Table of Contents
2. Popular Banking Exams in India
Here are the top exams every aspirant should know:
IBPS PO/Clerk – Conducted by Institute of Banking Personnel Selection.
SBI PO/Clerk – Conducted by State Bank of India.
RBI Grade B & RBI Assistant – Highly prestigious with higher difficulty.
RRB Officer Scale I, II & III, Office Assistant – For Regional Rural Banks.
NABARD & SEBI Exams – For development and securities sector jobs.
3. Banking Exam Pattern (Prelims & Mains)
Prelims Pattern (Common for IBPS/SBI):
English Language: 30 Qs | 30 Marks | 20 mins
Quantitative Aptitude: 35 Qs | 35 Marks | 20 mins
Reasoning Ability: 35 Qs | 35 Marks | 20 mins
Total: 100 Qs | 100 Marks | 60 mins
Mains Pattern:
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: 45 Qs | 60 Marks
General/Economy/Banking Awareness: 40 Qs | 40 Marks
English Language: 35 Qs | 40 Marks
Data Analysis & Interpretation (Quant): 35 Qs | 60 Marks
Total: 155 Qs | 200 Marks | 3 hours + Descriptive English
4. Step-by-Step Banking Exam Preparation Strategy
Know the Syllabus & Pattern thoroughly.
Analyze previous year papers to understand question types.
Make a personalized study plan (3–6 months).
Strengthen fundamentals of maths, grammar, reasoning concepts.
Daily practice via quizzes, sectional tests, PYQs.
Give mock tests regularly and analyze mistakes.
Read newspapers daily (The Hindu, Economic Times, Business Standard) for GA.
Revise consistently—banking exams test retention.
5. Subject-Wise Preparation Tips
Quantitative Aptitude
Focus on Speed Maths, Simplification, Approximation, Data Interpretation, Arithmetic.
Learn tables (1–30), squares, cubes, percentages.
Practice daily DI sets.
Reasoning Ability
Important topics: Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Syllogisms, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Inequalities.
Practice with a timer to improve accuracy.
English Language
Build vocabulary using newspaper editorials.
Topics: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error Spotting, Para Jumbles.
Practice daily grammar questions.
General/Banking Awareness
Cover Current Affairs (last 6 months), RBI/SBI policies, financial awareness, static GK.
Best sources: BankersAdda GA capsules, AffairsCloud, Vision IAS notes.
Computer Aptitude
Basics of MS Office, Internet, Networking, Computer Security, Shortcuts.
Very scoring if revised well.
6. Best Books & Resources
Quant: RS Aggarwal, Arun Sharma, Quantum CAT (Sarvesh Verma)
Reasoning: Puzzle Mania (Arun Sharma), Analytical Reasoning (MK Pandey)
English: SP Bakshi (Arihant), Wren & Martin, Norman Lewis (Word Power Made Easy)
GA: Lucent GK, Banking Awareness by Arihant, AffairsCloud Monthly Capsule
Mock Tests: Oliveboard, PracticeMock, Testbook, Adda247
7. Daily, Weekly & Monthly Study Plan
Daily: 2 hrs Quant, 2 hrs Reasoning, 1 hr English, 1 hr GA, 30 min Computer.
Weekly: Attempt at least 5 sectional tests + 2 full mock tests.
Monthly: Revise GA notes, complete 3–4 PYQs, analyze weak topics.
8. Mock Tests & Previous Year Papers
Start giving 1 mock test every 3 days → increase to daily tests closer to exam.
Analyze wrong answers instead of just checking scores.
PYQs (2018–2024) show repeated question types—must practice them.
9. Time Management & Exam-Day Strategy
Prelims: Attempt easiest section first. Don’t waste time stuck on one question.
Mains: Balance accuracy & speed—skip time-consuming questions.
Descriptive English: Practice letter writing & essay weekly.
10. Mistakes to Avoid in Banking Exam Preparation
Ignoring GA & Computer Awareness (many aspirants fail here).
Only practicing Quant & Reasoning but neglecting English.
Not analyzing mock tests.
Starting current affairs late—begin at least 6 months before exam.
FAQs
RBI Grade B is considered toughest due to descriptive + high-level GA.
Beginners: 6–7 hours/day, Working aspirants: 3–4 hrs/day + mocks.
Yes, many aspirants crack exams through self-study + online resources.
Conclusion
Cracking Banking Exams in 2025 requires smart planning, consistent practice, and the right resources. Focus on building strong fundamentals, solving PYQs, giving mock tests, and staying updated with current affairs. Remember—speed + accuracy + revision = success in banking exams.
