IBPS PO Mains Exam: Detailed Syllabus and Preparation Tips

IBPS PO Mains Exam: Detailed Syllabus and Preparation Tips

The IBPS PO mains exam is a rigorous assessment that demands strategic preparation, conceptual clarity, and unwavering focus. Understanding the syllabus in detail and aligning it with an effective strategy is the first step towards success. 

This guide offers refined strategies that not only outline what to study, but also how to study effectively and, more importantly, how to stay mentally strong during the process.

IBPS PO Mains 2025 Syllabus - Overview 

Before proceeding towards the syllabus, let us have a look at the structure of the IBPS PO Mains 2025.

Parameters

IBPS PO Mains

Mode of exam

Online

Number of questions

157

Nature of questions

Objective and descriptive type

Marks

225

Negative marking

0.25

Sections

Objective test: English Language, Data Interpretation and Analysis, Reasoning and Computer Aptitude and General Awareness.

Descriptive Test: English (Essay and Letter Writing)

 

IBPS PO Mains 2025: Section-wise Syllabus 

Candidates who cleared the preliminary round are now ready to move towards IBPS PO mains. To crack the IBPS PO mains in the first attempt, it is really necessary to know about the detailed IBPS PO syllabus. The syllabus for IBPS PO mains is a bit different from prelims.

Let’s see the syllabus of IBPS PO mains 2025 exam.

IBPS PO Mains Exam Syllabus 2025 - Reasoning & Computer Aptitude Syllabus

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude Syllabus IBPS PO Mains

Reasoning topics

Computer topics

Verbal Reasoning

Internet

Syllogism

Computer Abbreviation

Circular Seating Arrangement

Microsoft Office

Code Inequalities

Computer Hardware

Linear Seating Arrangement

Computer Software

Double Line-up

Operating System

Scheduling


Networking

Input-Output

Computer Fundamentals /Terminologies

Blood Relations

Memory

Ordering and Ranking

Keyboard shortcuts

Data Sufficiency

 

Directions and Distances

 

Coding and Decoding

 

Puzzles

 

 

IBPS PO Mains Exam Syllabus 2025 - Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus

  • Simplification 

  • Average

  • Percentage

  • Mixture and Allegations

  • Data Interpretation

  • Ratio and Percentage

  • Quadratic Equation

  • Mensuration and Geometry

  • Interest

  • Problems of Ages

  • Number Series

  • Speed, Distance and Time

  • Time and Work

  • Number System

  • Data Sufficiency

  • Linear Equation

  • Permutation and Combination

  • Profit and loss

  • Probability

IBPS PO Mains Exam Syllabus 2025 - English Language Syllabus

  • Reading Comprehension 

  • Vocabulary

  • Grammar

  • One word substitution

  • Verbal ability

  • Cloze Test

  • Para Jumbles

  • Spotting Errors

  • Sentence Improvement

  • Fill in the Blanks

  • Sentence Completion

  • Phrase Replacement

  • Word Usage

  • Sentence Rearrangement

  • Error Detection etc.

IBPS PO Mains Exam Syllabus 2025 - General Awareness

  • Financial Awareness

  • Static Awareness

  • Current Affairs 

  • General knowledge 

Section wise Preparation tips for IBPS PO Mains

Here’s a visually engaging and motivational version of IBPS PO Mains preparation tips, written in a crisp and powerful style to keep you focused and pumped.

English Language: Preparation tips for IBPS PO Mains

Weightage: 35 questions

Marks = 40

Time = 40 minutes

Preparation tips:

  • Learn grammar rules and understand them carefully with examples. It is advisable not to cram them.

  • Solve at least 2-3 reading comprehension and develop the ability to skim and analyze.

  • To improve reading skills, read newspapers and articles daily.

  • Focus on cloze tests, fillers, sentence correction, and spotting errors.

  • Write down daily new vocab words and revise them regularly.

How to attempt the paper?

  • It is advisable to attempt reading comprehension first in IBPS PO exam . It is advisable not to memorize the passage. Just locate the answer smartly by reading the question first.

  • Move to the cloze test. Eliminates all those options that do not fit grammatically or semantically.

  • Then tackle error detection/sentence improvement by reading the sentence carefully.

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: Preparation tips for IBPS PO Mains

Weightage: 45 questions

Marks = 60

Time = 60 minutes

Preparation tips:

  • This is one of the highest - weighted sections in terms of marks and difficulty level in IBPS PO exam. It tests your decision making, logical ability, and clarity of fundamental concepts.

  • This section is possible to make easy if you understand the basic concepts and practice them as much as possible.

  • Practice 2-3 puzzles daily; choose puzzles with fewer variables in exam.

  • Questions like assumptions, cause effect need analytical thinking, and conclusions can be practice from RS Aggarwal or MK Pandey books.

  • Computer Aptitude: This is not about software coding but application based logic. Practice flowchart, shortcut keys, and number conversion – binary to decimal.

Data Analysis & interpretation: Preparation Tips for IBPS PO Mains

Weightage: 35 questions

Marks = 60

Time = 45 minutes

Preparation tips:

  • Memorize multiplication tables (1-30), squares (1-50), cubes (1-30), percentages and common fractions.

  • As the majority of questions come from the DI, that’s why to score more in this topic you have to solve 4-5 sets daily including advanced DI.

  • Don’t ignore arithmetic because 10 - 15 marks of questions come from arithmetic. Practice each topic thoroughly.

  • Understand pie and radar charts, as they confuse applicants; practice with real examples.

  • Skip time-consuming sets initially in the exam; come back again if time allows.

  • Allocate a fixed time for each DI set (maximum 5-6 minutes).

General/Economy/Banking Awareness: Preparation Tips for IBPS PO Mains

Weightage: 40 questions

Marks = 40

Time = 35 minutes

Preparation tips:

  • This is a scoring subject as it doesn’t involve calculation. With focused preparation, you can definitely score 30+ easily.

  • Create topic-wise summaries of banking, economy, and static GK.

  • General awareness is memory-based. The more you revise, the more you get.

  • Follow RBI & SEBI Websites: Not for a deep reading but to stay updated with circulars, repo rate changes, and key statements.

Descriptive Writing (Essay and Letter): Preparation Tips for IBPS PO Mains

Weightage: 2 questions

Marks = 25

Time = 30 minutes

Preparation tips:

  • Prepare an essay on current topics like digital banking, inflation, AI in banking, climate change, etc.

  • Knows the format of letter writing–formal (complaint, application) and informal (friend & relative).

  • Improve typing speed and grammar.

  • Practice at least 3 letters and 3 essays on a weekly basis and also get them evaluated if possible.

  • Final tip: Structure your content – Introduction → Body → conclusion.

  • Try to stick to the word limit (150 words for the letter & 250 words for the essay)

General tips for all sections to crack IBPS PO exam: 

  • Don’t  attempt to try everything. Focus on the correct ones.

  • If you’re  unsure, Skip – remember the negative marking

  • Do not get stuck on one question; move on and attempt again if time allows.

Tools you can’t do without:

  • Mock test practice: Initially take 2-3 full mock tests per week, then every alternate day.

  • Analyze every mock test: Check time spent on each question, types of errors, and areas in which you are strong and weak.

  • Keep a notebook for errors and revise it frequently.

  • Practice previous year question papers for a strong grip in every topic. You get a real exam-like feel of the paper.

  • Time management: Practice sectional tests with timers. 

  • Books:

Quant: RS Aggarwal, Arun Sharma 

English: Wren & Martin, SP Bakshi (Arihant)

Reasoning: MK Pandey’s Analytical Reasoning 

GK: Newspaper for current, Lucent (for static)

Bonus tips to stay ahead

  • Stay Consistent: Discipline > Motivation 

  • Join telegrams/ Study groups for doubt-solving 

  • Digital detox at the study hours 

  • Stay calm and positive: 10 minutes of meditation and walking daily reduce stress.

You’re IBPS PO Mains Success Checklist:

  • Daily practice 

  • Weekly Revision 

  • Monthly mock test analysis 

  • Don’t panic, just progress.

IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern 2025:

IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern 2025

Type of Test

Section

Questions

Marks

Time

Objective Test

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude

Section A (2 marks)

15

60

60 minutes

Section B (1 mark)

30

General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness

40

40

35 minutes

English Language

Section A (2 marks)

5

40

40 minutes

 

Section B (1 mark)

30

 

Data Analysis & Interpretation

Section A (2 marks)

25

60

45 minutes

   

Section B (1 mark)

10

 

Total

 

155

200

3 Hours

Descriptive Test

English Language - Essay Writing

1 out of 3

15

30 minutes

English Language - Letter Writing

1 out of 3

10

 

Grand Total

   

225

3 Hours 30
minutes

 

Final words

You are not only preparing for the IBPS PO exam–you are also preparing for your bright future.

So stay focused, and consistent and remember:

“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally; it comes from what you do consistently.” 

FAQs

Q1. How many marks are needed to crack the IBPS PO mains exam?

Ans. There is no fixed cutoff: it varies every year based on the difficulty level and competition.

Q2. What is the syllabus for the exam of IBPS PO mains 2025?

Ans. The complete detail about the syllabus of IBPS PO mains 2025 has been discussed in this article; read the whole article for more details.

Q3. Can I prepare the IBPS PO and SBI PO together?

Ans. Yes, applicants can prepare for both exams together because the difficulty levels of SBI PO and IBPS PO exams are almost similar. 

Q4. What is the topper’s strategy to crack the IBPS PO exam in the first attempt?

Ans. Toppers have recommended preparing a timetable, making study notes, attempting previous year papers, and taking mock test, they also follow sectional preparation tips mentioned here to clear IBPS PO in first attempt.

Q5. How many questions are there in the descriptive paper for the IBPS PO mains exam?

Ans. Descriptive paper consists of 1 letter and 1 essay writing. Candidates have total 30 minutes to write both essay and letter.

Q6. Can I clear the IBPS PO Mains in 3 months?

Ans. Definitely yes, with strategic preparation, consistent practice, and mock test analysis, 3 months are sufficient to clear IBPS PO exam.

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