Congratulations on clearing SBI PO prelims. This article is about how to prepare for SBI PO mains in 15 days. You can also learn about Study plan for IBPS PO 2017.
Before the euphoria of the prelims results settles, it is essential to start preparing for the mains exam.This article will help you to know how to prepare for SBI PO mains in 15 days.
A fortnight away, the mains exam is the most important parameter in the selection of PO. One of the nagging questions that bother aspirants now is how to prepare for SBI PO mains.
Download SBI PO Mains Syllabus 2018 PDF
Take Free Mock Tests for Banking exams
Since the weightage given for scores of mains exam is very high in the final selection, it is very important to score high in this exam.To acquaint yourself with this exam, you can solve SBI PO previous year papers. We hope that this article will help you clear doubts about how to prepare for SBI PO mains.
Let us start with the pattern of this exam. The main exam consists of 4 sections.
| Section | Time limit | Marks | |
| 1 | Reasoning and Computer Aptitude | 60 minutes | 60 |
| 2 | Data Analysis and Interpretation | 45 minutes | 60 |
| 3 | General awareness | 35 minutes | 40 |
| 4 | English Language | 40 minutes | 40 |
The objective test comprises of these 4 sections. The time limit for the objective test is 3 hours. There are 155 questions in total.
Candidates cannot switch between sections. Candidates must attempt the sections in the order in which they appear.
For a wrong answer, SBI deducts a fourth of the mark allotted for that particular question.
A descriptive test for 50 marks on letter writing and essay writing follows the objective test.
You can take free SBI PO mains mock test to practice for this exam.
| Take a free Mock for IBPS PO (in the latest pattern) |
Reasoning and computer aptitude:
This section carries the highest sectional timing of 1 hour. However, questions in this section are usually tricky and time-consuming.
SBI usually asks questions  on Einstein puzzles, circular arrangements (few facing inside and few facing outside, combined blood relations), linear arrangements, double side arrangements, floor arrangements, ranking, reverse syllogisms, blood relations, direction sense, coding-decoding, and inequalities
Also, SBI asks Data sufficiency questions and statement-assumption-inference type questions occasionally in this section.The toughness of questions in this section is usually high.
Be very careful in selecting the puzzles. Picking up a very tricky one will send you down the spiral.Individual questions provide the best value for the time invested. Hence, it is recommended to finish the individual questions first and then to move on to puzzles.
SBI also asks questions based on computer logic in this section.Flow charts, logic and conversion based problems are asked.
Spend an hour daily practising various types of puzzles.Make sure that you can solve the commonly asked ones. Also, be familiar with the different types of puzzles that can be asked.
Data Analysis and Interpretation:
As the name suggests, this section is calculation intensive. This section comprises of 35 questions amounting to 60 marks in this section. The time limit is 45 minutes.
SBI usually asks questions on bar charts, pie charts, line graph, scatter diagrams, tables and caselet based questions.
Unlike prelims, the emphasis on data interpretation is very high in this section.Hence, it is important to have a good calculation speed.
Most of the questions are about finding ratios, percentages etc. Hence, memorising common fraction to decimal conversions will come in handy.
Spend less time on miscellaneous questions as their weightage is very low. The level of questions was very tough in this section, last year. Hence, it is essential to solve tough DI sums for practice.
Spend an hour daily in solving problems. Try to employ shortcuts and alternate methods. Also, be open to learning new methods. To get a more clear idea, you can read data interpretation for bank PO.
General awareness:
Most of the questions asked in this section are from current affairs. So, be thorough with the happenings of last 6 months.
Further, brush up some static GK about Banks, headquarters, World organisations, recent changes at the helm, etc.
Banking awareness questions are also asked in this section.So, read about basic banking terminologies, apps launched by banks etc.
This section can turn out to be a make or break section. However, don’t be in a hurry while attempting questions since 35 minutes is allotted for this section.
Since the questions in the other sections are very tough, having good scores in this section will help you to take some lead. Spend some time daily to read about current affairs. You can use consolidated GK refreshers to do that.In the last 7 days, make sure that you revise the entire thing at least twice.
For some clarity on how to prepare for this section, you can read general awareness for SBI PO.
English Language:
This section is of 40 minutes. This section is inference and comprehension heavy.
Questions in this section include synonyms, antonyms (contextual), fillers, reading comprehension etc.
Though there was no question on para jumbles last year, it is important to practise them too.Don’t skim through the paragraphs in RC. Read the paragraph with due attention once. Then look at the questions and answer them.
If you are weak in this section, try to score at least 15 marks to be on the safer side.You can read about How to prepare for reading comprehension for Bank PO for guidance.
Descriptive test:
The descriptive test consists of letter writing and essay writing.
3 options are given for both from which the candidate chooses one. The descriptive paper of candidates who clear the cutoff of the objective test will only be evaluated.
The time limit for the descriptive test is 30 minutes. The paper carries 50 marks.In the descriptive test, use crisp and clear sentences. Write the sentences short and to the point.
Don’t beat around the bush. Also, make sure that the sentences are grammatically correct. Try to make coherent sentences.The letter is to be of 150 words. Use words that sound humble.
Read a bit about letter writing to know about various structures of letters for different purposes.
The essay should be of 300 words.Practice essay writing once or twice a week.Don’t just present facts. Try to form opinions on issues.However, avoid being biased or taking a side in the essay.
Maintain a neutral stance.Rest well before the exam.On the test day, avoid last minute revisions. Go in with a calm head.
Avoid panicking if a section is tough. Remember, it is the relative performance that matters.We hope that this article helped you in figuring out how to prepare for SBI PO mains. All the best for your mains examination.
