IBPS PO Mock Test Free 2026 — Prelims, Mains & Interview Pattern
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Probationary Officer (IBPS PO) exam is the gateway to officer-cadre jobs in 11 Public Sector Banks (PSBs) across India — including Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, UCO Bank and Union Bank of India.
Conducted by IBPS once a year (notification typically in August, Prelims in October, Mains in November), the exam recruits roughly 4,000–6,000 Probationary Officers / Management Trainees annually. The job comes with a starting basic of around ₹52,000 and total CTC of ₹8.5–11 lakh per annum depending on city.
IBPS PO selection involves three stages: Prelims (objective, screening), Mains (objective + descriptive), and Interview. Final merit is calculated 80:20 from Mains and Interview.
संक्षिप्त परिचय
IBPS PO परीक्षा 11 सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र के बैंकों में Probationary Officer के पद के लिए होती है। हर साल लगभग 4,000–6,000 पद होते हैं।
चयन तीन चरणों में होता है — Prelims (वस्तुनिष्ठ स्क्रीनिंग), Mains (वस्तुनिष्ठ + वर्णनात्मक), और Interview। अंतिम मेरिट Mains + Interview के 80:20 अनुपात पर बनती है।
न्यूनतम योग्यता स्नातक है। आयु सीमा सामान्यतः 20–30 वर्ष होती है। शुरुआती वेतन लगभग ₹52,000 बेसिक होता है।
Exam Pattern
IBPS PO exam has three stages — Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Prelims has 3 sections (English, Reasoning, Quant) totalling 100 marks with sectional timing of 20 minutes per section. Mains has 4 objective sections + a descriptive paper.
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks / Time |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims — English Language | 30 | 30 marks · 20 min |
| Prelims — Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 marks · 20 min |
| Prelims — Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 marks · 20 min |
| Prelims Total | 100 | 100 marks · 60 min |
| Mains — Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 marks · 60 min |
| Mains — General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 marks · 35 min |
| Mains — English Language | 35 | 40 marks · 40 min |
| Mains — Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 marks · 45 min |
| Mains — English Descriptive (Letter + Essay) | 2 | 25 marks · 30 min |
| Interview | — | 100 marks (qualifying 40%) |
Negative marking: 0.25 marks deducted for every wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains. Sectional cut-offs apply in both stages — you must clear each section individually.
Syllabus — Topic-wise Breakdown
English Language
Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Sentence Improvement, Error Spotting, Fillers (single + double), Word Usage, Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases), Sentence Connectors, Paragraph Conclusion.
Quantitative Aptitude / Data Interpretation
Number Series, Simplification, Approximation, Quadratic Equations, Data Interpretation (Bar, Line, Pie, Tabular, Caselet, Mixed DI), Arithmetic (Percentage, Profit & Loss, SI/CI, Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work, Mixture & Allegation, Average, Ratio, Partnership, Boats & Streams, Pipes & Cisterns), Probability, Permutation & Combination, Mensuration.
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
Puzzles (Linear Seating, Circular Seating, Floor Puzzle, Box Puzzle, Month/Day-based, Designation), Syllogism (including reverse syllogism), Inequality, Coding-Decoding (new pattern), Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Order & Ranking, Data Sufficiency, Input-Output, Critical Reasoning. Computer Aptitude: Hardware/Software basics, MS Office, Internet, Networking, Shortcuts.
General / Banking / Economy Awareness
Banking Awareness (RBI, banking terms, types of accounts, monetary policy, financial inclusion, Basel norms), Indian Economy (GDP, inflation, budget, fiscal/monetary policy), Static GK (capitals, currencies, important days, headquarters), Current Affairs of last 6 months (national, international, sports, awards, appointments, schemes, summits).
Descriptive English (Mains)
One letter writing (formal/informal/business — 150 words, 12 marks) and one essay (250 words, 13 marks). Common topics: digital banking, financial literacy, women empowerment, climate change, fintech, NPAs, India's economic growth, social media impact, demonetisation outcomes.
Preparation Tips & Strategy
1. Master Speed in Prelims — Aim for 70+ Attempts at 90% Accuracy
Prelims is a speed test. With sectional 20-minute timing, you need to attempt about 25 in each section. Daily practice: 30 questions of Quant, 35 of Reasoning, 25 of English with strict timer. Avoid getting stuck — skip any question taking more than 90 seconds.
2. Prioritise Data Interpretation — High Weightage in Mains
DI carries 35 questions / 60 marks in Mains. Master pie charts, bar/line graphs, tables, caselets and mixed DI. Build calculation speed via Vedic Math techniques — squares, cubes, percentage shortcuts, and approximation.
3. Banking & Current Affairs — Monthly Compilations
GA section is the highest scoring per minute spent. Read banking awareness from a standard book (Arihant/Disha) and the last 6 months of monthly current affairs PDFs. RBI press releases, Union Budget, Economic Survey are gold mines.
4. Practice Descriptive Daily
Write one letter and one essay every alternate day. Keep word count tight. Structure essays with intro – body (3 paragraphs) – conclusion. Use banking-relevant data (GDP %, financial inclusion stats) to add weight.
5. Take 30+ Mock Tests
Attempt one full-length mock per day in the last 30 days. Analyse: section-wise score, accuracy %, time spent per question. Identify and double-down on the section where you can gain the most marks per hour of study.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IBPS PO 2026 exam pattern?
IBPS PO 2026 has three stages — Prelims (100 marks, 60 min, 3 sections with sectional timing), Mains (200 marks objective + 25 marks descriptive), and Interview (100 marks). Final merit is calculated 80:20 from Mains and Interview scores.
What is the eligibility for IBPS PO?
You need to be a graduate from a recognized university in any stream. Age limit is 20–30 years (with relaxation for reserved categories: OBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwBD +10). You must also be an Indian citizen and have basic computer literacy.
What is the IBPS PO salary?
IBPS PO starting basic pay is ₹48,480–₹52,000 per month under the latest 12th BPS. Including DA, HRA, CCA and other allowances, gross monthly in-hand is approximately ₹70,000–₹85,000 depending on city. Annual CTC ranges from ₹8.5 lakh to ₹11 lakh.
Is there negative marking in IBPS PO?
Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains objective sections. There is no negative marking in the descriptive paper. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.
How many banks recruit through IBPS PO?
IBPS PO is conducted for 11 Public Sector Banks: Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, UCO Bank and Union Bank of India. Note: SBI conducts its own PO exam separately.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न (हिंदी में)
IBPS PO 2026 परीक्षा पैटर्न क्या है?
IBPS PO में तीन चरण होते हैं — Prelims (100 अंक, 60 मिनट), Mains (225 अंक, वस्तुनिष्ठ + वर्णनात्मक), और Interview (100 अंक)। अंतिम मेरिट Mains और Interview के 80:20 अनुपात से बनती है।
IBPS PO के लिए योग्यता क्या है?
न्यूनतम योग्यता मान्यता प्राप्त विश्वविद्यालय से किसी भी विषय में स्नातक है। आयु सीमा 20–30 वर्ष है (आरक्षित वर्गों को छूट मिलती है)।
IBPS PO का वेतन कितना होता है?
IBPS PO का बेसिक वेतन ₹48,480–₹52,000 प्रति माह है। कुल in-hand ₹70,000–₹85,000 (शहर के हिसाब से) और वार्षिक CTC ₹8.5–11 लाख तक होता है।
IBPS PO में नेगेटिव मार्किंग है?
हाँ, हर गलत उत्तर पर 0.25 अंक की कटौती होती है (Prelims और Mains दोनों में, वर्णनात्मक पेपर को छोड़कर)।
IBPS PO में कौन-कौन से बैंक शामिल हैं?
11 PSU बैंक — Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank, Indian Bank, IOB, PNB, P&SB, UCO Bank, Union Bank। SBI अलग से अपनी PO परीक्षा कराता है।
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