How to prepare for Bank PO exam
When anyone wants to prepare for compititive exam it is very important to know "what is moto of that exam","what is the process of selection" etc. if we know abou all this things ,we can plan a better strategy.Here i just show you an example of "how to prepare for bank PO exam".
Probationary Officer ( PO ) is the initial stage to enter in banking industry. From this, one can progress very quickly to higher hierarchy like Manager, General Manager & may more. So this type of job fascinates fresh graduates a lot. And also they are correct in choosing this. This year also many banks have PO exams recently. Like there is ICICI bank PO Recrutment, SBI PO Recrutment , Corporation bank PO exam, OBC bank PO exam, UCO bank PO exam 2010 etc.
Preparing for bank PO exam is not a tough job. It needs a little preparation only. The Probationary Officers ( PO ) are selected on the basis of written test & interview. Almost every bank has same pattern of written test. It consists of objective test & descriptive test.
The Objective Test generally carries of 200 – 250 marks & duration is generally 2 – 3 hrs. The questions are on the basis of reasoning aptitude, general awareness, English language & quantitative aptitude. Also there will be negative marking for each wrong answer.
The Descriptive Test is of 1hr generally & questions are essay type based on comprehension in English.
Probationary Officer ( PO ) is the initial stage to enter in banking industry. From this, one can progress very quickly to higher hierarchy like Manager, General Manager & may more. So this type of job fascinates fresh graduates a lot. And also they are correct in choosing this. This year also many banks have PO exams recently. Like there is ICICI bank PO Recrutment, SBI PO Recrutment , Corporation bank PO exam, OBC bank PO exam, UCO bank PO exam 2010 etc.
Preparing for bank PO exam is not a tough job. It needs a little preparation only. The Probationary Officers ( PO ) are selected on the basis of written test & interview. Almost every bank has same pattern of written test. It consists of objective test & descriptive test.
The Objective Test generally carries of 200 – 250 marks & duration is generally 2 – 3 hrs. The questions are on the basis of reasoning aptitude, general awareness, English language & quantitative aptitude. Also there will be negative marking for each wrong answer.
The Descriptive Test is of 1hr generally & questions are essay type based on comprehension in English.
The following should be taken care of while preparing for PO exam :
- Reasoning Aptitude : In this section, questions are basically of diagrams, analysis, statements etc. You should be very keen & skillful while attempting this. You will be tested on the skills used by you to solve this. Also look for previous year question paper. This will help you a lot.
- General Awareness : For preparing this section, the best is to read the newspaper daily & find out the current affairs in banking sectors. global business, money markets etc.
- English language : This section covers questions on English grammar. Vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms etc. The simple grammar book is sufficient for preparation.
- Quantitative Aptitude : In this, maths of Xth Std will be asked like algebra, profit loss, percentage etc. Class Xth maths book is the source to prepare for it
Some of the reference books are Sultan Chand publications- Quantitative aptitude, Abhijit Guha, R.S. Agarwal & R.K. Gupta for maths, Also some CDs are available containing important questions.
For appearing for bank PO exam, a candidate should be at least 21 years old & should not be more than 30 yrs. of age.
Indian bank PO Exam Pattern
Indian bank PO Exam Educational Qualification: Should have the Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least 55% aggregate marks from a recognized university.
Indian bank PO Exam Pattern: The selection of probationary officer is on the basis of written exam & interview. A candidate has to qualify the both in order to get selected.
written Exam: It is both Objective & Descriptive types.
- Objective Written test : In this, there is 4 sections which is to be attempted in 135mins. There will be 225 questions carrying 200 marks.
A. section I : In this section, questions will be of reasoning type. 75 questions will be asked on this.
B. section II : Candidate will be tested on Quantitative aptitude. There will be 50 questions on this.
C. section III : 50 Questions will be on English.
D. section IV : 50 questions on General awareness.
There is also negative marking for each wrong answer.
- Descriptive Written Test : There will be 5 questions on socio-economic environment which will be essay type. you need to answer only 5 out of this. This test is only qualifying exam i.e. you need to score only the minimum marks that is being decided by the Indian Bank. The marks you score in this won’t be included in finalizing the merit list.
Interview : Those who clear the written test will be called for the interview. In order to get the Group discussion (GD) in bank jobs/ exams preparation guide.
Preparation for English:
There are numbers of ways to prepare before taking up an English exam. The points that we should remember while taking up an English test are -
1) Learn the basics and proper usage of grammar
2) Should avoid spelling mistakes
3) Make sure that the sentence formation are clear and concise
Grammatical errors are the most important factor that one should always concentrate while preparing for an English test. Any small mistake in the grammar of an essay or an article can change the meaning of the sentence entirely. So it is important for anyone to spend some time in learning the usage of grammar. Most of the grammatical errors made are by the people who have high rate of speech.So think slowly & speak to yourself before writing on paper
Spelling mistakes are made by any common person,however it does have a great impact in the end result.You need to be sure that whatever you write in an essay has got no spelling mistakes. If your vocabulary is good you can use different words that no one uses commonly and it helps you to stand out from rest of the crowd.
But it often advisable to use words which are known to you to avoid mistakes.
Sentence formation is an important factor,while writing the descriptive test in Bank exams , as all your thoughts and ideas can only be put forward easily if you’ve got the ability to form or to rephrase the sentence the right way. Sentence formation can only be improved if someone is ready to learn the way of speaking good English.
- Must learn the basics of English language & correct usage of grammar – This is the most important thing one must keep in mind while preparing for the language. A small mistake in grammar can entirely change the meaning of the sentence. The grammatical mistake is often done by those who who speaks English at a very high speed. So try to speak slowly & think before writing in the paper. Also you must devote ample time in learning the grammar portion of the language.
- Spelling mistakes should be avoided at all – This is not acceptable at all. Often this is made very commonly by the common people. You must be extra precaution in avoiding such mistakes which writing an essay or article. Also try to improve the vocabulary. By doing so you will be able to use different & new words which will be uncommon & you will stand out amongst your competitors. This will surely give you some benefits. But make sure that the words you use, must be correct & rightly spelled. You must be confident in using them.
The sentence formation should be clear & very concise – This is important in order to make yourself very clear in concepts. The sentence should be such that every one should understands you fully & correctly.
Books to be follow:
1.wrein and Martin
2.Essential of Grammer by Oxford Publication.
3.Upkar publication Bank probationary officer by khanna.
Preparation for Quantitative aptitude:
The quantitative aptitude for bank exams tests the numerical abilities of the candidate. Bank quantitative aptitude questions are usually from topics in basic mathematics like averages, ratio and proportion, percentage, simple/compound interest etc. Bank numerical ability,as bank quantitative aptitude is also referred to sometimes, usually contains 50 questions in most of the bank numerical ability exams. The following points should be kept in mind while preparing for and attempting this section.
o Don’t be afraid of mathematics- the section demands very basic mathematics which can be learnt through continuous practice and some tricks.
o Practice is the key.
o While preparing for this section- keep notes of the important formulae-this will help you in revising them later.
o Read and thoroughly review the math topics that are tested. Work on areas where you need improvement.
At the test
o Do all easy questions first, leaving the more time-consuming and difficult ones for later.
o Before solving a problem, read all the answer choices. They will all be in the format that your own solution should take
o Eliminate those choices that simply don't make sense.
o Look for shortcuts.
o Use the substitution (or backsolving) method whenever possible. Some problems are solved fasted by simply plugging in the five answer choices and finding the one that works.
Books to be followed:
1. R S Agarwal
2. NCERT 6-10 math book.
3. Sultan Chand publications- Quantitative aptitude, Abhijit Guha.
4. R.K. Gupta for math’s
Preparation for Reasioning:
Questions are basically of diagrams, analysis, statements etc. You should be very keen & skillful while attempting this. You will be tested on the skills used by you to solve this. Also look for previous year question paper. This will help you a lot.
Books to be followed:
1: by R.S.Agarwal.
2: Barron’s Military Flight Aptitude Tests by Terry L. Duran
2: Barron’s Military Flight Aptitude Tests by Terry L. Duran
3: Books of Upkar Prakashan.
4: The Aptitude Test Workbook by Jim Barrett
5: Numerical Ability & Mathematical Aptitude by Dr. A.B. Rao etc
4: The Aptitude Test Workbook by Jim Barrett
5: Numerical Ability & Mathematical Aptitude by Dr. A.B. Rao etc
Preparation for G.K
For preparing this section, the best is to read the newspaper daily & find out the current affairs in banking sectors. global business, money markets etc.
Books to be followed:
1. Pratyogita darpan.
2. India Today.
3. R S Agarwal
4. Daily News paper.
List of Post & Vacancies in different Bank:
Bank | Post & Vacancies | Last date to apply | Written Test (tentative) |
DBI Bank | 1067 Managers | Oct 18, 2010 | Nov 14, 2010 |
FACT | Management Trainee | Oct 20, 2010 | - |
Federal Bank | Clerks & PO | Oct 20, 2010 | Dec 5, 2010 |
Catholic Syrian Bank | PO | Oct 22, 2010 | later |
SBI Associate Bank | 6100 Clerks | Nov 1, 2010 | Jan 16, 2011 |
Punjab Sind Bank | 300 Clerks | Nov 8, 2010 | Jan 30, 2011 |
Punjab Sind Bank | 700 Officers | Nov 8, 2010 | Jan 16, 2011 |
Reserve Bank of India | 80 Officers | Nov 8, 2010 | Feb 6, 2011 |
OBC Bank | 322 PO | Nov 10, 2010 | Dec 26, 2010 |
Indian Bank | 850 PO | Nov 11, 2010 | Jan 2, 2011 |
Madhya Bharat gramin Bank | 39 Officers & 72 Assistants | Nov 18, 2010 | Jan 23 & 30, 2010 |
Axis Bank | Various positions | ongoing | - |
ICICI Bank | Asst.Managers/ Officers | ongoing | - |
