All public sector banks’ exams are administered by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection. To pursue your ideal banking job, it is crucial to properly study for and pass these tests.
How do IBPS examinations work?
The IBPS tests are a crucial component of the PSB professional recruiting process. These centralised tests cover every facet of PSB hiring. Each test includes questions on subjects relating to certain occupations, and the majority of exams call for taking numerous exams.
The many IBPS test categories are listed below:
The IBPS clerk exam
The majority of the personnel for banks is hired via the IBPS clerk examination, which is also formally known as the CRP Clerical examination. It consists of a major examination and a preliminary examination. The preliminary examination pattern often consists of:
- 30 questions on English
- 35 questions on math skills
- 35 questions on thinking skills
The major examination pattern often consists of:
- There Will Be 40 Questions on General English
- 50 On General Knowledge & Financial Awareness
- 50 On Numeric Aptitude
- And 50 On Reasoning and Computer Aptitude.
The IBPS PO test
The Central Recruitment Process: Probationary Officer/Management Trainee, or CRP PO/MT, which is another name for the IBPS PO test, evaluates candidates for probationary officer posts. A formal interview procedure, major test, and preliminary exam are all requirements for candidates. The IBPS PO preliminary exam pattern normally consists of:
- 30 inquiries regarding the English language
- 35 inquiries about mental acuity
- 35 inquiries about the reasoning
There are two distinct examinations in the IBPS main exam. A descriptive paper exam containing 2 English language questions is part of the assessment to gauge your ability to write letters and essays. The second exam is an objective assessment, and its usual pattern is as follows:
- 45 questions regarding thinking and computing aptitude
- 35 questions on data analysis and interpretation
- 35 questions well about the English language
- 40 questions on general awareness, economy, and banking knowledge
The IBPS RRB test
In Regional Rural Banks, the IBPS RRB test measures applicants’ expertise for officer and office assistant roles (RRB). It is crucial to passing this test if you are applying for jobs like:
- Officer support
- Officer scales I, II, and III are all available
IBPS RRB exams are slightly different from other IBPS exams since the individual tests needed and the exam topic change depending on the job you want. These tests could have a preliminary exam, a single exam, a major exam, and an interview stage. 80 total questions regarding logical thinking and numeric ability make up the average preliminary test design. 200 questions regarding the following topics normally make up the IBPS RRB main test pattern:
- Knowledge of computers
- The languages English and Hindi
- Finance
- General Awareness
- Logical thinking
- And aptitude for mathematics
The IBPS SO test
The IBPS SO test, which is also formally known as the CRP Specialist Officers examination, aids in the recruitment of specialists who assist the overall operations of the PSB and operate within its financial, legal, and technical frameworks. This covers positions like:
- Rajbhasha adhikari
- An agriculture field officer
- An hr or people’s official
- And IT officer
- A lawyer
There are three parts to the IBPS SO exam: the preliminary exam, the main exam, also known as the professional knowledge test, and the IBPS SO interview. The IBPS SO preliminary test normally consists of the following items, however, specifics may vary depending on the post you are seeking for.
- 50 questions regarding general awareness with a focus on the financial sector
- 50 questions about the reasoning
- 25 questions well about the English language
- 50 questions about mathematical aptitude
The IBPS SO major exam pattern normally comprises 60 questions on practical knowledge. Nevertheless, depending on the position you apply for, there are several examinations. Rajbhasha Adhikari candidates have two half-hour tests to complete, whereas candidates for the other mentioned posts have one exam to finish in 45 minutes.
IBPS test preparation methods
Below are some general guidelines to remember while you get ready for an IBPS exam:
1. Examine the curriculum
The IBPS normally gives a syllabus outlining the broad subject matter that might be included in the test. You may concentrate on your studies to prevent learning about subjects that the test won’t cover by finding and reviewing the syllabus. The majority of exam schedules need to be available on the internet or via offline study tools.
2. Make a study schedule.
It’s critical to create a personalised study schedule that will guide your time management. This might assist you in making sure you are ready for every test part. Start by looking for significant themes the examinations cover in the bank of exam questions from past years as well as the current and preceding syllabi. Create a study schedule that will enable you to go through the exam material in order and revisit new material as needed.
3. Review prior test results
Look at the test questions from prior years. It is extremely crucial to do this before your first IBPS test. The IBPS frequently concentrates on the same themes, making it easier for you to decide which to prepare for first. You may learn more about test patterns, how the IBPS builds questions, and what the IBPS values by studying prior exams.
4. Complete practise tests
Test your knowledge by often taking mock exams. This could make it easier for you to comprehend how the exam questions are structured. Additionally, your results let you know which subjects you might need to learn more thoroughly, which can help you prepare more effectively. Additionally, you may practise answering several questions in a short amount of time by taking mock exams.
Advice on how to study for the IBPS test
You can utilise the following advice to help you get ready for an IBPS exam:
1.) Read newspapers
Read newspapers and other reputable news sources as much as you can. Pay special attention to the business & current affairs parts as you read. You might use this to be ready for your exam’s general awareness portion.
2.) Keep your study pace.
The majority of IBPS exams have numerous tests, although it is frequently advisable to concentrate on doing one exam at a time. This might aid in managing your development and educating you on the syllabi generally. However, because the majority of preliminary tests include material covered in the main exams, your preparation should be effective for both exams.
3.) Study the cut-off
Review the cut-off scores from the previous year’s exams. Typically, the IBPS gives a cut-off chart that outlines the minimum qualifying marks from prior years and explains the scores needed for each component. By doing so, you might be able to decide which subjects to focus on when studying and have a greater understanding of the demands placed on your performance. To effectively prepare for your needs, think about analysing many years’ worth of cut-off scores to look for any probable patterns in the minimal credentials.
4.) Study all topics
For the exams, the IBPS normally publishes a section and cuts it off. It’s crucial to thoroughly examine each part so you can complete the exam’s questions within the allotted time. The following are important topics to review:
English language proficiency, general banking and financial understanding, numerical aptitude, reasoning ability, computer literacy
4.) Read English materials
Before your exams, work on your English language abilities. Work on improving your vocabulary, grammar, and understanding. To assist, think about reading English journals, periodicals, or newspapers; alternatively, consider examining an official English grammar book.
5.) Make a note
Make notes on relevant facts while you learn. Taking notes, particularly handwritten notes, may aid in strengthening your memory. Similar to this, your notebooks provide you with easy access to study revision materials.
Books for IBPS Preparation
Learning the curriculum is the key to choosing the top IBPS preparing books. The institute releases a sample syllabus, which is listed on the test announcement. The thorough syllabus is developed by reviewing sample papers from past years’ exams that are accessible on the institutes’ official website.
- Below are some essential IBPS study guides:
- General & Banking Awareness: Applicants may get much of the information on the bank exam’s syllabus in the “Manorama Yearbook.” Other books should be used in addition to this because the bank PO test needs more thorough coverage.
- Quantitative Aptitude: The best textbook for quantitative aptitude including all IBPS examinations is “Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Agarwal.” Again for the bank clerk test, it is enough. To get a feel for the problems asked in IBPS examinations, applicants could also consult the question papers from the prior year.
- English Language: All IBPS exams have the same standard for the English language portion. Reading “Wren and Martin’s English Grammar and Composition” will cover the curriculum.
- Reasoning: The IBPS exams all include a section on reasoning. It evaluates a candidate’s capacity to use reasoning to resolve both verbal and nonverbal issues. R.S. Agarwal’s “A Modern Approach to Reasoning” is the greatest book on the topic. A New Approach to Reasoning: Verbal & Non-Verbal by B.S. Sijwali and Indu Sijwali should be read in addition to this book.
In addition to reading books, applicants might benefit greatly by doing practice exams, quizzes, and papers from prior years. Hope this article has helped you know the tips to prepare and some important books to rely on.