The IBPS PO (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Probationary Officer) exam is a tough competition that can open doors to a good banking career. Many people find it hard to understand how the exam works and how hard it is. In this situation, looking at IBPS PO previous year question papers is really helpful. These papers give you an idea of the IBPS PO exam and help you plan how to crack IBPS PO.
IBPS PO 2023 Exam Pattern
IBPS PO exam is conducted in 3 phases: Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam and Interview Process.
IBPS PO Preliminary Exam Pattern:
In Preliminary Exam, students get 1 hour to solve 100 questions from 3 sections i.e English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. There is a negative marking also, 0.25 marks get deducted for each wrong answer.
Note: It is compulsory to clear the cut-off of all 3 sections to qualify for IBPS PO Mains
|
S.No. |
Name of Tests(Objective |
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 |
|
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern:
Here are some important changes in the IBPS PO Mains exam 2023:
- Introduction of Descriptive Paper: Just like the SBI PO Exam, IBPS has added a Descriptive Paper to its Mains Examination. In this section, candidates will be assessed on their writing skills. They will need to write an essay and a letter, which together carry 25 marks. Candidates have 30 minutes to complete this task.
- Revised Time Allotment: The total time allocated for each section has been modified.
- No Separate Computer Applications Paper: The Computer Applications section is no longer a separate paper. Instead, it has been combined with the Reasoning section to form the Computer Aptitude section. This combined section contains 45 questions worth a total of 60 marks.
- Penalty for Wrong Answers: For incorrect answers in the Objective Tests, there will be a penalty of 0.25 marks deducted.
- Extended Duration for Mains Objective Exam: The overall time allocated for the IBPS PO 2023 Mains Objective Exam has been increased from 140 minutes to 180 minutes. Additionally, there is an extra 30 minutes allocated for the descriptive test. In total, candidates will have 3 hours and 30 minutes for the IBPS PO Mains.
- Division of Sections: The Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, English Language, and Data Analysis & Interpretation sections are divided into two parts: Section A and Section B. Candidates must answer all questions in both sections (A & B). Some questions are worth 2 marks, while others are worth 1 mark.
|
S. No. |
Name of test |
No. of Questions |
Max. Marks |
Medium of Examination |
Time Allotted |
|
1 |
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (Section A and Section B) |
45 |
60 |
English & Hindi |
60 minutes |
|
2 |
English Language (Section A and Section B) |
35 |
40 |
English only |
40 minutes |
|
3 |
Data Analysis and Interpretation (Section A and Section B) |
35 |
60 |
English & Hindi |
45 minutes |
|
4 |
General, Economy/Banking Awareness |
40 |
40 |
English & Hindi |
35 minutes |
|
Total |
155 |
200 |
180 minutes |
||
|
English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) |
02 |
25 |
English |
30 minutes |
|
|
Total |
157 |
225 |
3 hours 30 minutes |
||
Why checking out previous year’s papers is a smart move
Getting Familiar with the Exam: When you solve old question papers, you get used to how the IBPS PO exam is set up. This makes you less nervous and more confident when the real exam day comes.
Spotting Important Topics: Previous papers show you which topics are often in the exam. This helps you decide where to focus your study time, especially on the important stuff.
Time Management Skills: Time is super important in the IBPS PO exam. Solving old papers helps you get better at managing your time. You learn how much time you should spend on each part. This skill is really important for getting a high score.
How To Make The Most of Those Old Question Papers:
Start with a Test: Try solving a whole old question paper just like you’re taking the real exam. This helps you see what you’re good at and what needs work.
Check Your Work: After you finish the test, go over your answers carefully. Figure out where you did well and where you made mistakes. This helps you plan your study better.
Work on Weak Spots: Spend extra time on the things you’re not so good at. Use study materials and practice a lot on those tough topics.
Time Yourself: When you solve old papers, stick to the time limits for each part. This helps you get faster and more accurate, so you can finish the real exam on time.
Effective Strategies for Excelling with IBPS PO Old Question Papers
Make a Study Schedule: Plan your study time well. Set aside specific times to work on old papers. Being consistent is super important for success.
Practice Regularly: Keep practicing to get better at problem-solving and speed. Dedicate some time every day to old question papers.
Review Your Answers: After you’re done with each paper, go over your answers carefully. Understand why some answers are right and learn from your mistakes. This helps you understand the topics better and get more answers right.
Ask for Help: If you’re stuck on something while working on old papers, don’t hesitate to ask for help. You can ask mentors, join online forums, or study with a group. Getting expert advice can be really helpful.
IBPS PO Previous Years Question Papers Free Download
To get the previous year’s IBPS PO previous years question papers in PDF, you can use these links:
- IBPS PO Mains Previous Year Paper PDF (2021)
- IBPS PO Mains Previous Year Paper PDF (2021)
- IBPS PO Mains Previous Year Paper PDF (2021)
But remember, while old question papers are great, they’re just one part of your preparation. Make sure you cover the whole syllabus, use updated study materials, and practice with model papers for the best results. Good luck with your IBPS PO exam!