IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025: Check Revised Prelims & Mains Pattern & Exam Duration
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Probationary Officer Exam 2025 ( IBPS PO )
Result - 6 Oct '25 - 12 Oct '25
IBPS PO 2025 Exam Pattern: The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) revised the IBPS PO exam pattern for both prelims and mains in 2025. The changes in the IBPS PO 2025 exam pattern includes revised time durations, marking schemes, and section-wise changes.The mains exam will be conducted on October 12, 2025. The IBPS PO 2025 prelims exam was held on August 23 and 24. Candidates can check below the changes introduced by the authority. The candidates should practice with the IBPS PO exam pattern as per the official IBPS PO notification. The candidates are suggested to internalise the IBPS PO exam pattern to score better in the IBPS PO exam. It will help the candidates in time management during the exam. The IBPS PO exam pattern coupled with the IBPS PO syllabus is the two main components of exam preparation.
IBPS PO exam pattern for prelims, mains and interviews are mentioned separately by the IBPS. According to IBPS PO exam pattern 2025, the prelims exam comprises three sections - English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability. The total marks allotted to the prelims exam are 100. The main exam is a mix of both objective and descriptive-type tests. The total marks allotted to the mains exam of IBPS PO are 225. The interview carries 100 marks. Read below for more details on the IBPS PO exam pattern 2025.
Latest News & Updates:
IBPS PO 2025 Notification released: Check Revised exam pattern & Dates
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
- Overview of IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025
- IBPS PO Marking Scheme 2025
- IBPS PO Syllabus 2025
- IBPS PO Mock Test
- IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs
Overview of IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025
Given below is the IBPS PO exam pattern for prelims, mains and interview.
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Stages of exam |
Three (Prelims, Mains, and Common Interview) |
| Mode of exam |
Online |
| Duration of prelims exam |
One hour (60 minutes) |
| Duration for Mains exam |
160 minutes |
| Question type |
Prelims: Objective Type Mains: Objective and Descriptive Type |
| Number of questions |
Prelims: 100 Mains: 147 (145 objective types and 2 descriptive types) |
| Maximum Marks |
Prelims: 100 Mains: 225 Interview: 100 |
| Language of question paper |
English and Hindi |
| Negative marks |
0.25 |
Also Read: IBPS PO Shift Timings
IBPS PO 2025 Revised Prelims Exam Pattern
IBPS PO prelims exam pattern was revised by the authority. In the Prelims exam, the marking scheme for the Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability has been changed. Prelims exam consists of three sections. The paper will have 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions. Questions in the exam are asked from Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language. The total time allotted to candidates to solve questions in IBPS PO prelims exam is 60 minutes. Candidates will get 20 minutes to attempt each section.
Revised Structure of IBPS PO 2025 Prelims Exam
| Sections | No. of Questions |
Maximum Marks |
Medium of Exam |
Time allotted for each test (Separately timed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language |
30 |
30 |
English |
20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
35 |
30 |
English and |
20 |
| Reasoning Ability |
35 |
45 |
English and |
20 |
| Total |
100 |
100 |
|
60 |
Important Points Related to IBPS PO Prelims Exam
- IBPS PO prelims exam is qualifying in nature
- Candidates qualifying this paper are eligible to appear for the mains exam
- The marks secured in this paper are not considered for the final merit list
- To qualify the paper, candidates need to secure both sectional and overall cutoff marks
Also Read:
IBPS PO Mains 2025 Revised Exam Pattern
The authority revised the IBPS PO 2025 Mains exam pattern. Now, 145 objective questions will be asked for 200 marks and an additional Descriptive Paper worth 25 marks will be asked, making the total 225 marks. Each section is separately timed which is demanding better time management from the candidates.The mains exam consists of both objective and descriptive type tests. The objective test is divided into four sections-Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness, English Language, and Data Analysis & Interpretation. The descriptive section carries questions from English Language (Letter Writing and Essay). The duration of the test is 160 minutes.
Revised Structure of Mains Exam 2025
DI earlier max marks were 60, and now they will be 50. In Reasoning, the number of questions has been reduced from 45 to 40. Time was also reduced from 60 minutes to 50 minutes. In General Awareness, the number of questions was reduced from 40 to 35. Maximum marks increased from 40 to 50. The total number of questions was reduced from 155 to 145. Allotted time was also reduced to 160 minutes.
| Section name | No. of Questions |
Allotted Time | Maximum Marks |
Medium of Exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language |
35 |
40 minutes |
40 |
English |
| Data Analysis & |
35 |
45 minutes |
50 |
English & |
| Reasoning |
40 |
50 minutes |
60 |
English & |
| General/ Economy/ |
35 |
35 minutes |
50 |
English & |
| Total |
145 |
160 minutes |
200 |
|
| Descriptive |
2 |
30 minutes |
25 |
English |
Key Points Related to IBPS PO Mains exam
- There will be sectional and overall IBPS PO cutoff marks in the mains exam
- Candidates with a higher score are called for the interview
- The marks of the mains exam are counted for the final merit list
Also Read:
IBPS PO Interview Pattern
IBPS PO interview is conducted for candidates who clear the mains exam. The interview carries a total of 100 marks. The minimum qualifying marks in the interview are 40 per cent and 35 per cent for SC/ST/OBC/PWBD candidates. The interview assesses a candidate's intellectual capability, overall personality, and general knowledge. IBPS PO interview usually lasts for 15 to 20 min. However, document and background verification takes a long time.
Key Points Related to IBPS PO Exam Pattern
- The final merit list is prepared based on the score of the mains exam and interview
- The ratio of the weightage given to the mains exam and interview is 80:20
- After completion of the interview round, provisional allotment is done based on the IBPS PO vacancies in different banks
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IBPS PO Negative Marking
There is IBPS PO negative marking in the objective exam. For each wrong answer, one-fourth or 0.25 marks assigned to that question are deducted as IBPS PO negative marking to arrive at the corrected score. There is no IBPS PO negative marking for unattempted questions.
Commonly asked questions
The strategy to crack IBPS PO exam in three months is given below: Speed and accuracy play a very important role in the banks exam preparation. So candidates need to work on their speed and accuracy. Practice previous years' question papers or sample papers to know the type of questions asked in the exam For Maths practice Data Interpretation, Percentage, Average, Number Series, Simple Interest & Compound Interest, etc. For Reasoning, practice Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Blood Relation, Coding Decoding, etc. For English prepare Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Fill in the Blanks, etc. Candidates should also practice mock tests to improve their speed and accuracy of solving questions.
IBPS PO scores are calculated based on the marking scheme prescribed by the examination authority. For correct answers, candidates score one mark whereas 0.25 marks are deducted for wrong answers. Candidates need to secure the desired score inorder to qualify the exam. The scores of candidates are calculated based on the following method: The corrected scores obtained by each candidate in different sessions of the exam are normalised using the equi-percentile method. The normalised marks are used to announce the result Scores upto two decimal points are taken for the purpose of calculations The corrected scores are calculated based on the number of correct and incorrect answers.
IBPS PO Marking Scheme 2025
IBPS PO marking scheme is prescribed by the examination authority. The marking scheme is given below:
- Candidates are awarded one mark for correct answers
- 0.25 marks are deducted for wrong answers
- The total marks are calculated based on the number of correct and incorrect answers
IBPS PO Paper Duration
IBPS decides paper duration for IBPS PO exam. Prelims and mains exams have separate timings. There are also sectional timings in IBPS PO exam. The prelims exam is held for 60 minutes whereas it is 3 hours 30 minutes fpr the mains exam. IBPS PO exam duration is given below.
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Duration
| Sections | Duration (In minutes) |
|---|---|
| English Language |
20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
20 |
| Reasoning Ability |
20 |
| Total |
60 |
IBPS PO Mains Exam Duration
| Section name |
Allotted Time |
|---|---|
| English Language |
40 |
| Data Interpretation and Analysis |
45 |
| Reasoning and Computer Aptitude |
60 |
| General Awareness |
35 |
| Total |
180 |
| English (Essay and Letter Writing) |
30 minutes |
| Grand Total |
3 hours 30 minutes |
Also Read:
IBPS PO Qualifying Marks
The examination authority releases IBPS PO qualifying marks in the form of cut off marks. The cut off marks are applied on overall score and section-wise marks. IBPS PO cut off marks are released for different categories and based on it candidates are selected for the different rounds of selection. Candidates can check below IBPS PO previous years' cut off marks.
IBPS PO 2023 Prelims Cut off
| Category | Cut-Off Marks |
|---|---|
| GEN | 54.25 |
| SC | 49 |
| ST | 43 |
| OBC | 54.25 |
| EWS | 54.25 |
IBPS PO 2022 Prelims Cut off
| Category | Cut-Off Marks |
|---|---|
| Gen |
49.75 |
| SC |
46.75 |
| ST |
40.75 |
| OBC |
49.75 |
| EWS |
49.75 |
| HI |
17.50 |
| OC |
32.75 |
| VI |
24.75 |
| ID |
19.75 |
IBPS PO Mains Cut off
| Category | Cut Off Marks (Out of 225) |
|---|---|
| General | 71.25 |
| OBC | 69.75 |
| SC | 59.25 |
| ST | 53.25 |
| EWS | 70.50 |
| HI | 37.75 |
| OC | 50.50 |
| VI | 66.25 |
| ID | 36 |
Commonly asked questions
IBPS PO Syllabus 2025
The syllabus of IBPS PO comprises the topics that candidates have studied in Class 10, 12, and graduation. The English Language section comprises, Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para jumbles, Fill in the blanks, etc. The Quantitative Ability section comprises topics such as Simplification, Profit & Loss, Work & Time, Time & Distance, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, etc.
Also Read: IBPS PO syllabus
Commonly asked questions
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.
IBPS PO Mock Test
IBPS PO mock tests are like actual tests that help candidates know the exam pattern. Solving the mock tests candidates can know the pattern of the exam. Candidates can build their ability to solve questions easily. Mock tests also help candidates to learn effective time management skills.
Commonly asked questions
IBPS PO scores are calculated based on the marking scheme prescribed by the examination authority. For correct answers, candidates score one mark whereas 0.25 marks are deducted for wrong answers. Candidates need to secure the desired score inorder to qualify the exam. The scores of candidates are calculated based on the following method: The corrected scores obtained by each candidate in different sessions of the exam are normalised using the equi-percentile method. The normalised marks are used to announce the result Scores upto two decimal points are taken for the purpose of calculations The corrected scores are calculated based on the number of correct and incorrect answers.
IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs
Candidates can check below IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs.
Commonly asked questions
A reserve list to the extent of approximately 10 percent of the vacancies under each category may be kept, subject to the availability of candidates. This does not guarantee provisional allotment to/recruitment by the participating banks. In the event of Participating Banks providing further vacancies during April 2024-March 2025 at different intervals, provisional allotment may be carried out three to four times for the candidates in the reserve list, based on the vacancies provided by some or any of the participating banks at different intervals during the period. However, if no vacancy is furnished by the Participating Banks owing to exigencies or otherwise during the validity period, the candidates under the reserve list will not be considered for provisional allotment. The reserve list will expire automatically on March 31, 2025. Candidates who are not provisionally allotted or not in the reserve list will not be considered for further process.
IBPS PO Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
Yes, the IBPS had released the IBPS PO main admit card 2025 on October 1. The candidates can download their admit card to know their exam centre, exam date and shift timing.
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month ago
The IBPS PO cutoff is the minimum qualifying mark for the Mains exam, and it varies as per the categories. It is influenced by factors including the difficulty level of the exam, number of candidates, overall performance, and so on. As per the past trends and insights from the subject-matter experts
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, the authority released the IBPSPO revised calendar on the official website. The IBPS conducts the IBPS PO, SO, Clerk & RRB exams to recruit the assistants and officers in various Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) every year.
I
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 months ago
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection released the IBPS PO notification on June 30, 2025. A total of 5208 vacancies were announced. The online application process was opened until July 21, 2025. It was started on July 1, 2025.
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
The authority released the IBPS PO 2025 notification on June 30, 2025 for 5208 vacancies. The IBPS PO prelims exam will be conducted on August 23 and 24, 2025. It is conducted for the selection of candidates for 11 public sector banks. The IBPS PO selection process comprises Prelims, Mains and Inter
G
Contributor-Level 6
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
SSC CGL 2025 Tier-I Re-Scheduled Exam Date 14 Oct '25 Bihar STET Notification 2025 19 Sep '25 - 31 Oct '25
Is the IBPS PO Main Admit Card 2025 Released?