Candidates preparing for the SSC CGL Exam can easily crack banking exams, as the syllabus structure for both SSC and Banking exams is mostly similar, with SSC questions based more on concept understanding, whereas Bank exams focus on speed with short tricks. In the upcoming months, SSC CGL aspirants can appear for these 4 bank exams such as SBI Clerk, IBPS Clerk, IBPS RRB PO, and IBPS RRB Clerk.
In this blog, we have provided all the details about the 4 banking exams that SSC CGL aspirants can crack in the next 4 months, along with the application dates, exam pattern, and more.
What are the 4 banking exams that SSC CGL aspirants can crack in the next four months?
In the next 4 months, applications and exams will be held for the following banking jobs:
- IBPS RRB PO
- IBPS Clerk
- SBI Clerk
- IBPS RRB Clerk
4 banking exams that SSC CGL aspirants can crack
The Notification for the bank exams, such as IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk, has been released, and the application process is still ongoing. The notification for the IBPS RRB Clerk and PO is expected to be released by September, based on the IBPS Calendar. As all the banking exams have the eligibility criterion of being a graduate, all SSC CGL aspirants, irrespective of the subject stream, can appear for the exams.
What are the important dates for the upcoming bank exams?
The important dates for the upcoming bank exams are the notification release date, application dates, and exam dates. The details of the important dates related to the bank exams are as follows:
| Event | IBPS Clerk | SBI Clerk | IBPS RRB PO | IBPS RRB Clerk |
| Notification Release | Released | Released | September 2025 (Expected) | September 2025 (Expected) |
| Application Date | 1st to 21st August 2025 | 6th to 26th August 2025 | TBA | TBA |
| Prelims Exam Date | 4th, 5th,11th October 2025 | September 2025 | November 2025 | December 2025 |
| Admit Card Date | 7 days before the exam | 7 days before the exam | 7 days before the exam | 7 days before the exam |
| Mains Exam Date | November 2025 | November 2025 | December 2025 | February 2026 |
| Final Result | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
What is common in all these 4 banking exams?
The features that are common in all these 4 exams are as follows:
| Particulars | Details |
| Prelims Focus | Tests mainly Reasoning Ability and Quantitative Aptitude (plus English in SBI & IBPS Clerk). |
| Time Pressure | Strict time limits approx. 40–60 seconds per question. |
| Sectional Cut-offs | Minimum marks required in each section to qualify (except sometimes in SBI Clerk). |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer. |
| Computer-Based Test | All exams conducted online in multiple shifts. |
| Banking Awareness for Mains | All Mains exams include a General/Financial Awareness section. |
| Language Requirement | Proficiency in the local language of the applied state/region is mandatory in clerical exams. |
Differences between these 4 banking exams
Differences in these 4 exams based on the exam pattern are as follows:
| Feature | SBI Clerk | IBPS Clerk | RRB PO | RRB Clerk |
| Conducting Body | State Bank of India | IBPS | IBPS for Regional Rural Banks | IBPS for Regional Rural Banks |
| Prelims Subjects | Reasoning, Quant, English | Reasoning, Quant, English | Reasoning, Quant | Reasoning, Quant |
| Mains Subjects | Reasoning, Quant, English, GA | Reasoning, Quant, English, GA | Reasoning, Quant, English/Hindi, GA, Computer | Reasoning, Quant, English/Hindi, GA, Computer |
| Mains Language Option | English only | English only | English/Hindi option | English/Hindi option |
| Interview Stage | No | No | Yes (after Mains) | No |
| Language Proficiency Test | Yes (Regional Language) | Yes (Regional Language) | Yes (Regional Language) | Yes (Regional Language) |
| Work Profile | Clerical in SBI branches | Clerical in PSBs | Officer in Regional Rural Banks | Clerical in Regional Rural Banks |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate–High | Moderate |
Prelims exam pattern for all 4 bank exams
The details about the prelims exam pattern for all the 4 bank exams are as follows:
| Exam | Subject/Questions | Subject/Marks | Duration |
| SBI Clerk | Reasoning – 30 Quantitative Aptitude – 35 English Language – 35 | Reasoning – 30 Quantitative Aptitude – 35 English Language – 35 | 60 min |
| IBPS Clerk | Reasoning – 30 Quantitative Aptitude – 35 English Language – 35 | Reasoning – 30 Quantitative Aptitude – 35 English Language – 35 | 60 min |
| IBPS RRB PO | Reasoning – 40 Quantitative Aptitude – 40 | Reasoning – 40 Quantitative Aptitude – 40 | 45 min |
| IBPS RRB Clerk | Reasoning – 40 Quantitative Aptitude – 40 | Reasoning – 40 Quantitative Aptitude – 40 | 45 min |
Mains exam pattern for all 4 bank exams
The details about the mains exam pattern for all the 4 bank exams are as follows:
| Exam | Subject/Questions | Subject/Marks | Duration |
| SBI Clerk | Reasoning – 50 Quantitative Aptitude – 50 English Language – 40 GA – 50 | Reasoning – 60 Quantitative Aptitude – 50 English Language – 40 GA – 50 | 160 min |
| IBPS Clerk | Reasoning – 40 Quantitative Aptitude – 35 English Language – 40 GA – 40 | Reasoning – 60 Quantitative Aptitude – 50 English Language – 40 GA – 50 | 120 min |
| IBPS RRB PO | Reasoning – 40 Quantitative Aptitude – 40 English/Hindi Language – 40 GA – 40 Computer – 40 | Reasoning – 50 Quantitative Aptitude – 50 English/Hindi Language – 40 GA – 40 Computer – 20 | 120 min |
| IBPS RRB Clerk | Reasoning – 40 Quantitative Aptitude – 40 English/Hindi Language – 40 GA – 40 Computer – 40 | Reasoning – 50 Quantitative Aptitude – 50 English/Hindi Language – 40 GA – 40 Computer – 20 | 120 min |
How are these bank exams similar to the SSC CGL exam?
These bank exams are similar to SSC CGL in various ways, as the basic syllabus aspirants have covered for the SSC exam is almost similar to the bank exam syllabus, which gives an advantage to the aspirants since they don’t have to start their preparation afresh. The similarities between the SSC CGL and bank exam syllabi are as follows:
| Area of Overlap | Why It Matters |
| Core Subjects | Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language form the backbone of both SSC CGL (Tier 1) and banking prelims. |
| Exam Mode | Both are computer-based tests with multiple-choice questions, so the testing environment feels familiar. |
| Speed & Accuracy | Success in both exams comes down to solving quickly while keeping errors to a minimum a skill SSC prep already sharpens. |
| Negative Marking | The same penalty of 0.25 marks per wrong answer applies, so your accuracy-first approach works in both. |
| Quant Topics | Arithmetic chapters like Time & Work, Profit & Loss, Percentages, Ratios, and Speed–Time–Distance, along with basic algebra, are common ground. |
| Reasoning Patterns | Topics like Series, Coding–Decoding, Syllogisms, Blood Relations, and Direction Sense feature in both though banking adds more puzzle-based questions. |
| English Basics | Error detection, cloze tests, and reading comprehension are tested in almost identical ways. |
Eligibility & age limit for the 4 banking exams
If you are preparing for SSC CGL, you can easily apply for these bank exams as the basic qualification is a graduation degree from a recognised university. The age limit is slightly different for each exam.
| Exam Name | Educational Qualification | Age Limit (General Category) | Age Relaxation |
| SBI Clerk | Graduation in any discipline | 20–28 years | SC/ST – 5 years, OBC – 3 years, PwD – 10–15 years |
| IBPS Clerk | Graduation in any discipline | 20–28 years | SC/ST – 5 years, OBC – 3 years, PwD – 10–15 years |
| IBPS RRB PO | Graduation in any discipline | 18–30 years | SC/ST – 5 years, OBC – 3 years, PwD – 10 years |
| IBPS RRB Clerk | Graduation in any discipline | 18–28 years | SC/ST – 5 years, OBC – 3 years, PwD – 10 years |
Note: Clerical exams also require proficiency in the local language of the state you are applying for.
Salary and perks comparison for bank jobs
Many SSC CGL aspirants want to know about the salary structure before applying for bank jobs. The approximate basic pay for these 4 bank jobs is as follows:
| Post | Basic Pay | Allowances & Perks |
| SBI Clerk | ₹24,050 – ₹64,480 | DA, HRA, medical benefits, travel allowance, pension |
| IBPS Clerk | ₹24,050 – ₹64,480 | DA, HRA, medical insurance, transport allowance |
| IBPS RRB PO (Officer Scale-I) | ₹52,000 – ₹55,000 | DA, HRA, special allowance, vehicle allowance, pension |
| IBPS RRB Clerk (Office Assistant) | ₹19,900– ₹47,920 | DA, HRA, medical, travel allowance |
Is it possible for SSC CGL aspirants to crack these 4 bank exams in 4 months?
Yes, it is highly possible. SSC CGL aspirants already have a strong base in Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language. These subjects form the majority of the banking prelims syllabus, which means more than half of the preparation is already complete before starting dedicated banking exam practice. The additional areas that candidates need to focus on include:
- Banking and Financial Awareness
- Computer Knowledge
- High-level Puzzles and Data Interpretation (for Mains)
- Practising under strict sectional time limits
| Previous Year Paper Link | Previous Year Paper Link |
| Attempt SBI Clerk Previous Year Papers | Attempt IBPS Clerk Previous Year Papers |
| Attempt IBPS RRB PO Previous Year Papers | Attempt IBPS RRB Clerk Previous Year Papers |
What can be the next 4-month preparation plan for SSC CGL aspirants to crack the bank exams?
The details of the next 4-month strategy to crack the upcoming bank exams for SSC CGL aspirants are as follows:
| Month Wise Plan | Preparation Strategy |
| Month 1 | • Continue SSC-style practice for Quant, Reasoning, and English with focus on speed. • Take 2–3 sectional mocks per week using SBI Clerk PYPs, IBPS Clerk PYPs, and IBPS RRB PO and Clerk PYPs. • Practice 3 DI sets & 5 puzzles daily with time limits. • 20–30 mins daily for Banking Awareness basics. • Read daily economy & banking current affairs. |
| Month 2 | • Attempt full-length Prelims mocks every alternate day with IBPS RRB Clerk PYPs, IBPS RRB PO PYPs, and SBI and IBPS Clerk PYPs. • Analyse mistakes to improve accuracy. • Revise short tricks for simplification, approximation & arithmetic. • Continue puzzle & seating arrangement practice. • 15–20 mins daily for Banking Awareness & current affairs. |
| Month 3 | • Focus on high-level DI & caselets. • Practice complex puzzles, input–output & data sufficiency. • Revise GA (past 4–6 months), RBI updates & schemes. • Attempt 2–3 mains-level mocks weekly. |
| Month 4 | • Take full-length mains mocks regularly with analysis. • Revise all GA from past 6 months. • Strengthen weaker sections with targeted practice. • Practice decision-making & data analysis under time pressure. |
Why are bank exams achievable for SSC CGL aspirants?
Bank exams are often easier to crack for SSC CGL aspirants because both exams share a lot of things common in terms of syllabus, skills, and preparation style. Since these candidates already have a strong base in core subjects and good problem-solving skills, shifting their focus to banking exams is easy and time-saving process.
- Syllabus Overlap – Both exams test Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language; the core concepts and problem-solving methods are almost identical, with only slight differences in question patterns.
- Strong Foundation in Core Subjects – SSC CGL aspirants already develop solid analytical and numerical skills during preparation, which are directly useful for both banking prelims and mains exam.
- Familiarity with Competitive Exam Environment – Candidates are used to time-bound tests, multiple-choice formats, and competitive scoring systems, helping them adapt quickly to banking exams.
- Limited Additional Preparation Required – Only a few extra topics like Banking Awareness, Computer Knowledge, and advanced-level Puzzles/Data Interpretation need to be covered, which can be managed in a short time with focused study.
- Dual Preparation Advantage – Studying for one exam strengthens preparation for the other, allowing aspirants to keep career opportunities open in both SSC and banking sectors.
Common mistakes SSC aspirants make when switching to bank exams
These are some of the common mistake’s SSC CGL aspirants make while preparing for the bank exams:
- Not practising under sectional time limits
- Ignoring Banking Awareness preparation
- Weak focus on speed maths and mental calculation
- Over-relying on SSC-style long methods instead of short tricks
- Not practising enough mains-level puzzles and data interpretation
FAQs
Ans. Yes, with focused preparation on banking-specific topics like banking awareness and computer knowledge, SSC CGL aspirants can crack bank exams in 4 months.
Ans. There is about 50–60% syllabus overlap, especially in Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English.
Ans. Banking awareness, computer knowledge, and high-level puzzles/data interpretation are the main additional areas.
Ans. Regular practice with sectional mocks, mock tests, and shortcut techniques in Quant and Reasoning can improve speed.
Ans. Yes, with good time management and a structured study plan, candidates can prepare for both together.
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- 4 Banking exams that SSC CGL aspirants can crack in next 4 months
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