HOW TO CRACK SBI

PO EXAM:
EXPERTS ADVICE

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

Contents
Introduction3

Preparation strategy to crack SBI PO exam 4

Interview: Hanumant Sabherwal, director, Smart Prep 12

Interview: Manek N Daruvala, director, T.I.M.E. 16

Recommended Products 20

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

Introduction

T
his E-book brings to you preparation strategy for SBI PO recruitment
exam, based on exam tips and inputs provided by domain experts
from leading coaching institutes. The preparation guide includes
complete exam pattern, overall preparation plan, last-week preparation tips
and exam-taking strategy, along with the basic aspects of the SBI PO exam
recruitment process.

The E-book also comprises Careers360s exclusive interview with directors

of renowned couching institutes to help candidates with proper guidance.
This exam preparation guide also aims at offering a clear understanding to
aspiring candidates on how to ace the SBI PO exam with an improved basic
study schedule and time management strategy.

Also read this E-book to know important topics from the syllabus to under-
stand importance of different sections and their key elements. Hope you find
this E-book helpful to crack the SBI PO recruitment examination

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

Preparation strategy to
crack SBI PO exam

W
ith cut-throat competition making officers grade job in banking
sector increasingly tougher, you must prepare for the written
exam for SBI PO with a well-laid preparation strategy. As lakhs
of candidates appear in the exam conducted by State Bank of India (SBI) for a
few thousands of vacancies in the Bank, the consolidation of this competitive
exam has only intensified the competition.

The number of aspirants appearing for these exams is much higher than
the number of vacancies announced. For example, an overwhelming 14 lakh
appeared for 1500 SBI PO posts in 2013; this gives approximately a 1:1000
vacancy-aspirant ratio, i.e. one candidate recruited among a thousand candi-
dates, says T.I.M.E. Director Manek N Daruvala.

Amid this stringent, increasing competition, Careers360 brings you tips

aimed at helping your preparation strategy.

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

What does it tests on?

Before we share with you the preparation strategy, it is important for you to
know what does SBI tests you on.

The exam is not merely criteria to evaluate the bookish knowledge you have
accumulated during your education, but it also tests you on your overall per-
sonality, communication skill and marketing traits. Your preparation strategy
must adapt a more open approach as you cant prepare for this exam in isola-
tion.

A candidate who wishes to apply for banking jobs must have an interest in
finance and banking area. He must be good at public dealing as banks dont
work in isolation. It is consumer centric operation, says BSC Academy Direc-
tor Javed R Siddique.

SBI PO Selection Process:

SBI PO selection process is conducted in three stages 1-hour Preliminary
Exam, 2-hour Main Exam and Interview. The candidates, who qualify in the
written exam Preliminary and Main, are called by the SBI for Interview as
the final round of SBI PO Selection Process. The qualifying candidates in the
final round will be appointed in PO cadre of the Bank.

SBI PO Exam Pattern:

Candidates can check SBI PO Exam Pattern for preliminary and main exams
in separate tables below

SBI PO Exam Pattern - Preliminary Exam

S.N. Test No. of Questions Maximum Marks Duration
1 English Language 30 30
2 Quantitative Aptitude 35 35
1 hour
3 Reasoning Ability 35 35
Total 100 100

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

SBI PO Exam Pattern - Main Exam

S.N. Test No. of Maximum Duration
Questions Marks
1 English Language 50 50
2 Logical Reasoning 50 50
3 Data Analysis & 50 50
Interpretation 2 hour
4 General Awareness, 50 50
Marketing, and Computers
Total 200 200

Also, the Main exam papers contains a descriptive test of English Language
(Letter Writing & Essay), carrying 50 marks.

A deduction of 0.25 marks is applied as negative marking for every wrong

answer marked in the online objective-type tests.

SBI PO Syllabus:
Read below important topics covered under broad sections of SBI PO exam

English Language - Reading Comprehension, Faulty Construction, Jum-

bled Sentences, Close Passages

Logical Reasoning - Directions & Arrangements (Circular Arrangements),

Codes (Sentence Coding), Critical Reasoning, Syllogism, Analogies (Meaning
Based + Logical), Data Sufficiency, Sequential Output Tracing, Visual Reason-
ing

Data Analysis and Interpretation - Quantitative Aptitude, Line Graph,

Pie Charts, Bar Charts, Tables

General Awareness - Banking, Current Affairs, Computer Awareness, Mar-

keting

Computer Awareness - Computer Software & Hardware, Operating Sys-

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

tem, Shortcut Keys, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Internet & Networks

Marketing Aptitude - Economy of India, Questions on Marketing, Banking

& Finance

Descriptive Test - Letter Writing, Paragraph Writing, Essay Writing, Precise

Writing, Reading Comprehension

SBI PO Preparation Strategy:

Based on the suggestions of experts of the field, our comprehensive prepara-
tion strategy is broadly divided into three parts overall preparation strategy,
last-week preparation strategy and exam taking strategy. Lets have a look at
all the three level of your preparation for SBI PO.

Overall SBI PO preparation plan

In view of changing pattern and nature of exam, we bring here an expert-rec-
ommended overall preparation plan for the candidates. In order to crack SBI
PO exam, be ready for Computer Based Testing and divide your preparation
according to different sections of syllabus.

Adapt to CBT (Computer-Based Testing)

Recently, the exam conducting authority SBI has made a few changes in the
pattern and nature of the exam including making it a computer- based test.

As SBI has started conducting PO exam in Computer-Based Testing format,

it is imperative on you to adapt to the new mode. This is important because a
first-timer may lose part of his precious test time in getting know-how of the
testing format.

Candidates have to change with the technology and be tech-savvy as they

have to take online papers. Every year we see some changes in paper pattern,
says Siddique.

Section-wise SBI PO exam preparation plan

Divide your preparation as per the 5 sections of SBI PO paper pattern Rea-
soning, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness and

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

Computer Knowledge. Allot a reasonable time-frame to each section to en-

sure completion of your section-wise preparation before the exam date.

Determine sectional weightage

Not everyone is perfect in all the areas of study. You must have a few strengths
and a few weaknesses. What it needs for a good preparation strategy is to
identify your strengths and weaknesses in order to utilize your strengths and
improve your weaknesses successfully.

The written exam for the banks consists of sections on Quantitative Apti-
tude, Reasoning Ability, General Awareness, English & Basic Computers and
candidate has to qualify in each of the sections individually, other than quali-
fying in the overall score. So, if you are weak in any of the above sections, you
should immediately start working on the same, says Career Power Director
Anil Nagar.

Daily practice, revision and group study

Bearing in mind to crack such a tough exam, its important to stick to daily
practice and revision. Experts say 3-4 hours of dedicated practice can fetch
the desired result.

A regular practice which includes about 3 to 4 hours per day of dedicated

study/preparation can surely equip one with the aptitude necessary to make
success possible, says Daruvala.

Further, instead of studying different subjects in isolation, it would be a

good idea to have a group study. A study group of 5-10 friends will help you
learn 50-100 questions a day if every member of the group comes with 5-10
questions and their solutions every day.

Read Newspapers for GS, English, Marketing, Communication

Here you get 3-in-1 study package if you have a habit of reading newspapers,
especially an English language newspaper. By doing so, you not only keep
yourself updated about the latest happenings and current affairs, with in-
creasing your general awareness, but also you get more command on the Eng-
lish language. Moreover, you get a few Marketing and Communication skills,

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

which are the requirements of the bank job.

Daily Mock Test

To perform well in Mathematics and Reasoning papers, speed and accuracy
are a must. High scores in these tests can be obtained only though time man-
agement and clear concepts. So, daily practice is required to get perfection in
these subjects.

These banking job exams are speed and accuracy based, so my suggestion
to students is that they should first clear there concepts and then practice
questions from previous year papers with a focus on their speed and accu-
racy, Smart Prep Director Hanumant Sabherwal.

Last-week preparation strategy for SBI PO exam

Last week of preparation must be given extra importance while making a
preparation strategy for such a tough exam. However, there is no need to be
lost into studies in this week. You have already given section-wise attention
to all the subjects. Now, its time to make a revision of whatever you have
learnt.

Solve test papers

Solving test papers and revisiting question bank, which contains questions
you found difficult during your preparation, will immensely help. Daily prac-
tice and revision of questions in the last week of your preparation offers you
clear concepts and time management. Also, you enter in the exam hall with
full of confidence.

The focus should be on target preparation. The focus should be on tar-

get preparation. Whether you start studying anything and everything, you
may get confused and distracted from your goal. Attempt online mock tests
and review your scores to get accustomed to format as well as to avoid a last
minute surprise or goof ups, says Paramount Coaching Director Neetu Singh.

Recreational activities will work

It has been a long hectic preparation time for you in the recent months. Be-
fore the exam date approaches, you need to get rejuvenated yourself so that

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

you enter the exam hall with full of positive energy. So, in the last week of
your preparation, get involved in some extracurricular activities to get your-
self refreshed and energized and ready for the exam day.

Go digital, be tech-savvy:
Here you need to always be up-to-date with latest digital technologies. Not
only because exam is going to be computer-based but also you have to work in
that kind of atmosphere once you enter the banking sector jobs.

A reality check in terms of time management for online format is equally

important. In past, we have seen even the best of talent getting flunked due
to inability to adapt with the online test format, says Singh.

Probationary Officers exam-taking strategy

After solving a number of question papers, practicing and revising all those
difficult questions and giving proper attention separately to various sections
of syllabus, you are ready to enter confidently the exam hall. However, experts
have a line of advice on how you must manage your skills and time inside the
exam hall.

Read question paper: Once you get the question paper, your first job
should be giving a thorough glance to the questions. You should be patient,
calm and careful at this time.

Divide time: Before starting to attempt questions, you need to divide the
2-hours in various sections in accordance with your section-wise strengths
and weaknesses. Here, you also need to ascertain priorities among the sec-
tions as well as questions within them.

Accuracy: A lot of concentration is needed to maintain accuracy during

your exam. Revision of your calculation is always helpful. Solve the questions
carefully.

Speed: While appearing in an exam like this, speed cannot be compro-

mised. Leaving exam hall with a half-done paper due to lack of time is always
painful.

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

Revise: You should save some time only for revision of your answers after
the completion of the test. Sometimes, a thorough revision of answers saves
us from a big mistake.

Know all about SBI PO

State Bank of India notifies the dates of the application for SBI PO (Proba-
tionary Officers) generally in April every year to fill various vacancies of their
Probationary Officers cadre. These vacancies are available for various cat-
egories, including for SC, ST, OBC and unreserved category candidates.

The online registration of the interested candidates is done generally in the

month of April every year. SBI PO Application Form is made available online
by the bank and application process continues across the month.

Candidates are required to appear in preliminary exam, main exam and

group discussion & personal interview thereon. The candidates, who qualify
the both the exams as well as group discussion & personal interview round,
are indicted in PO cadre of SBI.

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

Interview:
Hanumant Sabherwal,
director, Smart Prep

W
ith lakhs of candidates applying for Special Officer (SO), Proba-
tionary Officer (PO) and Clerical cadres of various public sector
banks every year, competition in this space is getting extremely
stiff. Experts suggest that availability of wide range of job profiles, job secu-
rity in PSU banks and nature of bank jobs continue to attract huge number of
aspirants every year, making the competition tougher.

In this interview with Careers360, Hanumant Sabherwal, director at Smart

Prep coaching, discusses different aspects of banking jobs. He also shares
here various criteria to evaluate a candidates suitability for banking indus-
try. He offers tips to aspirants on how to become mentally prepared for the
entry-level challenges in the banking sector jobs and how to crack banking
job exam.

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

Today, amid stiff competition in the job world, bank-

ing comes as a very good career option, which not only
gives you job security, especially in PSU banks, but
also ensures job enrichment and good growth oppor-
tunities.

Interview Excerpts:
Careers360: What is the scope of seeking a career in Banking sector
in the current job scenario? How is the sector as compared to other sec-
tors in terms of job opportunity?
Hanumant Sabherwal: Banking as a career has always been seen with
a lot of respect. Today, amid stiff competition in the job world, banking comes
as a very good career option, which not only gives you job security, especially
in PSU banks, but also ensures job enrichment and good growth opportuni-
ties.

With a paradigm shift in the fashion banking is done these days, the sector
holds good opportunities for people from all type of streams and it is no more
restricted to people with knowledge of accounts and finance. As compared to
other sectors, banking gives a steady, secure and growth oriented career path.
Again, when it comes to variety in the job profile, banking has a lot to offer
right from investment banking to treasury, retail, loans, foreign exchange and
many more options.

Careers360: How should candidates evaluate their suitability for a

job in Banking sector?
Hanumant Sabherwal: Most of the bank jobs, announced by Institute
of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) and State Bank of India (SBI), are office
jobs and involve good level of public dealing. Anyone who is good at interper-
sonal skills and has good problem-solving ability should think of such jobs.
To work in this field, a person not only needs to have an interest in Accounts
and Finance but also they should have excellent communication skill as they
have to deal directly with public.

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

Careers360: What is the level of competition in the sector for differ-

ent levels of available job opportunities?
Hanumant Sabherwal: The level of competition in PCU bank jobs is
very high and supply of candidates is quite higher than the demand in the
sector. At any level, whether Probationary Officer or Clerk, with lakhs of aspir-
ants applying for few hundred/thousand jobs it becomes extremely tough for
aspirants to crack exams at one go. Many of the candidates try on an average
two to three times to get the coveted job.

Careers360: How should a candidate mentally prepare himself for a

career in banking sector?
Hanumant Sabherwal: With opening up of the economy, there has
been lot of competition in all the sectors such as telecom, insurance, automo-
bile and also in banking. For a great career in banking today what is impor-
tant is that any candidate who wants to be a part of this sector should pos-
sess qualities like good communication skills, interpersonal skills, reasonable
problem-solving ability and familiarity with numbers.

Careers360: What are the challenges that a student might face while
entering this competitive space of Banking job seekers?
Hanumant Sabherwal: Right focus is very important in order to qual-
ify a bank job exam in this tough competition. Once a candidate has made up
his/her mind to be a part of this sector, they should start immediately with
setting up their goals. There are a number of entry-level challenges which
have to be dealt with. Candidates have to find out answers of many certain
questions before starting preparation for a bank job. They should try to know
what the recruitment process is. When to apply? How to apply? What is the
exam pattern? What was the cut-off last time? Which are their weak areas and
where to focus more? In the nutshell, there is a need to have a proper strategy
around the preparation for cracking the exam.

Careers360: What is your suggestions and advice to those candidates

who are looking to prepare for banking jobs and build a career in bank-

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

ing sector?
Hanumant Sabherwal: These banking job exams are speed and accu-
racy based, so my suggestion to students is that they should first clear there
concepts and then practice questions from previous year papers with a fo-
cus on their speed and accuracy. This practice will definitely help them get
perfection in solving papers and finally cracking a competitive exam in the
banking sector.

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

Interview:
Manek N Daruvala,
director, T.I.M.E.

W
hile job opportunities in banking sector is increasing with ex-
pansion of public, private and foreign banks in India, the num-
ber of aspirants is growing even faster leading to tough competi-
tion at different levels of banking jobs exams.

Experts, however, suggest that the banking job exams can be cracked with
consistent and dedicated preparation efforts. In this interview with Ca-
reers360, Mr. Manek N Daruvala, director at T.I.M.E., talks on the level of
competition in banking industry exams and the broad assessment process un-
dertaken by various banks and how different banking exams can be cracked.
He also speaks on broadening opportunities in banking industry.

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

Bank exams are tough, and this aspect must always

be kept in mind while preparing. Though the task of
qualifying is difficult, it is definitely not unachievable.
Candidates must evaluate their abilities in each of the
test areas and work towards developing skills.

Interview Excerpts:
Careers360: What is the scope of seeking a career in Banking sector
in the current job scenario? How is the sector as compared to other sec-
tors in terms of job opportunity?
Mr. Manek Daruvala: Under the prevailing job scenario, the scope of
seeking a career in the banking industry is quite extensive. With the govern-
ments current movement for financial inclusion, there are ample opportuni-
ties in this sector. Banks too have diversified their activities and are getting
into new products and services that include opportunities in credit cards,
consumer finance, wealth management, life and general insurance, invest-
ment banking, mutual funds, pension fund regulation, stock broking services,
custodian services and private equity etc. This means that there is urgent
requirement for a huge workforce.

Banking jobs are quite sought-after, like all other government jobs. Moreo-
ver, since they remain unaffected during recessionary periods, they are also
very secure. Both these factors collectively make bank jobs very reputable. In
addition to this, since these jobs now require candidates in various capaci-
ties, they accommodate graduates from every stream. Bank jobs thus provide
candidates tremendous opportunities, both within the country and abroad.

The salary packages across all government bank jobs are quite lucrative,
and on par with those of the IT and other private well-paying sectors. The
salary of an SBI Probationary Officer in Mumbai is 8 lacs per annum.

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

Careers360: How should candidates evaluate their suitability for a

job in the Banking Sector?
Mr. Manek Daruvala: Most bank exams, including the CWEs conduct-
ed by the IBPS, have test areas like Quantitative Ability Reasoning, English
Language, Computers and General Awareness. State Bank of India (SBI) PO
exams include an additional test area Marketing. A banking job aspirant
must understand his capability in these areas, and proceed accordingly.

The candidate must also bear in mind that there are sectional cut-offs, as
well as an overall cut-off. Strength and command in any single test area will
not ensure overall success in the exam. He/she must also perform equally well
in each test area in order to qualify.

A strong practice which includes about 3 to 4 hours per day of dedicated

study/preparation can surely equip one with the aptitude necessary to make
success possible.

Careers360: What is the level of competition in the sector for differ-

ent levels of available job opportunities?
Mr. Manek Daruvala: The entry-level written exams for banks are con-
ducted for the posts of Clerks / POs (General) and POs (Specialist Officers).

The number of aspirants appearing for these exams is much higher than
the number of vacancies announced. For example, an overwhelming 14 lakh
appeared for 1500 SBI PO posts last year; this gives approximately a 1:1000
vacancy-aspirant ratio, i.e. one candidate recruited among a thousand candi-
dates!

For Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) PO, last year approxi-
mately 10 lakh applications were received for 22000 vacancies. There is simi-
lar competition for clerical jobs too.

Careers360: How should a candidate mentally prepare himself/her-

self for a career in the banking sector?
Mr. Manek Daruvala: Bank exams are tough, and this aspect must al-
ways be kept in mind while preparing. Though the task of qualifying is diffi-

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

cult, it is definitely not unachievable. In order to hit the bulls eye, candidates
must evaluate their abilities in each of the test areas mentioned above, and
work towards developing skills in that area(s). Intensive 10-12 hours of prep-
aration time per day is essential for success in cracking the exam.

In addition to this, the candidate should also accept the fact, it is not pos-
sible for every candidate to clear the exam in one go; a number of attempts
may be required before a candidate can achieve success in his/her endeavour.

Careers360: What are the challenges that a student might face while
entering this competitive space of Banking job seekers?
Mr. Manek Daruvala: As jobs in the banking sector are very coveted,
there are more aspirants than vacancies for every exam SBI or IBPS CWEs.
Therefore, there is stiff competition among candidates. Lesser posts than the
number of job seekers puts intense pressure on candidates to outperform
others in the fray.

Careers360: What is your suggestions and advice to those candidates

who are looking to prepare for banking jobs and wish to build a career
in the banking sector?
Mr. Manek Daruvala: A proper assessment of ones strengths and
weaknesses in the test areas will help an aspirant channelize his/her efforts
in the required direction. Thus, proper application of the results of this self-
analysis will ensure success across a number of bank exams. In addition to
this, thorough preparation will go a long way in yielding the desired fruit.

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 HOW TO CRACK SBI PO EXAM: EXPERTS ADVICE

Recommended Products

Thank you for downloading this E-Book.

By now, you may have sketched an overview of the exam.
All the best for your exam!

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