One of the most important banking exams in India is the IBPS PO Recruitment Exam. Every year, thousands of candidates take the IBPS PO Exam in the hopes of landing a position as a probationary officer in one of India’s many prestigious public sector banks. With IBPS PO 2023 exam around the corner, it is important that candidates start their preparation for IBPS PO Mains in full swing. 

The IBPS PO Mains Exam differs greatly from the IBPS PO Prelims Exam. The difficulty of the questions in the Mains exam greatly increases than in the Prelims. The IBPS PO Mains, in contrast to the prelims, places more emphasis on the candidate’s aptitude and tenacity. Selecting the right set of questions, and solving them accurately is very important to score high in the Mains exam.

In this article, we will discuss a few tips that will help aspirants to attempt more than 100 questions accurately and which will hence, aid in scoring above 100 marks in the Mains exam. The section-wise tips discussed here will help aspirants clear the IBPS PO Mains cutoff with flying colours.

For more details on Upcoming bank exams, refer to the linked article.

IBPS PO Mains: Overview

Before start planning to prepare for any exam, it is important that a candidate is aware of the exam pattern and other details of the exam. Given below is an overview of the IBPS PO Mains exam:

• The candidates who score above the cut-off marks in the IBPS PO Prelims are only eligible to write the IBPS PO Mains.
• The IBPS PO Mains exam consists of an Objective and a Descriptive exam. 
• The Objective test consists of four sections and in the Descriptive exam candidates will be judged on their written skills. An essay and a letter will be given to candidates to write that will constitute 25 marks and that has to be completed in a time span of 30 minutes.

The detailed exam pattern is given below:

For detailed information for IBPS PO Exam Pattern, visit the linked article.

How To Score Above 100 in IBPS PO Mains?

The first thing that students need to concentrate on is having a decent preparation plan and the appropriate study material if they want to do well on the IBPS PO exam. The right thing will be to start studying for the exam as early as possible. Usually, a candidate is advised to start at least 6 months before the exam and spends at least 8 hours a day, practising as much as they can and reviewing what they have learned each day. 

Candidates are advised to start with the topics/subjects they find simple before moving on to the difficult ones. Following this strategy, any candidate can finish the syllabus on time and properly study for the exam. 

The detailed preparation strategy to be able to attempt more than 50% of the questions is discussed below:

Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern

It is the basic requirement to keep the preparation in line with the demand of the exam. An aspirant must be thorough with the IBPS Exam Syllabus and Exam Pattern to be able to identify the important topics asked in the exam. 

Candidates are advised to go through the IBPS PO Mains Syllabus in the linked article.

Allocate the Time in Hand Wisely and Make a Study Plan Suitable for One’s Needs

Although six months are advised to perform well in this exam, candidates should not be afraid to start even two months before the exam. Analyse the syllabus and allocate the time in hand wisely, after identifying the weak and strong areas. The analysis of your current performance can be best made by taking a mock test. Attempt one mock test of the IBPS PO Mains exam and note down the following things:

• Topics that you are excellent at and that you know very well.
• Topics that you are comfortable with but need more practice.
• Topics in which you are totally inept and lack the proper strategy.

Make a study plan that solves your unique problems, based on the above analysis. This will also help to make a proper plan to attempt the paper during the examination in the right manner.

Review Previous Years’ Paper and Cut-Off Marks

Solving previous year’s papers is one of the most essential things to have an understanding of the types of questions asked in the exam and give a better comprehension of the level of difficulty and other details about the question paper. Previous year papers help to know the trend of questions asked in the exam. Moreover, candidates can analyse and prepare the sections accordingly. 

Along with going through the previous year’s papers, it is important that aspirants also go through the previous year’s cut-off marks. Knowing the cut-off helps the candidates to aim for the marks that are required of them to be able to finally make it to the final list. Candidates should target to score at least 20 marks more than in last year’s cut-off as per their category. This will give one an extra edge over other candidates.

Given below are the IBPS PO Mains cut-off marks for 2021: 

Candidates are advised to go through the IBPS PO Cut Off marks of the previous years, from the linked article to have a better understanding of the cut-off marks.

Select the Right Books

It is imperative that candidates select the right and minimum number of books to be able to score well in the exam. Some candidates have a tendency to collect many books for the same subject. However it is not required. Candidates should follow one book for each subject and focus more on practising and revising the same book over and again. 

To select the right books for each subject candidates can visit the IBPS PO Books, in the linked article.

Focus On Time Management

The ability to manage one’s time well is essential if you one wants to succeed in this exam. The best way to assess one’s performance is in light of the time. Practice mock test papers to be able to solve questions in the allotted time accurately. While attempting the test keep the following points in mind:

• Be careful to choose your battles! Start by answering the simple and point-scoring passage-based questions.
• Consider starting with subjects like Coding Decoding, Arrangements and Patterns, Coded Inequalities, Blood Relations, Ordering and Raking, and Direction and Distances.
• Address the puzzle section in the last. 

To improve your timing, set a target score while practising the mock tests and work toward it by correctly answering questions. To score above 100 marks in the IBPS Mains exam, it is important that candidates candidates attempt a minimum numbers of questions correctly. A question attempt allocation strategy for each segment is shown to you below. 

Candidates can check the IBPS PO exam analysis at the links mentioned below:

• IBPS PO Prelims Exam Analysis
• IBPS PO Mains Exam Analysis

Section Wise Tips To Ace IBPS PO Mains

English Language

• Candidates’ vocabulary and fundamental understanding of English grammar are tested in this section of the exam.
• It is the good knowledge of grammar rules and good reading skills will which will help the candidates to attempt maximum questions.
• To prepare for this section, the students must establish a daily reading and writing schedule. This supports grammar and syntax as well as vocabulary. Additionally, it facilitates faster reading. Take note of new words as you read magazines and newspapers regularly.
• Review all of the basic grammar rules, then employ them while communicating verbally and in writing.

How to Attempt the Paper?

• Begin by answering questions from the categories of sentence enhancement, cloze test, error detection, and sentence rearrangement.
• Try reading a passage in the minimum possible time and get a precise meaning of the passage. Focus on the main ints and no unnecessary details.
• Consider taking the Reading Comprehension test, which will earn you 7-8 marks on the spot.

Following links may also be helpful to prepare for the exam:

Reasoning Ability 

• This is the most logical section of the paper and easier to score. However, the candidates need to be very analytical in this section.
• Since this section is purely analytical it is important to practice the questions from this section every day. 
• It is anticipated that several questions on themes related to logical reasoning, such as statement & assumption, course of action, etc., may be asked in the IBPS PO Mains exam.
• Additionally, moderate to challenging level questions about seating arrangements are anticipated.
• Puzzles and seating arrangement-related questions make up the majority of the questions in this section. To solve puzzles/seating arrangements in minimum time in examination, aspirants are required to thoroughly practice every possible case of these topics.

How to Attempt the Paper?

• Analytical reasoning, reverse syllogism, data sufficiency, and other questions should be attempted first, as they require less time.
• Do not waste time on any puzzle or arrangement if you feel stuck anywhere. 
• Try to think about every possibility when solving puzzles to further eliminate any remaining options. Don’t draw multiple diagrams.
• There could be 5–6 computer aptitude questions. Try to comprehend the instructions first, then answer the questions.
• To pass this section, keep in mind that accuracy and speed are both essential. Take caution when answering questions to prevent foolish errors.

Candidates can check the links to prepare effectively for this section.

Computer Aptitude

• In comparison, this section is easier and requires knowledge of computer hardware and software.
• The section’s shorter questions also evaluate the candidates’ fundamental computer knowledge.
• Knowing all of the computer shortcuts and abbreviations used in this field is a good idea.The most important topics include Computer Fundamentals, Basic Internet Knowledge and Protocols, Operating System Functions, and MS Office Fundamentals.
• Spending just one hour daily would be enough to finish this section.

Data Interpretation & Analysis

• There will be a total of 35 questions in this section which are required to be answered in 60 minutes. 
• Calculations are the basis of this subject, so in order to succeed, the student must be strong with numbers and accurate calculations.
• The section is considered the most challenging section of the IBPS exam as it involves applying innumerable formulas. 
• The best way to prepare this section is by memorising the formulas of each topic by heart. Learn tricks and shortcuts to solve problems.

How to Attempt the Paper?

• Divide the 60 minutes into 2 rounds of 30 minutes each.
• Try simple calculations-based questions in the first round from areas like inequality and data interpretation.
• Finish the first round in 30 minutes. It will fetch you 12+ marks provided you have attempted the questions with 100 percent accuracy. 
• You should now devote the time that is left on the math questions, high-level DI, and data sufficiency.
• Start by answering the questions that take the least time.
• Make an effort to answer five to ten questions from this topic.
• If you follow the above technique, you will undoubtedly gain at least a score of over 18.
• Make sure that your speed and accuracy are maintained. It will be done only if your basic concepts are clear and you have practiced at least one mock test daily.

Related Links:

General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness

• This is one of the easiest sections to score well in the IBPS Exam, it doesn’t call for any special strategies and will include 40 questions in total.
• This portion doesn’t call for anything more than reading the newspaper every day and following news on television or social media.
• The worldwide and national events of the past three to four months should properly address the majority of the questions that can be answered in this section.
• Candidates who are applying must be informed of all societal, financial, and economic developments taking place both domestic and international.
• It is important to emphasise the banking and insurance-related information and abbreviations while preparing this topic.
• This section does not have a confined syllabus. Some important sections to cover this section are:
  • Government Schemes
  • RBI in News
  • Sports 
  • National and International News
  • Awards and Honours
  • Recent Appointments
  • Static GK Topics like Countries in News with their capitals and currency

Related Links: 

The institute publishes the IBPS PO Mains exam Mock tests and provides pre-examination training for candidates from the weaker sections of society. Aspirants should use previous years’ question papers for IBPS PO Preparation and attempt IBPS PO Mock Test, in the linked article.

Candidates who want to prepare for the exam in 3 months can visit IBPS PO Preparation in 3 Months, in the linked article.

Don’t get overwhelmed because a proper understanding of the concepts is important.

Candidates should also regularly check the official website for regular updates on the bank exams.

Related Links