Banking is one of the most sought-after sectors for employment. In banking, the job position of a clerk is in much demand these days. Every year thousands and thousands of candidates apply for this position. The main tasks that a bank clerk has to carry out are – keeping records of customers, management of cash and loans including NPAs, managing loan accounts, and coordinating with the manager and the customers.
With such intense competition for clerk job openings, the recruitment process has also become more stringent than before. Candidates have to clear the preliminary round to qualify for the next round, i.e., the mains examination. The top clerk bank exams in India as of 2021 are – the IBPS Clerk examination, the SBI Clerk examination, the IBPS RRB Clerk examination, and the RBI Assistant examination. Let’s understand each of these examinations in detail.
Eligibility Criteria for Clerk Exam
Any Indian citizen being a minimum of 20 years of age and holding an undergraduate degree from a recognized university or college or institute is eligible to sit for this examination (including exceptions). The examination is held in two stages – Preliminary and Mains examination. The prelims exam is qualifying in nature.
IBPS Clerk & SBI Clerk Exam Pattern
Phase of Exam | Paper Section | No. of Questions | Marks Allotted | Time |
Prelims | English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min | |
Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min | |
TOTAL | 100 | 100 | 1 hour | |
Mains | English Language | 40 | 40 | 35 min |
Reasoning Ability & Computer Awareness | 50 | 60 | 45min | |
Numerical Ability | 50 | 50 | 45 min | |
General & Banking Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 min | |
TOTAL | 190 | 200 | 1 hour 40 min |
RBI Assistant Exam Pattern
Phase of Exam | Paper Section | No. of Questions | Marks Allotted | Time |
Prelims | Reasoning | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 min | |
English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min | |
TOTAL | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour | |
Mains | Reasoning | 40 | 40 | 30 min |
English Language | 40 | 40 | 30 min | |
Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 40 | 30 min | |
General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 25 min | |
Computer Awareness | 40 | 40 | 20 min | |
TOTAL | 200 | 200 | 2 hours 15 min |
IBPS RRB Exam Pattern
Phase of Exam | Paper Section | No. of Questions | Marks Allotted | Time |
Prelims | Reasoning | 40 | 40 | 45 Min |
Numerical Ability | 40 | 40 | ||
TOTAL | 80 | 80 | ||
Mains | Reasoning | 40 | 50 | 2 Hours |
English/ Hindi | 40 | 40 | ||
General Awareness | 40 | 40 | ||
Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 50 | ||
Computer Awareness | 40 | 20 | ||
TOTAL | 200 | 200 |
Clerk Exam Syllabus
Subjects | Topics |
English Language | Synonyms, Antonyms, and Idioms & Phrases, Cloze Test, Preposition, Tenses, Vocabulary, Errors and Corrections, Jumbled Paras, Comprehension etc. |
Reasoning Ability | Number series, Alphabetical Series, Alphanumeric Series, Ranking, Ordering, Direction, Puzzles, Blood Relations, Data Sufficiency, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Input-Output, Tabulation, Coding & Decoding, Coded Inequalities etc.
|
Computer Awareness | Hardware-software, Operating System, internet, history of computer, cyber security, databases, computer networking, MS Office etc. |
Numerical Ability | Mensuration, Profit, Loss & Discounts, Surds & Indices, Data Interpretation, Sequences & Series, Number Systems, Speed, Distance & Time, Approximation, Simplification, Permutation & Combination, Probability, Simple and Compound Interest, Quadratic Equations etc. |
General & Banking Awareness | Static GK, Banking Basics, Various Monetary & Budgetary Plans of Government, Various National Institutions, India’ Banking System and Financial Model, & Current Awareness, etc. |
Preparation Tips for Clerk Exams –
- The first and the most important thing that you must do is check and analyze the official notification of the clerk examination you are applying for. The notification will have all the important information about the examination – from syllabus, pattern, exam centres, fees, available vacancies, reservations etc. You will also find information related to how to fill the application form, payment procedure, refunds etc. It is essential to understand every aspect of the examination that you are planning to appear for.
- An extensive syllabus requires proper division of time so that you don’t overdo one section at the expense of another. A timetable will help you in organizing the way you study. You will be able to touch upon topics from each section and if you punctually stick to your timetable, you will be able to complete the syllabus well before time. You should study for a minimum of 8 hours for your clerk examination. You do not have to exhaust yourself studying back to back – you can include breaks to keep yourself relaxed. Don’t waste your time studying one topic only that other subjects get affected and you are unable to finish your syllabus on time.
- Revision in terms of taking mock tests and solving previous year papers will help you in clearing your basics more and more. You will have a command over your speed if you try to finish these papers within time. There are several sites where you can get to solve mock tests – one such place is Oliveboard. Mock tests help you in carrying out a close analysis of how you have performed- the results will tell you which topics or sections need more work. As a candidate, you should never underestimate the power of revision.
- Read a newspaper every day. This will help you in brushing your general awareness and banking awareness. A newspaper will update you with all major monetary schemes and other budgetary plans undertaken by the government. Your English will also improve as the vocabulary keeps getting updated when you read a newspaper.
- With reasoning and numerical ability, you must practice the questions in a notebook. Just going through the examples or solved answers will not help you understand the questions properly. Sit down with the chapters and practise questions from all the topics so that your basics are in the right place.
The above tips will help you in completely preparing for your examination. If you are consistent and punctual with your preparations, you will certainly score good and qualify for the mains examination. Always keep yourself updated with the examinations on the official websites. Good luck!
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