How to Crack IBPS PO in First Attempt: A Comprehensive Guide

If you are an aspirant of the IBPS PO exam, you must be wondering how to crack it in the first attempt. The IBPS PO exam is one of the most competitive and prestigious exams in the banking sector, which attracts lakhs of candidates every year. However, only a few thousand of them get selected for the final merit list.

So, how can you be one of them? What are the best strategies and tips to ace the IBPS PO exam in the first attempt? In this article, we will answer all these questions and provide you with a detailed and comprehensive guide on how to crack IBPS PO in the first attempt.

IBPS PO Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Before we dive into the preparation tips, let us first understand the IBPS PO exam pattern and syllabus. The IBPS PO exam consists of three stages: Prelims, Mains and Interview. The Prelims and Mains exams are conducted online, while the Interview is conducted face-to-face.

The Prelims exam has three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability. The total marks are 100 and the duration is 60 minutes. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer.

The Mains exam has four sections: Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis and Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness and English Language. The total marks are 200 and the duration is 180 minutes. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer.

The Interview is conducted by a panel of bank officials and experts. The total marks are 100 and the minimum qualifying marks are 40% for general category and 35% for reserved category.

The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Mains exam and the Interview in the ratio of 80:20.

The syllabus for each section of the IBPS PO exam covers various topics as given below:

• English Language: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Fill in the Blanks, Error Spotting, Sentence Improvement, Sentence Connectors, Sentence Rearrangement, Idioms and Phrases, One Word Substitution, Synonyms and Antonyms, Vocabulary, Grammar etc.
• Quantitative Aptitude: Simplification/Approximation, Number Series, Quadratic Equations, Data Interpretation (Pie Chart, Line Chart, Bar Chart, Tabulation etc.), Arithmetic (Percentage, Profit and Loss, Ratio and Proportion, Average, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Mensuration etc.), Data Sufficiency etc.
• Reasoning Ability: Puzzles (Linear/Circular/Square Arrangement, Floor/Box/Day/Month Based etc.), Seating Arrangement (Parallel Rows/ Circular/ Square etc.), Syllogism, Inequality (Direct/Indirect), Coding-Decoding (New/ Old Pattern), Blood Relations (Direct/ Coded), Direction Sense, Order and Ranking (Direct/Coded), Alphabet Test/ Series/ Analogy etc.
• General/Economy/Banking Awareness: Current Affairs (National/ International/ Sports/ Awards/ Books etc.), Static GK (Countries/ Capitals/ Currencies/ Rivers/ Lakes/ Mountains etc.), Banking Awareness (History/ Structure/ Functions/ Policies/ Terminologies etc.), Economic Awareness (Budget/ GDP/ Inflation/ Deficit etc.)
• Computer Aptitude: History/ Generation/ Types of Computers, Hardware/ Software Components, Operating System/ MS Office Applications (Word/ Excel/ PowerPoint), Internet/ Networking Concepts (LAN/WAN/MAN etc.), Database Management System (DBMS), Security Tools/ Viruses etc.
• Data Analysis: Data Interpretation (Pie Chart/ Line Chart/ Bar Chart/ Tabulation etc.), Caselet DI (Text Based), Missing DI (Incomplete Data), Data Sufficiency etc.
   

IBPS PO Preparation Tips

Now that you have a clear idea of the IBPS PO exam pattern and syllabus, let us move on to the preparation tips. Here are some of the best tips and tricks to crack IBPS PO in the first attempt:

1. Proper Planning

Planning your studies is one of the most important parts of your bank exam preparation. You should make a realistic and achievable study plan that covers all the topics of the syllabus in a balanced way. You should also allocate sufficient time for revision and practice tests.

A good study plan should have the following features:

• It should be based on your strengths and weaknesses
• It should be flexible enough to accommodate changes
• It should have short-term and long-term goals
• It should have daily or weekly targets
• It should have a proper time management strategy
   

You can use a calendar, a diary, an app or any other tool to make and track your study plan. You should also review your plan regularly and make necessary adjustments as per your progress and performance.

2. Update Yourself

Reading the newspaper and magazines daily and updating yourself about the Current Affairs will help you a lot in the General Awareness and English Language section. You should also follow reliable sources of information such as websites, apps, podcasts, YouTube channels etc. that provide relevant and updated content on banking, economy, finance and other related topics.

You should also make notes of the important facts, figures, statistics, dates, events, awards, books, personalities etc. that can be asked in the exam. You should revise these notes regularly and also take quizzes or mock tests to check your knowledge and retention.

3. Topic-wise Studying

Instead of studying randomly or superficially, you should study each topic in depth and with clarity. You should understand the concepts, formulas, rules, shortcuts, tricks etc. that are applicable to each topic. You should also solve different types of questions from each topic to master them.

You should also identify your strong and weak areas in each section and work on them accordingly. You should focus more on your weak areas and improve them gradually. You should also revise your strong areas periodically to maintain your accuracy and speed.

4. Practice GK

General Knowledge is one of the most scoring sections in the IBPS PO exam. However, it is also one of the most vast and dynamic sections that requires constant revision and practice. You should practice GK questions from various sources such as previous year papers, mock tests, online quizzes, magazines etc.

You should also categorize the GK questions into static and dynamic parts. Static GK refers to the facts and information that do not change over time such as history, geography, polity etc. Dynamic GK refers to the facts and information that change over time such as current affairs, banking awareness etc.

You should prepare both static and dynamic GK in a systematic way. You should use mnemonics, acronyms, associations etc. to memorize the facts and information. You should also use tables, charts, maps etc. to visualize the data and information.

5. Revision

Revision is the key to success in any exam. You should revise all the topics that you have studied at regular intervals. You should also revise the notes that you have made during your preparation. You should also revise the formulas, rules, shortcuts etc. that are important for solving the questions.

Revision helps you to consolidate your learning and recall it easily during the exam. It also helps you to identify your mistakes and rectify them before the exam. It also boosts your confidence and reduces your stress.

You should plan your revision in advance and allocate sufficient time for it. You should also use different methods of revision such as flashcards, mind maps, quizzes etc. to make it more effective and interesting.

6.Time Management Tips

Time management is one of the most crucial skills that you need to develop for cracking IBPS PO in the first attempt. You should manage your time efficiently both during your preparation and during the exam.

During your preparation, you should manage your time according to your study plan and priorities. You should avoid distractions and procrastination that can waste your time. You should also take breaks and relax between your study sessions to avoid fatigue and boredom.

During the exam, you should manage your time according to the section-wise marks and difficulty level. You should attempt the easy and scoring questions first and leave the difficult and time-consuming questions for later. You should also keep track of your speed and accuracy throughout the exam.

You should also practice time management by taking mock tests regularly under exam-like conditions. Mock tests help you to simulate the real exam scenario and test your performance under pressure. They also help you to improve your speed, accuracy, stamina and strategy.

Last Words!

Cracking IBPS PO in the first attempt is not impossible if you follow a smart and systematic approach to your preparation. You need to have a clear understanding of the exam pattern and syllabus, a proper study plan, a regular revision schedule, a good practice routine and a sound time management strategy.

You also need to have a positive attitude, a strong motivation and a high confidence level to achieve your goal. You need to overcome your fears, doubts and weaknesses and focus on your strengths, opportunities and achievements. You need to learn from your mistakes and improve your performance with every mock test. You need to be consistent, persistent and determined in your preparation.

We hope that this article has provided you with some useful tips and guidance on how to crack IBPS PO in the first attempt. We wish you all the best for your exam and your future career.

Some Common FAQs

Is IBPS PO exam easy to crack?

No, the IBPS PO exam is not easy to crack. It is one of the most competitive and prestigious exams in the banking sector, which attracts lakhs of candidates every year. However, only a few thousand of them get selected for the final merit list. The exam has a high level of difficulty and requires a lot of hard work and smart preparation.

Can I crack IBPS PO in 1 month?

It is possible to crack IBPS PO in 1 month, but it depends on your current level of preparation, your dedication and your strategy. You need to have a clear understanding of the exam pattern and syllabus, a proper study plan, a regular revision schedule, a good practice routine and a sound time management strategy. You also need to focus on your weak areas and improve them gradually. You need to take mock tests regularly and analyze your performance and improvement.

How can I start studying for IBPS PO?

You can start studying for IBPS PO by following these steps:

• Go through the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly and understand the weightage and difficulty level of each section and topic
• Make a realistic and achievable study plan that covers all the topics of the syllabus in a balanced way
• Update yourself with the current affairs and banking awareness by reading newspapers, magazines, websites etc.
• Study each topic in depth and with clarity and solve different types of questions from each topic
• Revise all the topics that you have studied at regular intervals and make notes of the important facts, formulas, rules etc.
• Practice GK questions from various sources such as previous year papers, mock tests, online quizzes etc.
• Take mock tests regularly under exam-like conditions and check your speed, accuracy, stamina and strategy
• Identify your mistakes and rectify them before the exam
• Boost your confidence and reduce your stress
   

How many times can I attempt IBPS PO?

There is no limit on the number of times you can attempt IBPS PO. However, there is an age limit for applying for IBPS PO. The minimum age limit is 20 years and the maximum age limit is 30 years for general category candidates. There is a relaxation in the upper age limit for reserved category candidates as per the government norms.

Can I pass IBPS PO without coaching?

Yes, you can pass IBPS PO without coaching if you have a strong self-discipline, self-motivation and self-evaluation. You need to have access to good study material, online resources, mock tests etc. that can help you in your preparation. You also need to have a peer group or a mentor who can guide you and support you in your preparation. You need to follow a smart and systematic approach to your preparation and avoid any distractions or procrastination.

Can I prepare for IBPS PO at home?

Yes, you can prepare for IBPS PO at home if you have a suitable environment, infrastructure and resources for your preparation. You need to have a dedicated study space, a comfortable chair and table, a laptop or computer with internet connection, books or e-books, online courses or videos etc. that can help you in your preparation. You also need to have a proper time management strategy that can help you balance your studies with your other responsibilities.

What is the minimum marks to get selected in IBPS PO?

The minimum marks to get selected in IBPS PO depend on various factors such as the number of vacancies, the number of candidates, the difficulty level of the exam, the category-wise cut-off marks etc. The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Mains exam and the Interview in the ratio of 80:20. The cut-off marks vary every year depending on these factors. However, as per the previous year trends, the minimum marks to get selected in IBPS PO are around 50% for general category candidates and around 45% for reserved category candidates.