Mode of Examination:
Online Computerized exam
Selection Procedure:
- Phase 1: Preliminary Objective Test
- Phase 2: Mains Objective Test
- Phase 3: Interview
Posts Offered:
Probationary Officer/ Management Trainee in various Nationalized Banks/ Other banks and Financial Institutions
Dates of Preliminary Exam (2015):
3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th October 2015
Pattern of Preliminary Exam:
100 Questions, 100 Marks, 1 Hour
- English Language (30 questions, 30 marks)
- Quantitative Aptitude (35 questions, 35 marks)
- Reasoning (35 questions, 35 marks)
Dates of Mains Exam:
31st October 2015
Pattern of Mains Exam:
200 Questions, 25% Negative Marking, 2 Hours
- Reasoning (50 questions, 50 marks)
- English Language (40 questions, 40 marks)
- Quantitative Aptitude (50 questions, 50 marks)
- General Awareness, with special reference to banking industry (40 questions, 40 marks)
- Computer Knowledge (20 questions, 20 marks)
About:
This is the exam held for recruitment to nationalized banks in India for jobs of Probationary Officer (PO). The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts a Common Written Examination (CWE) on behalf of 21 nationalized banks as a pre-requisite for selection of Probationary Officers.
IBPS is only the body conducting the written test. The vacancies in individual banks as well as the group discussion and personal interview process are managed by each participating bank separately.
- Nationality
A candidate must be one of the following:
• A citizen of India
•A subject of Nepal or Bhutan
•A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 01/01/1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India
•A person of Indian origin who has migrated from other countries (detailed list of countries available on official website) with the intention of permanently settling in India provided that a candidate belonging to categories above shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Indian government.
2. Age Limit
A candidate should be between 20 - 28 years as on 01-08-2013 for the Dec 2013 exam.
Relaxation of upper age limit
Category | Age Relaxation (years) |
SC/ST | 5 |
OBC | 3 |
PWD | 10 |
Domiciled in J&K during the period 01/01/1980 - 31/12/1989 | 5 |
- Educational Qualification (As on 01.08.2015):
- A Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a University recognised by the Govt. Of India or any equivalent qualification recognized as such by the Central Government.
- The candidate must possess valid Mark-sheet / Degree Certificate that he/ she is a graduate on the day he / she registers and indicate the percentage of marks obtained in Graduation while registering online.
Test Duration & Pattern
- Preliminary Examination
Sr.No. | Name of Test | No. of questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
1 | English Language | 30 | 30 | 1 hour |
2 | Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | |
3 | Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | |
Total | 100 | 100 | ||
Negative Marking: 1/4th of the marks deducted for every incorrect answer |
2. Main Examination
Sr.No. | Name of Test | No. of questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
1 | Reasoning | 50 | 50 | Composite time of 120 minutes |
2 | English Language | 40 | 40 | |
3 | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | |
4 | General Awareness (with special reference to Banking Industry) | 40 | 40 | |
5 | Computer Knowledge | 20 | 20 | |
Total | 200 | 200 | ||
Negative Marking: 1/4th of the marks deducted for every incorrect answer |
Exam Format
The IBPS CWE (PO) is held online
Important Dates
Event | 2014 Dates | 2015 Dates |
Online Registration | 22.07.2014 – 11.08.2014 | 10.07.2015 to 01.08.2015 |
Payment of Application Fees- Online | 22.07.2014 – 11.08.2014 | 10.07.2015 to 01.08.2015 |
Payment of Application Fees- Offline | 24.07.2014 – 14.08.2014 | 10.07.2015 to 01.08.2015 |
Download of Call Letter for Pre-Examination Training (PET) for SC/ST/ Minority Community candidates | 11.09.2014 – 22.09.2014 | 09.09.2015 to 19.09.2015 |
Pre-Examination Training | 22.09.2014 – 27.09.2014 | 18.09.2015 to 23.09.2015 |
Download of call letters for online examination - Preliminary | - | 23.09.2015 onwards |
Online Examination – Preliminary | - | 03.10.2015, 04.10.2015 10.10.2015, 11.10.2015 |
Result of Online exam – Preliminary | - | October 2015 |
Download of Call letter for Examination - Main | After 01.10.2014 | October 2015 |
Online Examination (Tentative dates) - Main | 11.10.2014 & 12.10.2014 18.10.2014 & 19.10.2014 01.11.2014 & 02.11.2014 | 31.10.2015 |
Declaration of result status of examination (CWE) | November, 2014 | November 2015 |
Download of call letters for Interview | January 2015 | December 2015 |
Conduct of Interview | January 2015 | January 2016 |
Provisional Allotment | April 2015 | April 2016 |
Banks participating in IBPS CWE (PO)
Allahabad Bank | Indian Overseas Bank |
Andhra Bank | Oriental Bank of Commerce |
Bank of Baroda | Punjab National Bank |
Bank of India | Punjab & Sindh Bank |
Bank of Maharashtra | Syndicate Bank |
Canara Bank | UCO Bank |
Central Bank of India | Union Bank of India |
Corporation Bank | United Bank of India |
Dena Bank | Vijaya Bank |
ECGC | IDBI Bank |
Indian Bank | Bharatiya Mahila Bank |
How to Apply
Step I. Register on the official website and get the provisional registration number & password generated.
Step II. Pay using either:
•ONLINE MODE – through Master/ Visa Debit or Credit cards or Internet Banking
•OFFLINE MODE - payment of fees through CBS branches of any of the following public sector banks - Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, United Bank of India
Note: There is also a provision to reprint the submitted application containing fee details, three days after fee payment.
Official Website:
For Sample and Solved Question Papers visit:
- http://www.ibpsrecruitment.in/ibps-po
- http://www.jagranjosh.com/articles-bank-exam-model-question-papers
- http://www.ibpsrecruitment.in/ibps-question-papers-answer-pdf-download/639
Books Recommended for Preparation:
- A Modern Approach To Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning Revised Edition – RS Agarwal
- A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal and Non-Verbal 2nd Edition – Indu Sijwali & B. S. Sijwali
- Comprehensive Guide to IBPS – CWE Bank PO (English) 3rd Edition – Disha Publications
- Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal