SBI Bank PO Prelims exam is just few days from now. Considering one of the premium job opportunities in banking sectors, SBI Bank PO is a dream job for many. Approximately 20-25 lakhs of candidates will appear for the exam this time. It’s pretty tough to clear the cut off in SBI Bank PO, but by planning your move before writing the exam, you can optimize your chance to 80-90%. Here you will learn the best strategy to write the exam from the Authors of SBI Bank PO and Clerk Series : Mr. Jitesh Vohra and Mr. Sunil Palia. They have a teaching experience of around 15 years. Know from the horse’s mouth and clear the exam with flying colours.
In the 2018 SBI Bank PO prelims examination, there will be no sectional cut-off instead there will be sectional time limit. A candidate will have to spend necessarily 20 minutes in each section. The table below lists the maximum marks and time available for each section:
| SL. | Name of test | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | English Language | 30 | Total Maximum Marks 100 | 20 minutes |
| 2. | Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 20 minutes | |
| 3. | Reasoning Ability | 35 | 20 minutes | |
| Total | 100 | 1 hour |
Last year the overall cut off for 2017 SBI PO examination was 51.50 marks. To be on the safer side let us assume that the overall cut off in 2018 SBI PO examination to anywhere in the region of 55 to 59 marks.
To achieve these marks let us see which areas to focus in each section of 2018 SBI PO examination based on the examination pattern of 2017.
- English Language (30 Marks – 20 minutes)
The number of questions from various topics in the 2017 SBI PO examination of the English Language section are shown in the table below:
| S. No. | Sub Topics | Number of questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Reading Comprehension | 10 |
| 2. | Phrase Replacement (Sentence Improvement) | 10 |
| 3. | Cloze Test | 10 |
| Total | 30 |
- Start with 10 questions of Phrase Replacement: They are comparatively easy and will not take more than 5 – 7 minutes to attempt them.
- Cloze Test: Attempt cloze test next wherein 10 blanks are given in a passage which will again take 5 – 7 minutes to fill them up.
- Reading Comprehension: In the remaining time, attempt the RC passage. RC in SBI PO prelims is tricky sometimes and you will not find straight questions but rather will find inference based questions. So, it’s advisable that you first attempt 4 – 5 questions of the passage which are based on vocabulary. And if any time is remaining then try to solve the other questions of RC.
Following this strategy, you would be able to attempt questions more easily. Assuming accuracy to be 80%, you will ensure around 12-16 marks (minimum) in this section.
- Quantitative Aptitude (35 Marks – 20 minutes)
The number of questions from various topics in the 2017 SBI PO examination of the quantitative aptitude section are shown in the table below:
| S. No. | Sub Topics | Number of questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Data Interpretation | 10 |
| 2. | Number Series | 5 |
| 3. | Simplification/Approximation | 5 |
| 4. | Quadratic Inequalities | 5 |
| 5. | Miscellaneous (Percentages, SI/CI, Profit, Loss, Discount, Ratio, Proportion, Ages, Partnerships, Alligation, Mixtures, Time & Work, Time, Speed, Distance, Permutation & Combination, Probability) | 10 |
| Total | 35 |
- Start with 5 questions of Simplification/Approximation: They are easy and very less time consuming. You can easily get 5 marks within 2 – 3 minutes.
- Number Series: The next set to be attempted is the questions of number series. Number series questions asked in SBI PO Pre examination are generally easy to moderate. You can attempt these 5 questions in 3 – 4 minutes.
- Quadratic Inequalities: These questions are based on generally 2 variables and will have quadratic and linear equations and inequations. Again these questions are moderate and you can solve these 5 questions in not more than 4 – 5 minutes.
- Data Interpretation: In the remaining 9 – 11 minutes, focus on the question of Data Interpretation. As understanding data of one set will give insight on 5 questions based on it.
- Miscellaneous questions: If any time is remaining, then pick the miscellaneous questions. Solve those which are based on your topic of strength. Or choose the questions which have least amount of data and write up in it, so that you can solve it quickly
Following this strategy, you would have attempted around 22 – 28 questions in total. Assuming accuracy to be 80%, you will ensure around 17 – 20 marks (minimum) in this section.
- Reasoning Ability (35 Marks – 20 minutes)
The number of questions from various topics in the 2017 SBI PO examination of the reasoning ability section are shown in the table below:
| S. No. | Sub Topics | Number of questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Inequalities | 5 |
| 2. | Analytical Reasoning (Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Scheduling, Complex Arrangements, Attribute Based) | 20 – 23 |
| 3. | Miscellaneous (Blood Relations, Directions, Coding, Ranking etc.) | 7 – 10 |
| Total | 35 |
- Start with 5 questions of Inequalities: They are easy to moderate in nature generally. You can attempt these 5 questions in almost 5 minutes.
- Miscellaneous: Generally these are based on variety of topics of reasoning and are also easy to attempt. You can solve them in 5 – 7 minutes.
- Analytical Reasoning: Don’t start solving the puzzle which you can see directly. Just see and analyze if you can get through the puzzle. Generally 4 to 5 sets of analytical reasoning are expected in the examination. Out of these 50% of sets are easy. So, choose the sets first which have less data to be sorted. In the remaining 10 minutes, you can easily get through 10 questions of analytical reasoning.
Following this strategy, you will be able to have attempt around 22 – 25 questions in total. Assuming your accuracy to be 80%, you will ensure around 17 – 19 marks (minimum) in this section.
In totality you will be able to score about 55-59 marks by following this remarkable strategy and clear cut off with good margin.
You can post your queries, doubts and more in the comment box. We feel pleased to help our readers in their preparation.
Do Your Best !
