IBPS stands for Institute of Banking Personnel Selection. It conducts various exams for varied positions. One of the exams conducted by IBPS is for Probationary Officers. The exam conducted for the position of Probationary Officers is known as the IBPS PO exam. This exam is conducted each year. The Prelims exam will be conducted on September 23, 30, and October 1, 2023., and the result will be declared in December. So, you should waste no time and get started with the preparation for the exam.
Here we discuss a few tips and tricks that can help ace the IBPS PO Exam.
1. Know the exam pattern for the IBPS PO exam
The IBPS PO exam is conducted in three parts. The first part is called the Prelims exam. The second part is called the Mains exam. The third part is the interview.
The prelims exam consists of three sections, namely, English language, Numeric Ability, and Reasoning Ability. Each part consists of objective-type questions. Each section is given 20 minutes with a total of 1 hour for the entire exam. The total marks of the exam are 100 with 30 allocated to the English language and 35 each to numeric and reasoning ability. Negative marking is involved in the paper. Depending on your score, you will be allowed to sit for the main exam.
The mains exam consists of both objective type and descriptive questions. The total time allotted is 3 hours 30 minutes for completing the paper.
The objective part of the paper consists of English language for 40 marks, data analysis and interpretation for 40 marks, reasoning and computer aptitude for 60 marks, and general awareness, economy, and banking awareness for 40 marks.
The descriptive part of the paper includes writing a letter and an essay for a total of 25 marks. You will get 60 minutes for reasoning and computer aptitude, 40 minutes for the English language, 45 minutes for data analysis and interpretation, and 35 minutes for general awareness, economy, and banking awareness. You will get 30 minutes for descriptive letter writing and essay writing.
If you can meet the cut-off of the examination, you will be called in for the interview. The interview is taken by a panel consisting of various bank officials. Questions varying from banking knowledge, current, and general awareness, and the economy may be asked. The interview can last from 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure that you’re carrying all the required documents, papers, a portfolio, a copy of your resume, and the like.
2. Know your syllabus
The syllabus for the IBPS PO prelims and mains may differ. To prepare for the respective exams, you must be aware of the syllabus for both exams in detail. The syllabus for IBPS PO Prelims consists of the following.
- – For reasoning ability, the syllabus consists of topics such as data sufficiency, ranking, coding, decoding, seating arrangements, blood relations, and inequalities.
- – For the English language, the syllabus consists of fill in the blanks, comprehension, jumbled paragraphs, etc.
- – The syllabus for Numeric ability includes topics relating to profit and loss, work and time, sequence and series, time management, probability, permutation combination, etc.
- The syllabus for mains is similar to that of prelims for certain sections.
- – For quantitative aptitude, the questions consist of topics that were a part of prelims with others such as measurement, geometry, mixture, and allegations, etc.
- – General awareness consists of topics related to finance, economics, general knowledge, and current affairs.
- – English language will check the comprehension, grammar rules, verbal ability, and the like.
- – Reasoning and computer aptitude will have questions regarding syllogism, scheduling, ranking, keyboard shortcuts, Microsoft office, etc.
3. Start the preparation, do not wait for notifications
Do not wait for the dates of the examination to be scheduled. When you decide the career you would want to be a part of, start preparing for its exams and take care of the other needful requirements.
4. Get the required material
Various resources are available both online and at your local shops. Do some research regarding the material that is available and get yourself the books and other resources that would help you score the best to your ability.
5. Have a set plan
Schedule a plan as to which you will work throughout your preparation. There are various sections that you would have to take care of therefore make a daily, weekly, or monthly plan. You can create your plan or you can find a few online as well.
Make sure you give time to the topics as required. Some topics may be more difficult than others. Do not rush the preparations.
6. Give considerable time to mock tests
Mock tests provide you with an idea as to what kind of paper you could encounter on the day of an examination. Take a mock test before you start your preparation to know how much work is needed. You can plan your preparation accordingly.
Thereafter, plan your mock tests monthly or every fifteen days. This will provide you with better insight. You can find several IBPS PO free mock tests online.
7. Extra readings
Do not forget to give time for extra readings. Read newspapers and other articles available online related to finance, banking, the economy, etc.
This will help you perform better in the general awareness section.
8. One section at a time
Do not mix the contents of the various sections. Take one section at a time. Concentrate on one topic and then move on to the next. There are three sections in the prelims and four in the mains. Take it one at a time.
9. Due importance to all the subjects
Do not hold the opinion that one section might be more important than the other. All the sections and each topic of all the sections should be given equal importance.
10. Solve previous year’s question papers
Solving the previous year’s question papers will help you get an idea about the questions that are a part of the examination. This is the best way to prepare for any exam.