The demand for bank jobs is on the rise in the country as compared to any other career. Industry experts say that in the next three years, 3 lakh jobs will be created in this sector. But one needs to clear the exam, a combination of objective and descriptive test. In order to ace this, there are certain key points that one must keep in mind, says Gaurav Pal
A Bank Probationary Officer is a gateway to the managerial life which can lead to one the highest positions of the bank — general manager. The first stage of becoming an officer is to crack the written exam. Hardwork and utmost dedication are needed for being selected. Almost all banks have a similar pattern for the exam. Generally, there is an objective test followed by a descriptive test. The candidates are required to adopt the right strategy to crack the exam to avoid last minute panic.
The PO objective test pattern consists of five parts: Reasoning section, quantitative aptitude, test of English, general awareness and computer knowledge. In 95 per cent of the exams, there are negative marks which are almost up to 0.25 for each wrong answer. It is also a must to clear all the sections as the banks want to make sure that their future manager is an all-rounder. However, in the descriptive type pattern, essay type answers are expected. The time duration is for 60 minutes and the test is just for qualification purpose. So make sure that one unfailingly reaches the magical figure of 40 per cent.
Before one starts preparing for any exam, it is important to know strengths and weaknesses. One can strategise the trip to the endpoint well if one knows the start point. There is need to recognise strengths and weaknesses for any test preparation, like is one strong in mathematics, average in physics and totally clueless in chemistry.
This is important because then one can create a study plan to turn the weaknesses into strengths and ignore certain weaknesses if they are not important from exam point of view. Another important factor to consider is planning.
It is accurately believed, ‘he who fails to plan, plans to fail’. Nobody can challenge the significance of planning when doing any vital task, and if it means preparing for the bank PO exam, one should be even more careful. The study plan that would suit the best will be a weekly plan. One can choose some chapters to study every week so that one is able to complete the syllabus on time.
The candidate needs to focus on fundamentals of mathematics and read a lot of material on general awareness. There is need to focus on the banking sector as well, since majority of questions in the general awareness section are from the banking sector. The candidate needs to brush up on basic computer knowledge as well, since this section is high scoring. One must prepare taking into consideration the difficulty level of the PO exams, as it is known to throw up surprises from time to time.
Although the market is flooded with many books, it is important to wisely choose the right books and study material, so that it pays in the long run. Choosing the right study material for any exam is a difficult task but is a very important step in determining one’s success in that particular exam. Students preparing for this exam must choose the study material carefully.
The candidate should make a structured plan for all the topics and sections that can be asked in the exam. Start revising the most important topics first followed by the less important topics. Try to clear concept topic wise instead of trying all the topics at the same time.
Don’t forget that only learning chapters will not take one anywhere, it is questions that one needs to answer in the final exam. So practice till one has perfected it and then move ahead. Try to solve at least five question papers as it will help identify any difficult areas in the test papers that one have covered and need revision for. This will help you to increase speed in solving the paper, along with smooth and easy movement across sections.
It is important to study hard and spend a few hours daily on preparation but an hour or a half in daily timetable demands one to be just by yourself. Exercise in this time to keep the mind, body and soul fit. Breathing exercises should be included in this regime in order to relieve the stress and be ready for intellectual challenges.
Try to sleep at a fixed time every night. Avoid sleeping in the afternoons; a short nap may be helpful though. Avoid stimulating the sensory system with too much TV, arguments, or fights.
Whatever be the mode of preparing, personal effort is very much required as the competition will be very high. One has to know the exams really well. This means that one should know the syllabus, the exam pattern, exam notification and important chapters. The exam should be taken only after talking about all the important aspects of the PO exams. Here are a few general guidelines for the aspirants.
Tips
· If one has enough time for the exam, pick a topic one is weak in and one that is important from the exam standpoint.
· If one doesn’t have enough time, pick a chapter that one is comfortable with, have not practiced enough and is important.
· Any day, give priority to important chapters if one has not revised them.
· If exams are just approaching, leave out any new chapters because it will create stress and anyway one can’t master it just a few days before for the exam.
· Keep in mind important milestones coming up, like mock tests or school exams, festivals or family functions.
(The writer is CEO, Intelivisto Consulting India Pvt ltd)