This article provides you with simple and easy tips on how to prepare for the SBI PO exam and various bank exams at home. With the release of various bank recruitment notifications, many students and graduates are planning to apply for such exams. Recent studies show that there is a huge increase in vacancies in the banking sector.
Therefore, getting a job in a reputed bank is considered fancy and well-balanced by all means. Hence, if you want to prepare for the bank exams and crack them, the coaching institutes are not the only option.
Preparation Tips for Bank Exams at Home
- Planning properly for the examination :
Firstly, know the bank exam pattern and the bank exam syllabus. This is since every bank exam involves many things like preparation time, bank exam syllabus, cutoffs section-wise, etc. Candidates must be well prepared and aware of the bank exams syllabus and variety of topics which are present in different sections. The key to crack bank exams is to practice as much as possible.
- Self-study timetable/routine :
Candidates who are willing to prepare at home must have a proper routine or timetable for their self-study. Candidates must be able to supervise their time for the topics that need to be covered. Aspirants must have a good knowledge of the bank pattern and bank syllabus, and they must be thorough with all the topics and sections, as the exams contain different types of questions.
Therefore, candidates must know their weaknesses and work on those sections, this will help in meeting the sectional cutoffs.
- Finishing the syllabus topic-wise :
Studying the syllabus topic-wise helps you to understand the origin of the questions, not knowing from which topic the question is asked is a big problem. Studying the syllabus topic-wise is beneficial and easy for you as you will be able to solve the questions quickly.
- Online resources :
For aspirants who are willing to study at home for the bank exams, the best possible way is to look for online resources, online books, or pdf. This will also help to stay updated as most of the questions are asked from the general knowledge part only. Reading newspapers is also beneficial for the candidates, aspirants must use the online resources by downloading relevant books and bank question papers.Click here for more info on such bank-related topics.
- Working on mistakes
Candidates must try to find and work on their mistakes and weaknesses, it might be possible that your reading ability is slow and hence you need to work on it. Calculation speed can also be a big issue and if so, you need to work on that particular part.
- Practise and more practice :
As soon as the syllabus is completed, candidates need to solve and practice as much as possible. While practicing, aspirants must check their calculating speed and accuracy, and not waste too much time on one problem. Once the syllabus is over for the candidates they must solve practice papers.
- Attempting sufficient mock test
In a computer-based or online exam, candidates need to clear the overall cut-off as well as the sectional cut-off.
Sometimes the candidates clear the sectional cut-off and couldn’t clear the overall cut-off and sometimes the candidate clears the overall cut-off and couldn’t clear the sectional cut-off.
The solution to such a problem is that candidates need to solve and give as many mock tests as possible and stay well-versed.
- Using short-cut methods
Solving problems using the traditional textbook formulas and remembering them will cost you a lot of time and make you panic during the exam. Therefore, knowing shortcuts and using them during exams will come in handy as one must be able to solve as many questions as possible in the given time. The traditional textbook formulas are very lengthy and hard to memorize so one must always learn short-cut methods. But never learn or use short-cut methods without knowing the topics and syllabus as it will only confuse you.
- General/Banking awareness/Economy :
Learning various banking terms and staying updated regarding the bank information, staying aware of the foreign exchange rates, staying updated on politics, the Indian economy, current affairs, etc. will help immensely.
- Revision :
Candidates should make short notes on the syllabus and the topics of the bank exam, this will help in memorizing and revising the topics faster at the last minute. Revision is the most important part of the preparation and must not be taken lightly and dedicated time must be given to particular topics based on their difficulties. Candidates should revise each section, and solve the papers during revision as it will help in building confidence.
Points to Remember :
- One should never underestimate the power of self-studying.
- Always accept your failure and try to learn and improve from it.
- Don’t be afraid of new challenges and show enthusiasm.
- Always start from the easier topics and gradually move towards the difficult ones, as it will help you build your confidence.
- Never start from the toughest section, as it will only discourage you and hinder your concentration and will to continue the self-study.
- Try to combine different studying methods for the preparation, including short-cuts, online platforms, books, newspapers, etc.
- Take a few mock tests once you feel comfortable with the topics or once you are halfway through your syllabus.
- Don’t be stressed about the upcoming exams, just do your job and prepare by giving your best.
- Take small breaks or intervals while preparing, this will freshen you up. You can watch TV, go for a walk or do anything that you find entertaining.
- Never create a solid study plan from day 1, always give time to settle and get a knack of self-studying, only then you can go for a dedicated timetable.
- Never underrate any topic or section as all are important.