For Deepak Prajapati, clearing the IBPS RRB PO exam was not the result of one perfect attempt. It was the outcome of nearly 10 years of persistence, self-correction and the decision to keep trying, even when giving up seemed easier.
A B.Com graduate who later completed his M.Com, Deepak came from a financially modest family. After completing Class 12 in 2012, he held on to his dream of joining the banking sector. But the road to becoming an RRB PO was far longer than he had expected.
A 10-Year Journey That Tested His Patience
Deepak started preparing for banking exams after graduation, but success did not come quickly. Year after year, he attempted exams without being able to clear them.
There were moments when he considered moving on and doing something else. But one thought kept bringing him back to preparation: he did not want to look back and regret that he had not given his full potential.
That mindset eventually became his biggest strength.
Alongside preparation, Deepak also had to work to support his basic needs. He had previously worked as a cashier at a payment bank, where long working hours and limited pay made life challenging.
His eventual selection changed that. Deepak successfully cleared IBPS RRB PO and joined Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank, beginning a new chapter after years of persistence.
Watch his exclusive interview only on Oliveboard:
Turning His Weakest Subject Into His Strongest
Interestingly, reasoning was once Deepak’s weakest section. Puzzles, in particular, were something he would often skip because he felt they consumed too much time.
Instead of continuing to avoid them, he started practising consistently.
Mocks became an important part of that process. With regular practice and analysis, he gradually became more comfortable with the questions that once intimidated him. Today, he considers reasoning his strongest section.
“My weakest subject was reasoning, but today it is my strongest.”
For Deepak, simply taking mock tests was never enough. He focused on analysing his mistakes, identifying where he was losing time and finding quicker ways to solve questions.
His Strategy for the RRB PO Mains Exam
Deepak believes that aspirants should approach RRB PO Mains differently from Prelims. According to him, Prelims is largely about speed, while Mains tests knowledge and accuracy.
His own Mains score was around 75, while the cutoff was around 68. What helped him qualify was not attempting every possible question, but maintaining high accuracy in the questions he chose.
His advice is simple: don’t chase maximum attempts blindly. Focus on selective questions that you can solve accurately within the given time.
He also recommends taking mocks regularly and, more importantly, analysing them after every attempt.
Oliveboard Was Part of His Preparation Journey
Deepak has been using Oliveboard mocks since 2020. While preparing for banking exams, he attempted mocks across IBPS exams and used them to understand his performance and improve his weak areas.
For Mains preparation, he would take a limited number of mocks when time was short, analyse them carefully and even re-attempt questions later. This approach helped him turn mock tests into a learning tool rather than simply a measure of his score.
He also credits the learning support available through Oliveboard’s teachers and YouTube content, especially for aspirants who may not always be able to invest in extensive coaching.
Keep Trying Until You Have Given Your Best
Deepak’s story is a reminder that everyone’s preparation timeline is different. While some aspirants may clear banking exams within one or two attempts, others may need more time to find the right strategy.
His biggest lesson is not to lose hope.
Take mocks. Analyse mistakes. Work on weak subjects. Keep improving your accuracy. And most importantly, keep trying until you know you have given your preparation everything you have.
For Deepak, that persistence took almost a decade. But eventually, the attempt that mattered most was the one where he finally made it.
I started my journey with storytelling and journalism, and somewhere along the way, I discovered how much I truly love writing. Words have always been my way of connecting with people.
With 4+ years of experience in content creation, social media, and video storytelling, I focus on building meaningful conversations, not just posts. I enjoy understanding audiences, planning engaging content, and turning followers into active, connected communities.
At Oliveboard, I work on creating value-driven content that informs, engages, and brings people together.