Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) shoulders the responsibility to prepare and release the IBPS PO syllabus 2023. Every year, lakhs of candidates appear for this exam to work as Probationary Officers (PO) in public sector banks. The exam is considered tough due to immense competition. So, students must go through the syllabus and prepare accordingly.
One of the key benefits of the IBPS PO Syllabus is that it provides a clear roadmap for candidates to follow in their preparation. This can help them optimise their preparation time, and achieve better results in the exam. The syllabus covers a range of topics including reasoning, quantitative aptitude, English language, general awareness and computer knowledge.
IBPS Probationary Officer (PO) Syllabus 2023
It is crucial to understand the exam pattern and syllabus to score good marks in the IBPS PO 2023 exam. There is a slight difference in the syllabus for preliminary and main exams. Aspirants should know that the selection process for IBPS PO consists of the following three stages.
- Preliminary Exam (Prelims)
- Main Exam
- Interview
IBPS PO Preliminary Exam Pattern 2023
A candidate must clear the preliminary exam to be eligible for the main exam. Check the detailed exam pattern for prelims.
- Examination Mode – Computer-Based Test (Online Exam)
- Number of Questions – 100
- Type of Questions – Objective type multiple choice questions
- Maximum Marks – 100
- Duration of exam – 1 hour (20 minutes for each section)
- Marking Scheme – Each question will carry 1 mark.
- Negative Marking – 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
| Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Total | 100 Questions | 100 Marks |
Check: IBPS Clerk syllabus
IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus 2023
Let’s take a look at the subject-wise syllabus for IBPS PO Prelims 2023.
| English Language | Numerical Ability | Reasoning Ability |
| Reading Comprehension – 7 to 10 questionsCloze Test – 5 to 10 questionsSpotting Errors – 5 to 7 questionsPara jumbles/ Sentence Rearrangement – number of questions varies every yearSentence Improvement – 5 questionsFill in the blanks – 5 questionsSentence Connectors – 5 questions | Number Series (Arithmetic, Mixed Arithmetic, Double step variation) – 5 questionsSimplification/ Approximation – 5 questionsData Interpretation – 10 to 15 questionsQuadratic Equation – 5 questionsQuantity-based questions – 5 questionsArithmetic Problems ( Profit-Loss & Discount, Simple & Compound Interest, Time, Work & Wages, Mensuration) – 10 to 15 questionsProfit Loss & Discount – 5 questions | Seating Arrangement and Puzzles – 15 questionsInequality – 5 questionsSyllogism – 4 to 5 questionsCoding-Decoding – 3 to 4 questionsData Sufficiency – 2 to 3 questionsBlood Relations/ Order and Ranking/ Direction Sense/ Alphanumeric Series – 3 to 4 questions |
Exam Pattern for IBPS PO Main 2023
The pattern of IBPS PO Main examination is quite different from the preliminary exam pattern. It consists of an objective type paper followed by a descriptive test of the English language. Check out the details below.
- Mode of examination – Online (Computer-Based Examination)
- Type of Questions – Objective and Descriptive Types of Questions
- Duration of Examination – 3 Hours and 30 Minutes
- Number of Questions – 157
- Maximum Marks – 225
- Language of Questions – English and Hindi
| Sections | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 minutes |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Total | 155 Questions | 200 Marks | 180 minutes |
| English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) | 02 | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Total | 157 Questions | 225 Marks | 210 Minutes (3 hours and 30 minutes) |
Check: SBI PO syllabus
IBPS PO Main Syllabus 2023
The subject-wise topics included in the Main exam of IBPS PO Recruitment 2023 are given in the following table.
| Subjects | Topics |
| Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus | Number Series, Data Interpretation, Ratio and Proportion, Work, Time, and Energy, Time and Distance, Probability, Simplification/ Approximation, Quadratic EquationData Sufficiency, Simple and Compound Interest, Mensuration, Average, Profit and Loss, Relations, Permutation and Combination |
| General Awareness Syllabus | Important Days, Current Affairs, GK Updates, Important Places, Currencies, Banking Awareness, Awards, Headquarters, Books and Authors, Prime Minister’s Schemes |
| Reasoning Syllabus | Verbal Reasoning, Syllogism, Linear Seating Arrangement, Code Inequalities, Circular Seating Arrangement, Input-Output, Scheduling, Double Lineup, Ordering and Ranking, Directions and Distances, Coding and Decoding, and Data Sufficiency. |
| Computer Aptitude Syllabus | Internet, Computer Abbreviation, Keyboard Shortcuts, Memory, Computer Software, Computer Hardware, Microsoft Office, Computer Abbreviation, Networking, Operating System, Computer Fundamentals /Terminologies |
| English Language Syllabus | Spotting Errors, Cloze Test, Sentence Improvement, Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Sentence Correction, Fill in the Blanks, Para/Sentence Completion. |
IBPS PO Interview
- The IBPS PO Interview is the final stage of the selection process for candidates who will successfully clear both preliminary and main exams.
- The interview is conducted to assess the candidate’s communication skills, confidence, and overall personality.
- Candidates should note that the interview will carry 100 marks. The minimum qualifying mark for this round is 40 (35 for SC/ ST/ OBC/ PWD Candidates).
- During the interview, candidates can expect questions about their educational background, work experience, and personal interests.
Tips to prepare for IBPS PO Written Exam
Here are four tips to help you prepare for your IBPS PO exam.
- Know the exam pattern – Familiarise yourself with the exam format and content. This will help you understand what to expect on the day of the exam and ensure that you are prepared.
- Practise – The more you practise, the more comfortable you will be with the exam. Use mock tests and study materials to help you prepare. Focus on areas where you need improvement and try to simulate the exam environment as much as possible.
- Stay organised and manage your time – Create a study schedule and stick to it. Make sure you have enough time to cover all the material and review your notes.
- Take care of yourself – Make sure you get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly. Taking care of your physical and mental health will help you stay focused and alert during the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there is a penalty of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer. However, there is no penalty for unattempted questions.
Candidates can prepare for the interview by researching the Indian banking sector, practising commonly asked questions, and dressing appropriately.
The official website is ibps.in/cwe-probationary-officers-management-trainees.
