IBPS PO exam pattern
IBPS Probationary Officer / Management Trainee. Sections, marks and time for each stage.
- Conducted by
- Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
- Stages
- Prelims, Mains and Interview
- Prelims
- 100 questions · 100 marks · 60 min
- Mains
- 155 questions · 200 marks · 180 min
- Negative marking
- ¼ of the question’s marks for each wrong answer
- Interview
- Yes
IBPS PO Prelims pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time (min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 |
IBPS PO Mains pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time (min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 |
| General / Economy / Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 |
| Total | 155 | 200 | 180 |
English Descriptive (Essay & Letter): 2 questions, 25 marks, 30 minutes, held after the objective Mains.
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IBPS PO exam pattern: common questions
How many questions are there in the IBPS PO Prelims?
100 questions for 100 marks in 60 minutes, across 3 sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability.
Is there a sectional time limit in the IBPS PO Prelims?
Each of the 3 Prelims sections has its own time limit, and you can’t go back to a section once its time is up.
Is there negative marking in IBPS PO?
Yes. In the objective papers, ¼ of the marks given for a question are deducted for every wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.
Is there an interview in IBPS PO?
Yes. Candidates who clear Mains are called for an interview.
How many questions are there in the IBPS PO Mains?
155 questions for 200 marks in 180 minutes, across 4 sections.
Do Prelims marks count in the final merit of IBPS PO?
No. The Prelims is a screening test: it decides who goes on to the next stage, and its marks are not added to the final merit.
Other exams
Patterns are revised from time to time. Before you apply, confirm the current one on the official notification, on ibps.in.