
23rd June, 2025
Bank Exams
Accuracy vs Speed in IBPS PO – Which Should You Prioritize
Table of Contents
When candidates are preparing for the IBPS PO bank exam, two things matter the most, how fast you solve the questions and how correctly you give responses. While some aspirants aim to solve the maximum number of questions without thinking about the negative marking and others focus on minimizing errors.
So the question is:
Accuracy vs. Speed in IBPS PO – Which Should You Prioritize?
In this blog I will help you to understand when to prioritize speed and accuracy for the IBPS PO bank exam, and how to master both to crack the IBPS PO prelims and mains smartly.
Defining Speed and Accuracy
Speed = Number of questions attempted in a limited time
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Helps you reach the cut-off in easy/moderate-level papers of IBPS PO Bank Exam.
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Crucial in prelims and easy shifts of the IBPS PO Bank Exam
Accuracy = Number of correct answers attempted
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Helps avoid penalty from negative marking in the IBPS PO Bank Exam.
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It is essential for IBPS PO mains and tougher shifts.
Download Free IBPS PO Study Notes – Prelims & Mains PDF to build speed and accuracy practice sets.
Section – Wise Accuracy vs. Speed Analysis: What to Prioritize
IBPS PO Prelims – Speed vs. Accuracy
Reasoning Ability: Speed vs. Accuracy
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Prelims: Speed in puzzles, Accuracy in coding –decoding/inequalities.
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Mains: Accuracy is priority – 1 wrong assumption ruins 5 question sets.
Quantitative Aptitude: Speed vs. Accuracy
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Prelims: Speed needed in simplification, number series.
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Mains: Accuracy needed in DI, caselets, arithmetic word problems.
Get IBPS PO Free download Notes for Reasoning and Quantitative topics.
English Language: Speed vs. Accuracy
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Accuracy is king in IBPS PO English Language Section.
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A single wrong grammar or comprehensive answer = lost mark.
General Awareness: Speed vs. Accuracy
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Mostly Accuracy based.
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No calculation is required – either you know it or not.
Access Free download GK & Current Affairs PDFs for IBPS PO bank exam
How to Improve Speed without Losing Accuracy
- Use Shortcuts in Quant – Tables, Squares, Approximation tricks.
- Set Timers for practice – Start with 1 min/question, reduce to 30-40 sec.
- Revise common reasoning and quant patterns – improves recognition speed.
- Keep Calm – Anxiety reduces thinking time and causes silly errors.
How to Improve Accuracy While increasing Speed
- Double-check your final answers – especially in DI, Puzzles in IBPS PO Bank Exam.
- Avoid guess work in reading comprehension, vocab, and grammar.
- Practice mock tests to get an exam-like environment.
- Analyze every mistake – learn why it went wrong.
How to Improve Speed with Accuracy
Here are the 5 experts-tested techniques that improve speed with accuracy for IBPS PO bank exam:
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Topic-wise Time Practice
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Set a stopwatch and attempt 20 questions from topics of IBPS PO.
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Record how much time you take and the number of correct answers for IBPS PO topics.
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Use Elimination Techniques
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Especially in English and reasoning, eliminate mistakes. options to save time in finals IBPS PO Bank Exam.
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Follow the “3 Round Rule”
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Round 1: Attempt easy questions of IBPS PO bank exam
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Round 2: Solve medium questions of IBPS PO
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Round 3: Try tough/leftover questions only if time permits
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Solve with Options
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Many quant questions are faster to solve by testing options rather than formulas
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Build Mental Stamina
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Full length mock practice helps to maintain decision making under stress.
How Bhagya Achievers Helps You Master Speed and Accuracy
At Bhagya Achievers test series, we don’t make you choose between speed and accuracy - we train you how to master both speed and accuracy.
Exam Focused Mock tests:
At Bhagya Achievers we provide students with mock tests that feel like the real IBPS PO final exam. These tests include time limits for each section, so that you get used to solving questions under pressure. It helps you practice managing your time smartly and builds confidence for the actual exam day of the IBPS PO Bank Exam.
Time and Accuracy Analysis
After Every mock test of the IBPS PO Bank Exam, you get a detailed feedback report that shows your weak points, time spent on questions, and Strengths. So that you can prioritize speed and accuracy accordingly for the IBPS PO bank Exam.
Conclusion
You should not sacrifice one for the other.
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In IBPS PO Prelims, aim for speed but maintain at least 85-90% accuracy.
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In IBPS PO Mains, aim for clarity, accuracy, and structured attempts.
Success in the IBPS PO bank exam depends on both speed and accuracy. And with Bhagya Achievers, you don’t have to figure it out alone. We give you tools, tests, and techniques to turn your IBPS PO attempts into success stories.
FAQs
Ques. What is more important in IBPS PO bank exam Speed vs Accuracy?
Ans. According to experts, speed vs accuracy are both essential in the IBPS PO Bank Exam. In the IBPS PO prelims, speed helps clear the cut-off. In the IBPS PO mains, accuracy is critical as questions are tougher and negative marking can reduce your scores drastically.
Ques. How can I increase my speed without reducing accuracy?
Ans. To Clear the IBPS PO Bank Exam Use:
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Topic-wise practice with the stopwatch
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Shortcuts in Quant
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Pattern recognition in reasoning
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Elimination method for English
Ques. How can I build both speed and accuracy together in the IBPS PO Bank Exam?
Ans. Techniques and strategies for the IBPS PO Bank Exam to build both speed and accuracy read the whole above given information carefully to crack the IBPS PO bank exam in first attempt.
Ques. What is the biggest mistake aspirants make while balancing speed and accuracy for the IBPS PO Bank Exam?
Ans. Over-attempting and guessing in the IBPS PO prelims and under-preparing for tough-level accuracy in mains.
Ques. How many questions should I attempt in IBPS PO prelims to save scores?
Ans. Try to attempt 65-70 questions of 100 with at least 85% accuracy in the IBPS PO Bank Exam. This is a safe zone in most moderate level shifts.
Ques. How many mock tests should I take before the IBPS PO exam?
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You should aim to attempt 15-20 full length mocks before prelims.
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10+ mocks especially for Mains.
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Attempt daily chapter wise and detailed tests to boost confidence level.
Ques. How to increase speed in reasoning for a bank exam?
Ans. To increase speed for the reasoning section for bank exams, start practice with a timer, use short-cut tips and tricks, take full length, sectional, detailed and chapter-wise mock tests.
Also Check
- Top Coaching vs. Self-Study for IBPS PO: Which is better?
- How to Tackle Quantitative Aptitude in IBPS Prelims: Speed, Accuracy & Shortcuts
- Top Reading Sources to Improve English for Bank Exams
- Most Expected Questions for IBPS 2025: General Awareness, Reasoning & Quantitative Aptitude
- How to Prepare for IBPS PO Prelims and Mains Together
- IBPS Prelims Exam Analysis Trend of Last 6 Years
- How Many Attempts Are Allowed For Bank Exams?
- How to Start Preparing for IBPS PO from Scratch
- How to Effectively Prepare for IBPS Prelims English Section?