Cracking the probationary officer (PO) exam conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) is definitely achievable if you have the right strategy and put in the hard work required. With proper planning, preparation and practice, it is very much possible to succeed in this competitive exam.
Is the PO exam difficult?
The PO exam is considered to be quite challenging, as it tests candidates on a wide range of topics and skills. Some of the key factors that make this exam difficult are:
- Huge competition – Over 10 lakh candidates appear for the IBPS PO prelims every year for a few thousand vacancies.
- Multi-stage exam process – Prelims, Mains and Interview – each testing different skills.
- Vast syllabus covering Reasoning, English, Quantitative Aptitude, Computer Knowledge, Banking/Financial Awareness and Current Affairs.
- Questions asked in the exam tend to be tricky and need strong command over concepts.
- Negative marking for wrong answers – 1/4 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
So in summary, factors like high competition, a thorough syllabus, complex questions and negative marking do contribute to making the PO exam tough.
What is the exam pattern and selection process?
The IBPS PO selection process consists of 3 main stages:
- Preliminary Exam – Objective MCQ paper testing Reasoning, English, Quantitative Aptitude. 100 questions for 100 marks to be solved in 60 minutes.
- Mains Exam – Objective MCQ paper testing Reasoning & Computer Knowledge, English, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Banking/Economy/Financial Awareness. 200 questions for 200 marks to be solved in 140 minutes. Additionally there is a Descriptive Test of Letter Writing and Essay for 50 marks to be completed in 30 minutes.
- Interview – Candidates who clear the cut-offs of mains exam are called for personal interview round carrying 75 marks.
After summing up the scores in all 3 stages, final merit list is prepared and candidates above cut-off are provisionally allotted Probationary Officer posts in various Public Sector Banks.
How much time is ideal for preparation?
For cracking the IBPS PO exam, it is recommended to set aside at least 4-6 months for dedicated preparation. Here is an indicative timeline for different stages of preparation:
- First 2 months – Building conceptual clarity in Reasoning, English, Quant, Computer Knowledge and grasping basics of Banking, Finance, Economy and Current Affairs.
- Next 2 months – Full syllabus coverage, revision, mock tests and solving previous years papers.
- Last 1 month – Rigorous practice, analysis of weak areas, stress on accuracy & speed and taking grand mock tests.
Preparing consistently for 4-6 months as per a well-structured study plan is advisable for boosting your chances of clearing this exam.
What is the ideal study plan for 4 months?
Here is a suggested 4-month study plan for IBPS PO preparation:
Month 1
- Learn concepts and solve basic level chapter-wise problems of Reasoning, Quant, English
- Cover fundamentals of Computer Knowledge
- Read newspaper daily and make notes from banking, economy and business sections
Month 2
- Complete syllabus of Reasoning, Quant, English
- Practice 2-3 computer mock tests
- Start revising concepts learnt in Reasoning, Quant, English
- Take chapter-wise mock tests
- Read about recent developments in banking sector
Month 3
- Attempt topic-wise practice questions from previous years PO question papers
- Take sectional mock tests of Reasoning, Quant, English
- Revise core concepts and formulas
- Read about government schemes, budget, RBI policies
Month 4
- Solve 10-15 previous years PO question papers
- Take daily full-length mock tests
- Analyze errors, improve speed & accuracy
- Revise current affairs of last 4-6 months intensively
Following this monthly plan diligently along with taking weekly rest days will help you prepare effectively for the prelims and mains exam.
How to effectively prepare Reasoning for IBPS PO?
Here are some useful tips to prepare for the Reasoning section which carries 50 marks in IBPS PO prelims and 60 marks in mains:
- Master the theory and solving techniques for Seating Arrangement, Puzzle, Inequality, Direction Sense, Blood Relation, Alphabet Series, Coding-Decoding, Syllogism etc.
- Strengthen your logical thinking and problem solving skills with regular practice
- Practice different types of reasoning questions from previous years papers
- Attempt topic-wise quizzes, mock tests to assess your performance
- Learn to solve questions accurately within 1-2 mins
- Avoid guesses, concentrate on attempting questions correctly
With consistent practice for 2-3 hours daily, you can master the Reasoning section for IBPS PO within 2-3 months.
How to prepare well for IBPS PO Quant section?
To prepare well for the Quantitative Aptitude section carrying 50 marks in prelims and 45 marks in mains, follow these tips:
- Strengthen your math basics – fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, averages
- Improve calculation speed and accuracy with regular practice
- Master shortcuts, tricks for faster calculation
- Solve previous years questions topic-wise – Number Series, Simplification, Approximation, Quadratic Equations, Data Interpretation etc
- Take topic-wise mock tests to identify weak areas
- Practice daily with a timer to improve your calculation speed
With 3-4 hours practice daily for Quant, you can easily master this section for IBPS PO in 2-3 months.
How to effectively prepare for English section?
To prepare well for the English section carrying 25 marks in PO prelims and 40 marks in mains, follow this study plan:
- Learn rules and concepts of grammar – tenses, clauses, conditional sentences, prepositions etc.
- Build vocabulary by reading newspapers, magazines
- Practice reading comprehension passages daily
- Attempt cloze test, para jumble, sentence rearrangement exercises
- Write essays, letters, paragraphs on various topics for practice
- Improve spellings & learn words often confused or misspelt
With 1-2 hours of daily practice focussed on your weak areas, you can prepare well for this section in 2-3 months.
How to prepare for Descriptive test in IBPS PO?
To prepare effectively for the descriptive paper of letter writing and essay for 50 marks, follow these steps:
- Study format and sample letters for formal, business, official correspondence
- Practice letter writing on various sample topics within stipulated time
- Build vocabulary, language skills for essay writing
- Practice writing essays on various topics covering social, economic, political themes
- Ensure no grammatical, spelling errors in your written English
- Focus on improving handwriting, neatness, presentation
With 1-2 hours of daily practice for a month, you can prepare well for the descriptive test.
How to effectively revise and retain topics prepared?
To revise topics effectively and ensure long-lasting retention, follow these useful tips:
- Make short notes, tables, diagrams of important points for quick revision
- Revise topics at end of each day and week to reinforce learning
- Space out your revision with intervals using spaced repetition techniques
- Test your recall by self-testing through flashcards, mock quizzes
- Avoid massed revision by cramming everything together at the end
- Reduce social media, TV time to ensure enough time for revision
Effective revision with periodic self-testing will help strengthen your retention and application skills.
How should I manage time on exam day?
Here are some tips for effective time management on the exam day:
- Reach exam venue well in advance to avoid rushing
- Remain calm and focused before entering exam hall
- Quickly go through entire paper to assess questions before starting
- Attempt questions as per your strengths – start with easiest sections
- Keep checking time and progress periodically
- Maintain speed and accuracy – avoid getting stuck on one question
- Balance time allocated to each section
With practice mocks, assess your strong and weak areas. Make a section-wise time plan to ensure completing the paper on time.
How should I prepare for the interview round?
To prepare effectively for the IBPS PO interview carrying 75 marks, follow these preparation tips:
- Be thorough in your educational background and work experience if any
- Revise static GK, current affairs, financial awareness thoroughly
- Prepare answers for common interview questions – strengths, weaknesses, reasons for banking etc.
- Practice regularly through mock interviews to improve communication skills
- Work on body language – posture, gestures, eye contact, tone etc.
- Read about your state, city, interview panel, bank properly
The interview aims at assessing your soft skills. Mock interviews and personality development tips will help you perform well.
Conclusion
Cracking the IBPS PO exam requires rigorous preparation, smart strategy and consistent effort. Around 4-6 months of dedicated study as per a structured plan covering all sections in depth is advisable. One must take regular mock tests, work on weak areas and time management skills. With focussed effort and self-analysis, it is definitely achievable to excel in this exam and pave the path for a successful banking career.
