The IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) exam is one of the prestigious exams conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) for the recruitment of specialist officers in various public sector banks across India. The exam is held annually, and it is divided into different categories depending on the specialized role, such as IT Officer, Law Officer, HR Officer, Marketing Officer, and others.
In this blog, we’ll provide a detailed breakdown of the IBPS SO Syllabus, including all the important topics and sections you need to focus on, as well as exam patterns and preparation tips.
IBPS SO Exam Pattern
The IBPS SO exam consists of two stages:
- Preliminary Exam
- Mains Exam
The exam pattern varies depending on the post you are applying for, but the general structure remains similar across categories. Here’s a look at the exam pattern for the Preliminary Exam and Mains Exam:
Preliminary Exam
- Duration: 2 hours
- Sections:
- English Language (50 questions, 25 marks)
- Reasoning Ability (50 questions, 50 marks)
- Quantitative Aptitude (50 questions, 50 marks)
Mains Exam
- Duration: 3 hours
- Sections:
- Professional Knowledge (specific to the chosen post, 60 questions, 60 marks)
- English Language (for some posts, 50 questions, 25 marks)
- Reasoning Ability & Quantitative Aptitude (for some posts, 50 questions, 50 marks)
- General Awareness (for some posts, 50 questions, 50 marks)
IBPS SO Syllabus for Preliminary Exam
The Preliminary Exam assesses your ability in three sections: English Language, Reasoning Ability, and Quantitative Aptitude.
1. English Language
The English section tests your understanding of the language. Key topics include:
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Fill in the Blanks
- Cloze Test
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Error Spotting
- Sentence Correction
2. Reasoning Ability
This section tests your ability to think logically and solve problems. The important topics are:
- Puzzles
- Seating Arrangement
- Blood Relations
- Directions and Distances
- Coding and Decoding
- Input and Output
- Syllogism
- Data Sufficiency
3. Quantitative Aptitude
The Quantitative Aptitude section measures your ability to solve quantitative problems. Key topics include:
- Number Series
- Data Interpretation
- Simplification
- Time and Work
- Speed, Distance, and Time
- Profit and Loss
- Percentages
- Average
- Ratio and Proportion
IBPS SO Syllabus for Mains Exam
The Mains Exam is more specialized and has different sections depending on the post you’re applying for. Here’s a breakdown of the common sections and specialized topics.
1. Professional Knowledge (Specific to the Post)
Each post has a different syllabus for the Professional Knowledge section. Here are some examples:
- IT Officer:
- Computer Networks
- Databases
- Programming Languages
- Operating Systems
- Software Engineering
- Data Structures
- Law Officer:
- Indian Penal Code
- Civil Law
- Criminal Law
- Contract Law
- Banking Laws and Regulations
- HR/Personnel Officer:
- Human Resource Management
- Industrial Relations
- Labour Laws
- Organizational Behavior
- Marketing Officer:
- Marketing Management
- Sales and Distribution
- Consumer Behavior
- Marketing Strategies
2. English Language (For Some Posts)
- Reading Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Sentence Formation
- Spotting Errors
- Cloze Test
3. General Awareness (For Some Posts)
This section tests your knowledge of current affairs and general knowledge. Topics include:
- Current Affairs (National and International)
- Banking and Financial Awareness
- Government Schemes and Policies
- Economy and Budget
- Sports and Awards
4. Reasoning Ability & Quantitative Aptitude (For Some Posts)
This section contains topics similar to the Preliminary Exam, such as:
- Puzzles and Seating Arrangement
- Number Series
- Data Interpretation
- Time and Work
- Profit and Loss
- Simplification
Preparation Tips for IBPS SO Exam
- Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly: Go through the syllabus for both the preliminary and mains exams, and identify the areas you need to focus on based on the post you’re applying for.
- Focus on Professional Knowledge: For specialized posts, like IT Officer or Law Officer, it’s important to focus heavily on the Professional Knowledge section. Read subject-specific books, solve previous year papers, and take mock tests.
- Practice Regularly: Solve mock tests, sample papers, and previous year questions regularly to improve speed and accuracy.
- Stay Updated: For the General Awareness section, stay updated on current events, government policies, and banking terms.
- Time Management: Manage your time effectively between sections, especially during the Prelims and Mains exam.
Conclusion
The IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) Syllabus is extensive and requires dedicated preparation. Whether you’re applying for the IT Officer, Law Officer, Marketing Officer, or any other post, it’s crucial to understand the syllabus, focus on specialized knowledge, and practice consistently. With the right strategy and preparation, you can crack the IBPS SO exam and land a prestigious position in India’s top banks.