For many working bankers, JAIIB often becomes a goal that gets pushed aside because of work pressure, family commitments, or changing priorities. Naveen’s journey proves that delayed doesn’t mean impossible.
After postponing JAIIB for nearly eight years, balancing a demanding banking career and raising a five-year-old son, he finally decided to tick that unfinished goal off his bucket list. The result? 78 marks in three papers, 74 in RPWM, and JAIIB cleared in his very first attempt.
An 8-Year Dream That Refused to Fade
Naveen began his banking career in 2017 as a Probationary Officer at Lakshmi Vilas Bank, later moving to State Bank of India after clearing the SBI CBO exam. By the time he became a Deputy Manager, life had become busier than ever.
Marriage, his wife’s health concerns, audits, confirmation exams, and the responsibilities of parenthood meant JAIIB kept moving further down his priority list.
The toughest moments weren’t always at work.
“When I sat down to study, my son would come and say, ‘Daddy, let’s play.’ Saying no was the hardest part.”
-Naveen M
Preparing Around Life, Not Waiting for Perfect Time
Unlike many aspirants who wait for long study leaves, Naveen built his preparation around everyday life.
Since he joined the course late, he relied heavily on recorded classes at 2x speed, making the most of every spare minute, even during train journeys.
His routine became simple:
- Watch recorded lectures during travel.
- Revise using concise notes.
- Practice chapter-wise and sectional tests consistently.
He couldn’t carry books everywhere, but his phone became his portable classroom.
WATCH HIS INTERVIEW:
The Biggest Fear: Accounts
Coming from an engineering background, Accounts (AFM) was the paper he feared most.
Instead of jumping between multiple resources, he made one decision, trust a single mentor and stick to one study plan.
He followed Oliveboard’s AFM lectures, handwritten notes, and concept-based explanations without constantly switching books.
Before the exam, he hoped to somehow cross the 50-mark passing line.
He eventually scored 78.
Why Mock Tests Changed Everything
One habit made a noticeable difference in his preparation, practicing tests after learning each topic.
Even though he couldn’t complete every full-length mock because of time constraints, he consistently attempted:
- 360° topic tests
- Chapter-wise tests
- Sectional tests
- Module tests
He believes tests exposed gaps that normal revision often misses and helped reinforce concepts through repetition.
Interestingly, Naveen recalled an old saying among banking aspirants:
“If you score 40 in Oliveboard mocks, you’re likely to score around 60 in the actual exam.”
That confidence stayed with him throughout his preparation.
Smart Exam Strategy
Inside the exam hall, Naveen avoided getting stuck on difficult questions.
His approach was straightforward:
- Attempt questions he was completely confident about first.
- Mark doubtful questions for review.
- Return later with a calmer mind.
- Leave time for one final revision before submitting.
This prevented panic and helped him avoid careless mistakes.
Build confidence with chapter-wise tests, sectional practice, and full-length mock tests.
His Advice for Every Working Banker
Looking back, Naveen says starting early matters more than studying for long hours.
His formula is simple:
- Study consistently, even for one hour daily.
- Revise topics multiple times.
- Follow one reliable study plan instead of switching resources.
- Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing answers.
Today, after clearing JAIIB in his first attempt with outstanding scores, he has already begun preparing for CAIIB, this time from the very beginning of the batch.
His story is a reminder that success isn’t about finding perfect conditions. It’s about making steady progress, even when life refuses to slow down.
Ready to Start Your JAIIB Journey?
Whether you’re balancing branch work, family responsibilities, or restarting preparation after a long gap, consistency can make the difference. With the right guidance, structured practice, and regular revision, your JAIIB success story could be next.
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.
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