytical ability. It includes both objective and descriptive tests.
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 mins |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 mins |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 mins |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 mins |
| Total (Objective) | 155 | 200 | 3 hours |
| English (Descriptive Test) | 2 | 25 | 30 mins |
- Input-Output
- Seating Arrangement & Puzzles
- Data Sufficiency
- Logical Reasoning
- Coding-Decoding
- Computer Fundamentals & Internet
- Bar Graphs & Line Charts
- Pie Charts
- Caselet DI
- Data Sufficiency
- Probability, Permutation & Combination
- Current Affairs (Last 6 months)
- Banking Terminology & Schemes
- Monetary Policies & Budget
- Static GK (Capitals, National Parks, Important Days)
- International Reports and Organizations
- Reading Comprehension
- Para Completion
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Essay Writing
- Letter Writing (Formal & Informal)
Key Preparation Tips
- Focus on conceptual clarity rather than rote learning.
- Practice at least 2–3 mock tests weekly to improve speed.
- Revise current affairs and banking awareness daily.
- Maintain a study schedule dividing all subjects equally.
- Use official IBPS mock tests for realistic practice.
Official Source
For official syllabus updates and notifications, visit: https://www.ibps.in
Aspirants also read below articles ↓
- IBPS Bank PO Prelims Exam Pattern→
- IBPS Bank PO Prelims Syllabus→
- IBPS Bank PO Mains Syllabus→
- IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern→
- IBPS PO Eligibility Criteria→
- IBPS PO Selection Process→
- IBPS PO Prelims Previous Years Cut Off (2020 - 2024)→
- Subjects in IBPS PO→
- IBPS PO Admit Card→
- Recommended Book List for IBPS PO→
- IBPS PO Analysis→
- IBPS PO Answer Key→
- IBPS PO Result→
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Freqently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the SSC CGL Prelims exam pattern for 2025?
The SSC CGL Prelims (Tier 1) exam consists of four sections with 100 objective-type questions carrying 200 marks in total.
How many sections are there in the SSC CGL Tier 1 exam?
There are four sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension.
What is the total duration of the SSC CGL Prelims exam?
The total duration is 60 minutes for all candidates (80 minutes for visually handicapped or scribes).
How many total questions are asked in SSC CGL Tier 1?
A total of 100 questions are asked — 25 from each of the four sections.
What is the marking scheme in SSC CGL Prelims?
Each correct answer carries 2 marks, and 0.50 marks are deducted for every wrong answer.
Is there negative marking in SSC CGL Tier 1?
Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each incorrect response.
What subjects are included in SSC CGL Tier 1?
The subjects include Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language.
Is SSC CGL Tier 1 qualifying or counted for merit?
SSC CGL Tier 1 is qualifying in nature, but candidates must score above the cut off to appear for Tier 2.
What is the difficulty level of SSC CGL Prelims?
The difficulty level is generally moderate, focusing on speed and accuracy.
What is the official website to check SSC CGL exam pattern?
The official website to check the SSC CGL exam pattern is https://ssc.gov.in
.