IBPS PO Prelims Exam Strategy 2018 |

Table of Contents

Dear Students, IBPS announced a huge number of vacancies for the post of Probationary Officers this year. The total number of vacancies this year is 4252 and the preliminary examination for the recruitment process is scheduled to be held in this very month. IBPS, that follows the exact same pattern of SBI exams, has once again changed the face of its pattern for IBPS PO Exam. The pattern is a simulacrum of SBI PO Examination 2018 that sets the trend for all the IBPS Examination every year. From the introduction of sectional timing in prelims examination to the elimination of sectional cut-off from the same, IBPS is expected to ask the same new pattern questions that were previously introduced in this year’s SBI or RRBs Examinations. Now that the changes have already been introduced in the IBPS PO Exam Pattern, all that you need to do is to prepare accordingly so that it bears fruit during the time of examination.

Also, IBPS PO is one of the most sought-after jobs in the government sector as it provides one with a handsome salary along with a lot of perks and facilities. From job security to experience-based promotion, the Public-Sector Banks provide you with a great number of benefits that include lesser working hours, a pay that is on par with the corporate sector, medical, housing, loans, childcare etc.

Now that you know how gratifying this job with PSBs could be, get your priorities straight and start preparing for the exam right away. Before getting your feet wet, you must always be cognizant of what the examination pattern for the exam is, and how you should plan your preparations so as you are able to do with the syllabus well ahead of the time when the examination takes place.

IBPS PO Preliminary Examination Pattern 2018

Sr. No.	Name of Tests	No. of Qs	Maximum Marks	Duration
1	English Language	30	30	20 minutes
2	Quantitative Aptitude	35	35	20 minutes
3	Reasoning Ability	35	35	20 minutes
	Total	100	100	1 hour (60 minutes)

IBPS PO Prelims 2018 Strategy

English Section

In the English Section, you have got enough of the time to solve the questions efficiently, i.e., 20 minutes for 30 questions. Earlier, students used to have a mindset of doing with the English section within 10-15 minutes and thereby solving the questions of the Quantitative Aptitude or the Reasoning Ability Section that are comparatively complex and time-consuming. But, to their dismay, this strategy won’t be working anymore as 20 minutes out of the total 60 minutes have to be given solely to English Section as per the IBPS Notification.

Practice more and more questions with the Adda247 Mobile App.
You still have 2 months to grasp the maximum of the basics of this language so, make the best out of these 2 months so as you manage to attempt the maximum number of questions in this section in the examination.
Do keep in mind that accuracy should be the priority while attempting this section, as, many of you would try to attempt the maximum number of the questions in this section that kind of gives you the maximum average time for each question (20 minutes for 30 questions).
Those who think they are weak in English can choose to attempt Reading Comprehension as they will have enough of time to read and understand it thoroughly. The good thing about the RC is that it doesn’t test English grammar, and one can do it easily by making use of her/ his common sense.
The Reading comprehension too should be attempted in a way that you attempt questions based on vocab and phrases first and then the questions that need a deep penetration through the paragraphs.
The important topics for cloze test are subject-verb agreement, preposition, and verbs. These topics may help you deal with some other questions too that will be based on grammar. So make sure that you have these topics at your fingertips when you are to attempt the examination.

Quantitative Aptitude Section

Earlier, students used to spend 25-27 minutes (on an average) on this section, but unfortunately, that is not going to be the case this time. As IBPS has already restricted the time to do this particular section to just 20 minutes, you really need to break your back in order to attain good or satisfactory marks in Quantitative Aptitude Section.

This section needs the maximum of your hard work and travail as the questions asked in this section are calculative and very time-consuming and you will have only 20 minutes for a total of 35 questions.
The key is to attempt the quizzes on Adda247 App on a regular basis, without skipping a single day.
In the examination, attempt the questions on Quadratic Equations, Simplification, and Approximation, and Number Series first as you would be able to solve the maximum number of questions within minimum time.
After having attempted all these questions efficiently, go for Data Interpretation. In every DI 3 questions are always doable and the rest two are a bit tricky and calculative. So, try to attempt at least those 3 questions with accuracy.
Rest of the questions will be based on arithmetic miscellaneous topics like CI & SI, Time and Work, Pipes, and Cisterns, Partnership, etc. Time will be running short and if you are left with some, then attempt these questions too in the end.

Reasoning Section

This section is still a big sigh of relief to the students as, even before the introduction of sectional timing, students would give 20 minutes on an average to this section. Reasoning Ability is an onerous section, and with the increasing complexity of questions, it becomes hard for one to give it the cold shoulder. The only way to make the grade in this section in the forthcoming exam of IBPS PO Prelims is to practice and only practice with all your heart and soul.

Attempt the maximum number of questions in Reasoning Section in minimum time by attempting the difficult puzzles in the end.
Start with the questions that are not in the form of puzzles, you can choose to start with questions based on inequalities, direction and distance, syllogism, coding-decoding, alphanumeric series, and other such random topics.
Then try to start with puzzles that appear easy to be solved and proceed with moderate and difficult puzzles in a similar way.

You still have time to give the final touch to your preparations for the examination in accordance with the new pattern of IBPS PO Prelims 2018. You just need to be determined, keep your nose to the grindstone all these days and there you go. Don’t let these changes get on your nerves, as baking examinations introduce such novel changes to the pattern of exam every year and you should always keep yourself ready to adapt to such changes. Keep practicing and things will come up roses eventually.