Preparation Tips & Tricks for the SBI Apprentice Exam 2023

The State Bank of India (SBI) has recently published a recruitment notice for 6160 Apprentice Positions. Eligibility for this opportunity is for individuals holding a degree qualification. Among these positions, 390 are designated for Andhra Pradesh (AP) and 125 for Telangana. Selection for these roles will be determined through a competitive examination, with candidates showcasing their talents. Successful applicants will embark on a one-year training program, during which they will receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 15,000.

Online applications are open for these positions, allowing you to choose your preferred state for competition. Successful candidates will undergo a trade test as apprentices, with certification jointly awarded by SBI and the National Skill Development Council (NSDC). Apprenticeships last one year, and individuals completing them enjoy preferential consideration for SBI Junior Associate roles, along with enhanced opportunities in private banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions. Therefore, it's advisable not to underestimate the value of competing for apprentice positions, especially if you aspire to a career in banking. Participating in this examination not only assesses your skills but also provides valuable practice for future assessments.

The exam is in Telugu

The exam can also be attempted in Telugu, with one mark awarded for each correct answer and a quarter mark deducted for every wrong answer. The question paper totals 100 marks, featuring 100 questions, 25 from each of the General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and Computer Aptitude sections. The exam's duration is 60 minutes, with 15 minutes allocated for each section. There is no specific requirement for securing minimum marks to pass the examination; instead, candidates achieving the minimum qualifying marks overall will be considered for opportunities, as determined by the bank. The eligible candidates will have the exam conducted in their local language, provided they have studied that language in their 10th or Inter. Successful candidates in the local language section will proceed to a medical examination and be appointed as apprentices based on merit lists prepared according to states and categories from the eligible candidates.

Important Details

→ Eligibility: Degree, Age should be between 20-28 years as of August 1, 2023. Those born between August 2, 1995 - August 1, 2003, are eligible. Relaxation is applicable for SC, ST, OBC, and PwD. 

→ Fee: SC, ST, Disabled need not pay. Rs.300 for the rest. 

→ Last Date for Online Application: September 21 

→ Exam: In October/November. 

→ Exam Centers in Telugu States: In Andhra Pradeesh, Cheerala, Guntur, Kadapa, Kakinada, Kurnool, Rajamahendravaram, Srikakulam, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram and Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Warangal in Telangana. 

→ Website: https://ibpsonline.ibps.in/sbiaaug23/ 

How to prepare for SBI Apprentice 2023?

→ Whether you're currently preparing for bank exams or already in Coaching, approaching the exam with consistent preparation is key. The test is structured with section-specific time limits, allowing only 36 seconds per question. This is particularly challenging for the Reasoning and Computer Aptitude sections, making thorough practice of sample questions essential to streamline your performance. Prioritizing straightforward, answerable questions over time-consuming ones is a prudent strategy, as incorrect answers can lead to negative markings. 

→ To enhance your readiness, dedicate ample time to practicing old and model question papers from institutions like IBPS and SBI Clerical, striving to complete at least ten sample tests and meticulously analyzing your answers. Success is within reach when your scores demonstrate steady improvement from the first test to the last, indicating that your preparation is on the right track.

SBI Apprentice Subject-Wise Preparation

General/Financial Awareness: 

This section primarily focuses on finance, requiring an understanding of high-end awareness regarding various financial aspects. This includes a comprehensive understanding of entities such as the RBI, the banking system, bank terminology, insurance, repo and reverse repo operations, interest rates, as well as the functioning and mergers of banks, in addition to staying updated on the latest financial decisions and knowledge about banks' headquarters and their respective heads. Furthermore, it is crucial to keep abreast of daily current affairs, as these often form a significant part of the General Awareness section. Many of these questions can be addressed with fundamental knowledge encompassing the country's history, culture, geography, politics, and science, which can typically be covered by studying the main topics covered in classes 8, 9, and 10. To prepare for current affairs questions, it is advisable to remember key events starting from January 2023 up to the examination date. A helpful strategy is to jot down potential questions while perusing magazines, enabling a focused review shortly before the exam. It is also advisable to prioritize topics such as appointments, awards, winners, elections, books and their authors, celebrity tours, and notable deaths when preparing for this section.

General English

The questions will evaluate the candidate's fundamental English knowledge, including tasks such as filling in blanks, identifying sentence errors, working with synonyms and antonyms, recognizing incorrect word usage, testing nationalisms and proverbs, transforming direct and indirect sentences, and arranging words coherently within a sentence. Proficiency in these areas can significantly boost one's score

Quantitative Aptitude 

In the Quantitative Aptitude section, questions will focus on the Number System and essential arithmetic operations, with a special emphasis on percentages, ratios, averages, compound interest, simple interest, profit and loss, time and work, time and distance, and discounts. Mastering these key concepts, knowing how to apply them, and extensive practice with sample questions are vital for efficiently solving problems within the allotted time frame.

Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude

→ Reasoning encompasses both verbal and non-verbal questions, covering areas such as Semantic Ontology, Symbolic Operations, Number Ontology, Trends, Figure Ontology, Venn Diagrams, Number Classification, Series, Coding-Decoding, Word Building, and more, with a predominant focus on logical thinking. A solid grasp of mathematics basics is essential to tackle these questions effectively. 

→ Practice is key to scoring well, particularly in computer-related questions, which are generally at a foundational level, aimed at assessing a candidate's ability to use a computer and perform basic tasks involving applications like Word, Excel, Internet usage, Web Browsing, Email, and familiarity with terms such as URL, HTTP, and Websites. It's worth noting that engineering and computer science students often possess the requisite knowledge and may not require additional preparation for this section of the examination.

It is better to compete for apprentice posts without underestimating them. Especially those who are targeting bank jobs should apply. If you face this exam you can know the level of preparation. It will also serve as a good practice for later exams.

The SBI Apprentice Exam 2023 presents a promising opportunity for aspiring candidates to kickstart their careers in the banking sector. To excel in this competitive examination, diligent preparation is the key. We've covered a range of valuable tips and tricks in this guide, from understanding the exam pattern and syllabus to adopting effective study strategies and time management techniques. Remember that success is not solely determined by the number of hours you put into your studies but by the quality of your preparation. Stay focused, stay motivated, and believe in your abilities. With dedication and consistent effort, you can undoubtedly achieve your goal of cracking the SBI Apprentice Exam and embarking on a rewarding banking career. Good luck!