Are you preparing for Bank PO exams? Well, it is one of the prestigious and most coveted jobs in the Banking industry. A better work environment, growth opportunity, and lucrative salary are some important aspects of this post.
Every year two different organizations IBPS and SBI organize Bank PO exams. IBPS organizes the exam for more than 10 public banks of India and SBI for only SBI branches.
The notification for bank PO 201 is expected to be announced in September month and after that candidates will have only 2 months to prepare for the first phase of the exam i.e. Preliminary.
Now that only 2 months are left you must be nervous and wondering how to prepare for the Bank PO in two months? But don’t worry, here in this article we have covered the most important tips and strategies to prepare for the exam and also to ace it. So keep reading this article till the very end.
Bank PO: An Introduction
A Bank Probationary Officer is a managerial level post in a bank in both the public and private sectors in India. The main functions of the Bank PO are to handle public relations, improve customer services, supervise the clerks’ work, maintain the cash flow in the Bank, and also take care of the daily working of the bank.
A Bank PO needs to be fully updated with the latest trends and development within the banking sector.
There are four types of Bank PO exams in India:
# IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection) Bank PO.
# SBI (State Bank of India) PO.
# RRB (Regional Rural Bank) PO.
# RBI (Reserve Bank of India) Grade B Office.
Also Read: Bank PO Interview Questions: Guide to Boost Your 2021 Bank PO Exam Preparation
Stages of becoming a Bank PO
There are three phases a candidate needs to pass to become a Bank PO. They are as follows:
# Preliminary exam.
# Mains exam.
# Group discussion & Interview.
Exam Pattern of Bank PO
Here is the exam pattern of the Bank PO exam in India held by all the organizations:
Preliminary Exam
Subject | Number of Questions | Marks |
English language | 30 questions | 30 marks |
Reasoning ability | 35 questions | 35 marks |
Numerical ability | 35 questions | 35 marks |
Total duration: 60 minutes |
Mains Exam
Objective Type
Subject | Number of Questions | Marks |
General reasoning & computer aptitude | 45 questions | 60 marks |
English language | 35 questions | 40 marks |
General economy & banking awareness | 40 questions | 40 marks |
Data analysis & interpretation | 35 questions | 60 marks |
Total duration: 180 minutes |
Descriptive Type
Subject | Time Allotted | Marks |
Essay | 30 minutes | 25 marks |
Letter Writing | 30 minutes | 25 marks |
Also Read: How Many Rounds of Interview in the Bank PO Exam? Check-out the Latest PO Interview Questions
Bank PO Syllabus 2021
Preliminary Exam
English | |
Reading Comprehension | Cloze Test |
Miscellaneous | Fill in the blanks |
Para Jumbles | Multiple Meaning/Error Spotting |
Paragraph Completion |
Quantitative Ability | ||
Simplification | Profit & Loss | Mixtures & Allegations |
Simple Interest & Compound Interest & Surds & Indices | Work & Time | Time & Distance |
Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere | Data Interpretation | Ratio & Proportion, Percentage |
Number Systems | Sequence & Series | Permutation, Combination Probability |
Reasoning | ||
Logical Reasoning | Alphanumeric Series | Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test |
Data Sufficiency | Coded Inequalities | Seating Arrangement |
Puzzle | Tabulation | Syllogism |
Blood Relations | Input-Output | Coding-Decoding |
Mains Exam
English Language | |
Reading Comprehension | Vocabulary |
Grammar | Verbal Ability |
Quantitative Ability | ||
Simplification | Profit & Loss | Mixtures & Allegations |
Simple Interest & Compound Interest & Surds & Indices | Work & Time | Speed, Time & Distance |
Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere | Data Interpretation | Ratio & Proportion, Percentage |
Number Systems | Sequence & Series | Permutation, Combination Probability |
Average | Geometry | Quadratic Equation |
Problems of Ages | Number Series | Data Sufficiency |
Mixture and Allegations | Tabular Description |
Reasoning | ||
Logical Reasoning | Alphanumeric Series | Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test |
Data Sufficiency | Coded Inequalities | Seating Arrangement |
Puzzle | Tabulation | Syllogism |
Blood Relations | Input-Output | Coding & Decoding |
Order & Rankin | Scheduling | Double Lineup |
Computer Aptitude | ||
Internet | Memory | Keyboard Shortcuts |
Computer Abbreviation | Microsoft Office | Computer Hardware |
Computer Software | Operating System | Networking |
Computer Fundamentals /Terminologies |
Also Read: How to Introduce Yourself in a Bank PO Interview? Useful Tips to Prepare for the Bank PO Interview
Time Distribution and Timetable to Ace Bank PO 2021 in 2 Months
Wondering how to start bank PO preparation? Well, for the Bank PO exam, each section is equally important. Therefore, you should distribute your time for all sections equally, for instance, 15 days for each section.
Here is a timetable of 60 days to ace your bank PO examination.
Day | Quantitative Ability | Reasoning | English and General Awareness |
1 | Numeric System | Logical Reasoning | Grammar Rules |
2 | Numeric System | Logical Reasoning | Grammar Rules |
3 | Numeric System | Verbal Reasoning | Grammar Rules |
4 | Ratio & Proportion | Verbal Reasoning | Grammar Rules |
5 | Ratio & Proportion | Alphanumeric Series | Grammar Rules |
6 | Ratio & Proportion | Alphanumeric Series | Antonyms/Synonyms |
7 | Percentage | Ranking | Antonyms/Synonyms |
8 | Percentage | Ranking | Idioms and Phrases |
9 | Percentage | Alphabet Test | Idioms and Phrases |
10 | Mock Tests for each section (English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and General Awareness) | ||
11 | Time & Distance | Alphabet Test | Grammar Rules and Common Errors |
12 | Time & Distance | Direction | Grammar Rules and Common Errors |
13 | Time & Distance | Direction | Filler Notes |
14 | Simple Interest | Data Sufficiency | Filler Notes |
15 | Simple Interest | Data Sufficiency | Para jumbles |
16 | Compound Interest | Coded Inequalities | Para jumble |
17 | Compound Interest | Coded Inequalities | Para jumble |
18 | Compound Interest | Linear Seating Arrangement | Phrase Replacement |
19 | Average | Linear Seating Arrangement | Phrase Replacement |
20 | Mock Tests for each section (English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and General Awareness) | ||
21 | Average | Puzzle | Phrase Replacement |
22 | Linear Equation | Puzzle | Cloze Test |
23 | Linear Equation | Tabulation | Cloze Test |
24 | Linear Equation | Tabulation | Cloze Test |
25 | Profit & Loss | Syllogism | Reading Comprehension |
26 | Profit & Loss | Syllogism | Reading Comprehension |
27 | Profit & Loss | Blood Relations | Reading Comprehension |
28 | Profit & Loss | Blood Relations | Reading Comprehension |
29 | Work & Time | Input-Output | Reading Comprehension |
30 | Mock Tests for each section (English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and General Awareness) |
Day | Quantitative Aptitude | Reasoning | English |
31 | Work & Time | Input-Output | Error Spotting |
32 | Work & Time | Coding-Decoding | Error Spotting |
33 | Problems of Ages | Coding-Decoding | Error Spotting |
34 | Problems of Ages | Circular Seating Arrangement | Sentence Improvement |
35 | Number Series | Circular Seating Arrangement | Sentence Improvement |
36 | Number Series | Double Lineup | Sentence Correction |
37 | Number Series | Double Lineup | Sentence Correction |
38 | Mensuration and Geometry | Scheduling | Sentence Correction |
39 | Mensuration and Geometry | Scheduling | Para Summary |
40 | Mock Tests for each Section (English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and General Awareness) | ||
41 | Mensuration and Geometry | Internet | Para Summary |
42 | Data Interpretation | Memory | Odd one out |
43 | Data Interpretation | Keyboard Shortcuts | Odd one out |
44 | Data Interpretation | Networking | Sentence Rearrangement |
45 | Tabular Interpretation | Computer Hardware | Sentence Rearrangement |
46 | Tabular Interpretation | Computer Software | Sentence Rearrangement |
47 | Tabular Interpretation | Computer Abbreviation | Miscellaneous |
48 | Quadratic Equation | Operating System | Miscellaneous |
49 | Quadratic Equation | Microsoft Office | Miscellaneous |
50 | Mock Tests for each section (English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and General Awareness) | ||
51 | Previous Year Question Papers | ||
52 | Previous Year Question Papers | ||
53 | Previous Year Question Papers | ||
54 | Previous Year Question Papers | ||
55 | Previous Year Question Papers | ||
56 | Previous Year Question Papers | ||
57 | Previous Year Question Papers | ||
58 | Previous Year Question Papers | ||
59 | Previous Year Question Papers | ||
60 | Mock Tests for each section (English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and General Awareness) |
Note: The repetitive nature of this timetable will help to excel each topic of the syllabus.
Also Read: What is the Work of PO in the Bank? List of Responsibilities of a Bank PO
Section-wise Preparation Tips
#1. English Language
Follow these tips to boost your English language preparation:
# Make a habit of reading: You can read newspapers or magazines, even your favourite books. This can help you to learn new words every day and also improve your English speaking fluency.
# Vocabulary: you should also work on improving your vocabulary. You can read newspapers, storybooks, or novels to learn a new word every day. Whenever you encounter any hard word and underline it and then, later on, find its meaning and its usage.
# Practice: You may have heard about this saying practice makes a man perfect therefore try to solve as many previous year question papers as you can.
#2. Reasoning Ability
The reasoning ability tries to test the candidate’s ability to think rationally. You can easily score high in your bank PO exams as this part comprises 35 questions in brilliance as well as 45 persons in the main exam. Try to practice different types of questions such as syllogism, inequalities, arrangements, input-output, data sufficiency, and many more.
#3. Quantitative Aptitude
Quantitative aptitude includes basic mathematics. It is of great importance for any bank PO candidate as it comprises 35 questions in prelims. Moreover carries 60 marks for the mains. You can Ace this section by practice only. If you are weak in this for you should give you 3 to 4 hours daily to solve different types of questions.
#4. Computer Aptitude
You can improve your computer aptitude section by reading a basic computer book. Try to cover important topics such as basics of computer, operating system LAN, WAN, basic MS office, etc.
#5. General Awareness
For this section try to read newspapers, magazines and watch the news daily. Try to cover basic current affairs of the past 1 year and focus on mean activities such as Indian economy, marketing, awards & honors, constitution, banking, agriculture, sports, etc. Also, try to understand basic banking terminologies.
Basic Preparation Tips for Bank PO
# For quantitative aptitude, you need to work on your calculation skills. Practice each question daily.
# You should spend at least 2-3 hours daily on each topic of reasoning.
# How to prepare English for a bank PO exam? Well, English is the most scoring part of the exam. Try to practice new words daily and improve your English skills by reading newspapers, books and writing essays.
# Watch news channels and read newspapers daily to enhance your current affairs.
# You should attempt a regular mock test to evaluate your preparation level and also to identify your weak areas.
# Give equal importance to each and every section of the syllabus to score above qualifying marks.
# Practice writing essays and letters. Try to write one each day.
# Don’t try to guess. There is a negative marking for each incorrect answer.
# Stay confident and on the day of the exam, form believes in yourself and say it aloud yes I can do it.
Also Read: Bank PO Interview Material: Important Questions and Preparation Tips for Bank PO
Conclusion
Bank PO is an interesting job in the Banking Industry. It offers sufficient growth opportunities to its employees to climb up the ladder. In India, there are four types of bank PO exams organised by different organisations i.e. RRB PO, IBPS PO, SBI PO, and RBI Grade B. Each exam has its own salary, employee benefits, growth opportunities, and many more.
You can boost your Bank PO preparation with UPSC Pathshala. UPSC Pathshala offers a course specially designed for the Bank PO exam. Visit the website now for more details and preparation materials.
All information about the Bank PO exam is provided here. This is magnificent.
The 2-months preparation strategy given in this article is indeed beneficial.
Thanks for sharing the strategy. It was very helpful during my preparation