Banking
Banking Exam Preparation: IBPS PO, SBI PO & Clerk Study Plan
By StudyZone Editorial TeamLast updated 5 min read
In this guide
- Which banking exams can you prepare for together?
- What is tested in the Prelims and the Mains?
- How should you prepare Quantitative Aptitude?
- How should you prepare Reasoning Ability?
Quick answer
Bank exams like IBPS PO, SBI PO, IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk test Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English and, in the Mains, General and Banking Awareness and computer knowledge. Prepare by learning the basics of each section, then practise daily timed sets and take sectional and full mock tests, because speed and accuracy decide selection. Read banking news every day for General Awareness. You can download free banking exam notes shared by other aspirants on StudyZone.
Which banking exams can you prepare for together?
Most public-sector bank exams share the same subjects, so one preparation covers several exams. The main ones are conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), the State Bank of India (SBI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
| Exam | Post | Usual stages |
|---|---|---|
| IBPS PO | Probationary Officer in public-sector banks | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| SBI PO | Probationary Officer in SBI | Prelims, Mains, a final phase with psychometric test, group exercise and interview |
| IBPS Clerk | Clerical cadre in public-sector banks | Prelims, Mains |
| SBI Clerk | Junior Associate in SBI | Prelims, Mains, a local-language test |
| IBPS RRB | Officer Scale and Office Assistant in Regional Rural Banks | Prelims, Mains, Interview for officers |
Patterns, sectional timings and eligibility change from year to year. Check the latest notification on the official IBPS, SBI or RBI website before you plan.
What is tested in the Prelims and the Mains?
Prelims
The Prelims usually has three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability, each with its own time limit. It is a screening stage, so you must clear the sectional cut-offs and the overall cut-off.
Mains
The Mains is longer and harder. It typically includes Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis and Interpretation, English Language and General, Economy and Banking Awareness. PO exams often add a short descriptive paper (an essay and a letter). Mains marks usually count toward the final merit list.
Tip: Prepare for the Mains from the start. Students who prepare only for Prelims often clear it and then run out of time for General Awareness and Data Interpretation.
How should you prepare Quantitative Aptitude?
- 1Speed maths first: tables up to 30, squares up to 50, cubes up to 25, and fractions-to-percentage conversions.
- 2Simplification and approximation every day; they are quick marks in the Prelims.
- 3Arithmetic topics: percentage, profit and loss, ratio, averages, time and work, time and distance, simple and compound interest.
- 4Number series and quadratic equations, which appear in almost every Prelims.
- 5Data Interpretation: tables, bar graphs, pie charts and caselets. This is the heart of the Mains.
Practise in timed sets of 10 to 15 questions. Note which question types you solve fastest so you can pick them first in the exam.
How should you prepare Reasoning Ability?
- Puzzles and seating arrangements carry the most marks. Solve at least two or three sets daily.
- Syllogisms, inequalities, blood relations, direction sense, coding-decoding and order-ranking are scoring and quick once you know the methods.
- Input-output, data sufficiency and critical reasoning appear more in the Mains.
Tip: In puzzles, draw the arrangement neatly and write every condition you cannot place yet beside the diagram. Most mistakes come from forgetting one condition.
How should you prepare English Language?
- Read one English newspaper editorial daily to improve reading speed and vocabulary for comprehension passages.
- Revise grammar rules for error spotting and sentence improvement with short practice sets.
- Practise cloze tests, para jumbles and fillers regularly; they reward reading habit more than memorisation.
- For PO exams, write one essay and one letter a week for the descriptive paper.
How should you prepare General and Banking Awareness?
General Awareness is the most scoring section in the Mains because it takes the least time in the exam. It needs daily reading, not last-minute cramming.
| Area | What to cover |
|---|---|
| Current affairs | The last six months of national, international, economy and banking news |
| Banking awareness | RBI functions, monetary policy terms, types of banks and accounts, important committees, financial inclusion schemes |
| Static GK | Bank headquarters and taglines, national parks, currencies and capitals, important days |
| Computer knowledge | Basics of hardware, software, networking, the internet, MS Office and cyber security |
Make short weekly notes of current affairs and revise them every Sunday. Read official sources such as the RBI website and PIB for banking and government schemes.
What does a 4-month banking exam study plan look like?
| Month | Focus |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | Basics of every Quant and Reasoning topic, speed maths, grammar rules, start daily current affairs. |
| Month 2 | Timed topic-wise practice, puzzles and DI daily, one sectional test per section each week. |
| Month 3 | Full Prelims mocks twice a week, Mains-level DI and puzzles, banking awareness notes. |
| Month 4 | Three or more full mocks a week, deep analysis, revision of current affairs and formula notes. |
Study in focused blocks with short breaks, for example using the Pomodoro technique, and revise older topics regularly with the methods in how to revise for exams.
How do you choose questions in the exam?
- Start with the questions you solve fastest in each section, such as simplification in Quant or inequalities in Reasoning.
- Do not get stuck on one puzzle. If it is not clear in two minutes, move on and come back.
- Accuracy matters because of negative marking. Avoid blind guessing.
- Respect sectional timings: plan how many minutes you will spend on each question type.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to prepare for a bank exam?
Many aspirants need four to six months of steady preparation for their first attempt. Students who already have strong maths and English basics may need less time.
Can I prepare for IBPS PO and SBI PO together?
Yes. The subjects are almost the same. SBI PO questions are often considered tougher, so practising at that level also prepares you well for IBPS PO and clerk exams.
Which section is the most scoring in bank exams?
General and Banking Awareness is very scoring in the Mains because the questions take little time. In the Prelims, simplification, number series and inequalities are quick marks.
Is there negative marking in banking exams?
Most bank exams deduct a fraction of the marks for each wrong answer. Check the current notification for the exact rule and avoid random guessing.
Where can I find free banking exam notes?
StudyZone has free notes for Quant, Reasoning, English and Banking Awareness shared by other aspirants, along with guides on revision and focused study.