Gauri Chhabra
October saw an array banking examinations. One of the most lucrative sectors of modern India, it intakes people on merit and precision by conducting exams that test specifically these skills. The exams are conducted by Institute of Banking Personnel selection (IBPS), an institute which serves the public sector banks in India for their selection processes. Every year IBPS conducts the Common Written Examination for the post of clerks and probationary officers in India.
IBPS Clerical Recruitment
IBPS conducts clerk recruitment once in every year for the post of clerks in the public sector banks. An online exam is conducted for the clerk recruitment which contains 200 questions with an exam time of 120 minutes. The exam contains the test for reasoning, numerical ability, English language, general knowledge with special reference to banking sector and computer knowledge. One fourth of the mark is deducted for each wrong answer. The selection process for the interview is based on this Common Written Exam, and there is a separate cutoff for each section in the exam. You must pass each section for qualifying the examination and also qualifying the exam may not be enough for attending the personal interview that is used for the final selection process.
Age Limit:
To be eligible, you between the age group of 20 to 28 years. However, for SC/ST there is 5 years relaxation and other backward classes there is 3 years relaxation. Persons with disability are given 10 years relaxation
As far as educational qualification is concerned, you should be a Graduate in any discipline from a recognized University or any equivalent qualification recognized as such by the Central Government and also operating and working knowledge in computer systems is mandatory.
The exam pattern is as follows:
* Logical Reasoning – expect verbal & non-verbal questions. Verbal questions include classification, analogy, decision making, word formation, series, decoding & coding, blood relation, symbol & notation, statement & conclusion, seating arrangement and problem solving. Non-verbal questions will include series completion, finding any missing figure and classification.
* English Language – synonyms, antonyms, sentence completion, word formation, para jumbles and reading comprehension passages that test on your ability to derive conclusion, detect theme etc.
* Numerical Ability & Quantitative Aptitude – this section comprise questions based on Arithmetic & Data Interpretation, which includes bar graphs, pie-charts, line graphs & tabulation. Roots, Average, Ratio, Time & Work, Time and Distance, Percentage, Profit & loss etc.
* General Awareness -covers questions primarily related to current affairs including constitution, politics, banking, economy, sports, Finance, culture across India and neighboring countries.
* Computer Knowledge:based on both hardware (operating systems, computer networks, internet, E-commerce, the basic computer architecture, terminology, EFT systems, acronyms and MS Office.
The tentative dates for Online IBPS CWE Clerk III exam: 30 November 2013; 1 December 2013; 7 December 2013; 8 December 2013; 14 December 2013; 15 December 2013
IBPS PO/MT Recruitment
IBPS also conducts recruitment for the probationary officer/management trainee once in a year. Aastha Mehra, Commerce Graduate who took the exam for the first time on Sunday, October 27,2013 said,” The exam was pretty tough with the main constraint being time. We had to attempt 200 questions in 2 hours and the negative marking of .25 mark for each incorrect answer also added to the pressure. There were questions on Computer Literacy, General Knowledge, English, LR and Mathematics. The Computer section was tough with focus both on the theory and practical aspects. The General Knowledge was more related to banking and being a Commerce student, I had an edge in this section. The English section was a mixed bag. Relatively easy, the two Reading Comprehension passages were very lengthy each carrying 10 questions. Since I am already taking coaching from Career Launcher, Ludhiana, I have developed the knack of fast skimming through the passages through continuous practice and mock tests. The mathematics section was the toughest of all- questions covered sections like Geometry, Mensuration etc.
My advice to the students is to manage the time well. You need to have a quick discerning eye that handpicks the right questions and spends precious moments where they are needed.”
IBPS Specialist Officer Recruitment
The recruitment of specialist officer is for filling the specialist position in banks.For the post of Law officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari, the exam contains the test of reasoning, English language, general awareness and professional knowledge. Everything else remains same except for all other specialist officer posts, instead of general awareness test, a quantitative aptitude test is there.
IBPS RRB Recruitment for Officers and Office Assistant
IBPS conducts the recruitment of officers in regional rural banks(RRB) governed by NABARD. RRBs are the banks with a capital share of 50% by central government, 15% by state government and sponsored bank with 35%. IBPS conducts the exam for the post of officer scale-I, officer scale-II, officer scale-III and office assistant for RRB’s in India.
Arshdip Singh Bhamra, a Bio Technology Graduate who cleared the exam last year said,” The exam is smooth sailing if you have speed as your strength. It differs from the theoretical exams in the sense that you are glued to books till the last moment in case of your degree examination, but for this examination, I put my books aside at least one day prior to taking the test. Since it tests your aptitude and is a speed test, a cool mind is of paramount importance.
I scored well in the aptitude exam and was called for the Personal Interview at PNB Ludhiana in which I was asked questions about my tangential entry into banking and about the economy. In personal interview, it is both confidence and richness of your content that matters.
My advice to the students is that apart from the LR and DI section, the other sections like Computer Knowledge, General Knowledge and English, are not very difficult but time consuming. So, please take care you have a cool head over your shoulders.”
Therefore, since the CWE is mainly a test of speed, once your concepts are clear and you know the fundamentals, all you need is practice.
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