Best Preparation Tips to crack SBI PO Prelims 2020 Exam

The SBI PO 2020 Prelims exam is scheduled for Dec 31^st 2020 and Jan 2^nd, 4^th, 5^th 2021 with the Mains exam being slated for Jan 29^th 2021. It is one of the most sought after government examinations in the country. Selected candidates have a chance to work as a Probationary Officer and move up the ladder into Manager and Chief Manager. In this article, we shall provide you with some of the best SBI PO Preparation Tips that will help you build up a solid Preparation Strategy to crack SBI PO 2020-21 exam.

SBI PO Preparation: Exam Pattern

The SBI PO 2020 Prelims exam consist of three sections with a total of 100 multiple choice questions of 1 mark each. You will get 60 minutes to attempt the paper, however, a sectional time limit of 20 minutes also applies. Take a look at the following table for more details.

Core SBI PO Preparation Strategy

The SBI PO 2020 Prelims exam is only a qualifying exam, that is, candidates are only required to clear the cut off as marks obtained in just Mains and Interview will be counted towards the preparation of the final merit list. In 2019, the cut off stood at 71 for Unreserved and this serves as a vital marker about how you should shape your SBI PO Preparation Strategy. We suggest that you keep an aim of around 83-87 answers correct and you will be in good stead. Considering that negative marking may do more harm than good, refrain from guesswork. The overall difficulty level of the exam drifted around the moderate level. 

SBI PO Preparation Tips: Quantitative Aptitude

• Questions Breakdown: Going by the last year paper, the Data Interpretation section of the paper had the highest weightage with 10 questions of moderate level. Further, there were 5 questions as Caselet, 5 on Number series, 5 on quadratic equations and the rest miscellaneous. The QA section was said to be of higher difficulty compared to other sections.

• Data Interpretation: As mentioned above, the Data interpretation section can make or break your performance on the exam. Typically, the questions are asked in the form of problem sets with specific instructions and missing information. Bar graphs/line charts/Pie charts/Mixed Graphs/Table/ are generally presented and common topics include probability, inequalities, averages, data sufficiency and so on. Your task is to interpret the given information and answer the given questions. As a good SBI PO Preparation strategy, the longer the set, the trickier it is. Moreover, since it is time-intensive, if you are good at it, get done with it right at the start of the section. 

• Preparation Tactic: Topics such as ages, averages, percentages, linear equations, BODMAS, simplification, etc. are basic ones and they come of use in Reasoning Ability as well. Thus, first of all, solidify your understanding in these topics first before moving on to advanced topics like quadratic equations and permutation, amongst others. Further, on the paper, in the first 5 minutes, complete these questions first as it will boost your confidence.

SBI PO Preparation Tips: English Language

• Questions Breakdown: Reading Comprehension is typically the most important section with 8 questions. After that, Single Filers accounts for 6 questions, Error Detection 5 questions and Cloze Test 5 questions with the rest being miscellaneous. The difficulty level was moderate. 

• Reading Comprehension: Passages are generally based on topics of economics, social issues and environment though they can be borrowed from literature or arts as well. Try to identify the different elements in a passage, namely, it’s Subject/Primary Idea of Passage, Author’s Point of View & Counter Arguments and Further, a passage may also have a sprinkling of visual imagery, facts and figurative language. To get the best out of it, experiment with the two reading approaches: the traditional top-down approach [read the entire passage and then attempt the questions] and the more inventive bottom-up approach [look at the question first and reference it with the information in the passage]. Both are tested methods, but the former is well-suited for longer passages and the latter for shorter ones. 

• In questions of Sentence Correction/Paragraph Correction/Error Detection/Odd One Out, your grammar and verbal ability are thoroughly tested. Look out for trigger words like ‘but’, ‘however’, ‘and’, ‘or’, ‘neither…nor’,

SBI PO Preparation Tips: Reasoning Ability

• Questions Breakdown: A total of 21 questions in this section belonged to Puzzles and Seating Arrangement making it a crucial portion. Along with that, Blood Relations and Syllogism each accounted for 4 questions and Directions 3 questions. The rest were miscellaneous. 

• Preparation tactic: Incorporate innovative learning techniques such as flow charts, puzzles, diagrams, question strategies and shortcuts to ace this section. Try to rephrase simply the given problem statements in Seating Arrangement and Directions questions as they tend to be highly convoluted. 

• Answering Tactic: It is suggested that you begin this section with easy and straightforward questions such as word formations, syllogism, coding-decoding and inequalities. There is little or no calculation and will boost your confidence as well.

The SBI PO 2020 Prelims exam is as much a test of your time management skills as it is of your problem solving and critical analysis abilities. Have faith in yourself, remain patient and manage your 60 minutes efficiently. Best of luck.

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