IBPS PO 2025 Exam Pattern: Marking Scheme, Syllabus, and Duration

The IBPS PO 2025 exam is one of the most sought-after banking exams in India. Conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), it aims to recruit Probationary Officers (POs) for various public sector banks. With a structured exam pattern, this test evaluates candidates on their aptitude, reasoning, and banking knowledge. If you’re aspiring to crack the IBPS PO 2025 exam, understanding the exam pattern, marking scheme, and syllabus is crucial. This article breaks down everything you need to know in a simple, easy-to-understand format. 🗓

Table of Contents

Key Highlights 🌟

Key Point	Details
Organization Name	Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
Exam Name	IBPS Probationary Officer (PO) 2025
Exam Levels	Preliminary, Mains, and Interview
Mode of Exam	Online (Computer-Based Test)
Total Vacancies	To be announced (Check official notification)
Application Fee	₹850 for General/OBC; ₹175 for SC/ST/PWD
Exam Duration	Prelims: 1 hour; Mains: 3 hours
Official Notification Date	Expected in August 2025
Official Website	ibps.in

Exam Pattern Overview 📊

The IBPS PO 2025 exam is divided into three stages: Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview. Each stage has a unique structure and marking scheme. Let’s dive into the details.

Preliminary Exam 🖥

Section	No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
English Language	30	30	20 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	35	35	20 minutes
Reasoning Ability	35	35	20 minutes
Total	100	100	1 hour

Marking Scheme: +1 for each correct answer; -0.25 for each wrong answer.
Cut-off: Sectional and overall cut-offs apply.

Mains Exam 📚

Section	No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude	45	60	60 minutes
English Language	35	40	40 minutes
Data Analysis & Interpretation	35	60	45 minutes
General/Economy/Banking Awareness	40	40	35 minutes
Total	155	200	3 hours

Descriptive Test: Additionally, there’s a descriptive paper (Letter and Essay Writing) worth 25 marks.
Marking Scheme: +1 for correct answers; -0.25 for incorrect ones.

Syllabus Breakdown 📖

The IBPS PO 2025 syllabus is vast but manageable with proper planning. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Preliminary Exam Syllabus 📝

English Language: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Error Spotting.
Quantitative Aptitude: Number Series, Simplification, Data Interpretation, Arithmetic Problems.
Reasoning Ability: Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding.

Mains Exam Syllabus 📚

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: Advanced Puzzles, Input-Output, Computer Fundamentals.
English Language: Advanced Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension.
Data Analysis & Interpretation: Caselets, Bar/Line Graphs, Probability.
General Awareness: Current Affairs, Banking Terms, Economic News.

Marking Scheme Explained 🎯

Aspect	Details
Correct Answer	+1 mark
Wrong Answer	-0.25 marks (negative marking)
Unattempted Questions	0 marks
Descriptive Paper	Evaluated only if you clear the Mains cut-off

Preparation Tips 🚀

Understand the Syllabus: Focus on high-weightage topics first.
Practice Mock Tests: Simulate exam conditions to improve speed and accuracy.
Revise Regularly: Keep revising key concepts and formulas.
Stay Updated: Follow current affairs for the General Awareness section.

Important Dates to Remember 📅

Event	Expected Date
Notification Release	August 2025
Online Application Start	August 2025
Prelims Exam Date	October 2025
Mains Exam Date	November 2025
Interview	January-February 2026

By following this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the IBPS PO 2025 exam with confidence. Good luck! 🌟