IBPS PO Books 2021: Candidates can find the best books and study materials for Prelims and Mains here. The candidates preparing for IBPS PO examinations must have a good knowledge of the best books for exams. Through these best books, they will be able to clear their concepts accurately. Furthermore, they can solve appropriate questions from the books to score well in the exam.
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection has released the IBPS PO Prelims and Mains exam dates on its official website. The officials will conduct the Prelims on December 04 & 11, 2021, and Mains in January 2022. Scroll down to know more about the best IBPS PO Books 2021. The candidates can also check the IBPS PO 2021 exam pattern and syllabus from this article.
Table of Contents
IBPS PO Books 2021 – Stages of Exam
Before getting into the details of IBPS PO Books, let us first look into the different stages of the IBPS PO exam. IBPS PO exam is conducted in three stages:
- 1st Stage – Prelims
- 2nd Stage – Mains
- 3rd Stage – Personal Interview
Also, Check
| IBPS PO Apply Online | IBPS PO Mock Test |
| IBPS PO Notification | IBPS PO Books |
| IBPS PO Salary | IBPS PO Study Material |
| IBPS PO Syllabus | IBPS PO Cutoff |
IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2021
The IBPS PO Preliminary exam comprises three sections (all objective) while the IBPS PO Main exam has five sections (four objective sections and one descriptive section). We will look into the subject-wise best books for each section of the IBPS PO syllabus. Also, it is recommended that candidates should have a clear knowledge of the IBPS PO exam pattern prior to starting their preparation.
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern:
| Sections | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
IBPS PO Exam Pattern For Mains
| Sections | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
| English Language | 45 | 60 | 40 Minutes |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation | 45 | 40 | 45 Minutes |
| Reasoning and Computer Aptitude | 35 | 60 | 60 Minutes |
| General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness | 35 | 40 | 35 Minutes |
| Total in Objective Test | 155 | 200 | 3 Hours |
| English Language (Letter Writing and Essay) | 2 | 25 | 30 Minutes |
| Grand Total | 157 | 225 | 3 Hour 30 Minutes |
IBPS PO Interview Exam Pattern:
In stage 3, the candidates are required to face an interview with a panel of bank officials.The total marks allotted for the Interview are 100. The minimum marks which are required to qualify for this round is 40 (For general) out of 100 and 35 for OBC/SC/ST/PWD candidates. In stage 3, the candidates are required to face an interview with a panel of bank officials.
Let us now look into the best books for IBPS PO for each of these sections:
IBPS PO Books for English Language
This section is common to both Prelims and Mains. The best books for IBPS PO listed below will help in both of these stages. Almost all the concepts covered in both stages of the examination are from these books. Check the details below:
| Books | Author | Publishers |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | Penguin |
| English Grammar & Composition | Wren and Martin | S. Chand |
| Descriptive General English | S P Bakshi and Richa Sharma | Arihant |
| Objective English for Competitive Examinations | Hari Mohan Prasad, Uma Rani Sinha | Mcgraw Hill Education |
| Objective General English | R.S Aggarwal, Vikas Aggarwal | S. Chand |
| Practise Papers | Kiran Prakashan | Kiran Prakashan |
English Grammar by Wren & Martin
This is one of the most popular books for English Grammar that has been used by students and other aspirants for decades. The book explains the various topics in a simple manner and covers all aspects of English grammar in detail.
English Grammar by SP Bakshi
This book gives an insight into all the key aspects of English grammar. It can be used to further enrich one’s comprehensive study of grammar. This book carries loads of examples and practice questions for all topics, like sentence forming, identifying subject and predicate, parts of speech, voice change, narration, etc. Furthermore, the book gives an insight into writing essays, autobiographies, letters, testimonials, and much more.
Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
This vocabulary builder is designed to develop vocabulary skills, putting together their pronunciations, definitions, and use in sentences. It provides a simple step-by-step method to increase one’s knowledge and mastery of the English language. On completion of this book, one can easily point out his mistakes in the spell and pronunciation of the words. Along with teaching grammar, this book also makes you your own teacher.
Practise Papers by Kiran Prakashan
The practice papers by Kiran Prakashan are everything you need to complete your preparation for the English Language section of the IBPS PO exam. These papers include chapter-wise questions along with explanations. Previous years’ questions are also included.
IBPS PO Books for Quantitative Aptitude
This section too is common to both the Preliminary and Main exams of IBPS PO. The best books for IBPS PO to prepare for the Quantitative Aptitude section are tabulated below:
| Books | Author | Publishers |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams | R.S. Aggarwal | S. Chand |
| Quantitative Aptitude Test | N.K Singh | Upkar Prakashan |
| Arithmetic for General Competitions | Neetu Singh | K.D. Publication |
| Guide to Quantitative Aptitude | Dinesh Khattar | Pearson |
| Data Interpretation | Arun Sharma | Mcgraw Hill Education |
| Data Interpretation | K. Kundan | BSC Publication |
| Objective Mathematics for Competitive Exams | Tarun Goyal | Arihant |
Competitive Aptitude for Competitive Examinations (S. Chand) R.S. Agarwal
This book has acquired a special place of acceptance among candidates appearing for a wide gamut of competitive exams. The book comes with a bulk of questions with easily understandable solutions. It gives the core concept of arithmetical ability that starts from the Number System, Simplification, Surds, and Indices and goes down to Tabulation, Bar graphs, Banker’s discount, and much more.
Arithmetic for General Competitions by Neetu Singh
This book gives an insight into the breakdown of general arithmetic topics like Work and Wages, Pipes and Cisterns, Time and Distance, Ratio and Proportion, Simple Interest, etc. The book is beneficial for all the Competitive Examinations, including IBPS PO as it imparts explanations of concepts in a simple and formative way and quality practice questions.
IBPS PO Books for Reasoning Ability
Again, this section is there in both Prelims and Mains. The best books for IBPS PO listed below will, thus, be of help for both the stages:
| Books | Author | Publications |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning | BS Sijwali | S. Chand |
| A New Approach to Reasoning | B S Sijwali | Arihant |
| Analytical Reasoning | M.K.Pandey | BSC Publishing |
| Logical Reasoning | K Kundan | BSC Publishing |
| Bank PO/ MT Examination Practice Workbook | Experts Compilation | Arihant |
Modern Approach to Verbal Reasoning by R.S.Agarwal
This book is known to help candidates sail through their exams with the utmost ease. This is definitely a modern approach to verbal reasoning as it is geared towards enabling its readers to formulate their reasoning abilities and set a benchmark for this section.
A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal & Non-Verbal by BS Sijwali
The revised version of this book has been divided into three segments- Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and Analytical Reasoning. The Verbal Reasoning segment covers quizzical questions related to analogy, coding, puzzles, etc. The Non-Verbal Reasoning segment covers questions that need one to be mentally imaginative, like figuring out patterns to complete figures. Analytical Reasoning covers real-time problems like syllogism, cause, and effect of particular questions, etc. The book contains thousands of model questions and previous year’s entrance examination questions along with detailed solutions.
Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey
This is an effective book to start to improve one’s reasoning and logical skills. The book is specially designed for keeping up with the basic ethics and requirements of the competitive exams. It consists of comprehensive topics like Data Sufficiency, Strengthening and Weakening Arguments, Coded Relationships, etc.
IBPS PO Books for Computer Aptitude
This section is there only in the Main exam of IBPS PO (merged with the Reasoning Ability section). The best books for IBPS PO for Computer Aptitude are tabulated below:
| Books | Author/ Publishing |
| Computer | Rani Ahilya |
| Objective Computer Awareness | Somya Ranjan Behera |
Computer by Rani Ahilya
This book covers all the basics of computer hardware and software that a beginner should be aware of. The book has a very firm coverage of the basic topics that are important for competitive exams like IBPS PO.
Objective Computer Awareness by Somya Ranjan Behera
Objective Computer Awareness contains both the Subjective and Objective topics ranging from Introduction to Computers, Data Representation, Microsoft Access to Internet and Computer Languages and its types (Programming Language). The book has chapter-wise descriptions with 3500+ MCQs.
IBPS PO Books for General Awareness
The General Knowledge and Banking Awareness section needs one to read newspapers and current affairs on a regular basis. Apart from that, you can use the following IBPS PO Books:
| Books | Author/Publisher |
| India Year Book | Publications Division, Government of India |
| Banking Awareness | B.K Raut and S.R Behera |
| Guide to Banking General Awareness | R Gupta |
| Manorama Pandey Book | Arihant Publications |
| Manorama Yearbook 2020 ( English) Paperback | Philip Mathew |
| Banking and Economic Awareness | Rakesh Kumar |
Apart from the above-mentioned books also read newspapers and weekly current affairs. The Hindu & Indian Express can be a good source for the latest news. The focus should be on the business and world news sections of these newspapers.
Banking and Economic Awareness by Rakesh Kumar
This book contains all the general questions related to the banking and economic scenario in the country.
Banking, Financial & General Awareness by I K Pavel
This book is the perfect guide to increasing your general knowledge of the banking and economic state of the place.
IBPS PO Books for Data Analysis & Interpretation
Preparing for the Quantitative Aptitude section of Prelims will be enough to secure good marks in the Data Analysis and Interpretation section of Mains. However, if you want to solve some problems specifically in Data Analysis & Interpretation, like Pie Charts, Bar Graphs, etc., candidates can use these IBPS PO Books for the Data Interpretation section:
| Books | Authors | Publications |
| Data Interpretation | Arun Sharma | Mc Graw Hill Education |
| Data Interpretation | K. Kundan | BSC Publication |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation Data Sufficiency | Kiran Prakashan | Kiran Prakashan |
The Descriptive Test of IBPS PO Main exam consists of Letter Writing and Essay. In order to come out with flying colours in the descriptive test, aspirants need to focus on reading newspapers, practice writing, general communication in English, and reading books. Aspirants reach this stage on the basis of their Objective Test marks.
FAQs Regarding IBPS PO Books 2021
Candidates can check frequently asked questions on IBPS PO books below:
| Q. Which books are best for the English language? A. Candidates can check English Grammar & Composition by Wren & Martin, Word power made easy by Norman Lewis, and many more listed in this article. |
| Q. How to improve General knowledge? A. Candidates can read general knowledge books and newspapers. |
| Q. What is the syllabus of IBPS PO Prelims & Mains? A. The syllabus for Prelims comprises of English language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability. Whereas, the main exam includes English Language, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, and General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness. |
| Q. How to choose the best books for the IBPS PO exam? A. Candidates can select books that consist of authentic information covering all the topics. Also, refer to this article to get a list of the best books for preparation. |
| Q. Does IBPS PO books contain sample papers? A. Not all the books. But some books can contain sample papers. |
| Q. Where do I have to register for IBPS PO preliminary? A. The official website for IBPS ibps.in has the registering window for applications for the IBPS PO Preliminary exam. |
IBPS PO being one of the most sought after exams in the country, it is no surprise to encounter intense competition. With the IBPS PO exam nearing, aspirants should begin burning the midnight oil. Along with IBPS PO preparation, it is also necessary to have the best books for IBPS PO exam. You also need to take a sufficient number of IBPS PO mock tests for both Prelims and Mains. You can take free IBPS PO Mock Test on Embibe and keep track of how well prepared you are for the exam.
We sincerely hope the above list of highly sought out best books for IBPS PO for each examination helps you with your budding future.
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