IBPS PO Prelims Last Week Tips
Three Elements of Preparation • Time management - How to divide the
time among sections and in what order questions should be attempted?
• Accuracy - Making sure that you minimise the number of wrong answers and negative marking, so that marks per question gets maximized
• Speed - How to attempt questions faster?
Time Management
• First attempt the English section. This section takes minimum time. You should be able to attempt it in about 10-15 minutes.
• Divide the next 45-50 minutes in the remaining 2 sections equally, i.e. 20-25 minutes each. If you are scared of any particular section allocate 5 minutes more to that section.
English Section Tips
• This is one section that gets mixed responses from candidates depending upon their educational background and preparation level. For some, this is an easy task but for others, this section becomes a nightmare and biggest hurdle to clear the sectional cut-offs.
Expected Breakup Total : 30
Reading Comprehension
10
Cloze Test 5Sentence Correction 5
Spot the error 5Fill in the blanks 5
Para jumbles 5
Order of Attempt & Time Allocation
If your English is Order of Attempt Time Allocated Strong Start with this
section 10-12 minutes
Average Start with this section
12-15 minutes
Weak Last Max 15 minutes
Topic Wise Tips
• Reading Comprehension : You can consider reading the questions first before reading the passage. This way, while reading the passage itself, you will be able to mark the answers and all questions will be done in only one reading of the passage
Cloze Test
These questions are easy and help you improve your performance. If you are confused between two options, then move onto to the next question, solve it and come back to the question where you are confused. You will now have a better idea about the correct choice.
Topicwise Tips• Fill in the blanks: Go with the elimination
rule and you can easily solve this section by eliminating options and getting them down to 50-50 choice. Again, trust your instinct for choosing between the two options.
• Spot the error /Sentence Correction: Eliminate options by reading the sentence and asking yourself “Does this sound right?”
Tips For Reasoning
Reasoning, mildly put can turn out to be your golden goose. You can either score heavily or waste a lot of time and still score less. This section rewards your hardwork and training. The more you have prepared, the better you score.
Expected Breakup Total : 35
Topic No of Questions Coding Decoding 3
Inequalities 5 Syllogism 5
Blood Relation 2 Direction Sense 2
Seating Arrangement 5-10 Puzzles 5-10
Miscellaneous 5
Order of Attempt & Time Allocated
If your Reasoning is Order of Attempt Time Allocated Strong Second Section
(After English) 20-25 minutes
Average Second section (After English)
20 minutes
Weakest Last Max 15 minutes
Categories of Reasoning Questions Easy and less time
consuming Question Medium Difficulty Level
QuestionsTime Consuming
Complex QuestionsClassification/ Odd pair Syllogisms Seating Arrangement
Series /Analogy Inequalities Complex PuzzleDirection Sense Test Blood Relations Floor PuzzleNumber, Ranking & Time Sequence Test
Coding Decoding Input Output Machine
Alphabet test/ Dictionary
Data Sufficiency
Total : 10-12 Questions Total : 15-17 Questions Total : 10-15 Questions
Reasoning Tips• For candidates who have average to weak
reasoning skills the first two categories combined are enough to clear the sectional cut off as well as score some marks for overall cut off.
• If reasoning is your weakest link, just aim to clear the sectional cut-offs by practicing first category question thoroughly and choosing those questions from second category in which you are comfortable and can solve accurately. Attempt above 17 questions and with good accuracy to clear sectional cut-offs.
Quantitative Aptitude
• Quantitative Aptitude is considered to be the arch nemesis of almost every Banking Aspirant Many aspirants have missed their dream banking job because they were; somehow, unable to clear sectional cut offs, primarily in the section we are talking about.
Expected Breakup Total : 35
Topic No of Questions Arithmetic Questions
( Percentage ,Time and work, TSD, Profit and loss, SI &CI, Mixture and
allegations, Streams, Ages etc)
8-10
Series 5Quadratic Equations 5
Simplification 5Probability 0-2
DI [Pie Chart, Bar Graph ,Tables etc) 10 (5 *2)
Order of Attempt & Time Allocation
If your Quant is Order of Attempt Time Allocated Strong Second Section
(After English) 20 minutes
Average Last 20 minutes Weakest Last Max 20 minutes
Categories of Quant Questions Easy and Scoring Questions Time Consuming QuestionsSimplification ProbabilityPercentage Quadratic EquationsProblems on Ages Mixture and allegationsAverages Time and Work Simple Interest/ Compound Interest Time Speed and DistanceProfit and Loss Number SeriesRatio & Proportions. Another DI SetDI (one of the DI Sets )Total : 15-17 Questions Total : 12-15 Questions
Quant Tips• For students who just want to clear
sectional cut offs solving first category questions with a few question from second will be enough but then you will need to solve decent number of question in both English and Reasoning to clear the overall cut-off.
Topic Wise Tips • Data Interpretation – If the answers are numbers not
close to each other, then you do not need to do accurate calculations. You can round off the numbers and do approximate calculations and mark the answer closest to the answer you calculated
• Quadratic Equations – Revising your high school mathematics book on factorization can assist you finding the roots of the quadratic equations faster.
• Series – Mostly n2, n3, n2 ± constant, n3 ± constant, n2 ±n, n3 ±n, n2 ±n3 will cover around 75% of the series completion problems. Hence, relax and attempt.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Not Reading Questions Completely
• Risky Shortcuts• Writing down everything on
paper• Experimenting in final Exam
All the Best!
As the exam is now very close, keep your focus on revision and mock tests practice. Stay confident and calm. IBPS PO is just one of the many competitive examinations. Have faith in yourself. Good luck
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