Get a comprehensive breakdown of the IBPS PO Prelims Shift 2 exam held on August 22, 2026. Check section-wise difficulty and expert-recommended safe scores.
- The IBPS PO Shift 2 difficulty level was rated as 'Moderate'.
- A score between 63-71 is considered a good attempt for this shift.
- Quantitative Aptitude was more calculative, while Reasoning was puzzle-heavy.
The Institute of Banking and Personnel Selection (IBPS) is currently conducting the IBPS PO Prelims exam across multiple shifts for lakhs of aspirants. The second shift, held on August 22, 2026, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, saw massive participation. The overall difficulty level remained moderate, showing consistency with the first shift.
Section-wise Difficulty and Good Attempts
To help candidates gauge their performance, we have compiled the sectional difficulty and the number of 'good attempts' required to stay in the race for the next stage.
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | Easy to Moderate | 22-24 |
| English Language | 30 | Easy to Moderate | 23-25 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | Moderate | 18-21 |
| Total | 100 | Moderate | 63-71 |
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that while the difficulty level is relatively stable, the nature of questions varies significantly between shifts. Because IBPS utilizes a normalization process, candidates should focus on accuracy rather than just attempting more questions to mitigate the impact of varying difficulty levels.
The exam was well-balanced, but increased calculative intensity in Quant could slow down aspirants.
Subject-wise Detailed Review
Quantitative Aptitude: This section was moderate but notably more calculative than Shift 1. Data Interpretation (DI) was a major component, featuring Line Graphs and Table DI. Interestingly, topics like Simplification and Quadratic Equations were absent in this shift.
Reasoning Ability: Puzzles dominated the Reasoning section, accounting for 20 questions. Candidates faced selection-based, floor-based, and month-date-based puzzles. Other topics included Syllogism, Blood Relations, and Chinese Coding.
English Language: The English section was easy to moderate. The Reading Comprehension (RC) set consisted of 10 questions, with a theme centered on 'Pandemic Research'. Error detection and word usage were also key components.
Historical Background
The IBPS Probationary Officer (PO) exam is one of the most prestigious competitive exams in the Indian banking sector. It serves as the gateway for recruitment into various public sector banks, attracting millions of candidates annually and setting the benchmark for banking recruitment standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What was the overall difficulty level of IBPS PO Prelims 2026 Shift 2?
A: Based on candidate feedback, the exam was of Moderate difficulty.
Q2: Were there major differences between Shift 1 and Shift 2?
A: No significant changes in the overall difficulty level were observed between the two shifts.
