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Is IBPS PO Prelims Exam Tough?

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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.

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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.

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FAQs

What is the duration of the IBPS PO Prelims exam?

The exam duration is 1 hour.

How many questions are asked in the IBPS PO Prelims?

A total of 100 questions are asked.

Is there negative marking in the IBPS PO Prelims?

Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.

Can I switch between sections during the IBPS PO Prelims?

Yes, there is no sectional timing; you can switch between sections.

How can I improve my score in the IBPS PO Prelims?

Regular practice, time management, and thorough revision are key to improving your score.

Asad Yar Khan

Asad specializes in penning and overseeing blogs on study strategies, exam techniques, and key strategies for SSC, banking, regulatory body, engineering, and other competitive exams. During his 3+ years' stint at PracticeMock, he has helped thousands of aspirants gain the confidence to achieve top results. In his free time, he either transforms into a sleep lover, devours books, or becomes an outdoor enthusiast.