Study Plan for SBI PO 2016 Mains Exam:
Dear Crusaders,
For an aspirant of Banking Exams to become a Probationary Officer at the largest lender of the land (SBI) is a dream and to turn your dreams into the reality and to mend your ways into the right direction we are presenting you Study Plan for SBI PO Mains 2016 exam. It is most pivotal to adhere to a well architect-ed study plan for the preparation of this exam to become a winner of this battle. The exam is expected to be of higher level than that of IBPS PO. So, work smartly and buckle yourself up in the best way to secure SBI PO 2016. Hence keeping this exam into our mind, here we are rendering you The Study Plan for SBI PO Mains Examination. We are anticipating, this initiative of Banking Mantras will be turned as “Cog in the wheel” in your this very journey.
Mains Exam Pattern & Syllabus:
Main Examination will consist of Objective Tests for 200 marks and Descriptive Test for 25 marks. Candidates will have to answer Descriptive test by typing on the computer.
Objective Test: The objective test of 3 hours duration consists of 4 Sections for total 200 marks. The objective test will have separate timing for every section. The candidates are required to qualify in each section of the test by securing passing marks, to be decided by the Bank.
Descriptive Test: The Descriptive Test of 30 minutes duration with 25 marks will be a Test of English Language (Letter Writing & Essay).
#Descriptive Test paper of only those candidates will be evaluated who have scored qualifying marks in the Objective Tests and are placed adequately high as per total marks in objective test.
There will be penalty for wrong answers marked in the Objective Tests. For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate one fourth of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty to arrive at corrected score.
Lets Walk through the best strategy for SBI PO MAINS:
(1) Reasoning Ability:
Reasoning is a section in which you can score amazingly more if you have good control over it. We have been covering all the topic comes under reasoning section. So, knowing how to prepare for reasoning section can help you with other exams as well in case you intend to appear for them. Let us discuss the topics which comes under this section.
~ Coding Decoding:
Learn the Alphabet placements and write separately those words of which codes are defined. Then eliminate the codes and match with other words and give answers.
~ Alphanumerical Coding decoding:
Read the conditions carefully, some times in few questions none conditions applies but still the codes follows and some times when conditions apply and we just have to
see the codes of first and last, don’t blindly tick any option as they might give one wrong coding in between. Thus check all the codes and answer.
~ Inequality:
Remember the rules, You can do these these problems verbally or you can establish relations in one line first and then clearly mark you answers.
~ Miscellaneous: #Directions # Blood Relation # Ranking
~ Input Output:
Do practice as much as you can, firstly try to understand the logic then quickly rearrange the given Input in the questions, but doing it quickly you need to do a lot
of practice.
~ Statement & Assumptions:
Statement and assumption consists of a statement which can be facts, discussions, observations, causes and effect, actions etc that followed by assumptions.
These topics will almost cover 30 marks. And if you want to go for puzzles solve that in the time after completing the rest of the question paper.
~ Circular Seating Arrangements:
The arrangement could be of all facing inside, all facing outside or some facing inside and some facing outside the circle. You can start with the first given condition but always solve the puzzle with two diagrams. One diagram will go definitely wrong and one will be your correct arrangement.
~ Linear Sitting Arrangement Facing a Direction:
In this puzzle, try to link the given conditions and be careful with left and right of a person as it varies with directions such as North and South.
~ Tabular Arrangement:
This is a little bit time taking but with correct approach you can easily get the correct arrangement. Write down the given information first, such as name of companies/cities , then name of the characters , and then their hobbies/fav sports etc. When you will make the puzzle, try to eliminate the possibilities.
In the section test, we will be providing you topic-wise questions and we will cover everything under it. As the exam pattern is constantly changing so no one knows what comes in the exam but we know what type of questions can come in the exam. Preparing for reasoning does not involve reading any theory materials. All you need to do are – to be focused on the equation, take it to your mind and pick the correct option to move one step ahead and one more step closer towards your goal.
Computer Aptitude:
This is something new which is introduced by SBI, it is another type of reasoning based on binary number system but very easy. As we saw SBI CLERK MAINS, in this as well chances of Question from Computer Fundamental Questions are very less. So, don’t worry about this section.
(2) Data Analysis and Interpretation:
Since SBI mains is more focused on DI Section so for DI you must be well versed with at least four topics of Arithmetic and that are; (Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, SI & CI & Averages) these topics have immense importance. Now let discuss about this section in a little bit more detail.
Data Interpretation of different types:
♣ Line
♣ Pie
♣ Bar graph sure shot marks focus on these for Prelims.
♣ Missing DI; this is very important because now days this type of DI is being asked in Examination and since this is SBI Exam this type of questions will be highly anticipated.
♣ Data Analysis
♣ Data sufficiency
Solve at-least two DI sets with your timer on, on daily basis. With regular practice you will gain speed in solving lengthy calculation which will help you very well in the mains exam.
(3) General Awareness + Banking Awareness + Economy Awareness:
Questions on the following topics are asked in the exam. This Section have Questions which are of easy and moderate level. When you are poised to score better (since this section is the only section from where you can score maximum marks in minimum time without hassle, if you are good at it). To score better in this what should be your approach to this section and from where you need to read, from where you should read and what should be your strategy, are stated below:
There are three sub-sections in this section, if we would say, lets have look at it and go through the approach to score better marks.
A. General Awareness: In this section there are two sections, which are given below:
i) Current Affairs
ii) Static Part
i) Current Affairs: What do you need to read? Last 6 months Current Affairs, Important Events, Full Forms (Acronyms), News pertained to Political Activities like Cabinet Ministers and their portfolios and constituencies. But how you will learn it smartly, there are many cabinet ministers but learn about only those who are in the news in the past 6 months don’t cram about each and every Cabinet Ministers, Person in News specially those who belong to Higher Authorities of Central Government and A few key people of State Governments (Appointments & Resignation), Places which are in news only the relevant ones, Awards (National & International Awards “Prominent Ones Only”, Sports News, Obituaries (Deaths of eminent personalities around the world), International News (Appointments, Resignation, any important phenomena which can effect India directly or indirectly), Agreements & Pacts about India and any other Nation or Nations involved with India, Bilateral and trilateral exercises (defence). Specially delve a little deep about those with the countries which are neighbours of Our Great Nation 
Read Science & Technology, specially Launching of satellites, Rockets, Space Shuttles, Launching of Missiles by some countries these are very important from the exam point of view. Specially the Satellites and weapons launched by India so you need to learn about it a bit deep, like about organisation which launched it, the organisation which made it, about its chief (only very important ones like DRDO, ISRO etcetra. About launching pads, launching sites like Wheeler Island, Sri Harikota, etc.). Doing this it will give you an edge over many aspirants, and you can find it on Banking Mantras so you don’t need to go anywhere else to read about these. When you read newspaper so you come to learn various things and what is going on in the contemporary world, after doing it persistently for a few days you will be able to do the differentiation between the relevant and irrelevant ones. And to seek guidance about it Banking Mantras is there for you always
Now the question is from where do you need to read? You have to follow one Newspaper and that is “The Hindu” and Only One Website and that is http://www.bankingmantras.com/ . Everybody must read “The Hindu” if it is available in your city and if your budget allows you so, you can go for it. Always remember guys there is no substitute of “The Hindu” and follow it only, and if it is not available in your city then read it online but, please don’t go for any-other newspaper at any cost ! Note down Important News and try to make it short because you will find the details on Banking Mantras. (Optional, if you find better website than it to read Daily Current Affairs then you can go for others too.)
ii) Static Part: This part has become also an important we would like to say most important section of the exam, even it has become hard nut to crack for all students, so what do you need to do for it: Learn about important institutions and its Head Office, Heads, their roles but, don’t delve too deep, specially read about those which are in the news in past 8 Months. Countries, their Capitals, Currencies and their chiefs (Read about them which were in news in the Past 6 Months). Dams and Rivers, etcetra. You have to have smart approach if you want to crack this hard coated nut within lesser time !
Everybody would have understood that why read “The Hindu” but now the question would arise in your mind why Banking Mantras? So, the reason is it is incessant endeavour Banking Mantras to give and present all the relevant news in one post, also we give details and a few insights of the news and about related Institutions/Organisations (Important Ones) so you don’t wonder here and there to learn about it, so with it you get a glimpse of Static Portion too.
B. Banking Awareness: Banking, terms, About SIDBI, SBI, IRDA, like Institutions, Finance, Financial terms, Shares, Insurance etc.
C. Economy Awareness: Questions related to economy of India, terms etc. Lay emphasis on Plans, Population Census, Financial Institutions in India and World, like RBI, World Bank, IMF, World Economic Forum, ADB, BRICS Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, etcetra. News related to them which have happened in the past 6 months. Important Schemes, NITI Aayog, Five Year Plans, Budget, About Economy and Its types (You can and will find notes on these on Banking Mantras). Inflation and its types, Economic Reforms etc.
(4) English/Verbal Ability:
Now coming to this section I would say that, this is the only section in which more than 80% Banking Aspirants feel fear. I would like to say more than feeling fear they loose their confidence while attempting this section and every time they want to evade from this section. I can assure you, if you will start following what I am writing here, then in upcoming days, you will see that how easily you are able to score in this section. In SBI or IBPS PO if you scored 12 Marks then definitely you are standing on the other side of the fence. But, should we only be focused on clearing cut off or should we endeavour to score very decent marks in this section to take an advantage over other candidates in the exam? Lets discuss the topics of this section in detail.
** don’t rush here and there if you don’t know how to score well, it will create mess rather focus on learning rules to solve. The topics of this section are :
# Antonyms & Synonyms : In the exam you can easily score 3 – 5 Marks from this topic alone.
# Para jumble/Sentence Rearrangement : One Can easily score 3 Marks from this topic.
# Cloze test : One can easily score 3- 4 Marks in Prelims from this topic since there will be only 5 questions of Parajumbles. If you are well versed with Vocab then you can easily score 4 marks. Now what should be your approach for Cloze Test, I will tell you what I do in points:
a) Firstly, read the entire passage in one go but try to comprehend the passage, I know it will be a little bit difficult because of missing words but with practice you can do it. At least you will get a rough idea about the passage, which will help you a lot in solving it.
b) Secondly, Now go to each question one by one, since you have already got the rough idea of the passage so it won’t create much problem, but it will be possible when you are good at words, so words will play an important role for getting good score in this section.
c) Last but not the least, and that is Practice as much as you can, if you will see there are scores of questions I would say more than thousand questions are there at BM, so solve them all and if you have any doubt then BM team is here, I am here to help you out.
** Don’t cram words this is not a solution.
#*# Follow The Daily Word-list of BM which is going to resume very soon, as well as from Newspapers and Magazines and the most important is, you have to note down the words which you get from anywhere also try to write its meaning with example and after learning the words try to frame a paragraph using these words. Mark my words if you are doing this on the daily basis you won’t need to do anything else for your Vocabulary. This would be more than sufficient. Also, you can write every difficult word you find while reading, write their meaning in English as well as in Hindi. but you have to do it with full dedication.
5 difficult words now try to frame sentences using these words and post it here. We will help you in correcting those, if wrong any. But what matters the most is your ‘WILL POWER’. If you truly want to learn English, give it a proper time. Reading + Writing words with their meaning hardly takes 30-40 minutes and if you are really willing to overcome your fear then you will certainly do it.
‘For English improvement, keep reading The Hindu or Indian express or any good newspaper which is equivalent to both of these. You can also read The Business-line I would like to lay emphasis to read this newspaper (Must read Editorial, comments and Opinion section) on the daily basis. When you read Newspaper and if you get any word which you are not able to comprehend, again I am reiterating it, pen it down and write its meaning. Try to use these words in your day to day basis. Unless you won’t use these words on daily basis, you won’t be able to remember its for a long time.
For verbal section you have to read newspapers meticulously, reading good newspapers, its not only improve your verbal sections (RC, Cloze Test, Fill in the Blanks, Errors,Vocab….etc) but it would enhance knowledge of GA as well.
For Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Sentence Rearrangements, Fill in the blanks, even for Errors Newspapers, Magazines, and Novels are Panacea. So be a voracious reader, if you want to score good in Verbal Section. There is no rocket science to learn English; you have to keep reading and keep practising exercises as much as you can.
For improvement of Grammar you can buy this book “Essential English Grammar – Supplementary Exercises Indian edition” and after done with it, you can go for the advance edition of it.
Also, Must follow the Daily Disqus Quiz which gets conducted everyday on the website at 9:30 PM and must attempt quizzes for this subject (English Mixed Bag Quiz & Reading Comprehension) and concepts which get posted on the website. We provide all the quizzes which are equivalent in the level or more than it compared to the real examination and it will help immensely to crack this hard nut ! also if you are following it ardently then mark our our words, this section neither can haunt you nor defeat you in the exam !
Now How to Start:
Whether you wake up at 6, 8 or 10 or you sleep by that time you don’t need to change anything. What matters the most is-
Start your day with—> “The most Difficult Subject” because your mind is fresh, stress free and active with energetic soul. Also you can start your day with any subject with which you feel yourself more comfortable.
So take your subject, do as mentioned above.
Follow each topic on daily basis
Fighters, there is no time you have for securing one seat at this top notch Bank of world, this exam is difficult because you are going to fight for securing one of the most coveted jobs of the nation. So, be a real fighter and become hell bent on to scale the zenith of your career trajectory if you made it as your supreme goal of your life, without getting delayed for single second !
Crusaders, you are the real fighters, you have the guts to knock this beast down and demolish it in its own game, you have that potential, you just need to look and to recognise that power which is embedded within you. You have to do, what you gotta to and you will do it, we have full faith in you and your capabilities ! Make proud yourself, your parents and your Banking Mantras.
Section Test:
This is what we are going to provide you on daily basis. You will be getting section test for SBI Mains till the final exams gets culminated. This will enhance your performance. You can see where you are lacking and work on the same to solve it in the best possible way. Get started now and don’t stop till you succeed. Solve these Section Tests Daily and analyze your performance.
Good Luck & Godspeed, Crusaders