How To Prepare For Bank PO Exams? Tips and Tricks

Bank PO (Probationary Officer) exams are highly competitive and challenging and require extensive preparation to crack. It is a dream job for many aspiring candidates as it offers a stable career in the Banking sector with excellent growth opportunities. To ace the bank PO exam, One needs to have a strategic approach and a thorough understanding of the exam pattern, syllabus, and question types.

In this article, we will provide you with some valuable tips and tricks to prepare for bank PO exams. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced candidate, these tips will help you to enhance your preparation and boost your confidence to crack the Bank PO exam. From understanding the exam pattern to practicing mock tests, we will cover everything you need to know to prepare for the bank PO exam. So, let's dive in and explore the tips and tricks to crack the bank PO exam.

Bank PO Exam Pattern

Bank PO English Syllabus

Bank PO English Exam Tips

• English has a special place in the selection process. Prelims, Mains, Descriptive, Group Exercise (GE), Interview. This subject plays a vital role in every stage. English Syllabus can be divided into Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading Comprehension, and Verbal Ability.
• Questions are coming from sections like Reading Comprehension, Close Test, Para Jumble/Sentence Jumble/Odd Sentence Out, Sentence Improvement, Fill in the Blanks, Error Spotting, etc. Vocabulary-based questions in the Reading Comprehension (RC) section must be answered first.
• A better score in RC can be achieved by reading articles in magazines on contemporary developments, generally related to Technology, Banking and Economy, Business, Governance, Education, Social Issues, etc.
• Some keywords are highlighted in the given article as part of reading comprehension. These words are asked to identify synonyms and antonyms according to the context.
• In order to identify the answers, the options given under the question should be examined carefully. Practicing speed reading and quickly identifying the gist of the passage will help you clear the RC section successfully.
• Daily English newspapers and books should be read. Note the new words separately. This is how vocabulary should be mastered. This preparation is also useful for letter writing and essay in mains. Prepare for the Close Test and Fill in the Blanks sections simultaneously.
• There is only one technique to find answers to these questions. Also practicing spotting errors and sentence improvements at the same time is beneficial.

Quantitative Ability/Data Analysis, and Data Interpretation

• Quantitative Ability/Data Analysis, and Data Interpretation are challenging sections in Bank SBI PO Exam. Especially in prelims, it is difficult to solve 35 quantitative aptitude questions in 20 minutes. But with proper practice and time management, it is possible to score well.
• Experts say that the questions in the last PO exams were tough. Despite scoring well in Reasoning and English, many are struggling in QA/DA-I sections. If you stick to the basic arithmetic topics like ratios, percentages, work-period, average, and proportions chapters, you will be able to quickly find accurate answers to questions from data analysis and data interpretation.
• The lack of a sectional cut-off is a common factor for the candidates. According to experts, it is easier to get marks in Numerical Ability.
• A good score in Quantitative Aptitude requires basic formula remembrance and quick calculation skills. Certain chapters of Quantitative Aptitude become crucial to scoring well in DI.
• Simplification/approximation problems and number series questions appear widely. These should be achieved first in exams. The quadratic Equations section is also an easy section to score.
• In the Arithmetic chapters Partnerships, Percentages and their Applications, Ratio and Proportion, Time and Work, Simple Interest, Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, and Averages chapters should be preferred.

Reasoning Ability

• This section is intended to assess the logical thinking and analytical skills of the candidates. If you score well in Reasoning, your chances of success are high. Reasoning questions are difficult in the PO exam as compared to other bank exams.
• The reasoning skills of the candidates are tested by asking new model questions from time to time. First of all, you should develop an understanding of what kind of questions are coming in this section. For this, you have to use the previous question papers.
• Reasoning puzzles in previous SBI Mains are very tough. The majority of questions come from puzzles. It is not easy for the candidates to answer logical questions in the given time. The problem can be overcome with proper practice. You should know from which topics the questions are coming more and make preparation plans accordingly.
• Seating arrangements and puzzles (circular, linear arrangements, floor tests), coded inequalities/input-output, syllogisms/coding and decoding, blood relations, directions, and distance, ordering and ranking, alphanumerical series, implicit assumptions in logical reasoning; Focus on Inferences, Cause, and Effect, Cause of Action sections. A high score in Reasoning requires a candidate to first identify answers to questions that he can solve quickly.
• Next which questions can be solved in less time? Which questions require more time? Taking other factors into consideration, one should take a step forward by identifying the answers in a regular manner. Focus on the questions that require more time in the end.

Improve Speed and Accuracy

Bank PO exams are all about speed and accuracy. One needs to answer the questions quickly and accurately to score well. To improve your speed, practice time management techniques like solving questions in a time-bound manner. To improve accuracy, focus on the basics and practice regularly. Avoid the guesswork and take calculated risks only when necessary.

Revise Regularly

Revision is crucial for retaining what you have learned. Revise regularly, preferably on a daily basis. This will help you remember the concepts and formulas. Make short notes of important points and revise them regularly. The revision will also help you identify the areas where you need to improve.

Practice with Mock Tests

Bank Sector is a good platform for huge salaries and career advancement. That is why the competition is high. Candidates should master English basic grammar rules and vocabulary. Candidates can score well in DI with Basic Arithmetic. In Reasoning, more questions are coming from puzzles. There is no better tool than practice to become a winner in POV. One should take a step forward by writing mock tests and analyzing the results from time to time. It should be read keeping in mind the main syllabus and not specifically for prelims.

Preparing for Bank PO exams requires dedication, hard work, and a well-structured preparation plan. Follow these tips and tricks, and you will be on your way to success in Bank PO exams. Remember to stay focused and never give up. Good luck!