IBPS SO 2023 is expected to be held in the upcoming four months. The candidates who are aspiring for the profile should make a preparation strategy beforehand. The preparation plan helps one to prepare for the exam in a systematic manner. As per the official notification, the preliminary exam will be held on the 30th and 31st of December 2023. Whereas, the IBPS SO Main exam will be held in January 2023.
There are three rounds in the IBPS SO exam pattern, preliminary, mains and interview round. Candidates have to qualify each of these to get a name in the final merit list. Read this article till the end to get the expert suggested four month preparation plan for the examination.
IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2023
The candidates have to refer to the IBPS SO exam pattern as prescribed by the competent authorities. The exam pattern has been prescribed for all the posts separately. Candidates can know about the detailed exam pattern 2023 in the section below.
For the post of IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer
- The exam is going to be held in online mode
- For every wrong answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted
- The questions in the exam will be asked in Hindi and English language
| Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
| English Language | 50 | 25 | English | 40 minutes |
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 | English and Hindi | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | English and Hindi | 40 minutes |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 minutes |
For the post of Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari
- The exam is going to be held in online mode
- For every wrong answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted
- The questions in the exam will be asked in Hindi and English language
| Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
| English Language | 50 | 25 | English | 40 minutes |
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 | English and Hindi | 40 minutes |
| General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry | 50 | 50 | English and Hindi | 40 minutes |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 minutes |
IBPS SO Four Months Preparation Plan
IBPS SO examination will be conducted in December 2023 and thus only four months are left for the examination. IBPS SO is held for professionals and the questions in the exam are asked from professional subjects. Hence, in a bid to utilise the four-month time correctly, one can implement the following strategy.
Month 1: Foundation Building
- Week 1: Understand the IBPS SO exam pattern and syllabus. Focus on all the common subjects, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, English Language, and General Awareness. Allocate time for each subject and start with basic concepts
- Week 2: Begin with quantitative aptitude and reasoning practice. Understand different types of questions and their solutions. Learn shortcuts and tricks to improve speed and accuracy
- Week 3: Shift focus to the English Language. Work on vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills. Practice reading newspapers and articles to enhance reading speed.
- Week 4: Cover General Awareness topics, especially related to banking, current affairs, and your specialization. Read daily newspapers and watch news updates to stay updated.
Month 2: Specialisation Intensive Study and Previous Year’s Papers
- Week 1: Start specialised subject preparation. Gather the best books and resources for your chosen specialization (IT, HR, Marketing, Agriculture). Study topics in-depth and make comprehensive notes.
- Week 2: Solve previous year’s IBPS SO question papers for your chosen specialisation. Analyse the question patterns, weightage, and difficulty level. Identify the most commonly asked topics and focus on them.
- Week 3: Take one full-length mock test every week. Analyse your performance, identify weaknesses, and revise those topics.
- Week 4: Practice mock tests for your specialization. Focus on managing time effectively for specialized subjects as they may have different difficulty level.
Month 3: Mock Test Analysis, Revision, and General Awareness
- Week 1: Analyse mock test results and revise weak areas. Practice questions with different difficulty levels.
- Week 2: Revise the entire syllabus. Create concise notes for quick revision. Focus on important formulas, concepts, and tricks.
- Week 3: Continue taking mock tests and work on improving speed and accuracy. Practice with sectional mock tests to reinforce concepts.
- Week 4: Pay special attention to General Awareness. Stay updated with current affairs and revise banking-related topics.
Month 4: Mock Test Intensive and Last-minute Preparation
- Week 1: Take multiple full-length mock tests each week to fine-tune your exam strategy, identify any last-minute weaknesses, and build confidence.
- Week 2: Focus on quick revision, formulae, and important points. Avoid learning new topics at the last moment
- Week 3: Practice with the official IBPS SO mock tests if available. Familiarise yourself with the interface and navigation
- Week 4: Stay healthy, get enough sleep, and stay positive. Engage in light exercises or yoga to keep stress at bay
On a final note, with only four months left for the IBPS SO 2023 exam, this is the right time to strategise and commence the preparations. A consistent and dedicated preparation will help in acing the exam with a high score.
