What are the section-wise total marks for IBPS PO exam?

In the prelims exam of IBPS PO, the English section carries 30 marks whereas the Quant carieis 30 marks and Reasoning sections carries 40 marks. In the Mains exam of IBPS PO, the total marks allotted to the English section are 40 whereas the Data Interpretation and Analysis carries 50 marks, Reasoning section carries 60 marks each. The General Awareness section carries 50 marks. Section-Wise Distribution of Marks in Prelims Exam Sections Total marks English Language 30 Quantitative Aptitude 30 Reasoning Ability 40 Total 100 Section-Wise Distribution of Marks in Mains Exam Section name Total marks English Language 40 Data Interpretation and Analysis 50 Reasoning 60 General Awareness 50 Total 200 English (Essay and Letter Writing) 25 Grand Total 225

What is IBPS PO normalisation of marks?

IBPS calculates the IBPS PO marks of the candidates through a method called normalisation that help candidates to get a rounded-up figure. Since the exam is conducted in multiple shifts and days the difficulty level of the question paper varies from one shift to another. Normalisation of score is done to balance and assist in fair evaluation. This method is followed both for prelims and Mains exams. Some of the benefits of normalisation are given below: The first assumption made for normalisation of marks is that the candidates across all the shifts of the exam have similar abilities The number of candidates appearing in the exam conducted by IBPS in large shifts is randomly done.

Are the IBPS PO prelims and Main exam syllabus the same?

The IBPS PO exam syllabus for preliminary and mains exam is different. The prelim exam tests a candidate's knowledge in English Language, Maths and Reasoning Ability. The main exam tests aspirants' knowledge in GK, English, Maths, Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, and Financial Awareness. The level of difficulty of both the exams is also not same.

Are the marks of IBPS PO prelims exam considered for final merit list?

No, the marks of IBPS PO prelims exam are not considered for the final merit list. For provisional allotment of candidates, only the marks obtained in Mains and interview are considered. IBPS PO scores are calculated out of 100 marks. The marks obtained in the prelims exam are taken into consideration to select candidates for the Mains exam. The prelims exam is qualifying in nature. It is just to screen candidates for the Mains exam. Candidates need to qualify the prelims exam inorder to get shortlisted for the Mains exam. Candidates need to secure the desired cut off marks to get shortlisted for the Mains exam.

Are there sectional timings in IBPS PO exam?

Yes, there are sectional timings in IBPS PO exam. In prelims exam, candidates get 20 minutes to solve each section. In Mains exam, to solve English section, candidates get 40 minutes. The duration to attempt Data Interpretation and Analysis section and Reasoning section, candidates get 45 minutes and 50 minutes respectively. The time duration allotted for General Awareness section is 25 minutes. To solve the descriptive paper, candidates get 30 minutes. The sectional timings for IBPS PO prelims and Mains exams are given below. Prelims Exam Sections Duration (In minutes) English Language 20 Quantitative Aptitude 20 Reasoning Ability 20 Total 60 Mains Exam Section name Allotted Time English Language 40 Data Interpretation and Analysis 45 Reasoning 50 General Awareness 25 Total 160 English (Essay and Letter Writing) 30 minutes Grand Total 3 hours 10 minutes

What is IBPS PO exam pattern?

IBPS PO exam pattern highlights the overall structure of the exam such as marking scheme, total marks, time duration, etc. IBPS PO exam pattern is such that it is divided into prelims exam, Mainsexam and interview. IBPS PO prelims exam comprises three sections-Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language. The total marks allotted to the test are 100. The duration of the test is 60 minutes. There are sectional timings in the exam. IBPS PO Mains exam comprises both objective and descriptive-type questions. The total marks allotted to the Mains exam are 225. The duration of the test is 3 hours 10 minutes. The total marks allotted to the interview are 100.

What is IBPS PO 2026 Educational Qualification?

IBPS PO educational qualification is a Degree/Graduation in any discipline from a university recognised by the government. Of India or any equivalent qualification recognised as such by the Central Government. Candidates must possess valid marksheet/degree Certificate that they are graduate on the day they register and indicates the percentage of marks obtained in graduation while registration online. All educational mentioned by the examination authority should be from a university/institution/board recognised by government. Of India/approved by government/approved by government on or before July 21, 2026. Proper document from Board / University for having declared the result on or before July 21, 2026 has to be submitted at the time of interview. Candidates who are in the final year of graduation are not eligible to apply for the exam. At the time of interview, candidates are required to submit the educational qualification certificates.

Is there any probation period for IBPS PO?

Yes, candidates selected for the post of IBPS PO will be on probation for two years. During probation, the performance of candidates is assessed. They need to undergo training in the various branches. On successful completion of training, candidates are confirmed to the position of Probationary Officers. During the probation period, candidates are trained on various banking services. They are also required to undergo certain banking courses. The basic salary of IBPS PO is INR 48,480. Besides the salary, candidates are also entitled to various perks and benefits.

Is the IBPS PO exam pattern changed?

Yes. The authority revised the IBPS PO exam pattern in 2025 for Prelims and Mains. The official notification was released on June 30, 2025 on the official website at ibps.in. The IBPS PO prelims exam carries 100 marks, whereas the Mains exam was conducted for 200 marks (objective)+ 25 marks (Descriptive).

What is IBPS PO salary after Bipartite Settlement?

The revision of IBPS PO salary for bank employees was approved to be effective from November 2017 under the 11th bipartite settlement. The revised salary is valid for a span of five years till 2023 or until revised by the government. Nearly 8.8 Lakhs employees are benefiting from the approval of the 11th bipartite settlement.

What is the selection process for IBPS PO 2026 exam?

The selection process of IBPS PO 2026 has three stages. Preliminary Exam. Mains Exam. Interview. The final selection is based on the combined marks of Mains and interview. The prelim exam is qualifying in nature and based on its performance, candidate give the mains exam.

How important is IBPS PO mock test?

IBPS PO Mocks are similar to the actual exam. Solving mocks will give candidates an idea of the kind of questions that can be expected on exam day IBPS PO mock tests familiarise candidates with the kind of syllabus, pattern, and difficulty level of the actual exam IBPS PO mock tests help candidates to keep a check on their preparation. Mock tests help candidates in effective time management. The importance of solving IBPS PO mock tests are given below: IBPS PO mock tests help candidates to ascertain the difficulty level of the actual exam Section-wise IBPS PO online mock tests are formulated in line with the latest syllabus and helps in revision and practice Candidates gain clarity of IBPS PO exam pattern and scope of questions by regularly solving IBPS PO mock tests Solving IBPS PO mock tests help candidates to identify the weak areas and work upon improving those areas Solving mock tests help candidates to improve speed and accuracy

Which books to refer for English section of IBPS PO exam?

Questions in the English section are asked from Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para jumbles, Miscellaneous, Fill in the blanks, Multiple Meaning/Error Spotting and Paragraph Completion. The books to refer to for English section of IBPS PO exam are given below: Word Power Made Easy by Normal Lewis English Grammar & Composition by Wren and Martin Descriptive General English by S P Bakshi and Rich Sharma Objective English for Competitive Examinations by Hari Mohan Prasad, Uma Rani Sinha, Mcgraw Hill Education Publication Candidates can prepare the English Language section by practicing previous years’ question papers. They should also read books and newspapers to improve vocabularly.

What is IBPS PO score calculation process?

IBPS PO scores are calculated based on the marking scheme given by the exam authority. For correct answers, candidates score one mark and for incorrect 0.25 marks are deducted. The Mains exam was conducted on October 12.

Which books to refer for the IBPS PO Quantitative Aptitude section?

The Quantitative Aptitude section test the candidate's ability to deal with calculations. Questions in this section are asked from Simplification, Profit & Loss, Mixtures & Allegations, Simple Interest & Compound Interest & Surds & Indices, Work & Time, Time & Distance, Mensuration-Cylinder, Cone, Sphere, Data Interpretation, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, Number Systems, Sequence & Series and Permutation, Combination & Probability. The books that candidates can refer to for this section are given below: Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations by R. S Agarwal The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude by Dinesh Khattar Data Interpretation by Arun Sharma Objective Mathematics for Competitive Exams by Tarun Goal.

How to score 70 in IBPS PO exam?

To score 70 in IBPS PO exam, candidates need to work regularly on improving speed and gaining marks. Topics and question asked from it also plays an important role. Frequent revision will work. Read the chapters and syllabus properly.

What is IBPS PO Mains Syllabus?

IBPS PO Mains syllabus is given below: Quantitative Aptitude: Simplification, Average, Percentage, Permutation and Combination Age Problems, Interest, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Probability Mixture and Alligations Speed, Time and Distance, etc. English Cloze test, para jumbles, fill in the blanks, sentence improvement, reading comprehensions, detecting the errors etc. Reasoning Ability: Syllogism, coding-decoding, miscellaneous questions, input-output, seating arrangement, data sufficiency, logical reasoning, computer aptitude etc. General Awareness: Banking, Financial Awareness, Current Affairs Static General Awareness Descriptive Test: The syllabus comprises essay writing and letter writing. Candidates qualifying the mains exam of IBPS PO are called for the interview. The marks obtained in the mains exam are counted for the final merit list.

How do I study the English syllabus for the IBPS PO exam?

The English section appears in both prelims and mains exams. Questions in the English section are asked from Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para jumbles, Miscellaneous, Fill in the blanks, Multiple Meaning/Error Spotting and Paragraph Completion. The tips and tricks to crack the English section of IBPS PO exam are given below: Make a separate notebook for this section and jot down all the topics In the first half of the notebook write down the rules of grammar and in the second half of the notebook write down all the new words from newspaper editorials on regular basis For Reading Comprehension, read books, novels, magazines, etc. For Vocabulary part, write down the new words Attempt mock tests and analyse the mocks

IBPS PO 2026 Books: Check Subject-wise Books for Exam Preparation

Result - 15 Jan '26 - 14 Feb '26

Updated on Jan 18, 2026 19:48 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

IBPS PO Books 2026: The Institute of Banking and Personnel Selection is expected to soon release the IBPS PO notification in June 2026. The IBPS PO exam will be conducted in Computer-Based Test mode (CBE) that is in an online mode. The books are very important source for the IBPS PO preparation. To start with the preparation, it is crucial to have clear understanding about the IBPS PO exam pattern and syllabus.

Books provide the structured content in comprehensive way to make study easy and understandable. Further, offers ample of practice papers and mock test which help in identifying the weak areas and also help to prepare a specific strategy. These books will not only help candidates to understand the concepts in detail but also act as a practice set for the exam.

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