A Beginner’s Guide to Bank Exam Patterns and Syllabus

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A Beginner’s Guide to Bank Exam Patterns and Syllabus: The path to cracking a public sector bank exam begins with understanding the exam pattern and syllabus. For beginners, this knowledge forms the foundation of your preparation. This guide will break down the structure of the exams and provide insights into the topics you need to focus on, helping you build a solid strategy.

Exam Pattern for Bank Exams

Public sector bank exams are typically divided into two stages: Preliminary Exam and Main Exam. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Exam Stage	Sections	Number of Questions	Maximum Marks	Duration
Prelims	English Language	30	30	20 minutes
	Quantitative Aptitude	35	35	20 minutes
	Reasoning Ability	35	35	20 minutes
Main Exam	General Awareness (with Banking)	40	40	35 minutes
	Reasoning and Computer Aptitude	45	60	60 minutes
	Data Analysis and Interpretation	35	60	45 minutes
	English Language	35	40	40 minutes
	Descriptive Writing (Essay/Letter)	2	25	30 minutes

Please Note: This is a generalized exam pattern for Bank Exams. The actual exam pattern may vary for other exams.

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Bank Exam Syllabus

The syllabus for the bank exams include 4 major subjects- English, Quant, General Awareness, and Reasoning. Some exams may also include Professional Knowledge. Check the general Bank Exam Syllabus below.

1. English Language

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Topics: Reading comprehension, cloze tests, para jumbles, error spotting, fill in the blanks.
Preparation Tips: Focus on grammar rules, practice reading newspapers like The Hindu, and solve previous year papers.

2. Quantitative Aptitude

Topics: Simplification, data interpretation, quadratic equations, arithmetic problems (profit-loss, time-distance).
Preparation Tips: Start with basics from books like RS Aggarwal and supplement with Oliveboard’s quantitative aptitude mock tests.

3. Reasoning Ability

Topics: Seating arrangements, puzzles, blood relations, syllogisms, coding-decoding.
Preparation Tips: Regular practice with puzzles is key. Use Oliveboard’s logical reasoning videos for effective shortcuts.

4. General Awareness

Topics: Banking awareness, current affairs, static GK.
Preparation Tips: Read Oliveboard’s monthly current affairs capsules and follow a reliable GK book like Lucent’s.

5. Computer Aptitude

Topics: Basics of MS Office, internet, networking, security tools.
Preparation Tips: Study from Arihant’s computer awareness book and take online quizzes.

Exams	Upcoming Bank Exam Syllabus
IBPS RRB	IBPS RRB Clerk Syllabus IBPS RRB PO Syllabus
IBPS Clerk	IBPS Clerk Syllabus
IBPS PO	IBPS PO Syllabus
IBPS SO	IBPS SO Syllabus
RBI Assistant	RBI Assistant Syllabus
SBI Clerk	SBI Clerk Syllabus
SBI SO	SBI SO Syllabus
SBI PO	SBI PO Syllabus

How Oliveboard Can Help Beginners in Bank Exam Preparation?

Simplified Learning Paths: Oliveboard offers structured courses that align with the bank exam syllabus, making it easy for beginners to start.
Mock Tests with Analytics: The platform provides detailed performance analytics to help you focus on weak areas.
Expert Guidance: Learn from industry experts who break down complex topics into manageable steps.

Download Oliveboard App to ace your preparation

How to Approach the Exam Syllabus?

Understand the Weightage: Prioritize sections based on their weightage in the exam.
Divide and Conquer: Break the syllabus into weekly goals for systematic preparation.
Test Regularly: Practice Oliveboard’s mock tests to gauge your understanding and timing.
Revise: Allocate at least two weeks for revision before the exam.

Attempt Free Mock Test Here for various bank exams

Conclusion

This article on “A Beginner’s Guide to Bank Exam Patterns and Syllabus” is the first step to success in public sector bank exams. By understanding the structure and focusing on key areas, you can tailor your preparation to maximize efficiency. Platforms like Oliveboard provide the perfect blend of resources and expert guidance to help you excel.

Begin your preparation with clarity and confidence—success awaits!