IBPS PO Prelims Last Week Tips

Three Elements of Preparation • Time management - How to divide the

time among sections and in what order questions should be attempted?

• Accuracy - Making sure that you minimise the number of wrong answers and negative marking, so that marks per question gets maximized

• Speed - How to attempt questions faster?

 Time Management

• First attempt the English section. This section takes minimum time. You should be able to attempt it in about 10-15 minutes.

• Divide the next 45-50 minutes in the remaining 2 sections equally, i.e. 20-25 minutes each. If you are scared of any particular section allocate 5 minutes more to that section.

English Section Tips

• This is one section that gets mixed responses from candidates depending upon their educational background and preparation level. For some, this is an easy task but for others, this section becomes  a nightmare and biggest hurdle to clear the sectional  cut-offs.

Expected Breakup Total : 30

Reading Comprehension

10

Cloze Test 5Sentence Correction 5

Spot the error 5Fill in the blanks 5

Para jumbles 5

Order of Attempt & Time Allocation

If your English is Order of Attempt Time Allocated Strong Start with this

section 10-12 minutes

Average Start with this section

12-15 minutes

Weak Last Max 15 minutes

Topic Wise Tips

• Reading Comprehension : You can consider reading the questions first before reading the passage. This way, while reading the passage itself, you will be able to mark the answers and all questions will be done in only one reading of the passage

Cloze Test

These questions are easy and help you improve your performance. If you are confused between two options, then move onto to the next question, solve it and come back to the question where you are confused. You will now have a better idea about the correct choice.

Topicwise Tips• Fill in the blanks: Go with the elimination

rule and you can easily solve this section by eliminating options and getting them down to 50-50 choice. Again, trust your instinct for choosing between the two options.

• Spot the error /Sentence Correction: Eliminate options by reading the sentence and asking yourself “Does this sound right?”

Tips For Reasoning

Reasoning, mildly put can turn out to be your golden goose. You can either score heavily or waste a lot of time and still score less. This section rewards your hardwork and training. The more you have prepared, the better you score.

Expected Breakup Total : 35

Topic No of Questions Coding Decoding 3

Inequalities 5 Syllogism 5

Blood Relation 2 Direction Sense 2

Seating Arrangement 5-10 Puzzles 5-10

Miscellaneous 5

Order of Attempt & Time Allocated

If your Reasoning is Order of Attempt Time Allocated Strong Second Section

(After English) 20-25 minutes

Average Second section (After English)

20 minutes

Weakest Last Max 15 minutes

Categories of Reasoning Questions Easy and less time

consuming Question Medium Difficulty Level

QuestionsTime Consuming

Complex QuestionsClassification/ Odd pair Syllogisms Seating Arrangement

Series /Analogy Inequalities Complex PuzzleDirection Sense Test Blood Relations Floor PuzzleNumber, Ranking & Time Sequence Test

Coding Decoding Input Output Machine

Alphabet test/ Dictionary

Data Sufficiency

Total : 10-12 Questions Total : 15-17 Questions Total : 10-15 Questions

Reasoning Tips• For candidates who have average to weak

reasoning skills the first two categories combined are enough to clear the sectional cut off as well as score some marks for overall cut off. 

• If reasoning is your weakest link, just aim to clear the sectional cut-offs by practicing first category question thoroughly and choosing those questions from second category in which you are comfortable and can solve accurately. Attempt above 17 questions and with good accuracy to clear sectional cut-offs.

Quantitative Aptitude 

• Quantitative Aptitude is considered to be the arch nemesis of almost every Banking Aspirant Many aspirants have missed their dream banking job because they were; somehow, unable to clear sectional cut offs, primarily in the section we are talking about.

Expected Breakup Total : 35

Topic No of Questions Arithmetic Questions

( Percentage ,Time and work, TSD, Profit and loss, SI &CI, Mixture and

allegations, Streams, Ages etc)

8-10

Series 5Quadratic Equations 5

Simplification 5Probability 0-2

DI [Pie Chart, Bar Graph ,Tables etc) 10 (5 *2)

Order of Attempt & Time Allocation

If your Quant is Order of Attempt Time Allocated Strong Second Section

(After English) 20 minutes

Average Last 20 minutes Weakest Last Max 20 minutes

Categories of Quant Questions Easy and Scoring Questions Time Consuming QuestionsSimplification ProbabilityPercentage Quadratic EquationsProblems on Ages Mixture and allegationsAverages Time and Work Simple Interest/ Compound Interest Time Speed and DistanceProfit and Loss Number SeriesRatio & Proportions. Another DI SetDI (one of the DI Sets )Total : 15-17 Questions Total : 12-15 Questions

Quant Tips• For students who just want to clear

sectional cut offs  solving first category questions with a few question from second will be enough but then you will need to solve decent number of question in both English and Reasoning to clear the overall cut-off.

Topic Wise Tips • Data Interpretation – If the answers are numbers not

close to each other, then you do not need to do accurate calculations. You can round off the numbers and do approximate calculations and mark the answer closest to the answer you calculated

• Quadratic Equations – Revising your high school mathematics book on factorization can assist you finding the roots of the quadratic equations faster.

• Series – Mostly n2, n3, n2 ± constant, n3 ± constant, n2 ±n, n3 ±n, n2 ±n3 will cover around 75% of the series completion problems. Hence, relax and attempt.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not Reading Questions Completely

• Risky Shortcuts• Writing down everything on

paper• Experimenting in final Exam

All the Best!

As the exam is now very close, keep your focus on revision and mock tests practice. Stay confident and calm. IBPS PO is just one of the many competitive examinations. Have faith in yourself. Good luck