Complete Guide with Syllabus & 120-Day Study Plan
Becoming a Bank Probationary Officer (PO) is one of the most sought-after career goals among government job aspirants. Exams like IBPS PO, SBI PO, and RRB PO offer not just a stable job, but also prestige, growth, and financial security.
If you are starting your preparation from 1st May, this guide will take you from zero to selection in 120 days with:
- Complete syllabus
- Latest exam pattern
- Subject-wise strategy
- Day-by-day study plan
1. What is a Bank PO?
A Probationary Officer (PO) is an entry-level managerial post in public sector banks. After selection, you undergo training and then handle responsibilities like:
- Customer handling
- Loan processing
- Branch operations
- Team supervision
2. Exams to Target
You should prepare for all three simultaneously because the syllabus overlaps:
SBI PO
RRB PO (Officer Scale-I)
3. Selection Process
Stage 1: Prelims Exam
- Objective test
- Qualifying in nature
Stage 2: Mains Exam
- High-level questions
- Marks count in final merit
Stage 3: Interview
- Personality + Banking Awareness
4. Exam Pattern (Latest)
PRELIMS
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
| English | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Quant | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
MAINS
| Section | Questions | Marks |
| Reasoning + Computer | 45 | 60 |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 |
| English | 35 | 40 |
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 |
| Total | 155 | 200 |
Descriptive (Essay + Letter)
5. Detailed Syllabus
Quantitative Aptitude
- Simplification / Approximation
- Number Series
- Quadratic Equations
- Data Interpretation (Bar, Pie, Caselet)
- Arithmetic: Profit & Loss, SI & CI, Time & Work, Speed, Time & Distance, Ratio & Proportion, Mixtures
Reasoning Ability
- Puzzle & Seating Arrangement
- Syllogism
- Inequality
- Blood Relations
- Coding-Decoding
- Direction Sense
- Input-Output
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Error Detection
- Fill in the Blanks
- Para Jumbles
- Vocabulary
General Awareness
- Banking Awareness
- Current Affairs (Last 4–6 months)
- Static GK
6. Strategy to Crack Bank PO
- Focus on speed + accuracy
- Practice mock tests regularly
- Strengthen basics first
- Revise daily (very important)
7. 120-Day Study Plan (Starting 1st May)
You have approximately 17 weeks, so we divide it into 4 phases:
PHASE 1 (Day 1–30) → Basics Building
Daily Study Plan (1st May – 30th May)
Daily Time: 7–8 Hours
Day-Wise Routine
Morning (2 hrs) – Quant
- Day 1–5: Simplification
- Day 6–10: Number Series
- Day 11–15: Quadratic
- Day 16–30: Arithmetic (basic concepts)
Afternoon (2 hrs) – Reasoning
- Day 1–5: Inequality + Syllogism
- Day 6–10: Coding-Decoding
- Day 11–20: Basic Puzzles
- Day 21–30: Seating Arrangement
Evening (2 hrs) – English
- Reading Comprehension (daily)
- Grammar rules
- Error Detection
Night (1–2 hrs) – GA
- Daily current affairs
- Banking basics
PHASE 2 (Day 31–60) → Practice + Moderate Level
Topics Upgrade
- DI (Charts, Caselets)
- High-level puzzles
- Cloze test & Para jumbles
Add:
- Daily sectional tests
- Weekly full mock
PHASE 3 (Day 61–90) → Prelims Mastery
Focus:
- Speed building
- Mock tests (alternate days)
Daily Plan:
- 1 Full Mock
- 2 Sectional Tests
- 2–3 hours analysis
PHASE 4 (Day 91–120) → Mains Preparation
Focus Shift to Mains
- High-level DI
- Puzzle (5–6 variables)
- GA (last 6 months revision)
Daily Plan
- 1 Mains Mock
- GA Revision (2 hrs daily)
- Descriptive Writing Practice
8. Sample Daily Timetable
| Time | Activity |
| 7–9 AM | Quant Practice |
| 10–12 PM | Reasoning |
| 1–2 PM | GA |
| 4–6 PM | English |
| 7–9 PM | Mock / Revision |
9. Golden Tips
- Don’t skip mock analysis
- Focus more on puzzles + DI
- Revise formulas daily
- Avoid too many resources
- Consistency > Motivation
10. Final Words
Cracking Bank PO exams is not about studying 12 hours daily, it is about studying smartly, practicing regularly, and revising consistently. Success comes from consistency, not just hard work.
If you follow a structured 120-day preparation plan with discipline, selection is absolutely achievable.
With proper guidance and strategy from Chanakya’s Coaching Centre, students can improve accuracy, speed, and confidence, making the journey toward selection more focused and result-oriented.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What qualifications are required to become a Bank PO?
To become a Bank PO, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. For exams like IBPS PO, SBI PO, and RRB PO, candidates must also meet age limits and other eligibility criteria mentioned in the official notification.
2. Which exams should I prepare for to become a Bank PO?
The major exams for Bank PO recruitment are IBPS PO, SBI PO, and RRB PO Officer Scale-I. Since their syllabus is largely similar, many aspirants prepare for all three together.
3. How much time is needed to prepare for a Bank PO exam?
Preparation time depends on your current level, but a focused 4 to 6 month study plan is generally sufficient. A structured 120-day preparation strategy with mock tests, revision, and daily practice can be effective.
4. Is coaching necessary to crack the Bank PO exam?
Coaching is not mandatory. Many candidates clear Bank PO exams through self-study using the right books, mock tests, and disciplined preparation. Coaching may help with guidance, but consistency matters more.
5. Is the Bank PO exam difficult to crack?
The Bank PO exam is competitive, but it is achievable with proper strategy, speed, accuracy, and regular practice. Strong preparation in Quant, Reasoning, English, and General Awareness improves your chances significantly.