IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2024: Check Marking Scheme & Exam Duration

Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Probationary Officer Exam 2024 ( IBPS PO )

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Rachit Kumar Saxena

Rachit Kumar SaxenaManager-Editorial

Updated on Dec 30, 2024 18:15 IST

The candidates should practice with the IBPS PO exam pattern as mentioned in the official IBPS PO notification. The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) mentioned the details about the IBPS PO 2024 exam pattern in the official notification. The candidates are suggested to internalise the IBPS PO exam pattern to score better in the IBPS PO exam 2024. It will help the candidates in time management during the exam. The IBPS PO exam pattern coupled with the IBPS PO syllabus is the two main components of exam preparation. 

IBPS PO exam pattern for prelims, mains and interviews are mentioned separately by the IBPS. According to IBPS PO exam pattern 2024, the prelims exam comprises three sections - English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability. The total marks allotted to the prelims exam are 100. The main exam is a mix of both objective and descriptive-type tests. The total marks allotted to the mains exam of IBPS PO are 225. The interview carries 100 marks. Read below for more details on the IBPS PO exam pattern 2024.

Also Read: IBPS PO Result 2024 Expected SOON

Q:   What is IBPS PO Mains exam pattern?

A:

IBPS PO Mains exam comprises both objective and subjective-type questions. Questions in the objective section are asked from Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness, English Language, and Data Analysis & Interpretation. Questions in the subjective section are asked from English Language (Letter Writing and Essay. The duration of the exam is 3 hours 30 minutes. The total marks allotted to the test are 225. The structure of IBPS PO Mains exam pattern is given below.

Section name

Total questions

Allotted Time

Total marks

English Language

35 

40

40 

Data Interpretation and Analysis

35 

45

60 

Reasoning and Computer Aptitude

45 

60

60 

General Awareness

40 

35

40

Total

155

180

200

English (Essay and Letter Writing)

2

30 minutes

25

Grand Total

157

3 hours 30 minutes

225

 

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Q:   What is IBPS PO prelims exam pattern?

A:

IBPS PO prelims exam is the first stage of selection process. The test carries three sections- Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language. The prelims exam carries 100 marks. Candidates gets 60 minutes to solve the question paper. Candidates qualifying the prelims exam are called for theMainsexam. The structure of IBPS PO prelims exam is given below.

Sections

Total questions

Total marks

Duration (In minutes)

English Language

30 

30 

20 

Quantitative Aptitude

35 

35 

20 

Reasoning Ability

35 

35 

20 

Total

100 

100 

60 

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Q:   What is IBPS PO exam pattern?

A:

IBPS PO exam pattern highlights the overall structure of the exam such as marking scheme, total marks, time duration, etc. IBPS PO exam pattern is such that it is divided into prelims exam, Mainsexam and interview. IBPS PO prelims exam comprises three sections-Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language. The total marks allotted to the test are 200. The duration of the test is 60 minutes. There are sectional timings in the exam. IBPS POMainsexam comprises both objective and descriptive-type questions. The total marks allotted to theMainsexam are 225. The duration of the test is 3 hours 30 minutes. The total marks allotted to the interview are 100.

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Overview of IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2024

Given below is the IBPS PO exam pattern for prelims, mains and interview.

Parameters  Details

Stages of exam

Three (Prelims, Mains, and Common Interview)

Mode of exam

Online

Duration of prelims exam

One hour (60 minutes)

Duration for Mains exam

3 hours 30 minutes (210 minutes)

Question type

Prelims: Objective Type

Mains: Objective and Descriptive Type 

Number of questions 

Prelims: 100

Mains: 157 (155 objective types and 2 descriptive types)

Maximum Marks

Prelims: 100

Mains: 225

Interview: 100

Language of question paper 

English and Hindi

Negative marks 

0.25

Also Read: IBPS PO Shift Timings

IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern

IBPS PO prelims exam pattern consists of three sections. The paper will have 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions. Questions in the exam are asked from Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language. The total time allotted to candidates to solve questions in IBPS PO prelims exam is 60 minutes. Candidates will get 20 minutes to attempt each section.

Structure of IBPS PO Prelims Exam

Sections Total questions Total marks Duration (In minutes)

English Language

30 

30 

20 

Quantitative Aptitude

35 

35 

20 

Reasoning Ability

35 

35 

20 

Total

100 

100 

60 

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 Important Points Related to IBPS PO Prelims Exam

  • IBPS PO prelims exam is qualifying in nature
  • Candidates qualifying this paper are eligible to appear for the mains exam
  • The marks secured in this paper are not considered for the final merit list
  • To qualify the paper, candidates need to secure both sectional and overall cutoff marks 

Also Read:

IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern

The mains exam consists of both objective and descriptive type tests. The objective test is divided into four sections-Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness, English Language, and Data Analysis & Interpretation. The descriptive section carries questions from English Language (Letter Writing and Essay). The duration of the test is 3 hours 30 minutes. There is also a sectional time limit in the mains exam. The total marks allotted to the test are 225. 

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Structure of Mains Exam

Section name Total questions Allotted Time Total marks

English Language

35 

40

40 

Data Interpretation and Analysis

35 

45

60 

Reasoning and Computer Aptitude

45 

60

60 

General Awareness

40 

35

40

Total

155

180

200

English (Essay and Letter Writing)

2

30 minutes

25

Grand Total

157

3 hours 30 minutes

225

Get the Top Score in DI and Logical Reasoning section of Competitive Entrance Exams with Expert Prep Tips

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Key Points Related to IBPS PO Mains exam

  • There will be sectional and overall IBPS PO cutoff marks in the mains exam
  • Candidates with a higher score are called for the interview
  • The marks of the mains exam are counted for the final merit list
  • There is not a separate section for Computer Knowledge. It has been combined with the Reasoning section

Also Read:

IBPS PO Interview Pattern 

IBPS PO interview is conducted for candidates who clear the mains exam. The interview carries a total of 100 marks. The minimum qualifying marks in the interview are 40 per cent and 35 per cent for SC/ST/OBC/PWBD candidates. The interview assesses a candidate's intellectual capability, overall personality, and general knowledge. IBPS PO interview usually lasts for 15 to 20 min. However, document and background verification takes a long time.

Key Points Related to IBPS PO Exam Pattern

  • The final merit list is prepared based on the score of the mains exam and interview 
  • The ratio of the weightage given to the mains exam and interview is 80:20
  • After completion of the interview round, provisional allotment is done based on the IBPS PO vacancies in different banks
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IBPS PO Negative Marking

There is IBPS PO negative marking in the objective exam. For each wrong answer, one-fourth or 0.25 marks assigned to that question are deducted as IBPS PO negative marking to arrive at the corrected score. There is no IBPS PO negative marking for unattempted questions.

IBPS PO Marking Scheme 2024

IBPS PO marking scheme is prescribed by the examination authority. The marking scheme is given below:

  • Candidates are awarded one mark for correct answers
  • 0.25 marks are deducted for wrong answers
  • The total marks are calculated based on the number of correct and incorrect answers

IBPS PO Paper Duration

IBPS decides paper duration for IBPS PO exam. Prelims and mains exams have separate timings. There are also sectional timings in IBPS PO exam. The prelims exam is held for 60 minutes whereas it is 3 hours 30 minutes fpr the mains exam. IBPS PO exam duration is given below.

IBPS PO Prelims Exam Duration

Sections Duration (In minutes)

English Language

20 

Quantitative Aptitude

20 

Reasoning Ability

20 

Total

60 

IBPS PO Mains Exam Duration

Section name

Allotted Time

English Language

40

Data Interpretation and Analysis

45

Reasoning and Computer Aptitude

60

General Awareness

35

Total

180

English (Essay and Letter Writing)

30 minutes

Grand Total

3 hours 30 minutes

Also Read:

IBPS PO Qualifying Marks

The examination authority releases IBPS PO qualifying marks in the form of cut off marks. The cut off marks are applied on overall score and section-wise marks. IBPS PO cut off marks are released for different categories and based on it candidates are selected for the different rounds of selection. Candidates can check below IBPS PO previous years' cut off marks.

IBPS PO 2023 Prelims Cut off

Category Cut-Off Marks
GEN 54.25
SC 49
ST 43
OBC 54.25
EWS 54.25

IBPS PO 2022 Prelims Cut off

Category Cut-Off Marks

Gen

49.75

SC

46.75

ST

40.75 

OBC

49.75

EWS

49.75

HI

17.50

OC

32.75

VI

24.75

ID

19.75

IBPS PO Mains Cut off

Category Cut Off Marks (Out of 225)
General 71.25
OBC 69.75
SC 59.25
ST 53.25
EWS 70.50
HI 37.75
OC 50.50
VI 66.25
ID 36

IBPS PO Syllabus 2024

The syllabus of IBPS PO comprises the topics that candidates have studied in Class 10, 12, and graduation. The English Language section comprises, Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para jumbles, Fill in the blanks, etc. The Quantitative Ability section comprises topics such as Simplification, Profit & Loss, Work & Time, Time & Distance, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, etc.

Also Read: IBPS PO syllabus

IBPS PO Mock Test

IBPS PO mock tests are like actual tests that help candidates know the exam pattern. Solving the mock tests candidates can know the pattern of the exam. Candidates can build their ability to solve questions easily. Mock tests also help candidates to learn effective time management skills. 

IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2024 FAQs

Candidates can check below IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2024 FAQs.

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