IBPS PO exam-day guide
IBPS PO · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Printed call letter / admit card
Download from the official IBPS portal once released and carry a clean printout. Do not rely on a phone copy. Confirm with the provider whether a colour print is required; black-and-white is normally accepted.
Original photo ID matching the call letter
Typically a PAN card, Aadhaar, passport, driving licence, voter ID, or similar government photo ID, and the name and details must match your application. Carry the same ID type you declared. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a photocopy must also be attached.
Recent passport-size photograph
Carry one or two copies matching the photo uploaded with your application, since some centres paste it on the attendance sheet. Confirm with the provider the exact number and specification.
Photocopy of the photo ID
Some centres retain a self-attested copy. Carry one to be safe; confirm with the provider whether attestation is required.
Transparent water bottle
Many centres allow only a clear, unlabelled bottle. Confirm with the provider what is permitted inside the hall.
Simple blue or black ballpoint pen
Useful for rough work if the centre supplies paper; confirm with the provider whether pens and rough sheets are provided and whether you may bring your own.
Know your registration number and password
Memorise or note these securely; they may be needed for login or for the attendance process. Do not carry loose chits into the exam hall if prohibited.
Reach the centre well before the reporting time
Arrive at the reporting time printed on the call letter; late entry is usually refused. Plan transport for traffic and security queues.
Leave prohibited items at home or with a companion
Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, calculators, books, and notes are generally banned inside the hall. Confirm with the provider the exact prohibited-items list and whether any locker facility exists.
Rehearse the online test interface
Practise sectional navigation, the on-screen calculator where allowed, and marking/reviewing answers so you do not lose time learning the interface on exam day.
Check the exam language option
The paper is usually offered in English and Hindi; confirm with the provider the exact language choices and how to select your preferred one at login.
Rest and light revision the day before
Avoid new topics; revise formulas, shortcuts, and current-affairs notes, and sleep adequately. needs_review: confirm any centre-specific instructions on the call letter.
Plan the day
Stop starting new topics. Do sectional timed mocks for Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English, plus a full mock at the same time of day as your slot. Review errors and note recurring mistakes. Revise current affairs and banking-awareness notes from the last six months. Re-read the call letter for reporting time, centre address, and documents.
Confirm the centre location and travel route, and do a dry run if the centre is unfamiliar. Arrange ID, photographs, and printouts in one folder. Check the official portal for any notice about the exam, and confirm with the provider any change in timing or instructions.
Pack the folder with the call letter, original ID, photocopy, and photographs. Charge nothing that is prohibited; keep the phone away from the exam bag. Do a light revision of formulas, high-frequency vocabulary, and current-affairs headlines. Set two alarms. Sleep early; avoid heavy screen use and last-minute panic revision.
Eat a light meal and hydrate moderately to avoid mid-test discomfort. Recheck the folder. Leave early enough to reach the centre before the reporting time and allow for security and verification queues. Keep the phone switched off and stored as instructed, or leave it with a companion.
Follow the queue, present the call letter and original ID for verification, and complete biometric and photograph formalities as directed. Use the washroom before entering the hall. Do not borrow or lend anything from other candidates.
Read the on-screen instructions and confirm the language. Attempt sections in your planned order, watching sectional time limits if they apply. Bank easy questions first, skip time-consuming puzzles, and use mark-and-review to return later. Keep an eye on the overall timer and reserve the last few minutes to check that marked answers are submitted. Confirm with the provider the exact sectional timing and negative-marking scheme before the exam.
Note your roll number and any token or acknowledgement the centre gives. Do not discuss questions in detail with others while the exam window is open. Keep the call letter and ID safe for later stages.
Rules to check
Carry the original photo ID that matches your application and call letter; a mismatch or a missing original can lead to refusal of entry. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted.
Reach the centre by the reporting time on the call letter; candidates arriving after the cutoff are generally not allowed in, and no extra time is given for late arrival.
Do not carry or use mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, calculators, or study material inside the hall. Follow the centre's instructions for depositing prohibited items; confirm with the provider the exact list and any penalty.
Follow all instructions from the invigilator, including biometric verification and seating. Impersonation, unfair means, or helping another candidate can lead to disqualification and debarment.
Do not leave the hall during the test except in an emergency and only with the invigilator's permission; confirm with the provider the rules on breaks and washroom access.
Scoring typically involves negative marking for wrong answers in objective sections, so avoid blind guessing. Confirm with the provider the exact marking scheme and sectional cutoffs for this cycle.
Answer only in the language option you select at login; the paper is usually bilingual, but confirm with the provider the available languages.
Keep the call letter and ID until the recruitment process ends, since they may be required at later stages such as interviews or document verification.