Bank Probationary Officer Exam is conducted by Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS). IBPS is an autonomous body aimed to implement world class process of assessment and selection of personnel for various client organizations. IBPS conducts the exam for recruiting Probationary Officer or Management Trainee for Nationalized Banks of India and for Reserve Bank of India besides for insurance companies like UIIC. Usually the exam is conducted once a year. The notification is found usually in the month of July and the exam is October and November.
Why to Take the Bank Probationary Officer Exam?
The exam enables young graduates to enter directly to the Junior Management Level in any of the Nationalized Banks. The job profile includes working in any of the departments like Personal Banking, Rural Banking, Forex, Treasury etc. The candidates selected must be ready to work anywhere in India. The career possesses higher chances of career development. After the probationary period, candidates are provided with all regular facilities of an officer.
Bank Probationary Officer Exam Eligibility
Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University or its equivalent is the educational qualification. Minimum age limit is 20 and maximum age limit is 30. The upper age limit is relaxed for certain categories like SC/ST, OBC, PWD, Ex-servicemen etc.
Bank Probationary Officer Exam Pattern
Selection procedure includes three states – Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Interview.
Read about Bank Probationary Officer Exam
Preliminary Examination is online objective type. Total marks are 100 with the duration of 1 hour time. The pattern of the exam includes English Language of 30 marks, Quantitative Aptitude of 35 marks and Reasoning Ability of 35 marks. Candidate those who qualify the Preliminary Exam are eligible for Main Examination.
Main Examination is also online and objective type. The exam is for the total of 200 marks with the duration of 2 hours time. The tests that include are - Reasoning for 50 marks, English Language for 40 marks, Quantitative Aptitude for 50 marks, General Awareness (with special reference to Banking Industry) is for 40 marks and Computer Knowledge for 20 marks.
The tests are questioned bilingual – Hindi and English, except for the section of Test of English Language. The selected candidates in the Main Examination are eligible for the Interview, the final phase of selection procedure. Candidates who are qualified in the interview are posted in any of the participating banks.
How to Apply for Bank Probationary Officer Exam?
The applications must be submitted online through official website. Read the guidelines before attempting to fill the application. Fill the application form as prescribed in the guidelines. Attach the requisite documents. Keep a hard copy for the future purpose. Payment must be made through valid online payment modes like net banking, credit/debit cards etc. Candidates must be ready with valid email address, scanned passport sized photograph and scanned signature before applying. Pre-Exam is training is provided for certain category applicants. The call letters must be downloaded from the mentioned date.
How to Prepare Bank Probationary Officer Exam?
Several books are published with the topics covered in the exam with particularization of pattern.
Mock Tests and Practice Tests are available with the coaching institutes and online coaching websites. IBPS also provide mock tests. These help to gain knowledge of questioning and time management, which is rather important. Few companies also provide CD’s covering the syllabus of the exam.
Reading newspapers and business magazines enhance the knowledge of general awareness and English language skills. As the exam questions bank industry related questions in general awareness, candidates must be following the banking news and information.