How to Prepare for the IBPS PO Exam: A Complete Guide!

At the end of this blog, you are going to be a step ahead in the journey of becoming a Bank PO. This blog is about Exam Preparation tips to crack the upcoming IBPS PO Exam. So, don’t miss out on anything, and keep reading this blog till the end. 

IBPS PO is an exam conducted by IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection). It is a central recruitment agency that conducts competitive exams for various Public sector banks that include regional and nationalised banks both.   

IBPS PO exam is the best way to enter public sector banks and start your career in the banking industry. But the journey to get there comes with numerous challenges that every aspirant has to face. This can only be possible with the right guidance. Therefore, at ixamBee, we never hold ourselves back to help and guide students in the right way for the respective exam. This blog is going to help you in getting a better understanding of what the IBPS PO preparation is all about. You will get to know how to prepare for IBPS PO exam, the perfect IBPS PO preparation strategy, and much more.

Significance of IBPS PO Exam 2025 

Every year, millions of students appear for IBPS PO Exam and perform to their best ability.  Nearly 5 lakh students appeared for the IBPS PO 2022 Exam. You can easily understand from this figure how much desire is there among students to become a Bank PO. The subsequent IBPS PO Exam 2025 notification is expected to be released as soon as this year’s IBPS PO recruitment cycle is concluded. Overall, 11 nationalized banks participate in the IBPS PO recruitment process except for SBI. However, the exam pattern of IBPS PO and SBI PO exams is almost the same. There is only a slight difference in the marking allocation in their Mains exam pattern. Keeping in mind the competitive nature of the IBPS PO exam, it becomes critical for candidates to have a strong IBPS preparation strategy on their tips. This is the right time to develop a personalised and effective IBPS exam preparation plan that helps you gradually build on your fundamentals and leave you with ample time for preparation as well. There is no need to wait for the IBPS PO 2025 notification to begin your IBPS PO preparation. It is better to have time in advance so that you do not prepare in a hurry.

Before we begin with the IBPS PO exam preparation plan, let’s head to the IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025 first,

IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025 

IBPS PO comprises three stages of recruitment, Prelims, Mains, and Interview round. Candidates have to qualify for all the stages in order to get selected for the job of a Bank Probationary Officer. Also, you need to keep in mind that the final merit includes 20% marks for the IBPS PO interview and 80% marks for the IBPS PO Mains exam.  This means the final merit list won’t be the sole result of your interview but an addition of the IBPS PO mains exam and the final interview. 

Refer to the below table for the IBPS PO exam pattern 2025

IBPS PO Prelims Pattern

IBPS PO Mains Pattern 

Your performance in the exam depends on your IBPS exam preparation. So, it becomes all the more important for you to strengthen your preparation by taking the right guidance from experienced mentors. You can find those experts at ixamBee. Knowing the detailed IBPS PO exam pattern and syllabus helps you tailor your IBPS exam preparation to achieve maximum marks in the IBPS exam and make the IBPS PO merit list.

Having a thorough understanding of the IBPS PO exam pattern and IBPS PO syllabus is essential for effective IBPS PO exam preparation. It helps candidates identify the structure of the exam, including the number of sections, types of questions, and time allocation for each section, which is crucial for IBPS PO prelims preparation as well as IBPS PO mains preparation. By familiarizing themselves with the syllabus, aspirants can strategically plan how to prepare for the IBPS PO exam, focusing on key areas like Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English Language, and General Awareness. Knowing the exam pattern assists in developing a strong IBPS PO preparation strategy and effective time management during the exam. With this knowledge, candidates can prioritize important topics, optimize their study sessions, and regularly practice mock tests to enhance their IBPS exam preparation. This approach helps them avoid unnecessary topics, track their progress, and feel confident on the exam day, significantly improving their chances of success.

At ixamBee, we have a team of subject matter specialists, having industrial experience of more than 12 to 15 years. If you are seeking guidance from the right mentor, then you are at the place, and you can end your search right here. 

Now, let’s look at some preparation tips for the IBPS PO Exam 2025 that will help you throughout the recruitment process including Prelims, Mains, and the Interview. 

Tips for IBPS PO Exam Preparation 2025

Planning 

Proper planning is the gateway to success. Unless and until you make a proper and feasible plan for the preparation of the exam, you will find it difficult to prepare for the exam. Beating around the bush is not recommended. You should go through the IBPS PO exam syllabus and exam pattern and then make an IBPS PO preparation strategy as per your convenience of how to study and from where to study.

Be aware

You should be updated with the latest news, daily activities and events, and current affairs, for which you should read the newspapers and magazines daily. Also, there are many other resources where you can easily get access to daily, weekly, and monthly current affairs for free.  We would recommend you cover more from the banking and finance industries. You can also practice current affairs and general knowledge through our daily quizzes on General Awareness and Current Affairs for the IBPS PO exam.

Study deeply

Avoid standing on two boats at the same time. You should pick up one topic at a time and study it deeply. Do not switch to other topics just because another one hits your mind. Practice as much as you can on a particular topic to gain accuracy and speed. This should be an important part of your IBPS exam preparation.

Prepare your inventories

Prepare the charts and tables required by you and arrange for the relevant books and study material including the IBPS PO mock tests and IBPS PO previous year test papers.

Keep preparing for GK- 

General Knowledge is the most important section of the IBPS exam. This section is something that doesn’t demand a dedicated time slot. You can cover General Knowledge just by adding certain habits to your routine. You can prepare for it daily by reading newspapers, magazines, current affairs, and some GK books. The pro tip is, the earlier you start the more early you will be to complete your general knowledge syllabus as part of your IBPS PO preparation. It is better to start today instead of waiting to qualify for your prelims. 

Manage your time well- 

As they say, time is money, you don’t need to spend your whole day in your preparation but you can easily dedicate a specific time slot to a particular subject. This another important factor that should be considered as part of your IBPS exam preparation. Time management is an essential part of your IBPS preparation. As you have limited time to solve the question paper and to solve it on time you need adequate practice. Sometimes you have to choose smart work over hard work. Thus, you should know some tricks and shortcuts to gain an edge over the questions. Always prepare taking time into consideration. Practice various IBPS PO mock tests and test series and try to stick to the time limit. You can even practice from the previous year’s question papers.

Revise and re-evaluate yourself- 

You should revise the IBPS exam syllabus a few weeks before your exam and work hard on your weak areas in the time you have left. Practicing consistently is the only solution for it. Once you have a grip on your weaker areas, no one can stop you from cracking the IBPS PO 2025 exam. Keep on attempting mock tests and test series to re-evaluate yourself and know where you stand with respect to your preparation and performance. Thorough revision should be an indispensable aspect of your preparation for IBPS PO. It will help you not just remember but know how to effectively apply those concepts to solve problems accurately.

Be confident- 

Your mindset will set the tone for your entire life! It is that simple but can often be difficult. while your IBPS preparations are underway, whenever you feel yourself get overwhelmed, step back. Relax. You should be confident about yourself when you are attempting for your exam. Relax when you get nervous and start again. There comes a time when you will get nervous and start doubting your ability to attempt answers. Remember that feeling is temporary, take deeper breaths, and get back to focusing on your exam. 

Section-wise IBPS PO Preparation Strategy 2025

Section-wise Preparation Tips and Tricks for IBPS PO Exam 2025:

Quantitative Aptitude:

For the IBPS PO Exam 2025, focus on mastering fundamental concepts as the formative steps of your IBPO PO preparation. Practice regularly and learn time-saving shortcuts for calculations. Prioritize percentage, ratio, and data interpretation topics. Solve previous years’ papers and mock tests to assess your progress and identify weak areas. Work on improving accuracy and speed to handle diverse quantitative questions effectively.

Here are some quick tips to consider while preparing for the exam:

1. Focus on understanding fundamental concepts and practice regularly.
2. Learn shortcut methods for calculations to save time.
3. Prioritize important topics like percentages, ratios, and data interpretation.
4. Solve previous year’s question papers and mock tests to gauge your progress.
5. Identify your weaknesses and work on improving them.

Reasoning Ability:

Get familiar with various reasoning question types as part of your preparation for IBPS PO. Regularly practice puzzles, seating arrangements, and coding-decoding. Enhance analytical and logical thinking skills. Time management is crucial; identify solvable questions quickly. Focus on accuracy to avoid negative marking. Revise reasoning concepts and techniques to excel in this section.

Here are some quick tips to consider while preparing for the IBPS PO exam:

1. Familiarize yourself with different types of reasoning questions.
2. Practice puzzles, seating arrangement, and coding-decoding regularly.
3. Improve your analytical and logical thinking skills.
4. Time management is crucial; learn to quickly identify solvable questions.
5. Work on improving accuracy to avoid negative marking.

English Language:

English can often be a deciding factor in any competitive exam. Make sure as part of your IBPS exam preparation to expand your vocabulary by reading newspapers and books. Practice grammar rules and sentence correction exercises. Work on reading comprehension skills and speed. Solve previous years’ English papers to understand the exam pattern. Target areas of weakness and consistently improve through practice.

Here are some quick tips to consider while preparing for the exam to include in your IBPS PO preparation strategy:

1. Enhance vocabulary through reading newspapers, articles, and books.
2. Practice grammar rules and sentence correction exercises.
3. Work on reading comprehension skills and speed.
4. Solve previous year’s English question papers to understand the exam pattern.
5. Focus on areas where you struggle the most and seek improvement.

General Awareness:

Stay updated with current affairs from newspapers and online sources. Study banking and financial awareness topics in-depth. Revise important events, awards, and appointments of the last six months. Practice quizzes and participate in online forums to enhance knowledge sharing.

Here are some quick tips to consider in your IBPS preparation while preparing for the exam:

1. Stay updated with current affairs through newspapers and news portals.
2. Study banking and financial awareness topics in-depth.
3. Revise important events, awards, and appointments of the last six months.
4. Practice quizzes and stay informed about the latest developments.
5. Join online forums to discuss and share knowledge with peers.

Computer Awareness:

Understand computer hardware, software, and networking basics. Focus on the internet, operating systems, and computer terminology. Practice quizzes and previous years’ computer awareness questions. Stay updated on the latest technology and cybersecurity advancements.

Here are some quick tips to consider while preparing for the exam:

1. Understand the basics of computer hardware and software.
2. Focus on topics like the internet, operating systems, and computer terminology.
3. Practice online quizzes and previous year’s computer awareness questions.
4. Stay updated with the latest advancements in technology and cybersecurity.

Descriptive Writing:

The IBPS descriptive writing section is extremely important too and cannot be undermined under any circumstances. Practice essay and letter writing on diverse topics as part of your IBPS exam preparation. Focus on clear structuring and coherent organization of thoughts. Improve grammar, vocabulary, and proper formatting. Practice time-bound writing to enhance speed and efficiency.

Here are some quick tips to consider while preparing for the exam:

1. Practice essay and letter writing on diverse topics.
2. Work on structuring and organizing your thoughts coherently.
3. Focus on grammar, vocabulary, and proper formatting.
4. Practice time-bound writing to improve speed and efficiency.

Time Management:

Create a study schedule and adhere to it. Allocate sufficient time to each section based on strengths and weaknesses. Take regular breaks to avoid burnout. Simulate exam-like conditions during practice to improve performance. Continuously analyze and learn from mistakes for steady progress.

Here are some quick tips to consider while preparing for the exam:

1. Create a study schedule and follow it diligently.
2. Allocate sufficient time to each section based on your strengths and weaknesses.
3. Take regular breaks to avoid burnout and maintain focus.
4. Simulate exam-like conditions while practising to enhance performance.

These tips and tricks will only help you when you prepare with consistency. The main role these tricks will play is to 10x your IBPS PO preparation speed. Therefore, it will put you ahead of others in this competitive exam of IBPS PO Exam 2025. 

Strategies may differ from person to person. Hence, you should formulate your own strategies and plan accordingly. Work hard and conquer all the subjects.

Preparing for quants and reasoning consumes a lot of time; so start your preparation early so that you do not fall short of time in the end. Do not let the question paper affect your confidence.

Try to attempt the sections or questions you are less confident with and prepare for the ones that are easy and require less time. 

How to prepare for IBPS PO exam while being a full-time student?
Balancing IBPS PO exam preparation with full-time studies requires disciplined time management. Allocate 2-3 hours daily for IBPS PO preparation. Focus on core topics during weekends and take mock tests. Setting small, achievable goals will help ensure progress without impacting academic responsibilities.

How to prepare for IBPS PO while working full-time?
For full-time employees, IBPS PO exam preparation can be managed by dedicating 2 hours each day. Reserve weekends for intensive study and taking IBPS PO prelims preparation mock tests. Focus on high-yield subjects like General Awareness and practice during work breaks to maximize IBPS PO exam preparation efficiency.

How much time is required to prepare for the IBPS PO exam?
Typically, 4-6 months are needed for effective IBPS PO preparation. Daily study sessions of 3-4 hours along with weekend revisions and mock tests should cover all the important topics. Regular practice ensures familiarity with IBPS PO exams preparation and helps develop time management skills for the exam.

How to start preparing for IBPS PO as a beginner?
To start IBPS PO preparation, first, understand the exam pattern and syllabus. Build a strong foundation in Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English. Incorporate current affairs into daily study. Gradually move from basic concepts to solving practice papers and mock tests, ensuring comprehensive IBPS PO exam preparation.

What are the key areas to focus on for IBPS PO prelims preparation?
IBPS PO prelims preparation should focus on Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English Language. Practice time-bound tests to improve speed and accuracy. Pay attention to important topics like Data Interpretation, Reading Comprehension, and Puzzles for a well-rounded IBPS PO prelims preparation strategy.

How to prepare for IBPS PO at home?
To effectively prepare for IBPS PO at home, create a daily schedule that covers all sections of the syllabus. Utilize reliable online resources, previous year papers, and mock tests. Consistency is crucial for IBPS PO preparation at home, so set clear weekly goals and assess your progress regularly with topic-wise quizzes.

How to build a strong IBPS PO preparation strategy?
A strong IBPS PO preparation strategy should focus on covering all subjects systematically. Allocate time for each subject like Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, and General Awareness. Incorporate regular mock tests and previous year papers. Adapt your IBPS PO preparation based on mock test results and focus on weak areas.

How important is IBPS PO exam preparation through mock tests?
Mock tests are vital for IBPS PO exam preparation as they help simulate the real exam environment, enhancing time management. Regular practice of mock tests helps in identifying weaknesses and improving accuracy. Reviewing your performance after each test is essential for tracking IBPS PO preparation progress.

How to balance IBPS PO preparation with other exams?
Balancing IBPS PO preparation with other competitive exams can be done by aligning your study plan based on overlapping subjects. Focus on Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English Language, which are common. Dedicate extra time to IBPS PO-specific subjects like General Awareness. Regular IBPS exams preparation ensures smooth multitasking between different exams.

What is the best way to track progress during IBPS PO preparation?
The best way to track progress during IBPS PO preparation is by setting measurable goals and regularly taking mock tests. Use these tests to assess areas needing improvement. Maintaining a record of your mock test scores helps in recognizing patterns and adapting your IBPS PO exam preparation strategy for optimal results.

Conclusion

IBPS PO is the ladder to skyrocket your career in the banking industry. Students invest years in its preparation. It starts with a dream and consistent dedication and at ixamBee, we help you in making your dream of being an IBPS PO come true by enlightening you with guidance and mentorship. Therefore, for the right guidance and approach, you can take help from our mentors that are experienced enough to clear all your doubts. The notification is yet to be released by IBPS, it is better if you start your preparation from today with due diligence. Manage your time well and keep in mind the changes in the pattern of the exam (if any) and prepare with a calm and composed mind while focusing on the target of cracking the exam. All the best and kick-start your preparations well.

At ixamBee, we specialize in providing comprehensive online courses for government exams and online courses for government jobs. Our expertly designed courses for government jobs cater to a wide range of upcoming government exams. Whether you’re preparing for specific courses for government exams or seeking general guidance, ixamBee offers the resources like Beepedia, previous year papers, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, SSC MTS and other mock tests to succeed in exams like RBI Grade B, SEBI Grade A, NABARD Grade A, RRB NTPC, SSC MTS, NIACL Assistant, and more.  

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