A Guide On How to Prepare for Bank Exams

Apart from being one of the fastest-growing sectors, the Banking industry is also among the leading employers. Known for offering handsome salary packages, a good working environment, and various perks, the banking jobs are one of the most sought-after career paths amongst graduates. The recruitment process of both the public sector and private banks is through competitive exams which are slightly difficult to crack. But with the proper strategy and perseverance, these exams can be tackled with ease. In this blog, we will share some tips and strategies on how to prepare for bank exams. 

Overview

Before addressing the question of how to prepare for bank exams, it is important to understand the recruitment process followed by them. In India, the recruitment process of the government sector banks differs from that of the private banks. The IBPS is the common testing agency that conducts banking exams on behalf of the majority of PSU banks in India excluding SBI. The State Bank of India has its own exam to recruit the staff for various posts. The basic eligibility criteria to appear for these examinations in India requires you to have an undergraduate degree, age less than 30 years, and computer literacy besides other prerequisites that may vary from one bank to another. In general, the test is conducted in three phases namely, prelims, mains, and a final interview. The primary objective of these levels is to assess the candidates reasoning ability, quantitative aptitude, and English language proficiency. 

Also read: How to crack an interview

Preparing for Bank Exams

To build a successful career in the banking sector, it is important to build a strong foundation of the theoretical concepts. This is also visible in the syllabus of various bank exams which are conducted to recruit the best out of a pool of many candidates. The first thing to consider while addressing the question of how to prepare for bank exams is to understand the exam pattern and identify and analyze your strengths and weaknesses. Based on this, you should formulate a study plan. Listed below are some of the suggestions you can follow to ace these exams:

• Identify the Topics

The first step on how to prepare for bank exams is to identify the topics which you are strong at and the ones on which you need to work on. Prioritize the topics, set a specific time slot, go through them one at a time rather than shuffling between them and proceed to the next subject only after acquainting yourself with the basics. 

• Prepare a Time Table

From the notification to the final exam, there is very little time to prepare. Thus, in order to cover all the topics comprehensively, formulating a time table is imperative. Create and follow a schedule that focuses on your strengths and weaknesses. Allot a time slot for each subject and give more attention to those topics which carry more weight. Even though it is advisable to not breach the set time limit, it is also important to include short breaks to boost productivity

Also read: SWOT analysis for students 

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• Use Multiple Resources

Even though reading a variety of books on the same subject is not advisable if you have limited time but using multiple study materials to clear the concepts or garner relevant information can double your chances of scoring well in the exam. To make studies less monotonous, you can also prepare from an array of online or app-based resources. 

• Revise Periodically

It takes time for the brain to store a huge amount of information. If you don’t revise on a regular basis, you might find it hard to recall what you have read. It not only helps you retain the information for a longer period of time but will boost your performance in the exam. 

How to Prepare for Bank Exams: Quick Tips

Now that you are familiar with the essential tricks on how to prepare for bank exams, here are few other pointers you can use to prepare for these entrance exams: 

• Read newspapers daily to stay updated with current affairs.
• Identify your weaknesses, create a time-table and follow it strictly. 
• Go through previous year question papers and give a number of mock tests.
• Give time to each portion of the syllabus. Mixing it up won’t work.
• Allow your body to rest. Meditating occasionally will help increase your focus. 
• Prefer smart work over hard work. Avoid reading things which don’t form a  part of the syllabus. 
• Make notes for quick reference. Doing so would save you a lot of time during revision. 
• Highlight important factual information on books and notes for your ease. 

Hopefully, these suggestions on how to prepare for bank exams will help you score well. The banking industry assures a stable income and a respected job profile. Thus, if you want to kick-start your career in this field but are not sure about which banking courses after graduation will suit you, then the counselors at Leverage Edu will assist you in selecting the course and university that aligns with your professional goals.