Can you prepare for both IBPS PO & IBPS Clerk exam at the same time?

Who doesn’t aspire to have a government job – a secured job, better work-life balance, retirement benefits, status and more. Most of the candidates looking for a bank job in PSU appears for more than one exam to stay in the safer side. Also, as he or she is already preparing for one exam, the preparation for the other bank exams become easier and faster. Many people have the doubt that if preparation for both IBPS PO and Clerk together is possible or if they can apply for both. Yes, a candidate can apply for both IBPS PO and clerk exam. Besides, as the examination dates do not clash, they can appear and clear both.

Dates	Prelims	Mains	Interview/Provisional Allotment
IBPS PO 2017	7th, 8th, 14th and 15th October, 2017	26th November 2017	January / February 2018
IBPS Clerk 2017	2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th December, 2017	21st January 2018	April 2018

Note: IBPS Clerk 2017 registration is open till 3^rd October 2017. To register, visit: http://www.ibps.in/

Many candidates have cracked IBPS PO and IBPS Clerk at the same year. IBPS PO covers almost all the topics in Clerk and therefore the preparation strategy can be same.  Only for the PO exam, you need to prepare additionally for the interview round.

Here on, few tips on how to prepare for both IBPS PO and Clerk 2017 exam.

1. Understand the exam pattern

It is very important that you stay updated with the exam pattern. There is a slight change in the IBPS PO mains 2017 exam pattern. Along with exam pattern, understand the syllabus and the mark distribution for each syllabus. Post that, ensure that you prepare for each topic and keep your basics strong. The topics that are covered in both the exam are almost same and therefore preparation for both can be done at the same time. You just need to ensure that you don’t ignore the topics that are not common to each exam.

	IBPS PO	IBPS Clerk	Common
English	Multiple Meaning/Error Spotting	Vocabulary questions	Reading Comprehension
			Cloze Test
			Paragraph Completion
			Error Spotting
			Para Jumbles
Quant
	Sequence and Seires	Inequalities	Simplification
	Simple Interest & Compound Interest	Data sufficiency	Data Interpretation
	Indices and Surds		Number Series
			Work and Time
			Time and Distance
			Mensuration
			Ration and Proportion
			Permutation and combination and probability
Reasoning
	Tabulation		Logical Reasoning
			Alphanumeric Series
			Ranking/Direction
			Data Sufficiency
			Coded Inequalities
			Seating Arrangements
			Puzzle
			Syllogism
			Input Output
			Blood Relation
Computer Aptitude
		Keyboard shortcuts	Internet
		Computer Abbreviations	Memory
		Basics of DBMS	MS Office
			Hardware
			Software
			Operating system
			Network
General Awareness
			Banking Awareness
			Financial Awareness
			Govt. Schemes and Policies
			Current Affairs
			Static Awareness

2. Get your prep books

For preparing for the PO and Clerk exam, get your exam preparation books. We are listing down a few books that are recommended by Oliveboard users who have cleared IBPS PO and Clerk exam in the previous year.

• English: Wren & Martin and Word Power made easy by Normal Lewis.
• Quant: Fastrack Arithmetic
• Reasoing: Arihant’s Book on Reasoning
• Banking Awareness: Javed Siddique’s book

Recommended by –

• Shilpi Kanchan – IBPS PO 2016
• Taran Sikka – IBPS PO & IBPS Clerk 2016

3. Effective Time Management

This is important not just during exam preparation but also during the exam. You need to ensure that you dedicate enough study time for each section. Suppose, you are good in English, you can focus more on the other sections and likewise.

Also, in the exam make sure you first attempt the section you are more confident and then move on to the rest.

Ankit Malik who cleared both IBPS PO and Clerk exam says, “Now banking exams require a lot of planning like which section you are going to attempt first, which topics you are going to attempt first and so on. It’s necessary to plan to have an effective time management. Read more.”

4. Create a daily study plan

It is important to create a daily study plan for your IBPS exam preparation and stick to it. Depending on your availability for study every day, prepare a schedule. If you are already working, you can dedicate only 2-3 hours every day and must dedicate 7-8 hours on weekends. But if you are not working, you can dedicate 5-6 hours every day for study. Ensure that you divide study hours for each section. Once you start taking mock exams, you will realize your weaker areas. Try focusing and giving extra hours to that section. Check this 1-month study plan for IBPS PO 2017 exam.

5. Practice Mock Tests

This is one of the most useful tips that anyone can follow for bank exam preparation. Try to work out as many mock tests as you can. Also, opt for time bound tests so that not just your knowledge but you can evaluate your speed as well. After each mock test, analyse your performance and start focusing on areas that you score lesser.

Get comprehensive mock tests for IBPS PO and Clerk 2017 exam from Oliveboard.

6. YouTube Channels

Today, we are in the digital era and exam preparation need not be confined to text books. There are more exam preparations available online. You can go through Oliveboard’s YouTube channel for videos lessons, tips and tricks for upcoming IBPS PO and Clerk 2017 exam. You can also reap benefits out of the live sessions on exam preparation available online.

7. Make Notes

This reminds you of school and college days when you used to maintain notes of important formulas and rules. This works even today. You can revise these notes whenever you have free time or on the move. This will keep you intact with the core concepts.

8. Build Smarter Habits

Try utilising your leisure time by building some smarter habits. Start reading daily newspapers and current affairs’ magazines. This will improve your English and general awareness. Watch TV shows and online videos around GK and reasoning. Such habits will help you learn new things in a refreshing way.

9. Stay Healthy

Do make sure that you stay healthy till the exam. Do not overstress yourself with exam preparation. Eat enough and have good sleep so that you can focus and do well during the exam.

10. Additional Preparation

Unlike IBPS clerk, IBPS PO exam has interview in the selection procedure. Anyone who clears the prelims and then the mains exam successfully need to appear for an interview. Therefore, you need to prepare yourself for the same. Check common interview questions and prepare crisp answers that you can refer for the interview.

These are few tips to prepare for IBPS PO and Clerk exam. If you have any doubt regarding any of the exam or preparation, post it in our discussion forum or in the comment section below.