Preparing for a competitive banking exam while managing a full-time job is never easy. Yet, Jagdish Khade, currently working as a Relationship Manager in the banking sector, successfully cleared the SBI Circle Based Officer (CBO) examination.
With prior experience in banks like HDFC, Axis, and Standard Chartered, Jagdish already had a strong foundation in banking. But cracking an exam where most candidates already have work experience requires a focused strategy.
Here’s the preparation strategy Jagdish followed to clear the SBI CBO exam while balancing a full-time job.
Understanding the Exam and Setting a Target
One of the first things Jagdish did was analyze the expected cutoff. Instead of preparing randomly, he researched the previous years’ trends to understand how much he needed to score.
When Jagdish searched online, he found that the cutoff was usually around 70–75 marks. Based on that, he planned his preparation around that target.
Having a clear score target helped him decide where to invest more effort. Since the exam includes sections like English, Banking Knowledge, and descriptive writing, Jagdish focused on areas that could give him consistent marks.
He began his preparation around May, using structured Oliveboard classes and recorded sessions to revise important topics.
Managing Preparation Along With a Job
As a working professional, Jagdish didn’t have the luxury of long study hours. Instead, he focused on making the most of small pockets of time throughout the day.
Because of traffic in Pune, commuting sometimes takes one to two hours. I used that time to watch recorded Oliveboard classes or revise concepts.
By converting commute time into study time, he was able to stay consistent with preparation without disrupting his work schedule. Oliveboard recorded lectures proved especially helpful because they allowed him to study anytime.
Section-Wise Preparation Strategy
English and Descriptive Writing
According to Jagdish, English can be one of the most scoring sections in the SBI CBO exam, especially because of the essay and letter writing component.
You don’t need very complicated vocabulary. The most important thing is to avoid grammatical mistakes and follow the correct format.
He focused on understanding the proper structure for essays and letters and practiced writing within the expected format. Since the descriptive section carries significant weightage, this preparation helped him gain an advantage.
Banking Knowledge
Banking Knowledge was comparatively manageable for him because of his professional background. Attending structured Oliveboard classes helped him revise important topics efficiently without spending too much time searching for material.
Most candidates already have two years of experience, so many concepts are familiar. You just need to brush up the basics.
Current Affairs
For current affairs, instead of trying to study several months of current affairs at once, Jagdish relied largely on his daily exposure to financial news due to the nature of his job.
I regularly watch Oliveboard videos related to market updates, geopolitical news, and Indian financial developments.
Why Attending Classes and Clearing Doubts Matters
Jagdish strongly believes that simply watching lectures is not enough. Interaction and doubt clearing can significantly improve understanding.
If you attend Oliveboard live classes, interaction is important. Many students have doubts but don’t ask them, and those doubts remain unresolved.
Participating in discussions helped him clarify concepts quickly and also understand the types of questions that could appear in the exam.
Preparing for the Interview
After clearing the written stage, the next challenge was the interview. Even though Jagdish had experience attending corporate interviews, he still felt nervous initially.
Sometimes we know the answer, but when the question is asked suddenly, we struggle to express it. Oliveboard Mock interviews help solve that problem.
He took Oliveboard mock interviews, which helped him organize his thoughts and respond confidently during the actual interview.
During the interview stage, Jagdish also tried something a little different. Along with his biodata, he attached a small collage showcasing his key professional achievements, giving the panel a quick snapshot of his experience and accomplishments.
With the right strategy and consistent effort, clearing exams like SBI CBO becomes much more achievable. If you are planning to appear for the next cycle, the best way to begin is by understanding the exam pattern and testing your current level of preparation.
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