Strategy to clear Bank of Baroda PO 2017: Prashant Singh Rawat

Bank PO Success Story – Prashant Singh Rawat

I am Prashant Singh Rawat. I completed B. Tech in Computer Science in 2013 and soon after that I joined Hewlett Packard as Database Administrator. I was posted in the United bank of India head office, Kolkata to handle their database in CBS (NOC), where I got to know about the work, lifestyle, respect and job security of bank officers as I personally met and conversed with some of them, also my brother is an AO in an insurance PSU so I got inspiration from him too. Although I was serving the public indirectly but I wanted to serve them directly and reach out to all so I chose to prepare for bank PO and Insurance AO exams, and so to give full dedication and time to my preparation I left my job after working two years in 2015.

By the benevolence of god and hard work, I have now cleared BOB PO 2017 and will be joining the Baroda Manipal School of Banking soon. Some of the exams that I gave were:

• IBPS Clerk pre-2016 – score 69.75 and cutoff was 71.25
• IBPS PO mains 2016 – could not clear the cutoff by 3 marks
• SBI Clerk pre-2016 – score 58.75 and cutoff was 59.25
• BOB PO 2017 – Cleared (marks yet not disclosed)

As I was preparing on my own, I had no guidance and proper strategy so I took help of Facebook and various groups where a friend told me about Oliveboard speed tests. As recommended by her, I registered for them. My friend and I started giving speed tests and comparing each other’s scores and analyzing the Oliveboard tests. With the help of analysis of the tests, I got to know one of my major weaknesses-improper time management. After giving some of the tests and trying different strategies, I realized that banking exam is not about solving a question, it is about picking the right question. Oliveboard questions are unique and tricky and that helps you prepare for the unexpected!!

My subject wise strategy:

1. Math: It is my favourite subject and being an engineer, math never bothered me much.

• Try to be fast in calculations as much as you can.
• Learn cubes up to 35 and squares up to 40.
• Learn few tricks and shortcuts.
• Focus more on DI, quadratic equations (now new pattern inequalities) and number series.
• Practice math daily from various subject materials and books like Quantum Cat by Sarvesh Kumar.

2. Reasoning: Puzzles cover 60% of the part so solve daily as much as you can.

3. English:

• I never really studied English because of my educational background but one book for grammar that is best for any exam is Wren and Martin.
• Read the Hindu newspaper and note down all the unfamiliar words from it.
• Read ‘Word power Made Easy’ for vocabulary

4. Computer: Being a Computer Science Engineer, never studied specifically for it. Will suggest building up basics with the help of online books and other resources.

5. General Awareness: This section is divided in three parts: Banking + Static + Current Affairs.

• For banking go through RBI website and for banking + current affairs, follow newspapers religiously.
• For static, learn bank/international/national organization head office locations, country, currency and capital etc.

6. Tips for aspirants:

• Practice multiple questions online because the exam will be in online mode, tests of Oliveboard is at par with IBPS exams, even higher than IBPS at times.
• Don’t get disheartened by your score be it in real exams or speed tests, just try to analyze your mistakes. I used to get even in 20s in Oliveboard but gradually it increased to a good level.
• Don’t whine about unnecessary things like vacancy, new pattern etc. which are not in your control and focus on self-improvement.
• Being complacent in case of good score and disappointed in case of less score, are both dangerous, you should compete with yourself and must score higher marks in every next attempt.
• Lastly, stop procrastinating and start acting.

Motivation that I truly follow and would like to share with all: “Not qualifying exams is not the end of life, it is not a failure. You fail on the day you lose hope and self-belief!”