The IBPS PO Prelims exam is the first and an important hurdle for banking aspirants who are aiming for a career in public sector banking. Whenever a candidate makes up their mind to prepare for the IBPS PO exam, they think of how tough the exam is. And when it comes to toughness, the toughness of the Prelims exam comes first. They want to know the difficulty level of the competition, the cut-off trends. In this blog, we delve into these aspects by analyzing data from the past five years.
What Is the Difficulty Level of IBPS PO Prelims?
The difficulty level of the IBPS PO Prelims exam has been diffrent over the years. It saw fluctuations influenced by changes in exam patterns, question types, and overall complexity.
Check out the difficulty level of the past 6 years:
Difficulty Level Analysis (2019–2024)
| Year | Difficulty Level |
| 2019 | Moderate |
| 2020 | Moderate |
| 2021 | Moderate |
| 2022 | Moderate |
| 2023 | Easy to Moderate |
| 2024 | Easy to Moderate |
Note: The difficulty level is assessed based on candidate feedback and expert analysis.
How Intense Is the Competition in IBPS PO Prelims?
The IBPS PO Prelims exam is very competitive. The competition for IBPS PO Prelims has intensified over the years due to an increasing number of applicants and a limited number of vacancies. In 2024, about 25 lakh candidates applied for only 5,973 vacancies, making the ratio nearly 419 candidates for one seat. In 2023, it was even tougher with 3,049 seats and a similar number of applicants. This shows how intense the competition is.
Let’s take a look at the total number of applicants vs. vacancies from 2019 to 2024:
| Year | Number of Applicants | Number of Vacancies |
| 2019 | 10 lakh+ | 3,000+ |
| 2020 | 10 lakh+ | 3,500+ |
| 2021 | 10 lakh+ | 4,000+ |
| 2022 | 11 lakh+ | 4,000+ |
| 2023 | 11 lakh+ | 3,000+ |
Note: The number of applicants is estimated based on available data.
What Are the Cut-Off Trends for IBPS PO Prelims?
The cut-off marks for IBPS PO Prelims have shown a gradual increase over the years, reflecting the evolving difficulty level and competition.
Category-Wise Cut-Off Marks (2019–2024)
| Year | General | OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
| 2019 | 56.75 | 56.50 | 51.00 | 43.50 | 56.75 |
| 2020 | 58.75 | 58.50 | 51.00 | 43.50 | 57.75 |
| 2021 | 59.50 | 59.50 | 53.00 | 45.00 | 59.50 |
| 2022 | 57.75 | 57.75 | 51.00 | 43.75 | 57.75 |
| 2023 | 60.25 | 60.25 | 54.25 | 46.00 | 60.25 |
| 2024 | 58.75 | 58.75 | 52.25 | 44.50 | 58.75 |
Note: Cut-off marks are out of 100.
How Important Is Practice for IBPS PO Prelims?
Regular practice and mock tests are essential for success in the IBPS PO Prelims exam. They help in improving speed, accuracy, and time management skills.
Recommended Practice Strategies
- Regular Mock Tests: Take at least 2-3 mock tests per week.
- Sectional Practice: Focus on individual sections to strengthen weak areas.
- Time Management: Practice solving questions within the allotted time frame.
- Analysis: Review incorrect answers to understand mistakes and avoid them in the future.
What Are the Key Areas Tested in IBPS PO Prelims?
The IBPS PO Prelims exam assesses candidates on four main areas: Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness.
Section-Wise Overview
- Reasoning Ability: Tests logical reasoning, puzzles, and seating arrangements.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Includes topics like arithmetic, data interpretation, and number series.
- English Language: Assesses reading comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary.
- General Awareness: Covers current affairs, banking awareness, and general knowledge.
FAQs
The exam duration is 1 hour.
A total of 100 questions are asked.
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
Yes, there is no sectional timing; you can switch between sections.
Regular practice, time management, and thorough revision are key to improving your score.
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