What is IBPS PO Personality Test? Know Pattern and Preparation Tips

As per the official update, IBPS will now conduct a Personality Test before the IBPS PO Interview, from FY 2025 onwards. The IBPS PO personality test assesses a candidate’s decision-making, emotional stability, ethics, teamwork, and other personality traits. In this article, we will provide the latest updates on the personality test, including what it is, how it is different from a psychometric test, what to expect, how to prepare, and more.

IBPS PO Personality Test 2026

The IBPS personality test is a new assessment test to be conducted before the final stage of the IBPS PO selection process, which is the interview round. Unlike the written examination, which tests a candidate’s analytical and critical thinking, this personality test focuses on traits like temperament, work style, decision-making, stress management, professionalism, and customer orientation. This test is an objective-type exam conducted online, and it is qualifying in nature. It is mandatory to clear this test, and only those candidates will proceed to the Interview round.

IBPS PO Personality Test vs SBI PO Psychometric Test

Since IBPS has newly introduced this personality test, aspirants wonder if it is the same as the SBI PO Psychometric Test. The answer is yes, both these tests are broadly similar and aim to check the psychological and behavioural suitability of a candidate for the role of a Bank PO. The structure for the IBPS personality test is expected to be similar, maybe shorter, than the SBI PO Psychometric Test.

What is the IBPS PO Personality Test and its Pattern?

This test is an MCQ-based psychometric assessment of a candidate’s decision-making skills, teamwork traits, ethics, and other personality traits. The results of these tests may be shared with the final interview panel to give them a better idea of each candidate before the interview. The test pattern is likely to be as follows:

1. Mode: Online, objective, self‑report
2. Question type:
   1. Statement-based items where you mark Agree/Neutral/Disagree
   2. Situation‑based questions (what will you do first/most likely)
   3. Work‑style or preference questions (what kind of environment you prefer)​
3. Duration: Short test, roughly 10-20 minutes expected (exact time not notified yet)​
4. Marking: No negative marking; it is qualifying in nature. 
5. Target areas:
   
   1. Behavioural traits
   2. Decision-making approach
   3. Leadership and teamwork
   4. Integrity and professionalism
   5. Stress handling
   6. Customer-orientation

How is it different from IBPS PO Interview?

The interview and the personality test are two separate stages with different purposes. The personality test assesses a candidate’s personality traits, while the interview is focused on a candidate’s professional and banking knowledge, communication skills, behaviour, etc. Refer to the table below for key differences between the two:

IBPS PO Personality Test Preparation Tips

There are no right or wrong answers in a personality test; however, it is important to prepare for it anyway. Follow these tips to become more confident when giving your IBPS PO personality test 2026 

• Understand PO traits: customer focus, ethics, teamwork, stress handling.
• Practice 2-3 online psychometric tests to familiarize with question types.
• Answer consistently; avoid contradictory or extreme responses.
• Prioritize ethical, rule-based decisions in dilemmas.
• Manage stress with breathing exercises and calm thinking.
• Align personality test responses with interview behavior for consistency.

Also Check: IBPS PO Salary 2026