#CareerBytes: Tips to prepare for Bank PO exams
The post of a Probationary Officer (PO) is one of the most coveted jobs in the banking sector as it offers job security and a good pay package. Bank PO exams, professional-level banking entrance examinations through which banks induct POs, are one of the toughest. However, with the right preparation, one can crack them easily. Here are some preparation tips for Bank PO exams.
About the Bank PO exams and their pattern
Recruitment through Bank PO exams is generally done in three phases. The first and second steps involve written tests, the Preliminary and Mains exams, and then the interview round of the qualifying candidates. The Preliminary exam covers three sections: English Language/Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability/Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. The Mains paper comprises five sections: General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Computer Knowledge, Reasoning, and Verbal Ability.
Section-wise preparation for the Preliminary examination
To prepare for the Preliminary exam, spend equal time on the three sections. The English Language is a scoring section; practice questions on antonyms, synonyms, reading comprehension, spotting errors, cloze test among others. For Numerical Ability/Quantitative Aptitude, solve simplification, quadratic equations, approximation, data interpretation, miscellaneous word questions. For Reasoning Ability, practice questions on inequalities, coding-decoding, blood-relations, syllogism, direction and distance, puzzles, and seating arrangement.
How to prepare for the Mains exam?
In the Mains paper, the General Awareness and Computer Aptitude of the candidates are tested too. For General Awareness, aspirants must read the daily newspaper, magazines, and books to enhance their general knowledge, current affairs, and financial/banking awareness. Coming to Computer Aptitude, candidates must focus on hardware and software basics, operating systems, Internet basics/terms, history of computers, networking and communication, security tools among others.
Candidates need to practice a lot and attempt mock tests
Aspirants need to focus on the basics as the preliminary exam comprises many questions that are of Class-10 level. To perform well, candidates should practice questions of the latest exam pattern regularly and continuously. They also need to manage time better and improve the speed and accuracy of calculations. They must regularly attempt mock tests and analyze their performance and work on getting better.
Other important preparation tips to keep in mind
Candidates should collect the right study material, e-books, test series, and previous papers to prepare well. They can take help of mobile apps and websites that offer the required study material, syllabus, question papers, PDFs, and mock tests. They must create a study plan, allot sufficient time for study, practice, and revision, and follow it. They should identify their weaknesses and work on them.
