Last Week Tips For Bank Exam Preparation If you think cut-throat competition in Indian examinations is restricted to the JEE and other engineering entrances alone, you are mistaken. The number of applicants for banking exams far outnumber the number of seats available in the banking sector (engineering entrances pale in comparison). So a well-rounded action-plan for approaching the banking exams is essential to success and to keeping away the last-minute panic. One must prepare for the written exam for the IBPS PO (IBPS Probationary Officer) post with a well-laid preparation strategy. While lakhs of candidates appear each year for the exam conducted by Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), there exist only a few thousand vacancies in PSU banks. Consequently, the competition is fierce. The examination basically assesses a candidate’s overall personality, communication skill and marketing traits, not just their bookish knowledge! It goes without saying that an interest in finance and banking is of utmost importance. The two-hour-long IBPS PO exam tests the candidates in five relevant areas – Reasoning, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness and Computer Knowledge. A normal preparation regimen would include thorough preparation based on each of the five sections. Focus on your strong points, and try to analyze and rectify your weaknesses. Remember that there sectional cut-offs for each of the areas i.e. you need to score a minimum number of marks set for clearing each of the sections in order to successfully pass the exam. Old tips and tricks like regular and rigorous practice, healthy group-study and revision (as many times as is required) are golden for success. If you inculcate the habit of reading well-written English dailies on a regular basis, it will work to your advantage. It will increase your command over the language significantly, thereby helping you in the English section (and perhaps General Awareness too). But what do you do when you are left with just one week and you believe you have a lot left to cover? Following are five tips to help you deal with the eleventh-hour panic and ease your mind before the bank exams! #1. Solve test papers and analyze past mocks Solving test papers and revising the questions you have solved in the past, specifically those you found difficult during your initial rounds of preparation, will prove to be really helpful. Daily practice and revision of questions in the last week of your preparation will help you clear your concepts and learn to manage time. #2. Keep yourself up-to-date via the internet Instead of navigating cyberspace aimlessly, exploit the internet’s immense potential and use it to your benefit. Numerous sites offer past years’ question papers, reviews by experts along with their opinions (which could prove to be priceless), and also updates (if any) in the paper pattern. #3. Do not cram your head with random stuff taken off any and every website Just as the internet can serve to make life easier, it can also do the opposite if you do not use it wisely. There may be many websites claiming to teach you the syllabus in 3 days or 3 hours. These are nothing but unapologetic attempts at advertising their company/institute. Stay away from such sites and focus on what you have prepared and your past methods of preparation. #4. All work and no play will make you a dull boy/girl Cramming your head with exam-related material and studying round-the-clock with little or no breaks will do more harm than good. Give yourself the liberty of indulging in occasional recreational activities. Watch movies, go for a walk, get some much needed exercise. Don’t simply be a bookworm! #5. Look after your health The last thing you need before your exam is to fall ill. Eat healthy food, drink ample water and, above all, sleep well (at least 7 hours a day). Make sure you modify your sleep cycle (if need be) so that you won’t be drowsy during your test-slot on the day of the exam. Speed and accuracy are the keys to success in any examination; a cloudy mind will never allow you to reach there.