Banking Exam Syllabus 2026
IBPS PO & SBI PO – Detailed Guide
Banking Exam Syllabus Overview
Banking exams such as IBPS PO and SBI PO are among the most popular competitive exams in India. These exams test candidates on aptitude, reasoning, English, and financial awareness. The selection process usually includes three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
- Prelims: Qualifying stage
- Mains: Final merit stage
- Interview: Personality assessment
Candidates must clear each stage to move forward in the selection process.
IBPS PO Syllabus 2026
Preliminary Exam
- English Language
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Reasoning Ability
Important Topics
- English: Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary
- Maths: Percentage, ratio, profit & loss, DI
- Reasoning: Puzzles, seating arrangement, coding-decoding
Mains Exam
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
- Data Analysis & Interpretation
- General/Economy/Banking Awareness
- English Language
Important Topics
- Advanced puzzles and logical reasoning
- Data interpretation (charts, graphs)
- Banking awareness and current affairs
- Advanced grammar and comprehension
Mains exam has higher difficulty level and determines final selection.
SBI PO Syllabus 2026
Preliminary Exam
- English Language
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Reasoning Ability
Important Topics
- English: Cloze test, comprehension, error detection
- Maths: Simplification, DI, arithmetic
- Reasoning: Puzzle, blood relations, direction
Mains Exam
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
- Data Analysis & Interpretation
- General Awareness (Banking)
- English Language
- Descriptive Test (Essay & Letter)
Descriptive Section
- Essay writing
- Letter writing
SBI PO includes descriptive writing which requires practice.
Preparation Strategy
- Build strong basics in maths and reasoning
- Practice puzzles daily
- Read newspapers for banking awareness
- Attempt mock tests regularly
- Revise weekly
Consistency and practice are key to success in banking exams.