The IBPS PO 2025 Prelims exam is fast approaching, and candidates are gearing up to face one of the most competitive banking exams in India. The IBPS PO 2025 Exam contains three sections: English Language, Reasoning Ability, and Quantitative Aptitude. The Quantitative Aptitude section is the most challenging in the IBSP PO 2025 prelims exam. Scoring 30+ marks out of 35 in the Quantitative Aptitude section requires a combination of conceptual clarity, smart strategy, and time management. In this article, we will guide you step-by-step on how to maximise your score in this section and help you easily cross the cut-off for IBPS PO Prelims 2025.
The IBPS PO preliminary exam consists of three sections: English Language (30 marks), Quantitative Aptitude (35 marks), and Reasoning Ability (35 marks), with a total duration of 60 minutes (20 minutes for each section). The Quantitative Aptitude section contains 35 questions, each carrying one mark, with a penalty of 0.25 marks for wrong answers. There is a sectional cut-off, which generally ranges from 6 to 10 marks for the general category (based on previous years’ trends), making it essential to aim for high accuracy to score 30+ marks and cross the cut-off comfortably.
Let’s start with understanding the exam pattern for Quantitative Aptitude in the Prelims stage:
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allotted |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
Each question carries 1 mark
Negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer
Before crafting a preparation plan, it’s important to know what topics to prioritise:
| Topics | Number of Questions (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Simplification/Approximation | 5-7 |
| Number Series | 5 |
| Data Interpretation (DI) | 10-15 |
| Quadratic Equation | 4-6 |
| Arithmetic Word Problems | 10-12 |
To boost their score in high-priority topics that are tested frequently and are relatively easy to solve with high accuracy. Based on previous years’ question patterns, the following topics are important for the Quantitative Aptitude section:
Simplification and Approximation (5-7 questions): The Simplification and approximation Questions are based on BODMAS rules, fractions, percentages, and approximation. These are easy to solve and have high accuracy potential.
Data Interpretation (DI) (10-12 questions): The Data Interpretation topics include tabular, bar graph, line graph, and pie chart-based questions. DI tests calculation speed and interpretation skills. Candidate solves daily 1 to 2 sets of DI questions and boosts their Data Interpretation question-solving speed.
Number Series (4-6 questions): It involves identifying patterns (arithmetic, geometric, or mixed) to find the missing or wrong number.
Quadratic Equations (4-6 questions): It requires solving equations and comparing roots.
Arithmetic Problems (8-10 questions): Covers topics such as percentage, profit and loss, time and work, time and distance, ratio and proportion, simple and compound interest, and probability.
Measurement and Geometry (1-3 questions): Focuses on area, volume, and basic geometric shapes.
Permutation and Combination/Probability (1-2 questions): Covers basic combinatorial problems or probability calculations.
Give preference to Simplification, DI, Number Series, and Quadratic Equations, as they collectively account for 20-25 questions and are generally less time-consuming.
Here we are providing the Quant, Reasoning and English mock test series. It contains free full-length mock test, Topic tests, Mini Mock Tests and sectional Mock Tests.
| IBPS PO Quant Tests Series | |
| Quant Topic Tests | Attempt Now |
| Quant Mini mock Tests | Attempt Now |
| Quant Sectional Mock Tests | Attempt Now |
| A Free Full-length Mock Test | Attempt Now |
2. Reasoning Test Series:
| IBPS PO Reasoning Tests Series | |
| Reasoning Topic Tests | Attempt Now |
| Reasoning Mini mock Tests | Attempt Now |
| Reasoning Sectional Mock Tests | Attempt Now |
| A Free Full-length Mock Test | Attempt Now |
3. English Test Series:
| IBPS PO English Tests Series | |
| English Topic Tests | Attempt Now |
| English Mini mock Tests | Attempt Now |
| English Sectional Mock Tests | Attempt Now |
| A Free Full-length Mock Test | Attempt Now |
The Quantitative Aptitude section is the most important part of the IBPS PO 2025 exam. Scoring 30+ marks in this section is critical, but a details and focused strategy boosts your score in the quant section. Here we are providing the step-by-step plan to improve your speed, accuracy, and problem-solving skills.
Before starting the preparation, candidates can know the detailed exam pattern and syllabus for the IBPS PO 2025 exam. IBPS PO Prelims exam consists of 35 questions for 35 marks, which have to be solved in 20 minutes.
The best way to understand the actual exam scenario is to solve previous years papers. It familiarises you with the type of questions, difficulty level and time pressure. Take at least 3-4 complete Quantitative Aptitude sections from previous exams and note down the most repeated question patterns. This helps you assess your current level and plan a focused preparation strategy.
| IBPS PO 2024 Question Paper | Download Paper with Detailed Solution |
| IBPS PO 2023 Question Paper | Download Paper with Detailed Solution |
| IBPS PO 2022 Question Paper | Download Paper with Detailed Solution |
| IBPS PO 2021 Question Paper | Download Paper with a Detailed Solution |
| IBPS PO 2020 Question Paper | Download Paper with Detailed Solution |
| IBPS PO 2019 Question Paper | Download Paper with Detailed Solution |
Once you know your strengths and weaknesses, start taking topic-wise tests. Focus on high-scoring topics like Simplification/Estimation, Number Series and Quadratic Equations first. Then gradually move on to difficult Arithmetic topics. Mini mocks with 10-15 mixed questions are great to test your concept clarity and improve question selection skills within a limited time.
When you are comfortable with individual topics, take a full Quantitative Aptitude sectional test of 35 questions in 20 minutes. This builds your speed and accuracy while simulating the pressure of the real exam. It also helps you practice effective time management – deciding which questions to solve first, skip or re-solve.
It is important to take full mock tests in the last phase of your preparation. It helps you check your overall speed, time management in all three sections and your exam temperament. Analyse your performance after each mock – focus on your weak topics, check the time taken in each question and aim to increase your correct attempts without guessing.
While practising, make short notes of important formulas, shortcut tricks and frequently asked arithmetic question patterns. Keep a separate notebook for different chapters like Time & Work, Profit & Loss, SI & CI, and DI Sets. These notes will prove to be a lifesaver for you for last-minute revision before the exam.
The Quant section requires consistency. Revise everything you learn daily – formulas, number series patterns, calculation tricks, and mistakes from previous mocks. Spend 20-30 minutes every day reviewing your notes and solving 15-20 mixed questions so that you stay sharp and reduce silly mistakes.
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