Every year the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts a number of exams for different positions in various banks across the country. These exams – PO, SO, RRB, Clerk – are conducted for the recruitment of candidates in several public sector banks across the country. This article will discuss how to prepare for IBPS bank exams in India.
1. IBPS PO Exam
The IBPS PO exam is conducted to select eligible candidates for the post of probationary officers across 11 public sector banks in India. One of the most popular banking exams in the country, millions of individuals apply for the selection process conducted by IBPS for the post of probationary officer. Thus, you need to start preparing for the exam well in advance. But to prepare you need to know about the exam syllabus and paper pattern.
IBPS PO Exam Syllabus
The syllabus for the IBPS PO exam is divided into three main categories.
- Reasoning – This section includes logical reasoning, alphanumeric series, ranking, data sufficiency, seating arrangements, blood relation, coding-decoding, coded inequalities, among others.
- Quantitative Aptitude – This section includes profit and loss, simple internet, compound interest, work and time, time and distance, simplification, data interpretation, ratio, percentage, number system, probability, among others.
- English Language – This section includes reading comprehension, para jumbles, fill in the blanks, miscellaneous, paragraph completion, cloze test, among others.
IBPS PO Exam Pattern
There are two different exams conducted for PO posts – Prelims and Mains.
Prelims Exam
| S.No. | Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Mains Exam
| S.No. | Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 minutes |
| 2 | English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| 3 | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| 4 | General Economy & Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| 5 | English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) | 2 | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Total | 155 | 200 | 3 Hours |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university in India. They must have working knowledge of computer and must have proficiency in official language of the state or union territory. They must be a citizen of India.
2. IBPS SO Exam
The IBPS SO exam includes a three-step selection process. These includes Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The candidates who clear the Prelims and Mains exam are considered for the interview. Some of the posts for which candidates are selected include Agriculture Field Officer, IT Officer, and Law Officer, among others.
IBPS SO Exam Syllabus
The syllabus for the IBPS SO exam is divided into four main categories.
- Reasoning – This section includes logical reasoning, alphanumeric series, ranking, data sufficiency, seating arrangements, blood relation, coding-decoding, coded inequalities, among others.
- Quantitative Aptitude – This section includes profit and loss, simple internet, compound interest, work and time, time and distance, simplification, data interpretation, ratio, percentage, number system, probability, among others.
- English Language – This section includes reading comprehension, para jumbles, fill in the blanks, miscellaneous, paragraph completion, cloze test, among others.
- General Awareness – Banking awareness, current affairs, important places, awards, important days, among others.
IBPS SO Exam Pattern
The exam pattern for the prelims is given below.
| S No. | Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 minutes |
| 2 | Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 minutes |
Eligibility Criteria
There are different eligibility criteria for different post. However, the candidate must have a bachelor degree for recognized university in India and they must have an Indian citizenship.
3. IBPS RRB Exam
The IBPS conducts this exam for the selection of RRB Assistant and RRB Officer Cadre every year. The exam is for the selection of various posts such as office assistant, marketing manager, and treasury manager.
IBPS RRB Exam Syllabus
The syllabus for the exam is divided into four main categories.
- Reasoning – This section includes logical reasoning, alphanumeric series, ranking, data sufficiency, series test, figure series, decision making, word formation, syllogism, among others.
- Quantitative Aptitude – This section includes profit and loss, simple internet, compound interest, work and time, charts and graphs, averages, partnerships, ratio, percentage, number system, probability, among others.
- English Language – This section includes reading comprehension, para jumbles, fill in the blanks, miscellaneous, one word substitution, cloze test, among others.
- General Awareness – Banking awareness, current affairs, important places, awards, important days, among others.
IBPS RRB Exam Pattern
The following is the exam pattern for prelims and mains exam.
Prelims Exam
| S. No. | Section | Question | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Reasoning Ability | 40 | 40 | – |
| 2. | Numerical Ability | 40 | 40 | – |
| Total | 80 | 80 | 45 minutes |
Mains Exam
| S. No. | Section | Question | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reasoning Paper | 40 | 50 | – |
| 2 | General Awareness Paper | 40 | 40 | – |
| 3 | Numerical Ability Paper | 40 | 50 | – |
| 4 | English/Hindi Language Paper | 40 | 40 | – |
| 5 | Computer Knowledge | 40 | 20 | – |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 2 hours |
Eligibility Criteria
There are different eligibility criteria for different post. However, the candidate must have a bachelor degree for recognized university in India and they must have an Indian citizenship.
4. IBPS Clerk Exam
The institute conducts the clerk exam to fill clerical position across 11 public sector banks in the country. This exam is conducted every year and consists of two different steps, prelims and mains exam. The IBPS clerk exam preparation is not easy and you must do it very diligently as per exam syllabus and pattern discussed below.
IBPS Clerk Exam Syllabus
For the IBPS clerk exam preparation you must know the syllabus. The IBPS clerk syllabus is divided into four main categories.
- Reasoning – This section includes inequality, arrangements, puzzle, blood relation, coding-decoding, and direction sense.
- Numerical Ability – This section includes number series, simplification, data interpretation, data sufficiency, quadratic equations, and miscellaneous.
- English Language – This section includes reading comprehension, fill in the blanks, sentence improvement, spotting errors, cloze test, among others.
- General Awareness – Banking awareness, current affairs, important places, awards, important days, among others.
IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern
There are two different exams conducted by IBPS for the Clerk position – Prelims and Mains.
Prelims Exam
| S.No. | Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
Mains Exam
| S.No. | Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| 2 | English Language | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| 4 | General/ Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 160 minutes |
Eligibility Criteria
For eligibility purpose, aspirants must have graduation from a recognized university. They must be a citizen of India.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know about the different exams conducted by IBPS for various posts, exam syllabus, and paper pattern, start preparing for the exam in a detailed manner. These exams are competitive and many people apply for the same position. Therefore, ensure that you prepare well.