Every year, thousands of aspirants begin their IBPS PO preparation with determination. Yet, many spend months wondering whether they’re studying the right way. That uncertainty was something Abhishek Mukherjee knew all too well. After nearly two years of trial and error, he realised that success wasn’t just about working harder, it was about following the right strategy. Today, he’s living his dream of becoming a Probationary Officer, and his journey offers valuable lessons for every banking aspirant.
The Turning Point: From Self-Study to Smart Preparation
After graduating from the University of Calcutta, Abhishek began his banking preparation through self-study. Like many aspirants, he believed that studying hard would be enough. However, after spending nearly two years understanding the competitive exam landscape, he realised he was missing one crucial element: the right direction.
Like many students, Abhishek tried countless free resources online, but found a massive gap between standard practice questions and the actual, evolving level of the IBPS PO exam. He needed a platform that mirrored the exact difficulty and interface of the real test.
After attending Oliveboard’s free strategy sessions and seeing how precisely their faculty mapped out the exam trends, the choice became clear. He didn’t just need more questions – he needed the right questions.
Eventually, he enrolled in Oliveboard’s comprehensive courses, especially for Reasoning, and completely changed the way he prepared
Strong Basics First, Then Mock Tests
Instead of immediately solving hundreds of questions, Abhishek first focused on building strong fundamentals. He completed his Arithmetic concepts, strengthened Data Interpretation, improved calculation speed, and worked on his Reasoning basics before moving to intensive practice.
Once his concepts were clear, mock tests became the centre of his preparation.
Initially, he attempted one mock every day and analysed every mistake carefully. As the exam approached, he increased his practice to two or three preliminary mocks daily while continuing his mains preparation.
He credits Oliveboard’s mock tests for helping him develop both speed and confidence.
He said, that the mocks were slightly tougher than the actual exam, which improved his speed and accuracy without affecting his confidence.
For Abhishek, analysing every mock was just as important as attempting it.
Why He Started Preparing for Mains Early
One strategy that gave Abhishek a significant advantage was beginning his IBPS PO Mains preparation immediately after prelims instead of waiting for the results.
He knew the gap between the two stages was too short to waste. His focus shifted towards advanced Quant, high-level Reasoning, General Awareness, and mains-level mock tests.
He also credits the Faculty’s Reasoning classes on Oliveboard for strengthening his strongest subject. Along with recorded classes and mock analysis, he made Current Affairs a daily habit instead of leaving it for the final weeks.
Watch his whole interview now:
His Biggest Advice to Every Banking Aspirant
Looking back, Abhishek believes his biggest mistake was trying to figure everything out alone.
His advice is simple:
- Build strong concepts before chasing speed.
- Analyse every mock test honestly.
- Stay consistent, even if progress feels slow.
- Seek the right guidance early instead of relying only on trial and error.
He also recommends watching topper sessions and interview guidance videos to understand what works and avoid common mistakes.
Abhishek Mukherjee’s IBPS PO Success Story is proof that success doesn’t come from studying endlessly, it comes from studying with clarity. The combination of disciplined self-study, regular mock practice, expert guidance, and the right resources helped him transform years of uncertainty into a successful banking career.
If you’re preparing for the IBPS PO exam, remember that the right preparation strategy can save months of confusion and bring you one step closer to selection.
Ready to Follow the Strategy That Helped Abhishek Succeed?
Build stronger concepts, practice with exam-level mock tests, learn from expert faculty, and prepare with confidence.
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