Success Story of Abhishek Mishra – Cleared IBPS Clerk, IBPS PO, Indian Bank PO

Read the success story of Abhishek Mishra, who just at the age of 20 not only cleared many competitive exams but also became Probationary Officer in his first attempt .

Success Story of Abhishek Mishra

“Greetings everyone ! My name is Abhishek Mishra. I am from Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh. I have completed my graduation B.Sc. Honours in Physics from Kirorimal College, Delhi University in May 2018. Recently the final results of IBPS PO 2018 were announced and I have been allotted first preference of mine, Punjab National Bank.”.         

Having completed my graduation,I came back  home and started preparing for IBPS PO as I knew my parents’ unconditional love and support would help me prepare better for the examination and I could clear it in my first attempt at the age of 20. Exams that I have cleared are -:

• IBPS PO (selected in PNB)
• IBPS CLERK (selected in BOB)
• INDIAN BANK PO PGDBF
• CAT PERCENTILE  92.47

My Preparation Journey-:

I believe “Everyone has a story and every story is inspiring.” So I will tell you everything what ever I have done from the beginning, you need to choose and plan accordingly because what worked for me, may or may not suit you, you have to come up with your own plan.

Coming back to home I have researched all about the exam pattern and process, drawn the conclusion that I need to focus exclusively on the mains exam preparation part because it will help me clearing prelims too.

For prelims time management and speed is the most important thing that will come by practice. 20 days before the prelims exam I have started attempting 1 mock test daily and analysed after onwards.I have focused extensively on mains from the start reason being mains marks would only get me selection, prelims is just qualifying in nature.

For mains accuracy and choosing the right set of questions is very important. I’ve attempted 1 mock test and analyzed it 2 days because most of the learning for mains exam comes from analysing mock tests. I’ll try to explain what I did for individual sections-:

• Data Analysis and Interpretation-:

Seeing the last year exam analysis I have found that most of the DI and data sufficiency questions come from percentage, profit loss and discount, time work, time speed distance etc. So I cleared my basics from Rakesh Yadav class notes and RS Agarwal, I’ve tried not to use much shortcuts because in exam that doesn’t work and this year’s mains paper confirms that one should try to use fundamental method to get the question right. Once the basics were done I have just relied on mock tests heavily, Oliveboard’s mains mock tests questions were a notch higher than the actual ones that helps you maintain your calmness during a tough exam.When you attempt a mock setting the exam environment before the actual one then only you’ll be able to find your strong area as I’ve found out if any DI question comes from boat and stream/profit loss, I can do that. So accordingly you have to find your own strong area.

• Reasoning and Computer Aptitude-:

I have studied topics like syllogism and inequality from some online sources (useful only for prelims) but mains paper comprises mostly  puzzles and seating arrangement, input-output and critical reasoning questions. I have just utilized Oliveboard mock tests and tried to solve every question on my own then looked for the solution so that I can have a general idea about my strong/weak zone area.In most of the mock tests I’ve attempted all the Critical reasoning questions ,circular seating, matrix based  and never attempted input output question similarly you should plan which to choose/skip.

• English Language-:

Although I have done the grammar part(from Wren and Martin), it’s not much useful for the mains exam perspective because reading comprehension dominates this section.I was not an avid reader of newspaper so I just attempted and analysed mock tests and learnt from my mistakes,noted them down so I didn’t repeat them in final exam. In the last month I started reading economist articles that were really useful. My approach in this section was to read~comprehend ~infer that worked for me.

• General Awareness-:

This section consists of banking part, current affairs and static awareness.Seeing few exam papers I have got to know that most of the questions come from current events related to banking and economy.

1) Current affairs-: I have followed gktoday  for day to day updates from June and made my handwritten notes of it. For monthly revision I found Oliveboard bolt  really good and revised my notes one week before the mains.I think one should try to cover current atleast from April/May and important updates of budget and economic survey as 2 to 3 questions are asked from it .

2) Banking awareness-: I have done this part from olivevoard’s banking and economy pdf, they have explained in such an elaborate manner that it helped in mains as well as interview.

3) Static awareness-: Although I have made notes of all the national parks, biosphere reserve, classical dance forms etc. from affairs cloud pdf, the cost benefit ratio is very low in this part so if you have less time you can skip it.

• Descriptive English-:

In this section format of essay and letter is most important,I had referred to the OB descriptive pdf. Once I was well versed  with the pattern, I have prepared about the topics related to banking and economy like npa problem, merger of banks, RBI section 7 etc.for essay and  letters to auditor ,bank manager about emi/loan/ATM etc. Oliveboard has a really good platform for the practice of descriptive test and provides feedback about your writing.

Interview(final stage)-:

Once I was done with the mains exam I started preparing for the interview and this was the stage I enjoyed preparing the most because whatever you have learned you have to apply and interpret here, I have divided my preparation into parts-:

1.Personal information (like hobbies, strength/weakness, why banking etc).

2.Graduation based (just basics of physics).                                          

3.Banking and Economy ( Monetary policy, financial inclusion, cts, negotiable instruments etc.)

4.Budget and economic  survey (recapitalization of PSBS, NPA issue etc.)

5.Current events (related to banking economy )

For banking and economy part I have followed mrunal’s videos they were really helpful,made me able to explain in a simple manner. I’ll share my interview transcript with oliveboard shortly.

Finally when I am writing this I am feeling extremely joyous because it feels amazing from reading someone else’s story to writing your own. Seeing the smile on your parents’ face and all the near and dear one’s wishes make you feel blessed.

Tips to Aspirants:

There are many ups and downs in every aspirant’s journey, sometimes you will think whether you are going to get it or not.The only motivational lines that I had with me were by Steve Jobs speech at stanford-: “You can only connect the dots by looking backward not forward.” He says what ever actions you are going to take today if they may have any adverse impact on tomorrow you’ll never take those actions. So take those actions which make you think the efforts that you have put, were the best that led you to the success of today.

I feel the best step I had taken was attempting and analysing all the mock tests passionately  that led me to the day of mine 1st april 2019. I wish everyone  the best wishes from my side,make yourself and your parents proud all the very best.”

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