Many IBPS PO aspirants believe they are “slow learners.” In reality, most are untrained in exam-specific speed techniques. IBPS PO is a time-bound competitive exam, and speed matters as much as knowledge. The good news? Speed is a skill, not a talent—and it can be developed with the right strategy.

This blog provides a step-by-step, slow-learner-friendly approach to improve speed in Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language for IBPS PO 2026.

You may be a slow learner if:

• You understand concepts but take too much time to solve
• You can solve questions at home but panic in mocks
• You fail to attempt enough questions in Prelims
• You re-read questions multiple times

👉 None of these mean you’re weak. They mean you need speed training.

Exam Time Pressure

📌 You get less than 35 seconds per question on average.

Trying to be fast too early causes:

• Guessing
• Negative marking
• Panic

✔ First build accuracy (85–90%)
✔ Then gradually reduce time

Speed automatically follows clarity.

1️⃣ Fix a Question Selection Order

Start with sure-shot questions:

• Inequalities
• Syllogism
• Alphanumeric series
• Direction sense

Attempt puzzles only if clarity is immediate.

2️⃣ Use a Fixed Approach for Puzzles

Never change your method mid-way.

• Draw clean diagrams
• Fill definite information first
• Avoid assumptions

📌 Consistency saves time.

3️⃣ Practice With Time Blocks

• 1 puzzle → 6–7 minutes
• 5 misc questions → 5 minutes

Train your brain to respect time limits.

4️⃣ Master Calculation Shortcuts

Slow learners often lose time in calculations.

Focus on:

• Tables (up to 25)
• Squares (1–30)
• Cubes (1–20)
• Percentage–fraction conversion

📌 30% speed gain comes from calculations alone.

5️⃣ Avoid Lengthy Questions in Prelims

Skip:

• Time-consuming DI
• Word problems with heavy data

Attempt:

• Simplification
• Approximation
• Number series

Selection is speed.

6️⃣ One Concept → Multiple Questions

Practice one topic in sets of 10–15 questions to build muscle memory.

7️⃣ Improve Reading Speed Gradually

• Read editorials daily
• Don’t stop for unknown words
• Focus on overall meaning

📌 Reading speed improves automatically in 15–20 days.

8️⃣ Follow Fixed Order in English Section

Recommended order:

1. Error detection / Fill in the blanks
2. Sentence improvement
3. Cloze test
4. Reading comprehension

Avoid RC at the start if you’re slow.

Consistency matters more than duration.

9️⃣ Reduce Mocks, Increase Analysis

• 2–3 mocks per week
• Analyze every question
• Note where time is wasted

📌 Analysis improves speed more than mocks.

🔟 Track Time Per Question

Maintain a log:

• Reasoning: ≤35 sec/question
• Quant: ≤40 sec/question
• English: ≤30 sec/question

Awareness = improvement.

❌ Trying to attempt all questions
❌ Panicking after one tough question
❌ Ignoring mock analysis
❌ Comparing speed with toppers
❌ Practicing without timer

Result: Clear speed improvement + confidence boost.

Many IBPS PO toppers started as slow learners. What changed?

• Structured practice
• Smart selection
• Consistency

Speed is trained, not gifted.

If you’re a slow learner, don’t rush. Focus on accuracy, clarity, and smart question selection. With daily timed practice and mock analysis, you can significantly improve speed and comfortably clear IBPS PO 2026.

Slow today. Selected tomorrow

Q1. Can slow learners clear IBPS PO?
Yes, with smart strategy and accuracy-based attempts.

Q2. How long does it take to improve speed?
With daily practice, noticeable improvement appears in 3–4 weeks.

Q3. How many mocks should slow learners attempt weekly?
2–3 mocks with deep analysis are sufficient.