How to Prepare IBPS PO with Previous Year Papers?

How to Prepare IBPS PO with Previous Year Papers: The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the IBPS PO Exam annually to recruit eligible candidates for the post of Probationary Officer (PO) across various public sector banks in India. First introduced in 2011, the exam has now entered its 15th cycle in 2025, officially termed IBPS CRP PO/MT CRP-XV 2025.

This year, the recruitment drive aims to fill 5208 Probationary Officer vacancies in 11 participating public sector banks. The selection process will be held in three phases: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.

The official IBPS PO 2025 Notification was released on 30th June 2025 at the official website www.ibps.in. Along with the notification, the online application process has begun and will remain open from 1st July to 21st July 2025. All details regarding eligibility, important dates, selection procedure, and participating banks have been included in the notification. Check out the article below to learn How to Prepare IBPS PO with Previous Year Papers. 

Check Out: IBPS PO 25 Year-wise Prelims & Mains Previous Year Solved Papers

IBPS PO Exam Date

The IBPS PO 2025 vacancies have been released along with the official notification in PDF format. For the current recruitment cycle, a total of 5208 vacancies have been announced for the post of Probationary Officer/Management Trainee across participating public sector banks. Among these, the highest number of openings are available in Bank of Baroda, Bank of Maharashtra, and Canara Bank.

IBPS PO 2025 Exam Pattern 

The IBPS PO 2025 selection process is divided into three main stages: Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview. Each stage is designed to assess different skill sets required for the role of a Probationary Officer in public sector banks. The exam is conducted in an online mode and follows a structured pattern with sectional timing, negative marking, and qualifying criteria for each stage. Candidates must clear each stage to progress to the next level of the recruitment process.

IBPS PO Important Topics 2025  

To prepare effectively for the upcoming exam, it’s essential to focus on the most relevant and high-scoring topics. Analysing the IBPS PO previous year papers gives clear insights into the frequently asked topics and changing trends in the exam. However, go through the IBPS PO Important Topics 2025 below: 

IBPS PO Exam Preparation Book

1. Statement & Conclusion

Statements:

Every molecule is an atom. No particle is a molecule. Only a few elements are matter.

Conclusions:

I. Some atoms are elements.

II. Some matter is particles.

Q. Which of the above conclusions logically follow?

a) Only I follows

b) Only II follows

c) Both I and II follow

d) Neither I nor II follow

2. Machine Input-Output

Input: 57 50 FGN KZU 74 NVS 91 OOS 17 HPDM

Q. How many elements are there between “RTV” and “NTS” in the step prior to the final step?

a) None

b) One

c) Two

d) Three

3. Word & Number Arrangement

Step 3: 74 100 50 FGN KZU YNS ORS 17 HPDM 51 37

Q. Which is the position of "EPSXN" in the step ??

a) 2nd from the left

b) 6th from the left

c) 7th from the right

d) None of these

4. Puzzle Arrangement

Ten persons are sitting in a line facing the north, even positions are Managers, odd positions are Associates.

Q. Who is seated exactly in the middle of R and the person who sits immediately to the left of Q?

a) Associate

b) Unknown person

c) Manager

d) Cannot be determined

5. Symbol Based Statement

If: "P @ Q" means "P is father of Q"

"P * Q" means "P is mother of Q"

Q. What does the expression "A @ B * C" mean?

a) A is the maternal uncle of C

b) A is father of B and B is mother of C

c) A is grandfather of C

d) None of the above

For more such IBPS PO PYQs PDF, click the link below

IBPS PO Book PDF

How to Prepare IBPS PO with Previous Year Papers?

1. Understand the Paper Pattern through PYQs

Before starting the preparation, it is very important to know the paper pattern. The best way to do this is by going through the IBPS PO previous year question papers. These papers give you a clear idea about the number of questions, the marks, time allotted, and the sections involved.

2. Set a Daily Practice Routine

One of the effective ways to use IBPS PO previous year papers is to include them in your daily schedule. Instead of randomly picking topics every day, try to follow a fixed routine. This helps in covering all subjects equally and also gives you time for revision. Your practice should be a mix of full-length papers, topic-wise PYQs, and sectional practice.

3. Make Notes While Solving Previous Year Questions

Note-making is one of the most powerful habits during IBPS PO preparation, especially when working with previous year papers. While solving questions, you may come across shortcuts, difficult logic, or tricky words. Instead of just understanding them and moving on, write them down in a separate notebook.

These notes should not just be one-word reminders but should explain why something works or doesn't work. For instance, if you made a mistake in a syllogism question, write down why your approach was wrong and what logic should have been applied.

• Maintain separate sections for Quant, English, Reasoning, and GK in your notebook.

• Use different colours to highlight formulas, important points, and error-prone areas.

• Don’t just write, speak and write. Say the concept out loud while writing, this helps you remember the information better.

• Revise notes twice a week, even if it’s for 15–20 minutes.

• Convert tricky data or facts into small flashcards and pin them near your study area.

• Use sticky notes on your mirror or cupboard for formulas or grammar rules you often forget.

4. Analyse Your Weak Areas Using PYQs

Solving IBPS PO previous year papers is not just about answering the questions. The real learning comes from analysing the paper after solving it. 

Once you check your answers, go back and look at where you went wrong. Is it a calculation mistake? A conceptual error? Or did you misread the question? Write these errors down and categorise them. This analysis shows your weak zones. You can then spend extra time improving those particular areas.

5. Use PYQs for Real-Time Time Management

Time management is one of the biggest challenges in the IBPS PO exam. Many students fail not because they don’t know the answers, but because they run out of time. Solving IBPS PO previous year question papers with a stopwatch helps build a habit of working under time pressure. Every time you solve a PYQ set, set an actual timer. Stick to the sectional time limits used in the real exam. For example:

• English: 20 minutes

• Reasoning: 20 minutes

• Quant: 20 minutes

6. Revise PYQs Before the Exam Day

Once you're closer to the exam, don't focus too much on new things. Instead, revise what you have already done. Revisit your IBPS PO previous year questions, especially those you found difficult the first time. You may realise they are easier now, which boosts confidence. 

• Difficult puzzles and DI sets you struggled with

• Essay and letter writing formats

• Important grammar rules and commonly tested vocabulary

• Important current affairs from the last 6 months

7. Use PYQs as Mock Tests in the Final Phase

In the last 3–4 weeks before the IBPS PO exam, treat the previous year's question papers as full-length mock tests. Attempt them with full seriousness, no distractions, no phones, no help from books.

• After solving, analyse the paper the same day and note:

• Which section took longer than expected?

• Which mistakes are being repeated?

• What score are you getting? Is it increasing or dropping?

8. Build Confidence Through Repeated PYQ Practice

Lastly, confidence doesn’t come from just reading books, it comes from solving real exam-like questions repeatedly. IBPS PO previous year papers give you that confidence. As you solve more and more PYQs, you will start seeing patterns, repeated question types, and familiar formats.

Read More: IBPS PO Syllabus 2025 for Prelims and Mains Exam

IBPS PO Previous Year Papers FAQs

1. How useful are IBPS PO previous year papers?

They help understand the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level. Great for practice and revision.

2. Where can I find IBPS PO previous year question papers with solutions?

Available on the IBPS website, in exam preparation books, and on platforms like PW (Physics Wallah).

3. Should I solve PYQs before finishing the syllabus?

Start topic-wise PYQs after covering the basics. Full paper practice is better after 60–70% syllabus is done.

4. How many previous year papers should I solve?

At least 5–7 years' worth for both Prelims and Mains to get a good grip on the exam format.

5. Can PYQs be used as mock tests?

Yes, use them as mock tests during the final phase to build exam stamina and improve accuracy.