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IBPS PO Exam Analysis 2025, Check Subject-wise Difficulty Level, Pattern

• Updated on 29 Sept, 2025 by Souvik

IBPS PO Exam Analysis 2025: The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) held the IBPS PO 2025 prelims on August 23 and 24, 2025. The exam analysis is useful for aspirants as it highlights the difficulty level, good attempts, and the likely cutoff trends.

 

The official IBPS PO 2025 notification was issued on June 30, 2025. This year’s exam was conducted online in multiple shifts, following the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format. Along with the exam review, candidates also discussed the expected cutoff marks. To aid further preparation, candidates can also go through IBPS PO exam analyses from previous years. Check IBPS PO Exam Preparation 2025

 

Table of Contents
  1. IBPS PO Exam Analysis 2025
  2. IBPS PO Exam Analysis 2024 (October 19, Shift 1)
  3. IBPS PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2021
  4. IBPS PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2020
  5. IBPS PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2019
  6. IBPS PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2018
  7. IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025
  8. IBPS PO Exam Analysis 2025 FAQs

 

IBPS PO Exam Analysis 2025

IBPS PO Exam analysis for the Prelims exam is updated below. Candidates can check the shift-wise prelims exam analysis in this article. IBPS PO Exam Analysis 2025 for the Mains exam will be updated here.

 

IBPS PO 2025 Shift 1 Analysis OUT (Aug 24)

Candidates can check IBPS PO Exam Analysis 2025 for the August 24 Shift 1 exam below. According to the students, the overall difficulty was moderate.

Sections

Difficulty Level

English Language

Moderate

  • RC (based on language, synonym) (9 Ques)
  • Error spotting (3 Ques)
  • Para Jumbles (5 Ques)
  • Single fillers (35 Ques)
  • Match the column (1 Ques)
  • Word Swap (5 Ques)
  • Miscellaneous (2 Ques)

Quantitative Aptitude

Moderate

  • Table-based DI (6 Ques) Number of males and females working in four companies (DI)
  • Bar graph based DI ( 5 companies, A, B, C, D and E, registered and participated) (6 Ques)
  • Caselet DI (Number of Arts & Science students in two colleges A and B) (3 Ques)
  • Approximation (5 Ques)
  • Quadratic equation (4 Ques)
  • Arithmetic Problems (11 Ques)

Reasoning Ability

Moderate

  • Parallel row-based sitting arrangement (14 persons were given) (5 Ques)
  • Uncertain Persons Linear sitting north facing (4 Ques)
  • Year Puzzle Two variables were given (5 Ques)
  • Floor with Falt Puzzle (5 Ques)
  • Designation Puzzle (7 persons, double variable were given, country and person) (5 Ques)
  • Inequality (3 Ques)
  • Syllogism (3 Ques)
  • Direction-based (2 Ques)
  • Miscellaneous (Odd one out, Number pairing, Meaningful word) (3 Ques)

Total

Moderate

 

IBPS PO 2025 Prelims Shift 1 (Aug 24) Analysis: Good Attempts

Candidates can check the subject-wise number of good attempts in IBPS PO 2025 Prelims Shift 1 exam in the table below.

Sections

Number of Questions

Good Attempts

English Language

30

21-24

Reasoning Aptitude

35

21-23

Quantitative Aptitude

35

20-23

 

IBPS PO 2025 Shift 4 Analysis OUT (Aug 23)

Some of the students felt that the Shift 4 overall difficulty level was Moderate. Candidates can check the IBPS PO 2025 Shift 4 Paper Analysis below.

Sections

Difficulty Level

English Language

Easy to Moderate

Quantitative Aptitude

Moderate

Reasoning Ability

Easy to Moderate

Total

EASY TO MODERATE

 

IBPS PO 2025 Shift 3 Analysis OUT (Aug 23)

Candidates can check IBPS PO Exam Analysis 2025 for the August 23 Shift 3 exam below. According to the students, the overall difficulty was moderate.

Sections

Difficulty Level

English Language

Moderate

Quantitative Aptitude

Moderate

Reasoning Ability

Moderate

Total

MODERATE

 

IBPS PO 2025 Shift 2 Exam Analysis Out (Aug 23)

Some of the students felt that the Shift 2 overall difficulty level was Moderate. Candidates can check the IBPS PO 2025 Aug 23 Shift 2 Paper Analysis below.

Sections

Difficulty Level

English Language

Moderate

Quantitative Aptitude

Moderate

Reasoning Ability

Moderate

Total

MODERATE

 

IBPS PO 2025 Shift 1 Exam Analysis Out (Aug 23)

Candidates can check IBPS PO Exam Analysis 2025 for the August 23 Shift 1 exam below. According to the students, the overall difficulty was moderate.

Sections

Difficulty Level, Topics & Questions asked

English Language

Questions and difficulty level asked in English section

 

As per the students feedback, in English section,

  • Reading Comprehension (Cloud Kitchen) (10 Ques)
  • Single Fillers (5 Ques)
  • Word Swap (3 Ques)
  • Match the column (1 Ques)
  • Error detection (5 Ques)
  • Phrase replacement ( 1 Ques)
  • Sentence rearrangement (5 Ques)

Easy to Moderate

Quantitative Aptitude

Moderate

Reasoning Ability

Moderate

  • Parallel Row (Around 5 Ques)
  • Box Based Variable Puzzle 96 box) (Around 5 Ques)
  • Seating arrangement (Around 3 Ques)
  • Inequality (Around 3 Ques)
  • Pair formation (Around 1 Ques)
  • Syllogism (Around 3 Ques)
  • Odd one Out (Around 1 Ques)
  • Month + Date Puzzle (Around 5 Ques)
  • Blood Relation (Around 3 Ques)
  • Meaningful Word (Around 1 Ques)

Check IBPS PO Syllabus 2025

 

IBPS PO Exam Analysis 2024 (October 19, Shift 1)

The IBPS PO Exam 2024 Shift 1 was over at 10.00 AM. The candidates who appeared in the exam shared the difficulty level of all the sections. The candidates can see below their input for the sectional difficulty level.

Sections

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

English Language

Easy

23-28

Quantitative Aptitude

Moderate to Difficult

25-30

Reasoning Ability

Moderate

26-28

Total

Moderate

78-86

The candidates can see below the Section-wise Questions-Breakup as mentioned by the candidates.

 

IBPS PO Prelims Shift 1 English Questions Break-up

The candidates can see below the IBPS PO prelims English Breakup

Topics

No. of Questions

Reading Comprehension

10-11

Para Jumble

4-6

Mis-Spelt

5-6

Error Detection

4-5

Single Fillers

4-5

Word Usage

2-3

 

IBPS PO Prelims Shift 1 Quantitative Aptitude Questions Break-up

The candidates can see below the IBPS PO prelims Quantitative Aptitude questions Breakup

Topics

No. of Questions

Arithmetic

8-9

Line DI

6-7

Caselet DI

5-6

Wrong Number Series

4-5

Approximation

5-6

Table DI

5-6

Simplification

4-5

 

IBPS PO Prelims Shift 1 Reasoning Questions Break-up

The candidates can see below the IBPS PO prelims Reasoning questions Breakup

Topics

No. of Questions

Circular Seating Arrangement (4 in + 3 out)

2-3

Linear Seating Arrangement ( 6 person)

1-2

Age-Based Questions

1-2

Box-Based Puzzlle

4-5

Comparison Based Puzzle

2-3

Blood Relation

3-4

Chinese Coding

4-5

Odd One Out

1-2

Meaningful Word

1

Pair and Word Formation

2

Word-Based Problem (Even and Odd Position)

1

 

IBPS PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2021

The IBPS PO 2021 prelims, held in December, were easy to moderate with a balanced number of questions from puzzles, DI sets, and comprehensions. Most candidates were able to attempt a good number of questions as the paper was less time-consuming compared to some previous years.

Section

Good Attempts

Difficulty Level

Key Topics

Reasoning Ability

22-27

Easy-Moderate

Puzzles, Syllogism, Inequality

Quantitative Aptitude

20-26

Easy-Moderate

DI, Series, Arithmetic

English Language

21-26

Easy-Moderate

RC, Cloze, Para Jumble

Overall

62-70

Easy-Moderate

 

 

IBPS PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2020

The exam in 2020 had a mix of easy and moderate level questions across all sections, with reasoning and quantitative aptitude sections featuring classic puzzles and arithmetic. Candidates reported higher attempts possible due to less lengthy questions and a familiar exam structure.

Section

Good Attempts

Difficulty Level

Major Topics

Reasoning Ability

29-33

Easy-Moderate

Puzzles, Coding, Syllogism

Quantitative Aptitude

18-24

Moderate

DI, Arithmetic, Quadratic Equation

English Language

22-26

Easy-Moderate

RC, Cloze Test, Error Detection

Overall

69-75

Easy-Moderate

 

 

IBPS PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2019

For 2019, the prelims exam maintained an easy-moderate difficulty level, with a reasonable distribution of questions and manageable time pressure. The reasoning and English sections favored puzzle-type and comprehension-based questions.

Section

Good Attempts

Difficulty Level

Highlighted Topics

Reasoning Ability

27-32

Easy-Moderate

Seating Arr., Syllogism, Puzzles

Quantitative Aptitude

19-23

Moderate

DI, Arithmetic

English Language

21-25

Easy-Moderate

RC, Cloze Test, Word Replacement

Overall

67-74

Easy-Moderate

 

 

IBPS PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2018

The IBPS PO 2018 prelims featured moderate questions in all three sections, with candidates needing to be vigilant about time management for Data Interpretation and Reasoning ability questions. English was easier for most candidates with common topics like RC and Cloze Test.

Section

Good Attempts

Difficulty Level

Common Topics

Reasoning Ability

23-28

Moderate

Puzzles, Coding, Data Sufficiency

Quantitative Aptitude

21-26

Moderate

DI, Series, Arithmetic

English Language

20-25

Easy-Moderate

RC, Cloze, Word Replacement

Overall

64-70

Moderate/Easy-Moderate

 

 

IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025

IBPS PO exam is conducted in three phases: prelims, mains, and interview. The preliminary stage includes sections on Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language. The test carries 100 marks, lasts for 60 minutes, and each section is allotted a separate timing.

 

The main examination has both objective and descriptive papers. The objective part covers Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, English Language, and General/Economy/Banking Awareness. The descriptive part assesses writing skills through an essay and letter writing in English. The total duration of the mains exam is 3 hours 10 minutes, and it carries 225 marks overall.

 

Prelims Exam

Sections

Total questions

Total marks

Duration (In minutes)

English Language

30

30

20

Quantitative Aptitude

35

30

20

Reasoning Ability

35

40

20

Total

100

100

60

Mains Exam

Section name

No. of

 

Questions

Allotted Time

Maximum

 

Marks

Medium of

 

Exam

English Language

35

40 minutes

40

English

Data Analysis &Interpretation

35

45 minutes

50

English &Hindi

Reasoning

40

50 minutes

60

English &Hindi

General/ Economy/BankingAwareness /Digital/ FinancialAwarenessincluding RBIcirculars

35

35 minutes

50

English &Hindi

Total

145

160 minutes

200

DescriptivePaper* (Essay andComprehension)

2

30 minutes

25

English

Read IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025

 

IBPS PO Exam Analysis 2025 FAQs

What is included in IBPS PO exam analysis?

IBPS PO exam analysis gives important details about the exam’s difficulty level, question types, and section-wise performance. This helps future candidates understand which sections were tough, which topics appeared often, and what a good attempt looks like. By reading exam analysis, candidates know how to plan their studies, where to focus, and how the exam pattern changes every year. It is very useful for making smart strategies so that students can score well.

Why is the difficulty level discussed in the exam analysis?

Exam analysis shows if the paper was easy, moderate, or tough. This helps students compare their experience with others and figure out how many questions should have been attempted. Knowing the difficulty level also predicts the possible cutoff score, prepares students mentally for next time, and helps them choose which subjects need more attention during preparation. It helps reduce surprises and nervousness before facing the real exam.

What does ‘good attempts’ mean in analysis?

‘Good attempts’ means the ideal number of questions a candidate should try in each section to clear the cutoff. It is based on how many questions were easy and possible to solve correctly. Good attempts give students a safe target to aim for. If candidates attempt enough questions with accuracy in the actual exam, they increase their chance of passing and reaching the next stage without risking too many incorrect answers.

How is the analysis useful for future preparation?

Exam analysis gives real feedback on what questions were actually asked. By looking at key topics, section difficulty, and common mistakes, students can plan their study schedule better. It guides them on which chapters to revise, how to manage time, and what kind of practice sets are most important. Past exam trends help in creating smart strategies, resulting in better confidence and improved scores in future exams.

How does the cutoff relate to exam analysis?

Cutoffs are the minimum marks needed to qualify for the next stage. Exam analysis discusses cutoffs by showing what scores students need based on exam difficulty and the number of attempts. If the paper is tough, the cutoff usually drops. If it’s easier, the cutoff may rise. Checking previous year cutoffs through analysis helps students set realistic goals and track their progress while preparing for IBPS PO.

Are exam trends different every year?

IBPS PO exam trends often change every year, but some topics repeat frequently. Analysis shows how question patterns, weightage, and difficulty shift from year to year. Some years may favour puzzles or DI (Data Interpretation), while others have more focus on grammar or reasoning. By reading yearly analyses, students see which sections to prioritise and prepare accordingly to keep up with changes in the exam pattern.

What section is usually most difficult in IBPS PO?

Usually, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability are reported to be moderate to difficult, especially if they feature calculative DI sets and complex puzzles. These sections require strong logical thinking and quick calculations. The English Language remains mostly easy to moderate, but some years have challenging comprehension or grammar. Analysing these trends lets students focus attention where it’s needed and avoid losing marks in the toughest sections.

Is the analysis only for prelims or for mains as well?

Exam analysis is available for both prelims and mains. Prelims analysis covers sections like Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English. Mains analysis adds General Awareness, Computer Aptitude, and Descriptive Writing to the mix. Both are important since the main exam pattern is lengthier and includes different question types. Reading both analyses helps candidates get ready for all stages of IBPS PO selection.

How do toppers use exam analysis in preparation?

Toppers read past exam analyses to understand the exam structure, key topics, and scoring trends. They use this data to focus on weak areas, revise important chapters, and practice time management. By studying analysis, they set safe attempt targets, avoid common mistakes, and practice similar question types from mock tests. This organised strategy makes their preparation effective and leads to higher scores.

Does exam analysis predict next year’s exam questions?

Exam analysis doesn’t exactly predict next year’s questions, but it helps identify repeating topics and important chapters. If puzzles or DI sets appeared frequently one year, there’s a good chance similar types will come again. Students can use this information to practice accordingly and stay ahead in preparation. It’s about spotting trends, not guessing exact questions, so the study should be balanced across the syllabus.

Why are 'safe scores' discussed in analysis?

Safe scores are recommended total marks that usually guarantee crossing the cutoff comfortably. Exam analysts calculate safe scores after looking at paper difficulty and typical attempts made by students. Safe scores guide students on how many questions to solve accurately. Aiming for safe scores reduces the risk of failing due to low accuracy, especially when the exam has negative marking.

How do analysis reports help new candidates?

New candidates benefit from analysis reports by understanding exam difficulty and key topics before their first attempt. They learn what types of questions to expect and what strategy to use. New candidates avoid wasting time on less important chapters and focus on what really matters for scoring well. Seeing real feedback from past exams builds confidence and helps new students make effective study plans.