IBPS PO Study Plan – 1 Week Before Exam & Mains Exam 2025 Preparation
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the Probationary Officer (PO) recruitment exam every year in two main stages – Prelims and Mains, followed by an interview.
With competition getting tougher every year, smart preparation becomes essential.
If you have just one week before your IBPS PO Prelims, you must focus on speed, accuracy, and exam temperament rather than learning brand new topics.
Once you clear the Prelims, the Mains exam will test your in-depth banking knowledge, reasoning, and writing ability.
This guide gives you:
- A 7-day revision plan for IBPS PO Prelims (last week before exam)
- A full strategy for Mains exam 2025
- Exam syllabus download links for both stages
- Expert tips to maximize your score
IBPS PO 2025 Exam Pattern & Syllabus Links
Before starting your plan, it’s important to revise the syllabus and understand the weightage of each section.
Prelims Exam Pattern
- Total Questions: 100 (English – 30, Quantitative Aptitude – 35, Reasoning Ability – 35)
- Duration: 60 minutes (20 minutes per section)
- Negative marking: –0.25 marks for each wrong answer
Mains Exam Pattern
- Objective Test: 155 questions, 200 marks, 3 hours
- Descriptive Test: 2 questions (Essay & Letter Writing), 25 marks, 30 minutes
- Negative marking: –0.25 marks
1 Week IBPS PO Prelims Study Plan (Day-by-Day)
In the final 7 days, revision + mock test practice is your winning formula.
Here’s how to make every day count:
| Day | Focus Area | Detailed Plan |
| Day 1 | Mock Test & Analysis | Take a full-length mock test to understand your current level. Spend at least 2 hours analyzing mistakes – note topics you need to revise urgently. |
| Day 2 | Quantitative Aptitude | Revise Simplification/Approximation, Data Interpretation, Number Series, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Time-Speed-Distance. Use short tricks and formula charts. |
| Day 3 | Reasoning Ability | Focus on Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Syllogism, Inequalities, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding. Practice with a timer for each set. |
| Day 4 | English Language | Revise Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error Spotting, Para Jumbles. Read one editorial daily for vocabulary. |
| Day 5 | Mixed Revision | Attempt 2 sectional tests (Quant & Reasoning) and 1 English quiz. Focus on improving accuracy in weak topics. |
| Day 6 | Second Full Mock | Take another full mock test in real exam conditions. Compare scores with Day 1 and check improvement areas. |
| Day 7 | Light Revision + Strategy | Go through formula notes, reasoning patterns, grammar rules. Sleep early for exam day. Avoid learning new topics now. |
Tips for the Last Week of IBPS PO Prelims
- Attempt at least 2 full mock tests this week.
- Keep a formula notebook handy for Quant revision.
- Do not waste time on new topics — focus on strengths.
- Maintain time discipline in mocks (20 mins per section).
- Eat light meals and stay hydrated.
IBPS PO Mains Exam 2025 Study Plan
The Mains exam is more challenging than Prelims and tests your analytical skills, banking awareness, and writing ability.
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (60 marks)
- Practice high-level puzzles & seating arrangements daily.
- Revise Logical Reasoning topics: statement-assumption, cause-effect, input-output.
- For Computer Aptitude, focus on basics: MS Office, internet, security, abbreviations, shortcuts.
- Data Analysis & Interpretation (50 marks)
- Practice tabular DI, pie charts, bar graphs, caselets.
- Revise permutation-combination, probability, data sufficiency.
- Use a timer — aim to solve 1 DI set in under 5 minutes.
- English Language (40 marks)
- Read financial news articles for RC practice.
- Work on error spotting, sentence rearrangement, fill-in-the-blanks.
- Improve vocabulary using a daily word list.
- General/Economy/Banking Awareness (50 marks)
- Read current affairs of the last 6 months.
- Focus on RBI updates, monetary policy, financial terms, government schemes.
- Revise banking static GK.
- Descriptive Writing (25 marks)
- Practice writing 150-word letters and 250-word essays.
- Common topics: Digital Banking, UPI, Financial Literacy, Green Finance.
- Use clear structure: Intro → Body → Conclusion.
Mains Study Strategy (4 Weeks Before Exam)
- Week 1: Cover all high-weightage topics from each section.
- Week 2: Start mixing sections in daily practice (Reasoning + GA, Quant + English).
- Week 3: Attempt sectional mocks daily, revise static GK.
- Week 4: Attempt full Mains mock tests, practice descriptive writing under timed conditions.
Exam Day Tips
- Keep admit card & ID proof ready.
- Arrive 45 minutes before reporting time.
- Avoid stress — trust your preparation.
- Read each question carefully before answering.
Final Words
The last week before IBPS PO Prelims is about sharpening skills, not learning from scratch.
For Mains, your preparation should be balanced across objective and descriptive sections.
By following this plan and using the official syllabus, you can increase your chances of cracking IBPS PO 2025 with confidence.