If you are looking for govt bank jobs in India, there isn’t a better time than now.The upcoming months are packed with some important bank exams for various positions including the most popular – Clerical & Specialist officer cadre recruitments.So here is the IBPS clerk exam 30 day study plan for the upcoming clerical tests.
The 6th IBPS clerk exam 2016 notification for 19243 clerical vacancies in 20 public sector banks was released few months ago.Since these are state-wise vacancies, jobs were notified in each state for which an estimated 10-12 lakh candidates may have registered.
The IBPS clerical written test in conducted in two stages – Preliminary & Mains.Only those who qualify in the prelims are eligible to appear for the main test.
IBPS Clerk 2016 Prelims
As said earlier, all applicants must appear for a preliminary test.It is an online test that comprises of 3 sections.See the below image to know about the exact pattern.
Total Marks: 100
Duration: 1 Hour (60 mins)
Sections: English, Numerical Ability & Reasoning
While each correct answer fetches you one mark, 0.25 shall be reduced for every wrong answer.No mark is reduced if you choose to leave a question.
Since the IBPS Clerk Preliminary Exam is to be conducted on November 26, 27 & December 3,4, 2016 – we are providing a detailed study plan along with a list of some of the best books that you can buy to prepare for IBPS clerk 2016 prelims exam.
IBPS Clerk Syllabus:
Having known the prelims pattern, it is necessary for you to also know about the topics that form part of these sections.
Reasoning: 35 questions are to be asked in this section & mostly it could be from the below chapters.
- Seating arrangements
- Coding – Decoding
- Syllogism
- Blood relation
- Inequality
- Others (Puzzles, Analogy,Ordering & Ranking, Directions)
English Language: If you prepare well, this is an easy scoring area.It will have 30 questions from the following areas.
- Reading comprehension
- Error spotting
- Parajumbles
- Cloze test
- Fill in the blank
- Grammar & Vocabulary
Numerical Ability: This could be a tricky part for many candidates as numerical involves calculations, formula, rough work etc.,There will be 35 questions, most probably from the list down.
- Number series
- Simplification
- Time, Speed & Distance
- Averages, Interest (simple & compound)
- Geometry/Mensuration, Ratios, Profit & Loss
- Data Interpretation
There will be individual cutoffs for each test.Hence candidates have to pass in each section & also secure the total cutoffs.
Books & Online Mock Tests:
It is highly necessary for you to buy guides, workbooks & online mock tests as it helps you to prepare anytime.So here are some popular IBPS clerk exam books that can be purchased online.
* Guide to Learn: Click to BUY IBPS Clerk Exam Guide (prelims + mains) – Rs.245
* Online Mock Tests: Click here to BUY IBPS Clerk Online Mock Tests (20 sets) for Rs.399
We suggest you to buy both the above materials as they serve two different purposes.
IBPS Clerk Study Plan
For the benefit of candidates, here is our a detailed 4-week study plan which you may use as-it-is or modify as per your requirements.The the ideal time to spend on each topics is also given.
Note about color codes: Match the chapter name with the color to know the expected no. of questions that can be asked in the exam.
Inaddition to learning, allot considerable amount of time to practice & revise every week.
If 8 hours /week has been mentioned for a topic, it is recommended that one spends 3 -4 hours in understanding the concepts & 4 – 5 hours in practicing them.
| Colour Code | Expected No. of Questions (0-3) | Expected No.of Questions (3-6) | Expected No. of Questions (>6) |
| Numerical Ability | Reasoning | English | |
| Week 1 | Simplification, Mensuration, Averages, Ratios (5-6 hours) | Arrangement, Patterns (8-9 hours) | |
| Week 2 | Ratio & Proportion, Probability, Profit & Loss (5-6 hours) | Syllogism,Directions, Ordering etc (7-8 hours) | Reading Comprehension,Cloze Test, Fill in the Blanks (6-7 hours) |
| Week 3 | Statements,Simple & Compound Interest (3-4 hours) | Blood Relations, Input-Output, Coding-Decoding (8-9 hours) | Parajumbles (2-3 hours) |
| Week 4 | Percentage, Speed, Time, Distance & Work,Number Series (3-4 hours) | Analogy, Classification,Data Sufficiency (2-3 hours) | Grammar,Vocabulary & Sentence Correction (4-5 hours) |
| Revision #1 | 5 Full Length Mock Tests – To practice & check for improvement areas (20 – 25 hours) | ||
| Revisison #2 | 8-10 Full Length Mock Tests + Analysis (16-20 hours) |
The biggest disadvantage we have in IBPS clerk prelims is TIME.
In 60 mins, you are required to answer 100 questions with maximum accuracy.Infact many candidates who appeared for IBPS PO prelims faced time management issues.
So let your mind work towards finding the right time allotment from the preparation stage itself.
Have you designed any study plan? Share it with others so they may also benefit.