To prepare for Banking exams like IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI PO, SBI Clerk, and RBI Grade B are among the most competitive government notifications in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants appear for these exams to secure a prestigious position in the banking sector.
If you are an aspirant looking for the best strategy to crack banking exams, this step-by-step guide will help you plan your preparation effectively.
Step 1: Understand the Exam Pattern
The first and most important step is to understand the exam pattern of banking exams. Most bank exams follow a similar pattern:
1.1 Preliminary Exam (Prelims)
- Subjects: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability
- Duration: 1 hour
- Total Marks: 100
1.2 Mains Exam
- Subjects:
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
- English Language
- Quantitative Aptitude
- General Awareness (including Banking & Financial Awareness)
- Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours
- Total Marks: 200+
1.3 Interview (For PO & RBI Exams)
- Weightage: 50 Marks (Varies for different exams)
- Objective: Test the candidate’s personality, knowledge, and confidence.
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Step 2: Analyze the Syllabus
Once you understand the pattern, check out the detailed syllabus. Here’s a subject-wise syllabus breakdown:
2.1 English Language
✔️ Reading Comprehension
✔️ Cloze Test
✔️ Error Detection
✔️ Sentence Rearrangement
✔️ Fill in the Blanks
2.2 Quantitative Aptitude
✔️ Data Interpretation
✔️ Simplification & Approximation
✔️ Number Series
✔️ Percentage, Profit & Loss, SI & CI
✔️ Time & Work, Time & Distance
2.3 Reasoning Ability
✔️ Puzzles & Seating Arrangement
✔️ Blood Relations
✔️ Coding-Decoding
✔️ Syllogism
✔️ Input-Output
2.4 General Awareness (For Mains)
✔️ Banking & Financial Awareness
✔️ Current Affairs
✔️ Economic & Static GK
2.5 Computer Awareness (For Mains)
✔️ Basics of Computers
✔️ MS Office & Internet
✔️ Networking & Security
Step 3: Make a Study Plan
A well-structured study plan is essential for success. Follow this 3-month study plan to cover all subjects effectively:
3.1 First Month (Foundation Stage)
📌 Focus: Build concepts in Quant, Reasoning & English
📌 Daily Targets:
- 2 hours Quantitative Aptitude
- 2 hours Reasoning
- 1 hour English
- 1 hour Current Affairs
📌 Tasks:
✔️ Cover basic concepts
✔️ Learn formulas & tricks
✔️ Read newspapers for current affairs
3.2 Second Month (Practice Stage)
📌 Focus: Solve previous years’ papers & sectional tests
📌 Daily Targets:
- 2 hours Mock Tests
- 2 hours Reasoning & Puzzles
- 1 hour Banking Awareness
- 1 hour Computer Knowledge
📌 Tasks:
✔️ Attempt topic-wise tests
✔️ Revise current affairs & static GK
3.3 Third Month (Revision & Mock Tests)
📌 Focus: Speed & accuracy improvement
📌 Daily Targets:
- 3 Full-Length Mock Tests
- 2 Hours Revision of GA & Banking Awareness
- 1 Hour Reading Comprehension & Essay Writing
📌 Tasks:
✔️ Analyze mistakes in mocks
✔️ Revise formulas, short tricks
Step 4: Practice with Mock Tests & Previous Papers
Regular mock tests and previous year papers are the key to success in banking exams.
✔️ Start with sectional tests and gradually move to full-length mocks
✔️ Analyze mistakes and improve accuracy
✔️ Solve previous 5 years’ question papers
⏳ Pro Tip: Time management is crucial and try to attempt easy questions first and leave the tricky ones for later.
Step 5: Improve Speed & Accuracy
Banking exams are time-bound, so practicing with a time limit is essential.
✔️ Use Short Tricks – Learn quick calculation methods for Quantitative Aptitude.
✔️ Eliminate Wrong Answers – In Reasoning & English, eliminate incorrect options quickly.
✔️ Set a Timer – Practice each section within a time limit.
🔍 Example: If a mock test has 100 questions in 60 minutes, try to solve easy ones in 30-40 seconds and difficult ones in 1 minute.
Step 6: Focus on General Awareness & Banking Awareness
The General Awareness section can be high scoring if prepared well.
✔️ Read Newspapers Daily – Focus on banking, economy, and finance-related news.
✔️ Refer to Monthly Current Affairs PDFs – Download monthly banking awareness PDFs.
✔️ Revise Static GK – Learn about important banking terms, RBI policies, financial institutions.
📖 Recommended Study Materials:
- The Hindu / The Indian Express (for current affairs)
- Monthly Banking Awareness PDFs (for RBI, IBPS exams)
- Banking Awareness by Arihant or Lucent
Step 7: Prepare for the Interview (For PO & RBI Exams)
If you qualify for the Mains exam, you need to prepare for the interview round.
✔️ Know About the Bank – Learn about IBPS, SBI, RBI, and their functions.
✔️ Be Updated on Current Affairs – Read about recent economic and banking developments.
✔️ Practice Mock Interviews – Answer confidently and clearly.
Common Questions in Bank Interviews:
1️⃣ Why do you want to join the banking sector?
2️⃣ What do you know about RBI monetary policy?
3️⃣ How can digital banking improve financial inclusion?
Final Tips to Crack Banking Exams
✅ Stick to your study plan – Consistency is key.
✅ Focus on accuracy – Avoid negative marking.
✅ Take daily mock tests – Helps improve time management.
✅ Stay updated on banking news – General awareness plays a crucial role.
✅ Revise regularly – Keep revisiting difficult topics.
🚀 With the right strategy and dedication, you can crack IBPS, SBI, and RBI exams in the first attempt!
Conclusion
Banking exams require smart preparation and dedication. To follow the step-by-step guide, you can structure your study plan, improve accuracy, and increase your chances of success.
Stay focused, motivated, and practice consistently to secure your dream job in the banking sector. Good luck! 🎯💯
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