Published on December 29th, 2020 | by Sumit Bhowal

An Overview of the IBPS PO Syllabus

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection has announced reopening the application for IBPS PO 2020 with a revision in the number of vacancies for the third time. IBPS has released the revised number of vacancies to 3517.

Although the number of vacancies is still relatively lower than the previous year’s vacancies, banking aspirants still have the chance to crack the IBPS PO exam and land in a lucrative banking role.

If you are looking forward to applying for the IBPS PO role and appearing in the IBPS PO exams to qualify, here’s everything you need to know about the IBPS PO Syllabus pattern to clear the examinations:

The Structure of the IBPS PO Exam

The IBPS PO 2020 exam has three phases – Preliminary exam, Main exam, and a final Interview. Each level has to be cleared to get to the next stage of selection. The IBPS prelim exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions that fall under the English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability.

The IBPS main exam has 155 multiple choice questions on Data Interpretation & Analysis, Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, General/ Economy & Banking Awareness, and English Language. It also consists of a descriptive paper with a letter and essay writing.

IBPS PO Syllabus – Prelim Exam

Candidates will have to go through a screening test before attending the main exam. Although the marks scored in the prelims are not considered while calculating the final merit of candidates, it’s essential to clear the sectional and overall cutoff stipulated by the IBPS to appear for the mains exam. Below is the pattern of questions you can expect in each section of the IBPS PO prelims exam:

1. English Language

Amounting to a total score of 30 marks, vital skills that are tested include comprehension, paragraph completion, cloze test, fill in the blanks, multiple-meaning/error spotting, para jumbles, and other miscellaneous sections.

2. Quantitative Aptitude

Putting your number-crunching and arithmetic skills to the test, the topics covered here include percentages, sequences, profit and loss, interest indices, time and distance, number systems, probability, permutation, and combination.

3. Reasoning

Logical reasoning skills under syllogism, input-output, coding-decoding, puzzle, tabulation, and data interpretation are tested with a total score of 35 marks.

IBPS PO Syllabus – Main Exam

The main exam pattern comprises of the following sections and syllabus:

1. Data Interpretation and Analysis – 60 Marks

As implied by its name, this section consists of essential topics such as simplification, mensuration and geometry, ratio, percentage, quadratic equation, number series, and more.

2. General Awareness – 40 Marks

It’s also vital to stay abreast of general happenings across India, including current affairs, financial awareness, and general knowledge.

3. Reasoning and Computer Aptitude – 60 Marks

In line with the preliminary level, in the reasoning section, your logical and verbal reasoning skills are put to the test along with basic computer proficiency of internet, computer abbreviation, networking, computer hardware/software, keyboard shortcuts, and the fundamentals of computing technologies.

4. English Language – 40 Marks

Like the prelim level, language skills like vocabulary, grammar, and editing are part of the syllabus. This section tends to be one of the easiest when compared with quantitative aptitude.

Besides, a descriptive paper that tests your writing prowess carries total marks of 25 with a duration of 30 minutes to finish this section. IBPS will assess the descriptive paper after the candidate clears the necessary cut off in the objectives section.

In order to prepare for the IBPS PO syllabus, it is recommended to go through the previous year’s assessments and attempt mock tests to get thoroughly familiar with the exam pattern. Also, keep in mind that incorrect answers fetch negative marks reducing 1/4^th of the marks for each wrong answer. The path to cracking the IBPS tests requires continuous practice to ace the test.

Tags: IBPS PO, overview, syllabus

About the Author

Sumit Bhowal An Internet addict and a MASTAN , Also a lazy Freelancer . I don't try to reinvent the wheel I just like to soak things in Steroid's :p Thanks (y)