IBPS PO 2025 Preparation Tips: Check Section-wise Tips & Strategy

Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Probationary Officer Exam 2025 ( IBPS PO )

DeskCalelnderResult - 6 Oct '25 - 12 Oct '25

Shikha Goyal
Updated on Jul 31, 2025 17:45 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

The Institute of Banking and Personnel Selection will conduct the IBPS PO 2025 prelims exam on August 17, 23 and 24, 2025. The IBPS PO exam will be conducted as a Computer-Based Exam (CBE). The candidates must start the IBPS PO 2025 revision because aless time is left.

The candidates should consult the best IBPS PO books to prepare for the exam. The candidates need to plan out their strategy for IBPS PO 2025 preparation. A well-formulated IBPS PO preparation tips help candidates to get a complete knowledge of the subjects. Candidates must prepare a proper study plan for different subjects such as English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and General Knowledge. It is of utmost importance for applicants to be well-equipped with the IBPS PO study plan to excel in the exam. 

Table of content
  • IBPS PO Preparation Tips 2025
  • IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025
  • IBPS PO Syllabus 2025
  • Best Books for IBPS PO Exam
  • IBPS PO Preparation Tips 2025 FAQs
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IBPS PO Preparation Tips 2025

The job profile associated with the PO is prestigious as such the competition is high. Dedicated efforts in the right direction will lead the applicants to success. IBPS PO exam preparation provides complete knowledge to the aspirants and takes them closer to their goals. IBPS PO preparation tips assist applicants in brushing up on their fundamentals and core concepts. The preparation tips also help candidates revise the topics they have already learned.

IBPS PO exam is considered a prestigious exam for candidates who are aiming to join the banking sector. Every year more than eight lakh candidates apply for the exam. Since the number of vacancies is limited and the number of applicants is high, therefore the competition is cut-throat. A proper strategy and clear-cut concepts can help candidates distinguish themselves from the crowd. Aspirants always look forward to IBPS PO preparation tips that will help them sail through the exam. Here, we have provided some preparation tips for the IBPS PO exam.

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IBPS PO Section-Wise Preparation Tips 2025

The section-wise preparation tips for prelims and mains exams are given below:

IBPS PO Preparation Tips 2025 for English Language

The syllabus for the English Language section is almost the same for prelims and mains exams. To score good marks in this section, you should read newspapers and magazines. Besides, brush up your grammar and vocabulary from the high school grammar books.

Prepare for Competitive Exams with Expert Tips on English Section

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IBPS PO Preparation Tips 2025 for Reasoning Ability

Reasoning Ability is the scoring section. You can prepare this section by solving previous years’ question papers and mock tests. Practice puzzles and seating arrangements since these topics cover a major portion. Besides, increase your command of other topics such as Coding-Decoding, Inequality, Syllogism.

IBPS PO Preparation Tips 2025 for General Awareness and Descriptive section

Read newspapers, magazines, and books to prepare both sections as it helps you to brush up the current affairs as well as grammatical knowledge.

IBPS PO Preparation Tips 2025 for Quantitative Aptitude

You need to be clear with the basic concepts of Quantitative Aptitude. The majority of questions are asked from Data Interpretation, therefore, you should give a special focus on this topic. Revise short tricks on a regular basis and attempt sectional tests to improve performance. The short-cut tricks help in the calculation of problems related to squares, cubes, percentage values, etc.

Get the Top Score in Numerical Ability section of Competitive Entrance Exams with Expert Prep Tips

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IBPS PO Preparation Tips 2025 for Computer Aptitude

This is the easiest section and spending one hour daily helps you to score good marks. Learn the basics of computers, the history of the computer, short-cut keys, internet browser, MS excel, spreadsheets, etc. 

IBPS PO 2025 Preparation Tips: General Tips

Some general tips and tricks related to the IBPS PO mains exam are given below:

Know the Detailed Syllabus

IBPS does not specify a distinctive syllabus for its exams. One can deduce the major topics from studying past years' bank exam question papers. Knowing the syllabus helps to save time and effort. Try to cover all the topics given in the syllabus for the exam.

Make a Study Plan

Making a study plan is an important part of preparation. Aspirants should aim to cover the syllabus and include revision of topics periodically. The study plan should include analysing previous years' bank exam question papers and identifying important topics for the exam.

Attempt Regular Mock Test

You need to solve mock tests to stay updated with the type of questions asked in the bank exams. It also gives you a good idea of your level of preparation as well as to find out your weak and strong areas. 

Read Newspapers

Reading newspapers is an important part of IBPS PO preparation. You should read newspapers regularly, especially the business pages, to cover current affairs for the exam.

Review Previous Years' Question Papers

Analysing the previous years' question papers helps you to apprehend the level of examination and also understand the exact exam pattern. You will be able to review questions from which topics are frequently asked in the exam and which ones are less important from the exam point of view.

Previous Years' Cut off Marks

Get well aware of the minimum qualifying marks from the previous years' IBPS PO cut off. Also, analyse the trend in the increase or decrease in the cut-off marks.

Know About IBPS PO Exam

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How to prepare for IBPS PO in 2 months?

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Read More:

Get the Top Score in DI and Logical Reasoning section of Competitive Entrance Exams with Expert Prep Tips

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Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How do I study the English syllabus for the IBPS PO exam?
A: 

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
Q:   What is IBPS PO score calculation process?
A: 

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.

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IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025

The Institute of Banking and Personnel selection is expected to release the IBPS PO exam pattern in the official notification but it is expected that the syllabus will not change.
Prelims: The prelims exam comprises three sections. The test paper carries a total of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions. The total marks for the exam are 100. The test is held for 60 minutes duration.

Mains: IBPS PO mains exam comprises both objective and descriptive type tests. The test paper comprises a total of 157 questions (155 objective type and 2 descriptive type tests). The exam is conducted for 3 hours 30 minutes. The total marks for the test are 225.

Interview: 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.

Marking Scheme

IBPS PO marking scheme is given below:

  • For correct answers, candidates score one mark
  • 0.25 marks are deducted for wrong answers
  • The total marks are calculated based on the number of correct and incorrect answers
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How important is IBPS PO mock test?
A: 

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
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IBPS PO Syllabus 2025

The standard of IBPS PO syllabus is of high school and graduation levels. Candidates can check below the syllabus of IBPS PO:

Prelims exam: The syllabus of IBPS PO comprises topics from the English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability.

Mains exam: IBPS PO syllabus for mains exam comprises topics from English Language, Data Interpretation and Analysis, Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, and General Awareness.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How do I study the English syllabus for the IBPS PO exam?
A: 

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
Q:   What is IBPS PO Mains Syllabus?
A: 

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.

View Syllabus
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Best Books for IBPS PO Exam

The best books for IBPS PO exam are given below:

  • Objective English for Competitive Examinations by Hari Mohan Prasad and Uma Rani Sinha
  • Objective General English by S P Bakshi
  • IBPS PO Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude by Arihant Experts
  • IBPS PO English Language by Arihant Experts
  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R S Aggarwal



Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is IBPS PO score calculation process?
A: 

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.

View list of Books
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IBPS PO Preparation Tips 2025 FAQs

Candidates can check below IBPS PO preparation tips 2025 FAQs.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is IBPS PO normalisation of marks?
A: 
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.
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IBPS PO Exam

Student Forum

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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

Akanksha

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

...Read more

C

Chanchal Shekhar

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

Ishita Kaur

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

Virajita Shukla

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

...Read more

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Gunjan Majumder

Contributor-Level 6

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