How to prepare General Awareness for IBPS PO 2017

 

General Awareness is a vital part of  banking exams.Exams like IBPS PO, SBI PO, IBPS Clerk , SBI Clerk give some weight age to general awareness. In IBPS PO exam, the general awareness section is given around 20% weightage. Apart from the exam, in Interviews also, selection is based on the knowledge of current affairs and general knowledge.

 

IBPS PO General Awareness is a vast and diverse area and need a lot of time to improve. You need to be regular with your efforts and need to have a good and reliable resource.

IBPS PO 2017 exam will be held in November and December. We are giving the latest exam pattern for IBPS Probationary Officers exam.

IBPS PO Prelims Pattern:

Sr No.	Test Name	Ques.	Marks
1	Reasoning Ability Paper	35	35
2	Quantitative Aptitude Paper	35	35
3	English Language Paper	30	30
	Total	100	100

 

IBPS PO Mains Pattern:

Sr. No.	Name of Tests (Objective)	Marks/Time
1	Reasoning	50 (40 Mins)
2	English Language	40 (30 Mins)
3	Quantitative Aptitude	50 (40 Mins)
4	General Awareness	40 (20 Mins)
5	Computer Knowledge	20 (10 mins)
	Total	200

Type of questions asked in IBPS PO General Awareness section:

Static General Knowledge Questions: The static GK questions do no change with time. They have fixed answers. They are from following topics:

• First in the world
• Inventors and Inventions
• Capitals and Currencies
• Important Rivers, Cities and People
• Animals, Birds and Wildlife Sancutaries
• Agricultural crops and seasons
• National Flags, Anthems
• Important Dates and Events
• Books and Authors

 

Dynamic General Knowledge Questions: The dynamic GK changes with time.You need to update the knowledge regulary from news , TV and various sources. The commonly asked topics are:

• Prime Minister/President of countries
• Olympic and sports records
• International/National  News and happenings
• India’s rank in different indices
• Governmental schemes and policies
• Union Budget
• Census and surveys

 Preparation Strategy for GK and Current affairs:

• Purchase latest year book and spend daily 1-2 hours reading the book.You can get a hold on Static GK questions.
• Read newspapers daily in the morning. Write down important points.
• Read General Awareness from online resources in detail.
• Watch TV news channels and listen to discussions daily. Try to grasp important headlines.
• Take last 10 years paper and try to solve the GK questions.
• Enrol for IBPS PO mock test online which will give a real test environment.
• Revise all the noted points before the exam.

 Where to Take IBPS PO Online Mock tests?

There are some good institutes online which will give you good practice tests for IBPS PO exam. Mock tests will help you identify your weak areas and also will enable you to improve speed and accuracy for the exam. Mock tests along with previous years papers will help you to efficiently prepare for IBPS PO 2017.

 

Some websites which provide IBPS PO mock tests :

TopRankers

OliveBoard

Testbook

Practicemock

 

Stay tuned for more updates on Bank exams.

 

How to Improve English section for Bank Exams?

There has been an increased competition in the competitive exams. I would call it as a cut-throat competition as a matter of fact to crack the Bank exams. After all, these public sector jobs offer such attractive perks. Struggling to get this dream job that offers a life-time job security does not look difficult once you achieve it.

Major Bank exams like SBI PO, IBPS PO etc. have separate descriptive paper for english.

Every aspirant must prepare a study schedule for these Bank exams to successfully crack it. The aim of this test is to assess the candidate’s English language skills and proficiency. This article deals with the strategy to improve English section for bank exams.

 

The English section in most Bank exams can be classified into the below sections:

1. Vocabulary
2. Grammar
3. Reading Comprehension
4. Verbal Ability

Vocabulary:

Vocabulary is like an ocean, and can be developed over a period of time. So, for the bank exam, one needs to massively work on the vocabulary.

What type of questions comes in this section?

Questions related to Cloze Test, Fill in the Blanks, Error spotting, Phrase Replacement, Word Association Pair, Phrase or Idiom Meaning, Spellings come under Vocabulary.

How to improve:

1. By reading Newspaper on a regular basis, make a note of difficult words, and find their meanings. Always, try to find the meaning and its usage when you come across a new word.
2. Practice these words and their synonyms and antonyms; it will be easier to revise later.
3. Solve the vocabulary sections in previous years’ question papers.
4. Try mnemonic techniques to memorize the meanings of the words.

Grammar:

What type of questions comes in this section?

The main topics related to Grammar related questions are:

1. Error Spotting
2. Phrase Replacement

How to improve:

1. You must know the basic Grammar concepts like Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, Degrees of Comparison, Subject-Verb Agreement, Conjunctions, Parts of Speech, Standard Construction, Adverbs, Number in Nouns, etc.
2. You can practice this section even online, i.e., on mobile apps as well. Even while travelling you can simply practice a few questions on such apps.
3. Go through the articles related to Error Spotting and Gerunds. Solve previous years’ question papers and mock exams.

Reading Comprehension:

What type of questions comes in this section?

As it is the test of English in Bank exam, the passages asked here are mostly based on Finance, Banking and Economy, Geo-Politics, Social Issues, Business etc. Direct questions will be asked based on the passage. It is time consuming; only practice can help you speed up.

How to improve:

1. The questions asked in these passages are mostly fact-based, inferences and vocabulary based. You must practice on comprehension questions every day so that your speed and accuracy are improved.
2. You must make a habit of reading the passages faster than the usual pace.
3. Understanding the passage is important to respond in the stipulated time.
4. Practice comprehensions from various topics as you never know the kind of topic that might come up in the exam.

Verbal Ability:

What type of questions comes in this section?

This section consists of 6 Para jumble sentences with 5 questions. Even questions like an odd one out can also be expected.

How to improve:

1. Questions on sentence and Para completion may be asked, you are asked to complete a sentence understanding the context of the paragraph.
2. Follow the logic of the passage, it tells a story with the beginning, mid and the end.
3. Connecting words help to link the story, look for such words.
4. Practice more of sample papers and mock tests.

Accuracy and speed can be developed by solving more question papers in this section. Vocabulary needs to be improved by reading newspapers, magazines and watching the National Television channels. Your diction gets improved.

Practice SBI PO test series and IBPS test series for english section.

 

 

 

 

Best Ways to increase GK and Current Affairs

General Knowledge and Current affairs are two sections which can get you a good score if prepared well. While preparing for any Competitive Exams an effective preparation in these categories is essential. This will not only prepare you for the written exam, but you will also be ready for any kind of interview or debate/group discussion round. A lot of students ignore this section and only prepare for these sections at the end by referring to some book. However, it is best to prepare on a daily basis once you decide to attempt for any competitive examination. You must be prepared with at least 6 months of current affairs and GK.

GK is a valuable information related to Science, social interest, culture,civilization, community or nation gathered from a range of various media platforms. Few ways listed in this article to increase GK and current affairs.

Subscription to a Newspaper:

Newspapers are a wonderful source to upgrade your GK. Newspapers offer up-to-date information related to politics, sports, fashion, and various other interests too. Tips below:

• Reading News Paper daily should be an activity for a set duration every morning, ideally that is the best time to get an update about the news. It helps in two ways, one is covering the current affairs as well as improving your vocabulary. Most aspirants look up to ‘The Hindu’, ‘The Times of India’ etc.

Reading GK books:

Reading constantly to update your GK Today, it helps in a great way and that is one of the best ways to update your GK.

• Take a membership in a local library which is a source of various books, it is an ocean of knowledge. Most library memberships are quite affordable at low costs, so this can help you look up to increasing your GK. Take the guidance from the librarian to find the best books on GK in their library.
• If you are someone who love to keep a collection of books and read, you can find weekly sale in the bookstores or online.

Join a book club or social group online/offline:

• Try expanding your circle by socializing in such groups where you get to exchange information with similar as well as varied interests. Such groups help you in a great way. Discussing about books, current affairs, events, history or politics with others will enhance your GK, confidence and thought-process too.
• Such clubs are found everywhere, search online to find and join one. Or even online forums too are good enough.

Practice From GK Quiz:

Make it a habit to practice from important current affairs and GK quiz and online GK practice papers in order to analyse your preparation level for GK and Current Affairs for various competitive exams. We can get monthwise and topicwise GK quiz related to various matters. It will certainly help you to score good marks.

Watch National news channels:

Television is one of the bright and widely used resources to increase your GK and current affairs.

• Try to stay tuned to watching television channels such as CNN, educational channels like NGC which airs documentaries, films based on facts and instructional programming to enhance your overall knowledge.
• Watching news channels is a passive exercise, set a time to watch such programmes.

Lastly, make use of the technology and also do some smart work if you are a person who likes to read online, you can subscribe to the Newspaper online at a reasonable cost. At a click of a button, you get to read about the happenings around you. Search for information online using search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing. Sign up for news alerts as well.

IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) Preparation Tips

1. Make a time table: Not a fool proof one. Time tables are not meant to follow them strictly and tightly specially for exams like SO. Following more than 80% of the schedule works well.
2. Make strategy: Do not read/learn all the subjects in a single day. Make a proper strategy which suits your environment and follow it accordingly.
3. Know your Strong section: Some students have leaning towards General Awareness other are good at Maths and Reasoning. Some are from convent and so are good in English. You can be strong in your professional course too. Just know your strength by solving previous year question paper or sample papers and polish your strength.
4. Know your weaker section: Everyone has their own weakness and they have a unique way to counter it. Some know it, some are still struggling with their weakness. Remember, no strategy can help you in the path of  success if do not know your weakness. Your weakness can be found by the same way you find your strength. By practice! Here comes one more confusion. Weaker section vs Less-prepared section. There may be few sections(for example probability) which you think you are weak in it but in reality, you lack the logic and formula. This can be strengthened with dedicating more time in practice. On the other hand there can be few sections (like statistics: few people can’t understand the stats naturally and it is okay) with can not be strengthened even if practice for lifetime. The only way here is to leave later type of section and give more time of practice to previous type.
5. Revise everything: It is human nature to forget. The information you store in your mind fades with time. So to keep it green, keep revising.

IBPS SO online test series

IBPS SO IT officer test series

IBPS SO Marketing officer test series

Section wise preparation tips for IBPS SO Exam:

Reasoning

Reasoning would consist of topics like Blood Relation, Round Table, Sitting Plan, Syllogism, Mirror Images. To prepare for this section, one must develop logical skills and sharpen one’s mental alertness. This can be done by practicing and solving past question papers and model question papers.

English

This test usually comprises word meanings, spotting common errors, comprehension, synonyms and antonyms, grammar tests, etc. This is supposed to be a scoring section and to prepare for this, one can begin by regularly reading English newspaper and magazines, watching English news daily, learning few new English words daily, accompanied with their antonyms and synonyms. Do strengthen your grammar by solving online grammar tests and reading basic grammar books.

Quantitative Aptitude

This test will have questions from topics like Data Interpretation, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Simplification, Discount, Average, Probability with Sets theory, Number System, Series, etc. To prepare for this section, go back to the basics and clear your concepts. Ensure that you learn to manage time in an efficient manner such that you are able to attempt and answer all the questions. In the process, also try also to learn small tricks and short-cuts that will help you solve the sums easily. The bottom line to score well in this section is practice, practice and practice as many sums as possible from model question papers and past question papers. Try to take mock online test also if possible.

 

All the best for the exam.

IBPS Clerk VS IBPS PO : Comparison

How does it feel when you see meet an old friend of yours who has got into a government job with additional benefits and perks? That particular moment makes you think “I wish I could I have it”. Who doesn’t like a job which will offer you with additional benefits and privileges along with the basic pay? Everybody does crave for an option like this. What if you have two jobs in your hand and have to choose among them? Will you make a random choice? We would suggest you not to do so and go for a wise and sensible decision based on some important factors.

Well, when it comes to choose between options like IBPS PO or IBPS Clerk, it can be a tough decision indeed. We bring you a comparison between IBPS PO and IBPS Clerk. Let us see who takes a landslide victory.

The following discussion revolves around factors such as:

a. Job profile (Roles and Responsibilities)

b. Salary

c. Perks and benefits

d. Future growth

At times it becomes very difficult to take a decision when dynamic options like these two are in your hand and you need to choose one among them. Well, let us help you out in this regard and we are sure this article will make you enable to decide with ease.

#a: Job Profile (Roles and Responsibilities):

IBPS Clerk:

1. Work as a front office person
2. Having interaction directly with the public
3. Entering details of the daily transactions

IBPS PO:

1. Service providing to customers
2. Enhancement of bank business
3. Cash transactions handling
4. Management of payment clearances and customer accounts
5. Official communication

#b: Salary:

The salary of an IBPS Clerk would be of Rs 18, 100- 19, 800 approx. including allowances. Whereas the salary of an IBPS PO is 37,360 -38,700 per month approx.

But then in case of IBPS PO, a part of your salary will be invested in your transfers and other expenses as you will face regular transfers in case of bank jobs.

#c: Perks and benefits:

IBPS PO: Apart from the basic pay, you get other benefits like contribution pension scheme, medical aid for your own self and for your family, home travel concessions, leave fair concessions, Concession interests for housing, cars, loans etc.

IBPS Clerk: Apart from the basic pay, an IBPS Clerk enjoys the following allowances for his/ her welfare: Dearness Allowance, Special Allowance and HRA.

#d: Future Growth:

IBPS PO: In case of bank jobs, promotions occur every 2- 3 years and in the scale given below:

• Bank PO
• Assistant Manager
• Branch Manager
• AGM (Assistant General Manager)
• GM (General Manager)

IBPS Clerk: As we all know that IBPS Clerk is the starting point of job in any Bank. This implies that you will get abundant opportunities to get promoted to an officer cadre.

• As an IBPS Clerk you will be confirmed after 6 months of service.
• After a span of few years, you will become eligible for a promotional exam. If you clear this exam you can become a Trainee Officer (TO).
• After that he comes at the same level of PO, and all the future promotion prospects will be same to him as that of a PO.

 

We hope that this article helps you to consider all of the factors above and help you make a wise decision. Stay tuned for more updates. We wish you good luck!
IBPS PO Exam Preparation

IBPS Clerk Exam Preparation

 

 

 

Top 5 effective preparation tips to crack IBPS Clerk 2016

IBPS Clerk 2016

“Success is doing ordinary things in an extraordinary manner”

IBPS Clerk 2016 is going to hit the examination centres and all the aspirants have heaps of hopes associated with it. Being one of the most competitive examinations with cut-throat competition, lakhs of aspirants dream of a career as an IBPS Clerk.

Every year the number of aspirants for bank jobs are increasing rapidly and this number has become greater than the number of vacancies. For instance: In the year 2013, 14 lakhs aspirants appeared for 1500 SBI PO posts.

But, where there is a will, there is a way! We offer you some of the incredible tips to excel in the IBPS Clerk 2016 examination. But before going to the tips, let us take a look at some of the details of IBPS Clerk 2016 examination:

Click Here for Free GK and Current Affairs Preparation for Bank/Govt. Exams

IBPS Clerk 2016: Note- worthy details:

• Examination – IBPS Clerk 2016 (CWE Clerks -6)
• Known as – IBPS Clerk Exam
• Conducting Authority – Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, Mumbai
• Exam mode – Online/ Computer based
• Exam type – All India level
• Exam level – Graduate
• Posts offered – Clerical cadre

Let us take a look at the significant dates of IBPS Clerk 2016:

Sl.No.	Events	Important Dates
1.	On-line registration including Edit/Modification of Application by candidates	22.08.2016 to 12.09.2016
2.	Payment of Application Fees/Intimation Charges (Online)	22.08.2016 to 12.09.2016
3.	Download of Pre-Training Call Letter	25.10.2016 to 07.11.2016
4.	Conduct of Pre-Exam Training	07.11.2016 to 12.11.2016
5.	Download of Call Letter for online Preliminary Exam	18.11.2016 onwards
6	Online Examination – Preliminary	26 & 27.11.2016 03.12.2016 & 04.12.2016 (if required)
7	Result of Online exam – Preliminary	December 2016
8	Download of Call Letter for Main Examination	December 2016
9	Online Examination – Main	31.12.2016 & 01.01.2017
10	Declaration of Result – Main	January 2017
11	Provisional Allotment	April 2017

IBPS Clerk 2016: Preparation tips:

• Concentrate on efficient time management
• Attempt those questions which you are sure about and skip those questions which you are not sure about.
• Practice sample mock tests for IBPS Clerk 2016. This habit will develop your proficiency level and enhance your accuracy.
• Do not waste your time by sticking to one question
• Do not mug up concepts at the last minute. This practice will confuse you and you will end up messing everything in the examination\

On a concluding note it can be said that, you have the potential in yourself but you can progress only when you realize it. Stay tuned for more updates. We wish you best of luck!

 

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Common Banking Terms – Banking Awareness

Many of you are unfamiliar with the common banking terms that are used. These terms are a must to know for regular bank transactions .Moreover, if you are an aspirant of bank exam, then these terms will help you in your bank exam preparation as well.

Here I brief about the 10 useful bank terms used regularly:

Q1. What is a Repo Rate?

Ans: Repo rate is the rate at which our banks borrow rupees from RBI. Whenever the banks have any shortage of funds they can borrow it from RBI. A reduction in the repo rate will help banks to get money at a cheaper rate. When the repo rate increases, borrowing from RBI becomes more expensive.

Q2. What is Reverse Repo Rate?

Ans: This is exact opposite of Repo rate. Reverse Repo rate is the rate at which Reserve Bank of India (RBI) borrows money from banks. RBI uses this tool when it feels there is too much money floating in the banking system. Banks are always happy to lend money to RBI since their money is in safe hands with a good interest. An increase in Reverse repo rate can cause the banks to transfer more funds to RBI due to this attractive interest rates.

Q3. What is CRR Rate?

Ans: Cash reserve Ratio (CRR) is the amount of funds that the banks have to keep with RBI. If RBI decides to increase the percent of this, the available amount with the banks comes down. RBI is using this method (increase of CRR rate), to drain out the excessive money from the banks.3

Q4. What is SLR Rate?

Ans: SLR (Statutory Liquidity Ratio) is the amount a commercial bank needs to maintain in the form of cash, or gold or govt. approved securities (Bonds) before providing credit to its customers.

SLR rate is determined and maintained by the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) in order to control the expansion of bank credit. SLR is determined as the percentage of total demand and percentage of time liabilities. Time Liabilities are the liabilities a commercial bank liable to pay to the customers on their anytime demand. SLR is used to control inflation and propel growth. Through SLR rate tuning the money supply in the system can be controlled efficiently.

Q5. What is Bank Rate?

Ans: Bank rate, also referred to as the discount rate, is the rate of interest which a central bank charges on the loans and advances that it extends to commercial banks and other financial intermediaries. Changes in the bank rate are often used by central banks to control the money supply.

Q6. What is Inflation?

Ans: Inflation is as an increase in the price of bunch of Goods and services that projects the Indian economy. An increase in inflation figures occurs when there is an increase in the average level of prices in Goods and services. Inflation happens when there are fewer Goods and more buyers; this will result in increase in the price of Goods, since there is more demand and less supply of the goods.

Q7. What is Deflation?

Ans: Deflation is the continuous decrease in prices of goods and services. Deflation occurs when the inflation rate becomes negative (below zero) and stays there for a longer period.

Q8. What is PLR?

Ans: The Prime Interest Rate is the interest rate charged by banks to their most creditworthy customers (usually the most prominent and stable business customers). The rate is almost always the same amongst major banks. Adjustments to the prime rate are made by banks at the same time; although, the prime rate does not adjust on any regular basis. The Prime Rate is usually adjusted at the same time and in correlation to the adjustments of the Fed Funds Rate. The rates reported below are based upon the prime rates on the first day of each respective month. Some banks use the name “Reference Rate” or “Base Lending Rate” to refer to their Prime Lending Rate.

Q9. What is Deposit Rate?

Ans: Interest Rates paid by a depository institution on the cash on deposit.

Policy Rates:

• Bank Rate: 6.00%
• Repo Rate: 5.25%
• Reverse Repo Rate: 3.75%

Reserve Ratios:

• CRR: 6.00%
• SLR: 25.0%

Lending/Deposit Rates:

• PLR: 11.00%-12.00%.
• Deposit Rate: 6.00%-7.50%.

. Savings Bank rate: 3.5%.

Note: Rates as on 14-05-10.

Q10. What is FII?

Ans: FII (Foreign Institutional Investor) used to denote an investor, mostly in the form of an institution. An institution established outside India, which proposes to invest in Indian market, in other words buying Indian stocks. FII’s generally buy in large volumes which has an impact on the stock markets. Institutional Investors includes pension funds, mutual funds, Insurance Companies, Banks, etc.

SBI PO Annual Salary

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