IBPS PO Prelims is the very first stage of the IBPS PO exam. It is, in a way, the first doorway to the IBPS PO post. Candidates who want to become a PO will first have to clear this exam. If you are unable to clear this stage, then your journey of becoming an IBPS PO will stop for one year, and you will have to wait for next year’s exam. Therefore, it is necessary that you take this exam as seriously as the Mains. This exam is a bit easier compared to the Mains exam, but that does not mean you can clear it very easily. That’s why you must prepare for it well from the beginning, starting today. This preparation will also help you build a strong foundation for the Mains exam. Keep in mind that Prelims are scheduled for 17th, 23rd, and 24th, and the Mains Exam on 12th October, 2025, so time is of the essence. In this blog, we will tell you how to create an effective preparation strategy for the IBPS PO Prelims exam.
Get Acquainted with The Exam Structure
Before you take a direct leap onto the boat of preparation, you must understand the examination pattern of both Prelims and Mains properly. That is, how many subjects are there in each exam, and what their weightage will be, so that you can develop your study schedule and preparation strategy accordingly.
Let’s take a look at the examination pattern of both:
- Prelims Exam: The IBPS PO Prelims is a qualifying round consisting of three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. Each section has 35 questions, totaling 100 marks, with a duration of 60 minutes.
- Mains Exam: The Mains exam is more comprehensive, comprising both objective and descriptive tests. It includes sections on Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, English Language, and a Descriptive Paper. The total duration is 3.5 hours.
IBPS PO Prelims Month-Wise Preparation Strategy
Given the tight timeline, it’s imperative to plan your preparation meticulously. Here’s a month-wise breakdown:
Month 1: Foundation Building (August)
Your focus areas should be:
- Strengthen basic concepts in all subjects.
- Daily reading of current affairs.
- Practice basic-level questions.
Build a strong daily habit, and make sure you:
- Allocate specific hours for each subject.
- Incorporate short breaks to maintain focus.
- Review and analyze mistakes to avoid repetition.
Month 2: Advanced Practice and Mock Tests (September)
You need to pay attention to:
- Advance to higher difficulty levels in all subjects.
- Begin taking full-length mock tests.
- Time management practice.
You should follow a daily plan, where you must:
- Continue with subject-wise practice.
- Analyze mock test results to identify weak areas.
- Revise concepts regularly.
Month 3: Final Revision and Mains Integration (October)
Focus Areas:
- Revise all subjects thoroughly.
- Focus on Mains-specific topics.
- Simulate exam conditions with timed mock tests.
You need to follow a daily routine, wherein you should:
- Allocate time for both Prelims and Mains preparation.
- Maintain a balance between revision and new learning.
- Stay updated with current affairs.
Weekly Study Plan
To ensure consistent progress, here’s a weekly study plan:
Day | Activity |
Monday | Reasoning Practice + Current Affairs Review |
Tuesday | Quantitative Aptitude Practice + Mock Test |
Wednesday | English Language Practice + Concept Revision |
Thursday | Data Interpretation Practice + Newspaper Reading |
Friday | Reasoning Practice + Current Affairs Review |
Saturday | Quantitative Aptitude Practice + Mock Test |
Sunday | Full-Length Mock Test + Analysis |
Note: Adjust the plan based on personal strengths and weaknesses.
Proven Preparation Tips for IBPS PO 2025 Exam
Preparing for the IBPS PO exam can be easy if you follow a smart study plan. These tips will help you understand better, solve faster, and score higher.
1. Understand Every Concept Clearly
Before you solve problems, you must understand the idea behind them. Clear concepts help you answer correctly, even if the question is new.
- Read your books slowly and understand each topic.
- Watch simple videos to understand tough chapters.
- Ask questions if you don’t understand something.
- Learn the “why” behind each answer.
- Make short notes in your own words.
2. Improve Accuracy with Daily Practice
Solving questions every day helps you make fewer mistakes. Accuracy is very important to get a good score.
- Solve 15 to 20 questions from each subject daily.
- Check your answers and correct your mistakes.
- Practice more of the questions you get wrong.
- Use a notebook to track wrong answers.
- Focus on getting the right answer, not just finishing fast.
3. Increase Your Speed Step by Step
In the exam, you have to be fast and correct. Speed comes with daily practice and knowing simple tricks.
- Use a timer while solving questions.
- Start with easy questions, then move to hard ones.
- Learn shortcut tricks for maths and reasoning.
- Practice fast reading for the English section.
- Don’t spend too long on one question.
4. Use Smart Tricks and Methods
Smart study saves time and helps you remember better. Use tricks, charts, and memory aids to make learning easy.
- Make charts or tables to remember facts.
- Use tricks for fast calculation.
- Group similar topics and study them together.
- Use apps or flashcards for quick revision.
- Revise tricky topics often with simple examples.
5. Study Current Affairs the Smart Way
The General Awareness section is scoring if you stay updated. Use simple and regular habits to stay informed.
- Read one newspaper or news app daily.
- Write 5 important news points every day.
- Watch short news videos for better understanding.
- Revise the news weekly from your notes.
- Focus more on banking, economy, and national events.
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Also read: How to Choose the Best Banking Package for Ultimate Success

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FAQs
The IBPS PO Prelims exam is scheduled for August 17th, 23rd, and 24th 2025.
The IBPS PO Mains exam lasts for 3.5 hours.
The Prelims exam consists of three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability.
Yes, in both the Prelims and Mains exams, each wrong answer is marked with a negative mark of 0.25 marks.
Practice solving questions within the allotted time during your preparation. This will help you develop time management skills for the actual exam.
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