IBPS PO Mains exam is known for its unpredictable and challenging pattern. Over the last three years, the exam has seen significant changes in difficulty level, question types and section-wise trends. The analysis of these trends provides valuable insights for the candidates preparing for the upcoming PO Mains exam to be held on 30th November 2024. In this article, we have examined the IBPS PO Mains Exam Analysis Trends of the last 3 years (2021-2023) to help the candidates. Understand the changes and plan your preparation strategy accordingly.
IBPS PO Mains Exam Analysis Trends of Last 3 Years
By analyzing the trends of the last three years, candidates can prepare strategically for the upcoming IBPS PO Mains exam and increase their chances of clearing this challenging stage.
IBPS PO Mains Exam Analysis, Reasoning Ability Trend
Here, the number of questions asked from each subject in Reasoning Ability is given below for the last 3 years i.e. 2023, 2022 and 2021.
| IBPS PO Mains: 3 Year Analysis Trend of Reasoning Ability | |||
| Subject | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| flat and floor puzzle | 5 | 3 | , |
| scheduling puzzle | 4 | , | , |
| classification puzzle | , | , | 5 |
| selection puzzle | , | 3 | 5 |
| Year Puzzle + Blood Relations | 4 | , | , |
| designation puzzle | 10 | , | |
| stack based puzzle | 2 | , | , |
| sudoku puzzle | 5 | , | , |
| distance based puzzle | , | , | 5 |
| circular seating arrangement | 1 | 3 | , |
| indefinite number of persons – seating arrangement | 4 | , | , |
| square seating arrangement | 4 | , | , |
| parallel row seating arrangement | , | , | 5 |
| linear seating arrangement | , | , | 8 |
| data adequacy | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| logical/critical reasoning | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| coded inequality | , | 2 | , |
| blood related | , | , | 3 |
| coded blood relation | , | 3 | , |
| Coding Decoding (New Pattern) | , | 3 | , |
| input Output | 4 | , | 5 |
| distance and direction | , | 3 | , |
| coded distance and direction | , | , | 2 |
| team formation | 4 | , | , |
| miscellaneous | , | 6 | , |
IBPS PO Mains English Language Analysis Trends
The English section has evolved from basic grammar questions (2021) to a mix of vocabulary and complex comprehension questions (2022-23), while maintaining reading comprehension as its core component. In recent years new question types such as word rearrangement and phrase substitution have been introduced, which emphasize holistic language skills assessment.
| IBPS PO Mains: 3 Year Analysis of English Trends | |||
| Subject | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| word swap | 5 | , | , |
| paragraph closing | 4 | , | , |
| Triple Fillers | 5 | , | , |
| Mistake | 5 | 3 | , |
| reading comprehension type 1 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Reading Comprehension Type 2 | 5 | 5 | 8 |
| miscellaneous | 5 | 4 | , |
| similar meaning sentence | , | 4 | , |
| guess based questions | , | 4 | , |
| cloze test | , | 5 | 4 |
| exchange of words | , | 4 | , |
| word rearrangement | , | , | 4 |
| double fillers | , | , | 2 |
| fill in the blanks | , | , | 4 |
| connectors | , | , | 3 |
| for jumble | , | , | 3 |
| phrase replacement | , | , | 3 |
IBPS PO Main Exam Analysis Trend of Data Analysis and Interpretation
In the Data Analysis and Interpretation part, candidates can see that most of the questions are asked from Data Interpretation with Case Late DI.
| IBPS PO Mains: 3 Year Analysis Trends of Data Analysis and Interpretation | |||
| Subject | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| line graph data interpretation | 5 | , | 5 |
| Pie Chart DI | , | 5 | 6 |
| tabular data interpretation | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Tabular Data Interpretation: Percentage | 4 | , | , |
| Caselet Data Interpretation (Speed, Time and Distance) | , | , | 4 |
| data interpretation box | , | , | 3 |
| Caselet Data Interpretation (Boats and Streams) | , | 4 | , |
| Data Interpretation (Time and Task Based) | 3 | , | , |
| time and route | , | 3 | , |
| quantity comparison | 3 | , | , |
| quadratic equation | 1 | , | , |
| number series | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| arithmetic | 5 | 8 | 5 |
| algebra | 3 | , | , |
| data adequacy | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| measurement | , | 2 | , |
| partnership | , | 2 | , |
IBPS PO Mains Exam Analysis General Economy and Trend of Banking Awareness
Candidates can check the GA questions asked in IBPS PO Mains in the last 3 years in the following table.
| IBPS PO Mains: 3 Year Analysis Trends of General/Economy/Banking Awareness | |||
| Subject | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Science and Technology | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| committees news | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| economy | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| National | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Business | 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Regulatory Body/Banking | 6 | 13 | 9 |
| short form | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| award | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| reports | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| international | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Plan | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| static gk | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| nobel prize | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Application | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| agreement | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| game | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Rank and report | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| state news | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| summits and conferences | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Appointment | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Books and Authors | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| protect | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| reports | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| important days | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Ministry | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Key Findings from Last 3 Years Analysis of IBPS PO Mains
- Increasing Complexity: The complexity of IBPS PO Mains exam has gradually increased over the years, especially in the Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude sections. Candidates need to focus on strengthening their conceptual understanding to handle these sections.
- Reading comprehension in English dominates: There is a consistent focus on reading comprehension in the English section, with the majority of marks allocated to this area. Inference-based questions have also increased, demanding a deeper understanding of the text.
- General Awareness requires depth: The General Awareness section has shifted from general knowledge to more detailed financial and banking-related topics. To score good marks, it is important to stay updated with current affairs, especially in the financial sector.
- Data Interpretation in Quantitative Aptitude: DI questions remain an important part of the quantitative aptitude section, and they have become longer and more complex. This section requires mastering the shortcuts and practicing time management.
Preparation strategy based on trend analysis
- for quantitative aptitudeFocus on solving DI sets regularly and practice arithmetic topics like time and work, profit and loss and percentages. Learn to balance speed with accuracy, as DI questions are time consuming.
- for argument’s sakeFocus on mastering the puzzles and seating arrangements, which make up a large portion of the section. Also, practice logical reasoning questions and vocabulary to prepare for any change.
- for englishDevelop your reading skills, as comprehension is important. Work on paragraph jumbles, error spotting and fillers to cover grammar-based questions. Reading editorials and articles can help improve guess-based answers.
- for general awarenessStay updated with current affairs, especially related to banking, government schemes and financial awareness. Reading daily news, RBI reports and monthly current affairs capsules will be beneficial.
