Preparation tips for SBI exams

Bank jobs are among the most coveted jobs in India in current times. They offer stability and now, even a lot of growth. The banking sector has changed dramatically, and the SBI exams have matched their pace with these evolving times. In this write-up, we will take a sneak peek into the test areas of both the SBI PO and SBI Clerical competitive exams and understand the preparation strategy required by a test-taker to tackle these exams in the months ahead!

Surging ahead with its recruitment drive, the SBI announced 2000 vacancies for the post of Probationary Officers, and 8653 for Clerks this year, and invited applications for the same. This comes as a mighty opportunity for all government job seekers, one which they should certainly tap!

To meet the academic eligibility criterion for applying, aspirants of both the PO and Clerical posts must have a graduate degree in any discipline, while the age limits range between 21 to 30 years for the former (PO) and 21 to 28 years for the latter (Clerk).

The first round of both these online exams will be conducted in June 2019 tentatively. The first phase of both these exams commences with the Prelim, and is followed by the Mains a couple of months later. The PO exam has a follow-up Group Exercise and Interview procedure for the final selection of candidates, while for Clerical posts; there is no further interview process beyond the Main exam. It is obvious that the levels of difficulty are higher in the second phase than in the Prelim, in both the cases. The SBI PO Mains exam also an additional Descriptive component in it.

The final selection depends on a candidate's performance in both the Main and Group Exercise and Interview round for SBI PO, whereas the score of only the Main is taken into account for final selection in the Clerical exam. Negative marking is applicable to wrongly marked answers, and 0.25 of the marks assigned are deducted from the total marks allotted to that particular question. Therefore, guesswork, while attempting the paper, is a BIG NO!

Prelim test areas for PO and Clerical:

The SBI PO Prelim paper comprises essentially three test areas namely, Quantitative Ability, Reasoning Ability, and English Language. The Clerical exam also has the same areas albeit with a slightly different nomenclature – Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability, and English Language.

The Reasoning section of both the exams consists of 35 Qs that need to be attempted in 20 mins.

This section offers a good scope for score maximisation, as this is a relatively easier part of the tests. The difficulty level of questions is much lower in Prelims than in the Mains.

Symbols and notations, Blood relations, Direction sense, Coding-decoding, Syllogisms and Puzzles (Linear arrangements, Circular arrangements, Distribution and Comparison) are the major areas of attention. Questions on these test a candidate's ability to follow a set of complex instructions, and hence they must be worked out towards the end.

Questions on Input-Output and Data Sufficiency usually figure in the Mains, but candidates must be alert as they made an appearance in the Prelim last year.

Questions pertaining to Set of numbers and Sequence generally feature in the Clerical Prelim exam.

Along similar lines, the Quant section of both these exams comprises 35 Qs that should be attempted in 20 mins. Candidates must pay attention to questions on Simplifications, Approximations, Missing and Wrong number Series, Data Interpretation, Quadratic comparisons and individual questions on Arithmetic etc. Form a chunk of this section.

Data Interpretation carries more weight age in the PO Prelim, while Simplifications and Approximations are more essential to the Clerical. It has been observed that the Mains exams indulge more in questions on Data sufficiency and Data comparison; however, these should not be neglected as they were targeted even in the Prelims the previous year.

The English Language section, with 30 Qs that need to be worked out in 20 mins, has remained as mercurial as ever, and is hence a high priority area. Reading Comprehension, Cloze test, FIBS, Para jumbled, Grammar (Error identification, Phrase replacement), Word interchange, Match the Clause and Incorrect usage form important components of this section. Though the questions here are a tad easier than the ones asked in the Mains, is it quite a demanding part.

Mains tests areas for PO and Clerical:

Comparatively, questions in the PO Main exam are tougher than those in the Clerical. A variable marking scheme exists, the number of questions per section varies, the time limit allotted to each section also differs, and all these together make the exam dicey in nature.

The SBI PO and Clerical Main papers present four test areas: Reasoning and Computers, Data analysis and interpretation, English Language, and General Economy and Banking Awareness. The Clerical exam also has the same areas albeit with a slightly different nomenclature

The Reasoning and Computers part, even though named such, has had no questions related to Computers during the last three years. The focus is more on Puzzles, Input-output, Data Sufficiency, Decision-making, Coding-decoding and Critical Reasoning. Though Critical Reasoning sounds intimidating, its questions don't take a lot of time to answer, and can be easily worked out by elimination. However, there is a likelihood of getting stuck between two close options.

Data analysis and interpretation section of the PO is named Quantitative Aptitude in the Clerical Mains. The PO Mains converge on Data interpretation, with maximum number of questions posed from this topic. Other vital topics include Data Sufficiency and Data Comparison, individual questions on Quant, Numbers, and Series etc.

Questions that are common to the Clerical Mains are drawn from Simplifications, Approximations, while there are a few individual questions asked as well.

The English Language part of the Mains presents questions from all test areas relevant to the Prelims, the only exception being that the manner of their presentation is becoming increasingly volatile and dynamic with each year that goes by. Grammar questions are tweaked to include multiple errors; grammatically incorrect sentences, multiple phrase replacement, Para Odd man out questions, a variety of questions from cloze test passages are a few novel features here that candidates have reportedly come across. Central idea or theme of the passage questions are an altogether new type that have been reported in the past years.

The section on General Economy / Banking Awareness is labelled as General Economy / Financial Awareness in the Clerical exam. Commonly asked questions in this part are from areas pertaining to the Banking industry, the Indian Economy and Current Affairs. A few questions are also static ones, though they are restricted to the Clerical, and the PO steers clear of them. A thorough knowledge of banking terminology is a must for the Clerical exam, where this is targeted.

Aspirants are asked to start their preparation right away without any further delay. Overall preparation strategy involves the identification of one's strong and weak areas, fortifying the strong areas, and chipping away one's weaknesses with the help of good practice. Increase your practice with more and more sectional tests, take one Mock test every day, and practise on the computer for optimum results.

( The author is Course director for Bank Exams, T.I.M.E.)