IBPS PO Previous Years' Trend (2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015)

Now, as the exam for IBPS PO Main 2020-2021 is approaching, it becomes significant for the aspirants to understand the pattern, trend and other related information regarding the exam along with their preparation.

We will start from the year 2015 and discuss the detailed information regarding the IBPS PO/MT till 2019. Go through this post thoroughly to understand the exam well and get all the important facts and figures of the recruitment process.

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IBPS PO Previous Years' Exam Trend

1.0 Recruitment Process of IBPS PO/MT 2015:

• It was the year 2015 that saw most of the major changes in the recruitment process of Probationary officers.
• The online exam was announced to be conducted in two phases i.e. preliminary and main. 
• Candidates who will qualify in the preliminary examination and shortlisted will have to appear for the Main examination.
• Prior to this year, only one exam was conducted that had 5 subjects (Reasoning Ability, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness and Computer Knowledge) with the composite time of 2 hours. 

1.1 Number of vacancies:  Not disclosed in IBPS PO official notification

1.2 Exam Pattern:

1. Preliminary Examination:

2. Main Examination:

The above tests except for the Tests of English Language were available bilingually, i.e. English and Hindi. 

Also Read: Cut-offs- Check sectional, overall and category wise cut-off of Pre and Main exam here.

2.0 Recruitment Process of IBPS PO/MT 2016:

• The exam pattern of the prelims exam remained the same as in 2015 but in the main exam, sectional timing was introduced.
• The total number of vacancy was disclosed in the official notification this time. 

2.1 Main Examination pattern: 

2.2 Major Highlights:

• Total number of vacancies- 8822. 
• Prelims exam level- Easy to Moderate 
• Main Exam Level- Moderate 

2.3 Cut-offs: 

• Prelims Overall Cut off (General)- 47.50 (out of 100)
• Main Exam Overall cutoff (General)- 52.50 (out of 225)
• Final Cut-off (combined scores in CWE - Main Examination and Interview out of 100)- Maximum score- 57.40, minimum score- 39.90 

Also Read: Check Detailed sectional, overall and category wise cut-off of Pre and Main exam 2016.

3.0 Recruitment Process of IBPS PO/MT 2017:

• The exam pattern of the prelims exam remained the same as in 2015 and 2016.
• There was a change seen in the pattern of the main exam.
• Computer knowledge test was merged with the Reasoning Ability test and a combined section was formed i.e. Reasoning & Computer Aptitude. 
• As a 5th section, a new subject was introduced i.e. English Language Descriptive Test (Letter Writing & Essay).
• It consisted of 2 questions (one letter and one essay) with combined marks of 25 and a separate time of 30 minutes. 

3.1 Main Examination:

Major Highlights-

• Total number of vacancies- 3562 
• Prelims exam level- Moderate 
• Main Exam Level- Moderate to difficult

Cut-offs: 

• Prelims Overall Cut off (General)-  42.75 (out of 100)
• Main Exam Overall cutoff (General)-  82 (out of 225) (Cut off increased - Competition gets tougher)
• Final Cut-off (combined scores in CWE - Main Examination and Interview out of 100)- Maximum score- 65.58, minimum score- 47.04 (Cut off increased - Competition gets tougher)

Also Read: Cut-offs- Check sectional, overall and category wise cut-off of Pre and Main exam 2017 here

4.0 Recruitment Process of IBPS PO/MT 2018:

• The year 2018 also did not go without surprise.
• For the first time in the history of IBPS, sectional timing in the preliminary exam was introduced.
• 20 minutes of time for each of the 3 sections viz. English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability were allotted.
• The pattern of the main exam remained the same as of previous years.
• The questions appeared to be difficult for most of the students in the main exam.
• Most of the questions were based on Reading Comprehension. 

4.1 Preliminary Examination:

4.2 Major Highlights-

• Total number of vacancies- 4252 (Vacancies increased slightly)
• Prelims exam level- Moderate 
• Main Exam Level- Moderate to Difficult

4.3 Cut-offs: 

• Prelims Overall Cut off (General)-   56.75 (out of 100) (Cut off increased)
• Main Exam Overall cutoff (General)-  74.50 (out of 225) (Cut off decreased)
• Final Cut-off (combined scores in CWE - Main Examination and Interview out of 100)- Maximum score- 63.91, minimum score- 43.87 (Minimal Difference)

Read Here: Cut-offs- Check sectional, overall and category wise cut-off of Pre and Main exam 2018 here

5.0 Recruitment Process of IBPS PO/MT 2019:

• The total number of vacancies in the recruitment process of IBPS PO/MT 2019 is 4336.
• This year a new category i.e. Economically Weaker Section (EWS) has been introduced.
• Total of 432 seats has been reserved of EWS category. 

5.1 Major Highlights:

• Total Number of Vacancies - 5336
• Prelim Exam Level - Moderate
• Main Exam Level - Difficult 

5.2 Cut-offs:

• Prelims Overall Cut off (General)-   59.75 (out of 100) (Cut off increased)
• Main Exam Overall cutoff (General)-  71.50 (out of 225) (Cut off decreased)
• Final Cut-off (combined scores in CWE - Main Examination and Interview out of 100)- Maximum score- 60.58, minimum score- 44.44 (Minimal Difference)

6.0 Recruitment Process of IBPS PO/MT 2019:

• This year the number of vacancies has declined significantly from the previous years. 
• IBPS has released around 1450+ vacancies under the IBPS PO 2020. 
• Many banks have not reported the number of vacancy in the official IBPS PO 2020 notification so, there are high chances of an increment in the number of vacancies. 
• Overall this time competition may get tougher and we may see an incline in the cut-offs of IBPS PO 2020 exam. 

In this competitive environment, we can not ignore the level of competition among the aspirants. This has resulted in an increase in the cut off of not only banking exam but also in the other exams as well. So, you cannot afford to squander away time, especially after the announcement of the exam. Start your preparation now. 

This was all about the previous year trend of IBPS PO/MT recruitment from 2015 to 2019. In case of any feedback and query, do let us know in the comment section. For any further details and important updates, stay connected with BYJU'S Exam Prep. 

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