Roadmap to Cracking IBPS PO in the First Attempt

Since banks have been nationalized in India, they are in the need of expansion of their branches especially in rural parts of India. This is so that they could be more easily approachable to their customers. In order to provide more accessible services. banks need more staff. But the recruitment of such staff is a complicated and tough task. To find the solution to this puzzle, banks association solicited the assistance of the National Institute of Bank Management in creating a selection testing program through which they can recruit skilled candidates. 

Hence the Organization currently known as IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection) came into existence. IBPS is an autonomous entity which is engaged mainly in organizing competitive exams for the banking sector. Earlier Aspirants needed to fill different forms from multiple banks to apply for their vacant position but after incorporation of IBPS, the process has become much easier. 

IBPS allows candidates to apply for the same position in multiple banks through selecting the post in single form. Simply put, candidates can now apply for all the positions of PO (Probationary Officer) in various banks by just filling IBPS PO Application form. Every year IBPS conducts four under recruitment programs namely PO/MT,  Clerical, Specialist Officers and RRB (PO & Clerk). 

Moreover, Aspirants should collect all the information related to the applied post or the exam they are preparing for. Some key points are elaborated that can help aspirants get a breakthrough.

• Eligibility Criteria: One of the most significant pieces of information that candidates must understand before filling an application for a banking position is the all important IBPS PO eligibility criteria. Candidates should be citizens of India and aged between 20-30 and have completed graduation from the recognized university. Age relaxation is also provided to candidates belonging to the reserved category but they have to submit necessary certificates to reap such benefits.
• Exam Structure: This portion of the exam must be studied properly because it contains information that helps aspirants plan according to their weakness and strengths. The exam pattern of IBPS PO mainly comprises three sections: Preliminary exam and main exam followed by Personal Interview.

• Preliminary exam:-  IBPS PO Preliminary exam is conducted online for 60 minutes and consists of 100 questions. The preliminary exam incorporates MCQs( Multiple choice questions) of three sections English language, Quantitative aptitude and reasoning ability test. Each question carries one mark and there is also a penalty of 0.25 mark for each wrong answer. All three sections have objective type questions and can be answered in Hindi and English apart from English language section. Prelims exam of IBPS PO is qualifying in nature so pretenders have to qualify and obtain sectional cutoff marks in each section. Candidates who qualify the prelims exam become eligible for the second round of IBPS PO main exam but marks obtained in prelims are not considered in the final result.
• Main Exam:-IBPS PO main exam is organized in online and offline mode and consists of four sections i.e., Data Analysis & Interpretation, General Awareness, Reasoning & Computer Aptitude and English language. The main exam also incorporates essay writing and letter Writing in descriptive mode. Online mode main exam is conducted for 3 hours in which 155 multiple choice questions are asked and rest 30 minutes is assigned for the descriptive section in which 2 written questions are asked followed by a sectional cutoff in both.
• Interview Round:-  This is the final level of the selection process in which aspirants who qualify the main exam are called for an interview. This round consists of 100 marks and carries a weightage of  20% in the final selection.
•  The course of study: IBPS PO syllabus is one of the most vital parts of the exam which has a significant impact on final results. So it is very essential to study the syllabus of the exam to get the crown of the winner. The course of study can be understood as
• Prelims Curriculum: Prelims exam syllabus incorporates three section
• English Language:- Cloze Test, Fill in the blanks, Para jumbles, Reading Comprehension, Multiple Meaning/Error Spotting, Paragraph Completion etc.
• Quantitative Aptitude: Profit & Loss, Simplification, Mixtures & Allegations, Work & Time, Simple Interest & Compound Interest & Indices, Time & Distance, Data Interpretation, Mensuration- Cylinder, Cone, Sphere, Number Systems, Sequence & Series etc.
• Logical Reasoning:  Puzzle, Syllogism, Alphanumeric Series, Data Sufficiency, Seating Arrangement,  Blood Relations, Input-Output, Coding-Decoding etc.
• Main Curriculum: IBPS PO main exam syllabus includes 4 sections which are:
• General Awareness: Financial Awareness, Static awareness, current affairs and general knowledge.
• Reasoning & Computer ability:  Verbal Reasoning, Circular Seating Arrangement, Double Lineup, Scheduling, Order and Ranking, Data Sufficiency, Code Inequalities,  Internet, Keyboard Shortcuts, Microsoft Office, Computer Software & Hardware, Networking, Operating system, Computer Abbreviation etc.
• Arithmetic ability: Percentage, Ratio and Percentage, Mensuration, Simplification. Quadratic equation, Problems of Ages, Speed, Distance and Time etc.
•  English Language: Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Verbal Ability etc.

Author

Chetan Sharma is a blogger and digital marketer by profession. He handles a network of multiple websites like Sheni Blog & various others. He helps clients all over the world to achieve digital success.