There are many ambitious youth who prefer to apply only for officer posts which obviously have prestige and high pay. There is nothing wrong with this approach, but a few points need to be noted here.
In the above banks, generally the number of vacancies for officer posts is very less as compared to clerical posts. In such a situation, the competition is also difficult for them, along with the possibility of getting selected on these posts.
Also, the structure of the exam is more comprehensive in case of officers, so the candidate has to prepare for more topics. Apart from this, intensive preparation is also required for the interview, which is an additional part of the selection process of the officers.
RBI, SBI and NABARD all have a well defined promotion policy for promotion from Clerk to Officer Cadre so that candidates who are appointed as Clerk can expect to achieve something by performing well and participating in the promotion process. Years can become Officer. Those candidates who fulfil the eligibility criteria for both Clerical and Officer Posts can consider to appear in the selection process for both the posts.
How to prepare?
Apart from the language portion, numerical/quantitative questions and some general topics, whatever is asked in the above examinations is not a part of our standard academic syllabus. As such, any or all of the above examinations require detailed and dedicated preparation.
For the candidates appearing for the above examinations for the first time, the basic requirement is to understand the pattern of the examination and the type of questions as they are completely standardized. Following is a brief description of the structure of the exam in all the sections.
English Language:
The syllabus includes Sentence Improvement, Synonyms and Antonyms, Word Meaning, Phrases, Sentence Rearrangement and Completion, Fill in the Blanks, etc. In subjective part (NABARD) you will be asked to write letter or report and essay respectively for the given topics. Summary writing will also be asked.
For the English Language section, you must have a good general English book related to the core material. You should write letters and essays and show them to people who can honestly assess you and suggest ways of improvement wherever required. Enrich your vocabulary and learn the basics of English grammar.
Quantitative Aptitude (Numerical Ability)/ Quantitative Aptitude (Quantitative Aptitude):
There may be curriculum overlap between these two sections. Generally questions related to Ratio and Proportion, Data Interpretation, Time and Distance, Average, Probability, Simple and Compound Interest, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Number System, Geometry, Percentage, Trains, Partnership and Simplification are asked. What you have studied in Mathematics till class 10th, you will have to go through it again here. Practice questions from CBSE/ICSE/State Board maths book.
Reasoning Ability:
In this, questions can be asked related to interpretation of statements, equivalence, row arrangement, odd numbered one, coding and decoding, symbol, blood relation, number series, concept of direction, statement and assumption/conclusion, puzzle etc. This section requires intensive preparation. You will be able to answer correctly here only after understanding the core of the questions. There are guide books available for this.
Computer Knowledge/Ability:
Computers have become an integral part of our lives. We all know how to operate and work on a computer. Computers have also become the basis of the banking system. Evolution of Computer, Parts of Computer, Commands and Command Groups (like ctrl+alt+delete), Networking of Computers, Cyber Security, MS Office, Power Point, Computer Virus, Cyber Frauds (Phishing, Malware etc.), Information Security, Various Computers Awareness about languages, internet, data analytics, e-commerce, social media will be useful.
General Awareness:
Under this section questions related to important historical events and travel of India after independence, famous persons, books and authors, currencies, capitals, national monuments, Ramsar sites, geography, international treaties and conventions etc. are asked. A book based on general knowledge can help you to know about these.
You also need to keep track of the latest happenings through newspapers and magazines. For NABARD exams, additional topics recommended include Agriculture and Rural Development in India, Plantation and Horticulture, Fisheries, Forestry, Animal Husbandry, Schemes for Promotion of Agriculture, Doubling of Farmers Income, etc.
Financial Awareness:
Questions asked in this section will cover Indian and Global Economy, Growth of Banking, Mergers of Banks, Financial System, Exports and Imports, GDP, Foreign Exchange Reserves, Government Schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Reserve Bank of India, Indian Securities And can be based on the role of regulators like Securities Board (SEBI), Association of Mutual Funds of India etc.
To do well in this section, it is important to read financial newspapers carefully on a regular basis. To prepare for this part, visiting the websites of RBI, NABARD, ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) and various ministries and departments can help.
Importance of mock test
Multiple choice questions are asked in the above exams and it is challenging to find the correct answers in limited time. You have to read the question, understand it and then identify the correct key or option within the stipulated time. Hence, there is a need to practice well enough to perform well. In this, speed is as important as accuracy. By solving mock tests/questions and assessing your performance, you will know where you need to improve.
If you are weak in any particular section, then you have to strengthen your preparation for that and if your speed is slow and you cannot complete the exam in time, then you have to improve your speed by practicing again and again. Remember, every second counts in this exam, so knowing how to make the best use of your time can go a long way.
Looking for resources
Banking exam guides are published by various publishers. You can choose one or two of these. There are also dedicated guides available in the market for each section, which you will have to buy individually. There are some competition magazines in the country, which from time to time publish questions of previously conducted examinations, which may be accompanied by answers.
Mock papers are also provided in these. You can also avail other useful information from such magazines like essays, facts and figures, short news stories on recent events and success stories that teach important lessons, etc. Your preparation strategy should also include making your own notes.
So, You can see the exam pattern is the same for all banks (Officer Posts), so the preparation you do for one exam will be useful for the other as well.
