Bank Po Exams Preparations

BANK PO EXAMS – HOW TO CRACK ?

Bank exams, be it PO or clerical arena that difficult as people think. But the problem is the vacancies: applicants ratio. So all you need to worry is about your preparation and not the toughness of the paper.

If you are preparing for PO exam, the first thing you need to know is the pattern of the exam. A written test for a PO exam consists of 2 parts, objective part and a descriptive part . The objective part consists of four sections namely, English language test, quantitative ability, Reasoning and General Awareness/ Marketing aptitude.The exact pattern for a specific bank can be found in the acquaint yourself booklet which you get when you apply to an exam.

But for now let us discuss on how to attempt a standard bank PO exam which has 225 questions in total with 135 minutes time i.e., 2 hrs and 15 minutes.225 questions in 135 minutes comes out to be 36 seconds per question. It may seem daunting but it is not the end of the world since we are not attempting every question. If you can attempt 175-185 questions (> 190 is excellent) with 90 percent accuracy, you have done a good job.

So as soon as you are told to start answering, I would recommend starting with the General awareness/ Marketing aptitude section and there won’t be much to think or solve in it. Just see the question and mark the answer. Attempt as many questions as you can in this section (only if you are sure of the answer) but you should be able to complete the section in 25 minutes (20 minutes would be excellent).The next section to go for would be English and I generally the first 9-10 questions in it will be that of comprehensive passage. So I would recommend leaving that part of the questions as the rest of the section is pretty Basic English which is very easy. Again you should be able to complete this section in 20-25 minutes.So we have done with 2 sections in 40-50 minutes and left with another 135 questions which should be done in 85-95 minutes.

Depending upon your strength, go for either Reasoning or Quant but remember to solve the easiest questions first (this will be the deciding factor). Any thing that requires serious calculation in Quant or serious thinking in Reasoning should be left behind at first and come back to it if time permits at the end. For example questions on circular arrangement in Reasoning and compound interest calculations in Quant could be avoided.

From the feedback given by many test takers, what I found is that the DI part in Quant will be an important part in the test which is also very easiest part. Most of the question in it could be solved without even using your pen. So work hard on DI. Coming to the time for these 2 sections, 50 questions in Quant (or all that you could solve) should be completed in 40 minutes which leaves out 45-55 minutes to solve 75 questions in Reasoning. Don’t neglect the non-verbal part in Reasoning as there would be atleast 15 questions from it. All said and done, you should have atleast 5 minutes at the last which you could either use to solve the Reading comprehension in English or the arrangement questions in Reasoning. If you are accustomed with any procedure from the beginning, I would recommend following that so that you dont mess up completely. If this is your first attempt for PO/ clerical exam, then this method would work well. If you have any other question, don’t hesitate put them here. we at www.govtjobs.in/forum/ will be greatly obliged to answer them.

The descriptive paper in bank PO exams proves to be the vital part in deciding the candidate’s sufficiency for being a probationary officer.You need to have knowledge of your surroundings to be successful in this test. Not all PSU banks have this descriptive paper and even the banks that have this paper have their own types of questions like SBI, IOB, UCO, ALLAHABAD Banks. But the basic idea remains the same, to extract your knowledge on your surroundings.

If we come to the point, this descriptive paper can be of four types.

Essay writing Paragraph writing Point of views and Letter writing.

The topics on essay writing can be like world terrorism, your favorite pastime, discrimination against women, corporate governance, corruption in India, language problem in India, Reforming the United Nations, form of government: presidential or prime ministerial, the bank scam of 1992, industrial reforms, Basel norms, reservations, child labour etc. Though the topics can be anything and everything, but more importance should be given to the recent economical issues around the world. Paragraph writing will be based on any famous sayings like Rome was not built in a day, charity begins at home, lend your ears to all your tongue to few or normal questions like why wild life should be protected? How can pollution be decreased? Etc.

In point of views type of questions a point will be given and you have to make some points for the point and also against the point or you have to tell the advantages and also disadvantages of that point being true.The questions will be like disarmament, are we more civilized than our forefathers? Democracy and its future in India, is science a curse or boon? Should love marriages be allowed? Hindi should replace English as a link language, should industries be nationalized? Etc.

And the letter writing part consists of informal letters (like to your parents, brother etc), formal letters (like to your employer seeking a leave etc), applications and official letters, and business letters. Any good English vocabulary book like wren and martin will prove to be a good source for this section.

Best way for preparation for Banking Exams in short time?

If you are referring to the CWE PO exam then as there is less time you can try solving past papers. The areas you find difficult you can referred to the solved answers to understand. If possible solve additional questions in the weak areas.

Make a habit to practice the previous question papers.mainly you have to consider the type of choices,length,number of questions and the time provided ,these little things will help you to crack the exam..

some students study well but still may be much afraid of exams and due to this reason they get distracted and won't be able to score marks.so leave all your fears and free your mind before starting the study. 

-try to prepare atime table chart which would include all the subjects which may not be of equal priority.divide your time and give more stress to the subjects you are more weak. While preparation, there should be sufficient intervals between each subject.

-try to make notes of each subject which should include the imprtant terms and formulae .

-you have to sleep well.sleep deprivation study shows that optimum hrs for sleep is 6hrs. Especially on the night before exam you have to sleep well, atleast 6 hours and not more than 8 hrs.

-speed and accuracy is the main thing needed which is one of the main bank exam preparation tips. In the exam you have to try to complete maximum questions as the time duration will be less for bank exams. There are chances for negative marks for wrong answers so it is a must to avoid answering anything without reading the question in multiple choice questions.

These are some good books also here.--

Reasoning Ability by R.S.Agarwal (Verbal & Non-verbal)

Quantitative Aptitude by R.S.Agarwal

Reasoning: M.K pandy

English: Wren and Martin

General awareness: Prathyogitha darpan

Computer knowledge: Vijeta competitions

Upkar's SBI Clerical Cadre Recruitment Exam

Ramesh's Bank Clerical Exam(Solved Papers) 

Upkar's SBI PO Examination (Solved Papers) 

Ramesh's Bank PO. Previous year Solved Papers 

BANK PO and Specialist Officers Exam Guide by GKP

Bank PO / Specialist Officers Exam Guide 2011 by R. Gupta's

The written examination will comprise objective type of tests as follows:

No. Test Questions Max. marks(i) General Awareness 40 (ii) General English 40 (iii) Quantitative Aptitude 40 (iv) Reasoning Ability 40 (v) Marketing Aptitude/ Computer Knowledge 40

Syllabus:

Verbal• Analogy• Classification• Word formation• Series• Alphabet• Ranking/Arrangement• Coding & Decoding• Blood Relation• Distance and Direction• Symbol & Notation• Password• Statement and Conclusion• Scheduled Day or Date• Mathematical problem• Data Sufficiency• Problem Solving: Data Analysis.

Non Verbal

2 Quantitative Aptitude: The questions might be based on following topics

• Numbers• Simplification• HCF & LCM• Percentage• Average• Ratio & Proportion• Profit & Loss• Partnership• Time and Work• Time and Distance• Allegation• Simple Interest• Compound Interest• Mensuration• Number Series• Approximate Values• Permutations & Combinations• Probability• Data Sufficiency• Data Interpretation

3 General Awareness This section may consist of questions on basic Knowledge ofthe following topics

• Economy• Science and Technology• Banking Knowledge• Computer Knowledge

• Current Events• Polity• Persons in News• Places in News• Important Awards & Honors• Commissions ./Appointments/Resignations• Sport etc.

General Awareness section of Banking exams consists of almost 90% questions fromcurrent events Hence the candidates are advised to make a proper study of Natio

nal Newspapers Magazines and prepare News Capsules In addition to it the candidates must read magazines namely Pratiyogita Kiran, Renu General Knowledge & WorldVision , Pappu Current News & Current Questions to make this section enriched.

4 General English The questions in this section may be asked from the followingTopics

• Passage• Comprehension• Common Errors• Sentence Improvement• Fill in the blanks• Cloze Test• Paragraph Rearrangement/• Antonyms and Synonyms

5 Marketing/ Computer : An aspirant should study the following topics

• Theory of Economics• Indian Economy• Concept of Marketing• Marketing Management• Marketing Investigation• Appointment of company, management and employees• Staff Management• Total Quality Management• Importance of Marketing• Marketing and Advertisement• Responsibilities of Marketing• Market and Business• Division of Market• Business Concept• Marketing Concept• Buyer and Seller• Concept of Buying and Selling• Needs of Consumers• Consumer Index Prices• Consumer Satification• Techniques of Consumer Satisfaction• Total Customer Value• Total Customer Cost

• Factor Affecting Consumers• Theory of Bargaining etc

Introduction of Computer and History

• Operating and DOS• PC and System Software• Computer Net work• Computer Device• Window MS Word: MS Excel• Internet Programming Language• Security Aspects for PC• e world , Advanced Technology Regarding Computer• Various Uses of Computer• Computer of Future etc.

Bank PO Syllabus 2013:-

1. Test of Reasoning/Mental Ability/Aptitude:

This section usually tries to test the reasoning abilities and mental aptitude of the candidate. Questions are asked mainly from the following categories.

VERBAL

    * Number Series    * Alphabet Series    * Test of Direction Sense    * Coding-Decoding    * Number Ranking    * Arithmetical Reasoning    * Problem on Age Calculation    * Blood Relations    * Analogy    * Decision Making etc.

NON-VERBAL

    * Non Verbal Series    * Mirror Images    * Cubes and Dice    * Grouping Identical Figures    * Embedded Figures etc

2. Quantitative Aptitude:

This section tests the quantitative and mathematical skills of the candidate. Questions are asked mainly from the following categories.

    * Number System    * HCF, LCM    * Simplification    * Decimal Fractions    * Ratio and Proportions    * Unitary Method    * Percentage    * Time and Distance    * Time and Work    * Profit and Loss    * Average    * Simple and Compound Interest    * Mensuration (2D and 3D)    * Algebra    * Data Interpretation

3. English:

This section is designed to test the language abilities and understanding of English grammar. Questions are asked mainly from the following categories.

    * Verb    * Adverb    * Subject Verb Agreement    * Error Correction    * Tenses    * Sentence Rearrangement    * Fill in the Blanks with Modals, Articles etc    * Comprehension    * Answering questions based on Unseen Passages    * Vocabulary    * Synonyms    * Antonyms

4. General Awareness:

This section is checks whether the candidate keep himself/herself up to date with the world around them. Questions are asked mainly from the following categories.

    * Current Affairs (National and International)

    * Major Financial/Economic News    * Budget and Five Year Plans    * Who’s Who    * Sports    * Books and Authors    * Awards and Honours    * Science - Inventions and Discoveries    * Abbreviations    * Important Days    * International and National Organisations

Secret of Success in Bank PO 

When you closely watch the syllabus and explore the previous examination question papers, you can

see that Bank PO is a very transparent examination. Once you understand the nature, type, and trend

of the question in each topic, you can formulate a strategy for success.

Secret of Success No. 1: ABSOLUTE DETERMINATION AND COMMITMENT

Think whether you need the job. Evaluate the volume of energy, effort, and hard work you need to put

up for its success. If you feel that the efforts is worth the success, then think no more. Launch yourself

for the success mission. Be perfectly committed and determined to grab the job. There must be no

going back, no withdrawal, and no retreat at any stage. It must be a perfect and ruthless drive towards

success, breaking all blocks and hindrances. Basically, you need a job; you are qualified for Bank PO. It

offers good career challenge and salary. Bank PO is a class one officer in India. If your hard work and

commitment deserves success, why do you hesitate? Go for it, get it, win it, and make yourself one of

the most successful officers in a nationalized bank.

Secret of Success No. 2: EMPOWER YOURSELF WITH KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge makes the difference in Bank PO success. So empower yourself with knowledge, skill,

accuracy, and speed. Rapidly and quickly, improve your knowledge base. Today’s bank exams depend

on two important things:1. Speed with accuracy2. Knowledge with speed

So learn the basics in each and every topic and improve your speed and accuracy through constant

practice.

Secret of Success No.3: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Regular practice helps you to develop wonderful speed and accuracy. So solve problems after

problems constantly and regularly till you develop adequate speed and accuracy for success.

Secret of Success No. 4: PERFECT WILL TO WIN

Understand that you are a wonderfully unique person. You deserve great things in life. You have the

right and responsibility to seek a good place for you in life. By settling yourself in a good job, you are a

laying foundation for a great successful life for you and your coming generations. For this, you should

take lead and initiative. Understand that you have the big responsibility to make yourself a successful

person and you can achieve it through your own hard work. When the right degree of hard work and

consistent constant effort help you to win one of the most attractive jobs in India, why do you hesitate

and spoil your chance? Never ever allow yourself to miss big opportunities in life. Develop your will

power and initiative to achieve success in the right manner.