Detailed Syllabus for IBPS PO Prelims

2018 Based on New Pattern - Check Now!

The IBPS PO 2018 exam will take place on 13th, 14th, 20th & 21st October
2018. This is one of the most awaited exam for all banking aspirants. The difficulty level
of banking exams has increased & changes have been reflected in all the exams like SBI
PO 2018 exam. So to stand out in the crowd you must begin your preparation at the
earliest. Equip yourself with the best strategy so that you prepare yourself for the
surprises if asked in the exam. To begin your preparation, use this Detailed Syllabus
for IBPS PO Prelims 2018 as a guide to help you crack the first stage of this year's
examination! Get info about weightage and marks distribution for each topic and
chapter in the Syllabus for IBPS PO Prelims. The Online Resource Guide is also a good
system for you to figure out tonnes of free online study material and quizzes for IBPS
PO.

About IBPS PO Exam 2018

The exam seeks to fill in around 4252 vacancies in the post of Probationary
Officers at 20 participating banks. IBPS PO Prelims will be conducted on 13th,
14th, 20th & 21st October 2018 while the IBPS PO Mains exam will be conducted on
18th November 2018. The two objective tests will be followed by an Interview. Also
this year IBPS has changed the Prelims Exam Pattern. Sectional Timings have been
introduced in IBPS PO Prelims this year. So, it is expected that the paper will going to be
tough. To to more about the number of vacancies, exam pattern, selection procedure go
through the link below:

Read the Official IBPS PO 2018 Notification

IBPS PO Prelim Exam Pattern & Specifics

The Preliminary paper is distinguished by the fact that it has only three sections and is
easier than the Main paper. There is Sectional Timing for each section as well as
sectional cut off. Here is the section-wise structure of the paper.

No. of Maximum Medium of Time allotted for

Name of Tests
Questions Marks Exam each Test

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English
30 30 English 20 minutes
Language

Quantitative English and

35 35 20 minutes
Aptitude Hindi

Reasoning English and

35 35 20 minutes
Ability Hindi

Total 100 100 60 minutes

1. BILINGUAL TEST: Every section (except English Language) in the paper will
be available in Hindi as well as in English.
2. NEGATIVE MARKING: Each wrong answer deducts 0.25 of the marks
assigned to that question from your total. In this case, since each question is
worth 1 mark, you lose ¼ marks per wrong answer.
3. CUT-OFFS: Each section has an individual cut-off. Besides this, there is a
minimum overall score decided by the IBPS after the results are tallied, that you
need to cross to move to the next round. Qualifying the Prelims in this way gets
you to the Main Exam and securing the Mains cut-off qualifies you for the
Interview round.

Check out the Complete Selection Procedure and Mains Paper Pattern here:

IBPS PO Exam Pattern & Selection Procedure

How to Use this Detailed Syllabus for IBPS PO Prelims 2018

Before discussing the Detailed Syllabus for IBPS PO Prelims 2018, here are some points
that you must keep in mind.

1. Download the PDF from the link at top.

2. Decide which subject you want to study today - Quant, LR or English.
3. Pick up the first chapter of the subject (in the order in which it appears).
4. Go through your notes to get the basics right. Then go through the tips and
shortcuts given below.
5. Once you're ready, try the quizzes listed.
6. Analyze your performance and relearn your weak areas.
7. Get to the first chapter in the next subject.

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Detailed Syllabus for IBPS PO Prelims and Online Resource Guide

Here is a subject-wise list of the IBPS PO Prelims 2018 syllabus. The list is classified in
order of priority – important chapters first. The Nature of Questions tells you whether it
is a scoring chapter or a tricky topic or a time consuming one.

#1. Quantitative Aptitude

Remember that these sections are not time-bound. You have only 60 minutes for the
whole paper. It is easy to get stuck in Quant as you use long calculations to solve the
problem. The real trick is to use shortcuts and quick mental calculations. You need to
ensure that you complete the quant section in 20 minutes. Since it won't be possible for
you to solve all 35 questions in 20 minutes, you need to ensure you pick the right
questions. So the trick is to recognize patterns in questions that tell you how easy or
tough it will be.

Here are the different chapters covered under Quant according to the Syllabus for IBPS
PO Prelims. Try to prepare these topics in the order mentioned.

(1) Simplification

 Weightage: 5 Questions
 Easy to Solve, Less Time Consuming, High Accuracy Possible.
 Question Types: BODMAS Rule, Approximation, Decimals, Fractions, Surds &
Indices, Percentages etc.
 Tips: Simplification using BODMAS rule
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(2) Average

 Weightage: 1 Questions
 Easy to Solve, Less Time Consuming, High Accuracy Possible.
 Question Types: Average Weight/Height/Age/Marks, Average Money
Expenditure, Average Temperature etc. But the concept remains simple. We have
to use a single formula i.e. Average = Sum of Quantities/Number of Quantities
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(3) Percentage

 Weightage: 1 – 2 Questions
 Easy to Solve, Less Time Consuming, High Accuracy Possible.
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  Question Types: Calculation-oriented basic percentage.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(4) Ratio and Proportion

 Weightage: 1 – 2 Questions
 Easy to Solve, Less Time Consuming, High Accuracy Possible.
 Question Types: Simple Ratios, Compound Ratios, Componendo and
Dividendo, Direct & Indirect Proportions.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(5) Data Interpretation

 Weightage: 5-10 Questions (1-3 sets)

 Easy to Moderate in Difficulty, Moderately Time Consuming, High Accuracy
Possible
 Question Types: Line Graphs, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Tables, Miscellaneous
Infographics, Missing Data Type Caselets.
 Tips: Missing Data Problems, Tips for Line Graphs, Tips for Maximum-
Minimum Problems in DI
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(6) Mensuration

 Weightage: 1-3 Questions

 Easy to Moderate in Difficulty, Moderately Time Consuming, High Accuracy
Possible.
 Question Types: Area/Volume of Square, Rectangle, Trapezium,
Parallelogram, Rhombus, Circle, Semicircle, Triangle, Cone, Cylinder, Cube,
Cuboid. Also, Moulding from one shape to another etc.
 Tips: Quickest method for Mensuration.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(7) Quadratic Equations

 Weightage: 0-5 Questions (as 1 set of 5 or will not appear at all)

 Scoring, Easy if Proper Steps Followed, Less Time Consuming.
 Question Types: Comparing values of x and y when two equations given.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

4|Page
(8) Interest

 Weightage: 1-2 Questions

 Scoring, Easy if Formulas & Proper Steps Followed, Moderately Time
Consuming.
 Question Types: Simple Interest, Compound Interest, Mixed Interest,
Installments.
 Tips: How to Quickly Find Rate of Simple Interest, Simple Interest for Different
Rates, Shortcut for Compound Interest Problems.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(9) Problems on Ages

 Weightage: 0-1 Questions

 Scoring, Easy if Proper Steps Followed, Less Time Consuming.
 Question Types: Ages of family using algebra, ratio of ages, average of ages etc.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1

(10) Profit and Loss

 Weightage: 1-3 Questions

 Scoring, Easy if Proper Steps Followed, Moderately Time Consuming.
 Question Types: Successive Selling type questions, Partnerships, Discount &
MP, Dishonest Dealings.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(11) Number Series

 Weightage: 5 Questions
 Scoring, Moderate in Difficulty, Moderately Time Consuming
 Question Types: Complete the Series, Find the Missing Term, Find the Wrong
Term etc.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1

(12) Speed, Time and Distance

 Weightage: 1-3 Questions

 Moderate in Difficulty, Moderately Time Consuming
 Question Types: Relative Speed, Average Speed, Problems on Train, Boat &
Stream.
 Tips: How to Calculate Average Speed.
5|Page
  Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2, Quiz 3

(13) Time and Work

 Weightage: 1-2 Questions

 Moderate in Difficulty, Moderately Time Consuming
 Question Types: Work Efficiency, Work & Wages, Pipes & Cisterns etc.
 Tips: Shortcut for Time & Work.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2, Quiz 3

(14) Number System

 Weightage: 0-1 Questions

 Could be tricky, Moderately time Consuming
 Question Types: Divisibility & Remainder, Multiples & Factors, Integers, LCM
& HCF.
 Tips: Divisibility Test Trick for Quick Calculations
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(15) Data Sufficiency

 Weightage: 0-5 Questions

 Moderate in Difficulty, Moderately Time Consuming, Tricky
 Question Types: DS questions based on Number System, Averages,
Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest,
Time Speed & Distance, Time & Work, Problems on Age, Mensuration, Mixtures
& Alligations.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1

(16) Linear Equations

 Weightage: 0-1 Questions

 Could be tricky, Easy if Proper Steps Followed, Moderately Time Consuming
 Question Types: Basic linear equations with 1 or 2 variables.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(17) Permutation & Combination / Probability

 Weightage: 0-1 Questions

 Less Time Consuming, Scoring, Easy if all cases considered
 Question Types: Basic Selection & Arrangement Problems, Very basic
problems on Probability.
6|Page
  Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(18) Mixtures & Alligations

 Weightage: 1 Question
 Tricky, Time Consuming
 Question Types: Mixture of two or more entities/mixtures, dishonest dealings.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

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#2. Reasoning Ability

The Reasoning Ability section is always key. Your performance in this section can be the
make or break section. You have to solve this Section in about 20 minutes. Do not get
stuck on any problem. Just move on if you cannot figure out a problem. The various
topics expected in the Reasoning Ability section are as below:

(1) Coded Inequalities/ Mathematical Inequalities

 Weightage: 5-10 Questions (likely of Coded Inequalities)

 Scoring, Easy if Steps Followed properly, Moderately time consuming, High
Accuracy possible.
 Question Types: Coded relations between letters to be decoded and solved.
 Tips: How to Solve Coded Inequality
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(2) Syllogisms

 Weightage: 5 Questions
 Easy to Moderate in difficulty, Less time consuming, Moderate Accuracy possible,
very likely to appear.
 Question Types: Direct questions with 2-3 statements & 2-3 conclusions,
possibility based questions, negative information based questions.
 Tips: Basic Concepts of Syllogisms
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2
7|Page
(3) Coding & Decoding

 Weightage: 5 Questions
 Moderate in Difficulty, Moderate to Highly Time Consuming, Moderate Accuracy
possible.
 Question Types: Coding by Letter Shifting, Coding by Analogy, Coding in
Fictitious Language, Coding Letters of a Word.
 Tips: General Tips for Coding & Decoding, Coding Decoding in Fictitious
Language, Coding by Letter Shifting
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2, Quiz 3

(4) Circular Seating Arrangement

 Weightage: 5 Questions
 Moderate to Difficult, Moderate to Highly Time Consuming, Moderate to High
Accuracy possible, Requires clean charting with proper technique and step-by-
step solving.
 Question Types: Uni- & Bi-directional problems on circular, square,
rectangular, hexagonal tables. May be combined with other information to make
it a Blood Relations or Double Lineup type problem as well.
 Tips: How to Approach Circular Arrangements, Circular Arrangements Pt 2
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(5) Linear Seating Arrangement

 Weightage: 5 Questions
 Moderate to Difficult, Could be tricky, Moderate to Highly Time Consuming,
Moderate to High Accuracy possible, Requires clean charting with proper
technique and step-by-step solving.
 Question Types: Single or Double rows facing each other/ away from each
other/ in the same direction. May be combined with other information to make it
a Blood Relations or Double Lineup type problem as well.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(6) Blood Relations

 Weightage: 3-5 Questions

 Moderate in difficulty, Low to Moderately time consuming, Moderate to High
Accuracy possible, Requires clean charting with proper technique and step-by-
step solving.
 Question Types: Family Tree Problems, Coded Blood Relations.
 Tips: General Understanding of Blood Relations, Complex Blood Relations
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  Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(7) Directions & Distances

 Weightage: 2-3 Questions

 Easy but could be tricky, Less time consuming, High Accuracy possible, Requires
clean charting with proper technique and step-by-step solving.
 Question Types: Arranging by age, height, weight, rank, order in row etc.
 Tips: 3 Tricks for Directions & Distances
 Quizzes: Quiz

(8) Ordering & Ranking

 Weightage: 3-5 Questions

 Easy to Moderate in difficulty, Less time consuming, High Accuracy possible.
 Question Types: Floor Based Puzzles, Arranging by age, height, weight, rank,
order in row etc.
 Tips: Tricks to Crack Ordering & Ranking
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(9) Arrangement & Pattern

 Weightage: 0-5 Questions

 Easy to Moderate in difficulty, Less time consuming, High Accuracy possible.
 Question Types: Random Sequence of Alphabets (based on group of 5 terms
each of 3 alphabets OR series of alphabets), Number Arrangements (based on
group of 5 terms each of 3 digits OR series of numbers), Mixed Series Dictionary
or Alphabet based Arrangements etc.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1

(10) Double Lineup

 Weightage: 0-5 Questions

 Moderate to Difficult, Could be tricky, Moderate to Highly Time Consuming,
Moderate Accuracy possible, Requires clean charting with proper technique and
step-by-step solving.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2, Quiz 3

(11) Scheduling

 Weightage: 0-5 Questions

9|Page
  Moderate to Difficult, Could be tricky, Moderate to Highly Time Consuming,
Moderate Accuracy possible, Requires clean charting with proper technique and
step-by-step solving.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(12) Analogy

 Weightage: 0-2 Questions

 Easy to Moderate, Quick Solve, Moderate to High Accuracy possible.
 Question Types: Meaning based, Letter based, Number based.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2

(13) Classification

 Weightage: 0-3 Questions

 Easy to Moderate, Quick Solve, High Accuracy possible.
 Question Types: Letter based, Meaningful Words based, GK based, Number
based.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1

(14) Data Sufficiency

 Weightage: 3-5 Questions

 Moderate Difficulty, Moderately Time Consuming, Moderate Accuracy possible.
 Question Types: Ordering & Ranking, Blood Relations, Coding in Fictitious
Language, Circular Arrangements, Directions & Distances, Ages & Birthdates.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1

(15) Series

 Weightage: 0-2 Questions

 Easy to Moderate, Less Time Consuming, Moderate to High Accuracy
 Question Types: Complete the Alphabet Series, Number Series and Mixed
Series.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1

#3. English Language

The English Syllabus for IBPS PO Prelims is pretty much the standard Banking exam
fare, except for a few changes in question type here and there. You will need to solve
30 questions in 20 minutes. So this section will be the your real test of speed. But while

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attempting in speed, do not forget about accuracy. The section can be broadly divided
into four parts:

(1) Reading Comprehension

 Weightage: 8-10 Questions (1 Passage)

 Moderate to More Time Consuming, Moderate Accuracy Possible.
 Question Types: The passage will be focused on topics like Banking &
Economy, Business, Social Issues etc. Fact and Inference based questions – easy
to moderate, Vocab & Theme based questions – moderate to tough.
 Tips: General Tips for RC, Tips for Economics & Banking based passages, Tips
for Style & Tone of RC
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2, Quiz 3, Quiz 4, Quiz 5

(2) Grammar (Error Spotting, Phrase Replacement, Fill in the Blanks)

 Weightage: 5-10 Questions

 Easy to Moderate in Difficulty, Less to Moderately Time Consuming,
Moderate Accuracy Possible.
 Question Types: Error Spotting, Phrase Replacement/ Sentence Correction,
Fill in the Blanks.
 Topics Covered: Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, Subject Verb Agreement,
Parallelism, Degrees of Comparison, Sentence Construction, Phrasal Verbs,
Pronouns, Adverbs, Non-Finite Verbs, Common Errors etc.
 Tips: 26 Tips for Error Spotting, Easy Tips for Grammar, General Tips on
Tenses, On Present Tenses, Using Common & Proper Nouns correctly with
Articles, Common Errors Made in Degrees of Comparison, Gerunds, Difference
between “its” and “it’s”, Non-Finite Verbs with Examples.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2, Quiz 3, Quiz 4, Quiz 5

(3) Vocabulary (Cloze Test, Fill in the Blanks, Error Spotting, Phrase Replacement)

 Weightage: 5-10 Questions

 Easy to Moderate Difficulty, Quick Solve based on Contextual usage, Moderate to
High Accuracy possible.
 Question Types: Error Spotting, Phrase Replacement, Cloze Test (single
passage with 5-10 questions), Fill in the Blanks (Double Blanks).
 Tips: 8 Tips to Master Cloze Test, 40 Important Words & Meanings, 51
Important Idioms & Phrases, 10 Tips to Master Synonyms.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2, Quiz 3, Quiz 4, Quiz 5, Quiz 6, Quiz 7, Quiz 8, Quiz 9

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(4) Verbal Ability (Para Jumbles)

 Weightage: 0-5 Questions

 Easy, Low to Moderately Time Consuming, High Accuracy possible.
 Question Types: Para Jumbles
 Tips: 7 Tips for Solving Para Jumbles.
 Quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2, Quiz 3, Quiz 4

Make sure to try the simplest method of improving all your four English skills –
Reading Comprehension, Verbal Ability, Vocabulary & Grammar.

It is important to start preparing in earliest for the IBPS PO Prelim paper immediately.
Plan out a study map based on the above given syllabus. Allocate time wisely and test
yourself regularly on your speed, proficiency and concepts. Good luck!

We hope this was helpful to you. To know the IBPS PO Previous Years's Cut Off, visit the
link shown below:

Previous Years IBPS PO Cut Off

As we all know, practice is the key to success. Therefore, boost your preparation by
starting your practice now.

Solve Practice Questions for Free

Furthermore, chat with your fellow aspirants and our experts to get your doubts
cleared on Testbook Discuss:

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