To answer you of the most asked “How to prepare for the banking exam”, let’s dive deep into the details. By the end of the article, you will have a better understanding of the Banking exam preparation guide.
If you have recently completed your banking course, you are on the right path. Because you are looking for an opportunity in a banking career, you must know where to start from.
banking is one of India’s largest recruiters, offering not only lucrative packages but also a secure and comfortable tenure. Every year, IBPS holds a common written examination to recruit candidates for a variety of positions. On the other hand, the SBI and the Reserve Bank of India selection boards hold regular examinations for various positions. Many private sector banks hold exams based on the IBPS score as well.
What are bank recruitment exams?
Every year, agencies such as SBI, RBI, IBPS, LIC, and PSBs hold bank exams to fill vacancies in public sector banks for Clerks, PO/MT, SO, RRB PO/Clerk. Look at this:
- State Bank of India organizes the SBI Clerk, SBI PO, and SBI SO exams (SBI).
- Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) administers the IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, IBPS RRB, and IBPS SO exams (IBPS).
- Reserve Bank of India holds RBI Grade B and RBI Assistant Recruitment exams.
- Life Insurance Corporation of India holds recruitment exams for LIC AAO, LIC ADO, and LIC Assistant (LIC).
However, there is a number of other banks that have their own procedure to fill the gap. Here’s the list of almost all banks in India.
SBI Clerk/IBPS PO/IBPS Clerk/IBPS RRB/RBI/LIC: Selection Process
As you began to understand your question of how to prepare for the banking exam, you will have to know that there are three stages to make a career in banking. It’s necessary to understand all of these three stages.
In all the bank recruitment exams, the selection process involves either a two-phased or three-phased process involving:
- Prelims exam
- Mains exam
- Group Discussion/Interview
Educational Qualification
The candidate must have a graduation degree from a recognized state or central university, as well as the ability to read, write, and speak English, as well as operating and working knowledge of computer systems.
Pattern of Examination
Before beginning preparation for various banking exams, candidates should familiarise themselves with various banking exam patterns and syllabi. Exams are typically divided into three stages: preliminary, mains, and interview.
The Preliminary and Mains exams are essentially computer-based tests with multiple-choice questions. For clerical positions, the interview phase is not applicable.
As a reader, you may have a lot of other doubts storming in your brain. Do not worry, let’s see if we can answer them and help you with how to prepare for the banking exam. The table below will tell you about the prelims and mains exam pattern. Not it down…
Prelims Exam Pattern for SBI/IBPS/RBI
| Contents | Prelims Exam Pattern SBI PO/Clerk, IBPS PO/Clerk, RBI Assistant | IBPS RRB Prelims Exam Pattern Office Assistant/Officer Scale I, II, III |
| Mode of Exam | Online | Online |
| Format | Multiple Choice Questions | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Language | Bilingual- Hindi & English | Bilingual- Hindi & English |
| No. of Questions | 100 | 80 |
| Total Marks | 100 | 80 |
| Duration | 60 Minutes (Sectional/Overall) | 45 Minutes (Overall) |
| Subjects | English Language Numerical Ability/Quantitative Aptitude Reasoning Ability |
Numerical Ability Reasoning Ability |
| Negative Marking | 1/4th Marks | 1/4th Marks |
Mains Exam Pattern: SBI/IBPS/RBI
| Contents | Mains Exam Pattern SBI Clerk, IBPS Clerk, RBI Assistant |
IBPS RRB Mains Exam Pattern |
| Mode of Exam | Online | Online |
| Format | Multiple Choice Questions | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Language | Bilingual- Hindi & English | Bilingual- Hindi & English |
| Total Questions | 190/200 | 200 |
| Maximum Marks | 200 | 200 |
| Time Duration | 2 Hours 40 Minutes (Approx) | 2 Hours |
| Subjects | General/Financial Awareness General English Quantitative Aptitude Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude |
General Awareness English/Hindi Language Numerical Ability Reasoning Ability Computer Knowledge |
| Negative Marking | 1/4th Marks | 1/4th Marks |
Now, let’s talk about the syllabus. We are trying to explain it as simply as possible. After all, it has to answer how to prepare for the banking exam and help you stop toing and froing throughout the internet.
Syllabus for Preliminary Exam
The detailed syllabus and marks division of the Preliminary Exam is as follows:
UnitSubunitMarksReasoning Ability
1. Logical Reasoning
2. Alphanumeric Series
3. Ranking
4. Data Sufficiency
5. Coded Inequalities
6. Direction Test
7. Seating Arrangement
8. Puzzles
9. Tabulation
10. Syllogism
11. Input/ Output
12. Coding and Decoding
13. Blood Relations35Quantitative Aptitude1. Profit, Loss, and Discounts
2. Quadratic Equations
3. Approximation and Simplification
4. Mixtures and Allegation
5. Simple and compound interest
6. Work and Time
7. Speed time and distance
8. Data Interpretation35English Language1. Reading Comprehension
2. Cloze Test
3. Tenses Rules
4. Fill in the Blanks
5. Jumbled Sentences
6. Idioms & Phrases
7. Multiple Meaning
8. Preposition Rules
9. Error Detection
10. Reading Comprehension30
After clearing the Preliminary exam the candidates need to appear for the mains examination. The Mains examination consists of 4 sections which are mentioned below:
- Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Language
- General Awareness
In addition to the computer-based tests, the candidates should appear for a descriptive paper that contains Essay and Letter Writing in English.
List of Careers in Banking
Banking offers many rewarding and lucrative career opportunities, be it the public sector or the private sector. Let’s look at the top 10 most trending jobs and careers in banking:
| Career in Banking | Salary |
| Bank Manager | 7 Lakhs p.a. |
| Financial Accountant | 4 Lakhs p.a. |
| Financial Risk Manager | 11 Lakhs p.a. |
| Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | 7 Lakhs p.a. |
| Investment Banker | 10 Lakhs p.a. |
| Equity Analyst | 4 Lakhs p.a. |
Apart from these, some of the most popular careers in Banking are:
- Asset Manager
- Financial Risk Manager
- Business Analyst
- Internal Auditor
- Foreign Exchange Trader
- Credit Analyst
- Loan Officer
- Bank Teller
- Financial Manager
- Financial Service Representatives
- Book-Keeper
- Audit Clerks
The following skills will help you to build a career in the banking sector:
- Customer dealing
- Customer satisfaction
- Analytical skills
- Good knowledge of numbers and accounts
- Mental maths
- Communication skills
- Patience
- Attention to minute details
- Confidence
- Critical thinking
- Technical skills
- Stress management
- Resilience
Some important pointers for acing the exam
- Examine the syllabus thoroughly. Make an effort to learn as many concepts as possible.
- Remember that planning ahead of time is critical. Create a daily routine that allows for time for each area.
- Solve previous year’s exam papers.
- In banking exams, the reasoning section is the most important. Make it a daily habit to practice 4-5 sets of question papers.
- Rather than simply memorizing, try to understand the subjects. However, you must memorize some information-oriented topics.
- Quantitative aptitude is made up of questions from the XII standard. Short-cut methods are critical for achieving high scores in a short amount of time.
- Improve your vocabulary to score well in the English section. Make it a habit to read the National on a daily basis. Make a list of unfamiliar words and look up their definitions in a dictionary. Make a plan to review old vocabulary every day.
- Understand what is going on in and outside of India in terms of economics, financial rules, social development, banking rules, sports news, and other important news.
- Basic computer knowledge, including the names of various software and hardware, is required. Knowledge of shortcut operational keys and Microsoft Office will assist you in achieving a high exam score.
- Pay special attention to your weak points.
- Mock tests are essential for effective time management in the examination hall.
- Don’t try to learn new things right before an exam. Concentrate solely on what you have already learned.
- Make a habit of writing long answers to descriptive questions in the Mains exam, keeping in mind the exam’s time constraints.
- To face the interview, you must be confident and well-prepared in all of the above-mentioned areas.
- Finally, a positive and optimistic attitude, combined with hard work, dedication, and determination, will bring you one step closer to success.
We hope, you have the answer and are able to decide. If it is still unclear to you and the article “how to prepare for banking exam” is not helping you to calm your information appetite. Feel free to let us know, we would be glad to take your suggestions seriously and improve the information quality.
