3 Important Changes in Exam Pattern and Tips To Crack SBI PO Exam

​3 Important Changes in Exam Pattern and Tips To Crack SBI PO Exam
 
SBI (State Bank Of India) Po Prelims exam was conducted in first week of July. The results for this prelims exam was recently declared on SBI official website. SBI has already received a larger-than-average influx of online applications for SBI PO recruitment. The bank has released 2,000 vacancies for SBI PO position and approximately 10 lakh applications have swooped in. This accentuates how tough it is to get a job as a probationary officer in one of the best banks of the country.
Aspirants must have already started preparing for the mains exams. It’s important to understand the important dates which would help the aspirants to plan the exam strategies accordingly.

As you can see in the above table, SBI PO Mains Exam is scheduled to conduct on 20th August, which means it’s only a month away. So, those who have cleared the prelims exam,  it’s mandatory for them to kick-off the exam preparation now. Along with preparing for the mains, it’s equally important to know the changes in the exam pattern for mains exam.
Before knowing the changes in exam pattern, let’s see the exam pattern.
 
SBI PO Mains exams are conducted in two parts -

1. Objective Test (Online)
2. Descriptive Test (Online)

 
There are some minor yet very very important changes in SBI PO Exam pattern.
 
Below are these changes:
 
Change #1 : Introduction of sectional timings in SBI PO exams
 
●       This year, SBI has decided to introduce the sectional timings for prelims as well as the mains exam. Same would be the case for SBI Clerk exam as well.
●       Earlier, candidates used to get a composite time to attempt the exam questions. They could easily switch between different sections and attempt questions of their choice. Now this is not the case anymore.
●       Candidates would be alloted a timings section-wise and they have to complete each section in the given time.
●       Because of this change, candidates will have to tweak their time management strategies and study according to this new change.
 
Change #2: Elimination of sectional cut-off
 
Since there’s no composite time, SBI has eliminated the sectional cut-off from the PO exam.
 
Change #3: Selection Ratio decreased
 
●       Previously, till last year, the selection ratio from Prelims exams to Mains exams was 1:20. This year it has been changed to 1:10.
●       Earlier, it was fine for the aspirants to only qualify for the mains exams and there was less need to score good marks. Bu since because of the introduction in this change, they would need to score good marks for Prelims as well, instead of just passing in the Prelims exam.
 
 
 
 
To cope up with these above changes, it’s important to stay super-motivated to crack this tough exam. Below are some of the important and helpful exam tips to crack the SBI PO Exam:
 
Important tips to crack SBI Mains Exam
 

1. Go through the exam pattern and understand the time allotted for each section

●       Time management is of utmost importance when trying to crack a brief but lengthy paper like the SBI PO Mains. By now you must have assessed which are your strong and weak topics and sections. Ensure that you allocate the required amount of time to each section so that you clear the sectional cut-offs.
●       Read the Order of attempt in SBI PO Mains and start with whichever section you are most comfortable. Then move on to the section which you have prepared thoroughly for and spend enough time to ensure that you have solved at least 2/3rd of the questions in that section.
●       Then move to the difficult section and try and tackle as many as possible really quickly. Make sure that you know how much time to allocate to each questions.
 
 

1. Keep in mind about negative marking

 
Make sure you are well aware of the SBI PO exam pattern. The SBI PO mains examination would deduct 0.25 marks for each wrong question. Considering the fact that there is a lot of competition, you should first answer questions you are completely sure of. Then move on to questions that you can take a good guess at.
 
      3. Solve a few Mock Test papers and analyse your mistakes and weaknesses
 
It’s super important to solve a lot of full mock tests before the main exams. Find the weaknesses that you can easily rectify. Also find the silly mistakes you make and figure out how you made them so you don’t do them again.
 
      4. Divide your attention between every section
 
Students often make the mistake of revising only the easiest or the most difficult topics and sections before the exam. It is important to revise every section and every chapter. Divide your time carefully between each section as there is sectional timing for each section.
 
 
 5. Write down every formula and rule in your syllabus
You may think you know all the formulae and rules in your head, but it is important to write them down and practise. Visualizing them, the process of writing them down and seeing them written down in your own handwriting is scientifically proven to improve retention. Making a topic-wise list of formulae and a last minute revision of  them is also a good idea.
 
6. Go through your notes and important questions
 
During your time of preparation, you are sure to have bookmarked or starred questions you thought were important or difficult or tricky. Make sure to go through these before the exam.