Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the Specialist Officer (SO) exam to recruit candidates for various specialized positions in the banking sector. The exam is conducted in three phases - Preliminary, Mains, and Interview.
The IBPS SO exam covers a wide range of topics, including Reasoning, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, and Professional Knowledge. Professional Knowledge is an important section that covers questions related to the specific field you are applying for, such as IT Officer, Marketing Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, Law Officer, and HR/Personnel Officer.
Syllabus and Exam Pattern
It is crucial to understand the syllabus and exam pattern to prepare effectively for the IBPS SO exam. The Preliminary exam consists of 150 questions with a total of 125 marks, while the Mains exam consists of 60 questions with a total of 60 marks. The Interview carries a weightage of 100 marks.Here's a detailed breakdown of the syllabus for each section:
Reasoning
- Seating Arrangement
- Puzzles
- Inequalities
- Syllogism
- Input-Output
- Data Sufficiency
- Blood Relations
- Order and Ranking
- Alphanumeric Series
- Distance and Direction
- Verbal Reasoning
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Para Jumbles
- Error Spotting
- Phrase Replacement
- Fill in the Blanks
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
Quantitative Aptitude
- Simplification/ Approximation
- Number Series
- Quadratic Equations
- Data Interpretation
- Arithmetic (Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Averages, Simple Interest and Compound Interest, Time and Work, Time, Speed and Distance)
- Mensuration
- Probability
General Awareness
- Current Affairs
- Banking and Financial Awareness
- Static Awareness
Professional Knowledge
This section covers questions related to the specific field you are applying for. Make sure to thoroughly revise all the relevant concepts and topics related to your field.Preparation Strategy
Now that we have covered the syllabus and exam pattern, let's discuss the preparation strategy for the IBPS SO exam. Here are some tips to help you prepare effectively:- Create a study plan: Divide your preparation into manageable chunks and create a study plan accordingly. Make sure to allocate enough time to each section based on your strengths and weaknesses.
- Practice regularly: Regular practice is crucial to ace the IBPS SO exam. Solve as many practice papers and mock tests as possible to get a feel of the exam pattern and improve your speed and accuracy.
- Focus on your weak areas: Identify your weak areas and work on improving them. Do not ignore any section or topic as every mark counts in the competitive exams.
- Stay updated with current affairs: Current affairs play a crucial role in the General Awareness section. Stay updated with the latest news and events by reading newspapers, magazines, and online portals.
- Revise regularly: Revision is important to retain what you have learned. Make sure to revise regularly and create notes for quick reference.