IBPS SO Marketing AIR 1 Strategy, Sai Lokesh’s Success Story

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Published on 22 January 2026 by

IBPS SO Marketing AIR 1 Strategy: Securing All India Rank 1 in the IBPS SO Marketing exam is no small feat, especially in a year where the exam difficulty and cut-offs were exceptionally high. Sai Lokesh, an IIM Indore alumnus, achieved the maximum score of 87.47, the highest official score this year, in his very first attempt.

Success Story of Sai Lokesh

With a strong background in marketing, hands-on industry experience, and a mock-driven preparation strategy, Sai Lokesh cracked Prelims, Mains, and the Interview with confidence. In this blog, he shares his preparation strategy, challenges, mock test approach, interview experience, and advice for future aspirants.

Interview with IBPS SO Marketing AIR 1 – Sai Lokesh

Let’s take a look at Sai Lokesh’s journey to success.

Q1. What was your first reaction when you got the IBPS SO result?

A1. To be honest, it was unbelievable. You don’t expect to secure AIR 1 in an exam as reputed as IBPS SO, especially considering how tough the exam was and how high the cut-offs went this year. Once it sank in, it felt extremely rewarding.

Q2. How did your family react to your achievement?

A2. They were completely stunned. While they were confident I would clear the exam, AIR 1 was unexpected. I’ve cleared multiple exams earlier, but securing Rank 1 is a different feeling altogether. They were truly on cloud nine.

Q3. Can you tell us about your educational background and work experience?

A3. I’m from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. I completed my MBA in marketing from IIM Indore. After that, I worked in an ad-tech firm in sales and ad operations. Currently, I work as a senior marketing consultant in a crypto- and blockchain-based firm. I have around 2.5 years of work experience.

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Q4. What motivated you to choose IBPS SO Marketing?

A4. I come from a strong marketing background, both academically and professionally. When I came across the IBPS SO Marketing notification, it felt like a role that aligned perfectly with my skills. The opportunity to work in marketing within a public sector bank and gain wide exposure really motivated me.

Q5. Why did you choose IBPS SO over the PO role?

A5. I was very clear about what I wanted to do. While I could have opted for the PO role, marketing is something I can do naturally due to my background. Working directly in marketing within a bank was exciting and aligned with my long-term interests.

Q6. Do you remember your scores in Prelims, Mains, and Interview?

A6. Yes.

  • Prelims: 53 out of 125
  • Mains: 53.75 out of 60
  • Interview: 16
  • Final Score: 87.47 (Highest score this year)

Q7. How did you prepare for the IBPS SO Prelims?

A7. Since I come from an MBA background and had cleared CAT earlier, my basics in Quant, Reasoning, and English were strong. I focused on brushing up concepts and taking multiple mock tests. Oliveboard mocks were my primary choice, and they closely matched the actual exam level.

Q8. Many aspirants feel Oliveboard mocks are tougher than the real exam. What’s your opinion?

A8. They are slightly tougher, but that’s beneficial. Practicing tougher mocks prepares you well for the actual exam. When the real paper feels easier than the mocks, it boosts confidence and reduces exam-day pressure.

Q9. How important was mock analysis during your preparation?

A9. Mock analysis was crucial. I believe mock tests contribute to nearly 80% of exam preparation. For every mock I took, I spent twice the time analyzing it identifying mistakes, missed opportunities, and new concepts. That’s where real improvement happens.

Q10. What challenges did you face while preparing for prelims?

A10. I hadn’t been in touch with Quant and Reasoning for some time due to work. Quant was particularly challenging, as it required brushing up concepts and building the right attempt strategy. With consistent practice and mocks, I was able to overcome this.

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Q11. How did you plan your preparation for the IBPS SO Marketing Mains?

A11. I started my Mains preparation only after giving Prelims and being confident of clearing them. Since I already had a strong foundation in marketing, learning accounted for only about 20% of my preparation. The remaining 80% was focused on mock tests and strategy.

I started giving multiple mocks daily one month before the Mains exam and analyzed what I knew, what I couldn’t attempt despite knowing, and completely new concepts. Oliveboard mocks played a major role in exposing me to diverse question types and competition levels.

Q12. Did your background and work experience help you in clearing the exam?

A12. It gave me confidence and internal motivation, but I still had to work hard at every stage like any other candidate. While my background helped, consistent effort and proper strategy were essential to clear the exam.

Q13. What advice would you give to aspirants from non-marketing backgrounds?

A13. Marketing is not rocket science. Once you start observing ads, branding, promotions, and everyday interactions, you’ll realize marketing exists everywhere. Relating concepts to real-life examples makes them easier to understand and remember.

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Q14. How was your interview experience?

A14. It was intense but enjoyable. Since I’m from IIM Indore and had worked in reputed firms, the panel grilled me heavily to test my seriousness and pressure-handling ability. I was clear about why I wanted to join a public sector bank, and that clarity helped me convince them.

Q15. Were there any specific interview questions you remember?

A15. Yes. They asked why I would choose a public sector bank despite having opportunities in high-paying private roles. They also asked marketing-related questions like customer lifetime value in banking, how to increase it, and how my work experience would be relevant to a bank’s marketing role.

Q16. What common mistakes should aspirants avoid?

A16. First, ignore external noise such as rumors about vacancies and cut-offs. Second, don’t rely only on learning concepts apply them through mocks and strategize for scoring. Stick to limited, reliable resources and focus on performance improvement.

Q17. What daily habits helped you during preparation?

A17. I set boundaries for everything studying, entertainment, and breaks. I also made sure to take time to relax and clear my mind, which helped me stay focused. Enjoying the learning process instead of treating it as pressure made a big difference.

Advice to the Aspirants

Sai Lokesh advises aspirants to focus only on their preparation and not get distracted by news about vacancies or cut-offs. He suggests sticking to limited study sources and spending more time on mock tests and their analysis. According to him, understanding concepts and applying them in mocks is the key to scoring well. He also believes that relating marketing concepts to daily life makes learning easier and more effective.

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