Anangsha
Anangsha Patra
Deputy Manager – Editorial
Updated on Jun 29, 2021 12:25 IST

To crack IBPS PO exam with three months of preparation, candidates must have a full-proof study plan. They need to balance their time and preparation. Read here how to prepare for IBPS PO in 3 months.

How_To_Prepare_For_IBPS_PO_In_Three_Months

IBPS PO exam is conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection for recruitment to the post of Probationary Officers/Management Trainee. In 2020, total 6.78 lakh candidates had registered for the exam, out of which 4.75 lakh candidates had taken the exam. With IBPS PO fast approaching, all candidates must have started their preparations. Three months before the exam, candidates must plan their study in such a way that they will be able to balance their time and preparation. Candidates need to check whether they have completed the IBPS PO syllabus or not. Candidates need to brush up on the things they have studied during their initial days of preparation. Candidates need to analyse their strong and weak areas. Read this article to know how to prepare for IBPS PO in three months.

Table of content
  • IBPS PO Exam Pattern
  • IBPS PO Syllabus
  • How to prepare for IBPS PO in three months?

IBPS PO Exam Pattern

The prelims and mains exams of IBPS PO are conducted online. Candidates qualifying the mains exam are called for the interview. According to IBPS PO exam pattern, the prelims exam comprises questions from Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language. Total marks allotted to the test are 100. The mains exam comprises both objective and descriptive papers. The total marks allotted to the mains exam are 225. The duration of the test is 3 hours 30 minutes. The interview carries 100 marks. Read More

IBPS PO Syllabus

IBPS PO syllabus highlights the subject-wise topics that candidates need to cover for the prelims and mains exams. The question paper is framed based on the topics given in the syllabus. Some of the section-wise important topics for IBPS PO exam are given below.

English Language

Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para jumbles, Fill in the blanks, etc.

Quantitative Ability section

Data Interpretation, Simplification, Profit & Loss, Work & Time, Time & Distance, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, etc. 

Computer Aptitude

Basics of computers, basic terminologies of internet, networking basics like LAN and wan, Input and output devices, shortcut keys, latest technologies

Reasoning Ability

Coding decoding, blood relation, direction and distance, sitting arrangements, syllogism, cause and effect and data sufficiency.

General Awareness

Current Affairs, Awards and honours, books and their authors, Banking terms, RBI guidelines and policies, sports news, etc.

Read More on IBPS PO Syllabus

How to prepare for IBPS PO in three months?

‘How to prepare for IBPS PO in three months?’ is the question that many candidates ask. For those who are in doubt whether they can crack the exam in three months, the answer is yes you can. IBPS PO is an aptitude exam for which you need to be good at solving the questions based on the concepts. Questions in English and Maths are usually whatever you have learned till Class 10. The reasoning Ability section requires lots of practice. To prepare for the General Knowledge section, you need to read newspapers and books. We have shared below how to prepare for IBPS PO in three months. This study plan ensures that you are ready on the D-Day and can perform at your maximum level.

12 Weeks to IBPS PO

Just starting with your IBPS PO preparation means that you need to clear all the basic concepts. This is required more in the case of Quant and Reasoning Ability and less in the case of English, General Awareness and Computer. As the preparation time is only three months, the first thing you need to start off with is the mock test. Of course, you need to go through the syllabus and exam pattern to know the overall structure and topics that need to be covered for the exam. But a mock test will give you an idea of where are you are currently standing and how much effort is required to propel you towards clearing the IBPS PO cutoff marks.

Set a target of two weeks and cover all the basics of Quant and Reasoning. You can learn from good Quant and Reasoning books or download online courses.

Also Read:

10 Weeks to IBPS PO

Having covered the basics, it is time for practice. For the next two weeks, take one mock test per week. You should also do in-depth analysis of your performance in the mock test. You can also start solving the sample papers/previous years’ question papers to know the types of questions asked in the exam.

8 Weeks to IBPS PO

By this week, you should have completed a considerable chunk of the sample papers/previous years’ question papers. From this week onwards, all preparation has to be done through mocks. Your frequency of mock should increase to two per week for the next two weeks. Each mock should be followed by in-depth analysis. In this analysis, you should reattempt the questions that you were not able to solve to see your performance. This will tell you where you need to revise your concepts and help in finding out the faster method of solving questions.

6 Weeks to IBPS PO

From this week to the next four weeks, your frequency of mock tests should increase to three per week. The focus should be learning entirely from the mock experiences. Do deep analysis of each mock and if required, revise the concepts you are weak at. After three to four mocks you will be able to find out a strategy for yourself and follow that strategy.

2 Weeks to IBPS PO

During this week, decrease your mocks to two per week. Do a full revision of the concepts of all the topics that you have studied. Also, you can take up all the mocks that you have attempted earlier to analyse your performance. You can also reattempt the mock tests where your performance is not good.

The IBPS PO Week

Take your last mock this week. Do not take any mock in the last four days. Keep the revision light and glance through some previous mocks as it could be helpful. Do not take up any kind of studies in the last three days. Keep your mind relaxed and take enough rest. Trust your preparation and give your best in the exam.

Read More:

How to prepare for IBPS PO in 6 months?

About the Author
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Anangsha Patra
Deputy Manager – Editorial
A mass communication and journalism post-graduate, Anangsha has worked as a reporter and sub-editor and enjoys working in the education domain.
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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

G

Gunjan Majumder

Contributor-Level 6