How to prepare for the Bank IBPS SO exam?

The IBPS recruits Specialist Officers for various branches of its affiliated banks. It starts by releasing the IBPS SO notification, which includes details such as eligibility criteria, exam pattern, number of vacancies, etc. Upon release of the notification, applicants start IBPS SO exam preparation.

The IBPS SO exam recruits specialist officers for public sector banks in India who excel in specific fields and possess the necessary qualifications and experience. Here are the positions the exam recruits for:

Exam Pattern of IBPS SO 

There are some specific patterns of the IBPS Specialist preliminary and Main examinations for one of the different specialist officer positions. This particular IBPS SO exam pattern is very informative to the candidates as it reveals the number of questions, the maximum marks the candidates will be allowed to answer, and the time allowed on each assessment. Below is the examination pattern for the IBPS SO exam;

For the post of Law officer & Rajbhasha Adhikari

For the post of Specialist Officers (Agriculture Field Officer and Marketing Officer (Scale I), HR/Personnel Officer, and IT Officer Scale I

In the Preliminary exam, candidates must pass each section within a set time limit. This includes meeting both sectional and overall cutoff scores. Also, 0.25 marks will be deducted as a penalty for every wrong answer in the Objective Tests.

The IBPS SO Exam has three parts: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Candidates must clear the Preliminary exam to move on to the Mains exam and then pass the Mains exam to reach the final interview stage.

IBPS SO Books for Professional Knowledge

The Professional Knowledge section is part of the Mains exam and focuses on the applicant’s specialization. Here are the recommended books for each area of IBPS SO exam preparation:

Information Technology

The IT field is dynamic; the exam reflects these changes. The essential IBPS SO exam preparation books covering the entire syllabus of professional knowledge include:

• Objective Computer Knowledge by R. Pillai
• Data Communications and Networking by Behrouz A. Forouzan
• A Computer for Competitive Exams: Fundamentals of Computer with MCQs by RPH Editorial Board

Focus on chapters related to network models and encoding systems from the second book for exam preparation.

IBPS SO Books for Agriculture

The specialist officer exam for Agriculture covers a broad syllabus. Here are recommended books for preparation:

• NCERT Science Textbooks: Classes VI-IX
• Agriculture Field Officer by R. Gupta
• IBPS – SO Agricultural Field Officer (Main) Exam by Dr. Lalita Gaur

The exam focuses on topics such as Agricultural Economics, Soil Resources, Animal Husbandry, Agroforestry, Basics of Crop Production, Horticulture, Seed Science, Agronomy and Irrigation, Agricultural Practices, Ecology, and Government Schemes.

IBPS SO Books for Rajbhasha Adhikari

The Rajbhasha Adhikari exam tests proficiency in Hindi language and grammar. These officers oversee all Hindi communication within banks and draft Hindi advertising material. Candidates preparing for this exam should use these books:

• Upkar Prakashan’s Hindi Vyakaran Aur Rachna
• Rajbhasha Adhikari Guide by R. Gupta
• Rajbhasha/Hindi Recruitment Exam Guide (Popular Master Guide) by RPH Editorial Board

IBPS SO Books for Law

The IBPS SO Law exam focuses on commercial and corporate law topics. Candidates should review these subjects thoroughly. For preparation, the recommended book is:

• IBPS Specialist Officer CWE LAW Officer Online Exam Practice Work Book by Kiran Prakashan

This book covers various questions for Law Officers. Candidates should study the syllabus and practice with mock tests extensively.

Human Resources/Personnel

The IBPS SO syllabus includes case studies relevant to the financial industry. Candidates can use these books for preparation:

• Human Resource Management by K. Aswathappa
• Bank HR Specialist book by Kiran Prakashan
• CWE-IBPS Bank-HR Specialist/Personal Officer Complete Book by Priyanka Prakashan

Essential topics include Training and Development, Business Policy and Strategic Analysis, Performance Management and Appraisal, Human Resource Development, Industrial Relations, Grievance and Conflict Management, Rewards and Recognition, and Recruitment and Selection.

IBPS SO Booklist for Other Subjects

Apart from Professional Knowledge, candidates can prepare for other IBPS SO exam sections with these recommended books:

IBPS SO Exam Preparation Tips

Here are bank IBPS SO study tips for IBPS SO exam preparation;

1 – Focus on High-Scoring Topics

As the exam approaches, manage your time wisely. Prioritize studying topics that offer the most marks. Concentrating on high-scoring subjects increases your chances of scoring well.

2 – Practice Mock Tests

Taking multiple mock tests is highly beneficial. These simulations give you insights into your performance and accurately assess your preparation level. After each test, carefully review your mistakes, identify areas needing improvement, and revise challenging questions before the exam.

3 – Use Model Question Papers

Using IBPS SO Previous Year Papers is a strategic method. Practicing with these papers helps you understand the exam’s format and the importance of different topics. Familiarity with past exam patterns helps you plan your study approach effectively.

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