How to Start Preparing for IBPS AFO 2026 from Scratch – A Beginner’s Guide

Preparing for the IBPS Agriculture Field Officer Exam 2026 can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time candidates who are unsure where to start and they must have a question, How to Start Preparing for IBPS AFO 2026? The exam requires a good grasp of agriculture-related subjects along with reasoning, quantitative skills, and English. For recent graduates or those looking to transition into the banking and agriculture sectors, having a clear and organized preparation plan is essential. This beginner’s guide offers important strategies and tips to help candidates on their journey toward success with clarity.

How to Start Preparing for IBPS AFO 2026?

Starting from scratch, the preparation for the IBPS AFO 2026 should begin with a solid study schedule and consistent practice. Developing a clear understanding of key concepts, staying dedicated, and using the right resources can make the preparation process smoother and more effective. Below, we provide the complete IBPS AFO preparation strategy.

Look at the Syllabus and Exam Pattern

The first step is to closely examine the exam pattern and syllabus. Doing so helps aspirants identify which topics to focus on and how the paper is structured. Knowing this early enables them to plan effectively, prioritize subjects, and avoid wasting time on unnecessary material.

Check – IBPS AFO Syllabus and Exam Pattern

Part 1: IBPS AFO Prelims Strategy (Qualifying Nature)

The IBPS AFO Prelims exam is qualifying in nature and is used only to shortlist candidates for the Mains exam. The goal is to clear sectional and overall cutoffs with accuracy and proper time management, not to score very high marks.

How to Apply the 40-40-20 Rule in Prelims Preparation

Divide your daily Prelims study time as follows:

• 40% time for Quantitative Aptitude
• 40% time for Reasoning Ability
• 20% time for English Language

Maintain this ratio daily during preparation and while practicing mock tests.

Quantitative Aptitude – How to Prepare

Quantitative Aptitude should be prepared by focusing on repeated and scoring topics instead of the full syllabus.

Step 1: Passing Topics

Practice these topics daily:

• Simplification and Approximation
• Number Series
• Quadratic Equations

These topics are easy to score and help secure marks quickly.

Step 2: Data Interpretation

Practice:

• Tabular DI
• Bar graphs
• Line graphs
• Pie charts

Focus on percentage and average calculations.

Step 3: Limited Arithmetic Topics

Select 3–4 topics and revise them repeatedly:

• Ratio and Proportion
• Percentage
• Average
• Profit and Loss

Avoid time-consuming topics at the initial stage.

Reasoning Ability – How to Prepare

Reasoning preparation should focus on speed and accuracy through regular practice.

Speed Block

Practice these topics regularly:

• Syllogism
• Inequalities
• Coding-Decoding
• Blood Relations

Challenge Block

Practice daily:

• One seating arrangement set
• One puzzle set

These questions play a key role in clearing the cutoff.

English Language – How to Prepare

English preparation should focus on habit-based learning and accuracy.

Daily Routine

• Read one editorial
• Note new words
• Revise weekly
• Grammar and Practice Areas

Focus on:

• Subject-Verb Agreement
• Tenses
• Prepositions
• Cloze Test
• Para Jumbles
• Sentence Correction

Accuracy is more important than attempts.

Part 2: IBPS AFO Mains Strategy (Scoring Nature)

The Mains exam decides the final selection and requires in-depth agriculture knowledge. All major syllabus areas must be covered systematically.

Block 1: Banker Block

Focus on agriculture-related banking topics.

Agriculture Finance

Prepare:

• Kisan Credit Card
• Types of agricultural loans
• NABARD functions
• PMFBY

Government Schemes

Study schemes based on:

• Launch year
• Objective
• Beneficiary
• Subsidy

Block 2: Foundation Block

Cover core agriculture subjects.

Crop Production

Focus on:

• Crop seasons
• Scientific names
• Seed rate
• Irrigation stages

Soil Science and Irrigation

Prepare:

• Soil types
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Fertilizer types
• Irrigation methods

Block 3: Allied Block

Do not skip allied subjects.

Horticulture

• Fruit varieties
• Commercial practices

Animal Husbandry

• Breeds
• Milk fat percentage
• Common diseases

Entomology and Pathology

• Pest–crop relation
• Disease–organism relation

Block 4: Miscellaneous and Current Affairs

Prepare limited and relevant topics.

Static Topics

• Seed certification tags
• Farm machinery basics

Current Affairs (Last 6 Months)

• MSP
• Agriculture budget
• Census updates

Weekly Study Routine

• Morning: Mains concept study
• Afternoon: Prelims practice
• Evening: Revision and current affairs
• Saturday: Prelims mock test and analysis
• Sunday: Mains revision