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How to Prepare for IBPS SO Exam?

Vandana Gaira

Banking is a promising career for every Government job employee wishing to build their career in the banking sector. Many of you must only have heard about the IBPS and SBI PO and Clerks to get entry into the banking sector. But what if we tell you there are many more opportunities and fields through which you can get entry into the banking sector? Sounds interesting right? Yes, there are various profiles under IBPS SO (Specialist officer) like Marketing, Agriculture, HR, Law and IT from where you can begin your career in the banking sector. So if you are graduated from any of these fields, then you are eligible to apply for the post of IBPS SO. 

Every year IBPS releases its notification for the SO posts. This year the IBPS SO notification was released on 01st August 2024. The application process is live, and you can apply for the same till 21st August 2024. This year the IBPS SO notification 2024 has called up aspirants for 896 vacancies. All of them are distributed among the following job roles: 

  1. I.T. Officer (Scale-I)
  2. Agricultural Field Officer (Scale I)
  3. Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I)
  4. Law Officer (Scale I)
  5. HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I)
  6. Marketing Officer (Scale I)

You have to go through the entire IBPS SO recruitment 2024 in order to become one. The process includes three stages Prelims, mains and Interviews. You are required to qualify for each stage. 

In this blog, we are going to talk about the tips and tricks to prepare for the IBPS SO exam 2024. So aspirants, are you ready to unveil those tricks to make a winning study plan? Keep reading the blog till the end. 

IBPS SO Exam Pattern: Prelims

There are 3 phases of the exam. Starting with the Prelims exam, let us know the IBPS SO exam pattern for Prelims Exam first. The IBPS SO exam pattern for prelims varies from post to post. Here is the exam pattern of IBPS SO for the post of Law officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari scale 1:

SectionMediumNo of QuestionsMax MarksDuration
English LanguageEnglish502540 Minutes
ReasoningEnglish & Hindi505040 Minutes
General Awareness with Special reference to Banking IndustryEnglish & Hindi505040 Minutes
Total1501252 Hours

Now let’s head to the Exam pattern of the IBPS SO IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer: 

SectionMediumNo of QuestionsMax MarksDuration
English LanguageEnglish502540 Minutes
ReasoningEnglish & Hindi505040 Minutes
Quantitative AptitudeEnglish & Hindi505040 Minutes
Total 1501252 Hours

Here as per the IBPS SO recruitment 2024, the following are the things you should remember: 

We recommend you thoroughly study the IBPS SO Exam 2024 syllabus to start your preparation. Now you have got an overview of the IBPS SO prelims Exam. Let’s head to the subject-wise preparation strategy: 

Subject-wise IBPS SO Preparation Tips for Prelims

English Language

The following English language IBPS SO preparation strategies will help you clear the IBPS SO cut off:

Improve Vocabulary: 

Enhance your vocabulary by reading newspapers, magazines, and books regularly. Note down new words and their meanings, and try using them in sentences.

Grammar Practice: 

Brush up on your grammar rules for clearing the IBPS SO english section. Focus on topics like verb tenses, articles, prepositions, sentence structures, subject-verb agreement, and pronoun usage.

Reading Comprehension:

Develop your reading skills by practicing reading comprehension passages regularly. Understand the main idea, supporting details, and the author’s tone. This will also improve your reading speed and comprehension.

Improve Reading Speed:

Work on increasing your reading speed while maintaining comprehension. This will help you finish reading comprehension passages within the allocated time.

Context Clues:

Use context clues to understand the meanings of unfamiliar words in reading passages. This can help you answer vocabulary-based questions.

Reasoning

Concept Clarity: 

Ensure a strong understanding of fundamental concepts and reasoning techniques for IBPS SO preparation. This includes topics like analogy, classification, blood relations, etc. Learn shortcut techniques for solving certain types of questions, especially those that are time-consuming. These techniques can help you save time on the exam.

Puzzle and Seating Arrangement: 

These types of questions can be time-consuming but are often high-scoring. Practice various types of puzzles and seating arrangements to improve your speed and accuracy and also form a major part of the IBPS SO syllabus.

Visual Representation: 

Use diagrams, charts, and drawings to visually represent information, especially for puzzles and seating arrangement questions. This can help you better understand and solve complex scenarios.

Venn Diagrams: 

For topics like syllogism, learn to use Venn diagrams effectively to represent the relationships between different elements visually.

Coding-Decoding: 

Understand different coding patterns and practice decoding messages. This includes letter shifting, number substitution, and symbol coding.

General Awareness

Current Affairs Notes: 

Maintain a notebook or digital document where you jot down important current affairs topics, dates, and details. This will help you revise and recall information easily. Refer to magazines like Pratiyogita Darpan, Manorama Yearbook, and others that provide comprehensive coverage of current affairs and static GK as part of covering the IBPS SO syllabus. For covering daily, weekly, and monthly updates on current affairs you can refer to ixamBee’s Beepedia.

Focus on Banking and Finance: 

Given the nature of the exam, pay special attention to banking and financial news, RBI updates, monetary policy, and major economic indicators to cover the IBPS SO syllabus.

Static GK:

Static GK plays a critical role in helping students clear the IBPS SO cut off. Along with current affairs, you should also focus on static General Knowledge topics such as geography, history, the Indian constitution, sports, awards, and important institutions.

Make Use of Technology: 

Use social media platforms, podcasts, and YouTube channels that cover current affairs and provide analysis. This can make learning more engaging. Visit official government websites to gather authentic information on government schemes, initiatives, and policies.

Quantitative Aptitude 

Mathematical Fundamentals: 

Strengthen your understanding of basic mathematical concepts, formulas, and shortcuts. This will serve as the foundation for solving more complex problems. Quantitative aptitude is a very important part of the IBPS SO syllabus and of several other competitive exams as well.

Learn Time-Saving Techniques: 

For faster calculations, practice mental math, learn shortcuts, and use approximation methods for complex calculations.

Data Interpretation: 

Practice different types of data interpretation questions, such as bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs, and tables. Work on understanding trends and extracting information efficiently. This will help you reach and subsequently surpass the IBPS SO cut off.

Challenging Problems: 

Practice solving challenging problems to boost your problem-solving skills and confidence. Identify your weak areas and give them extra attention. Don’t ignore topics you find difficult. Break complex problems into smaller, manageable steps. This approach can make solving them less intimidating.

Now you must have become well aware of the tricks for cracking the IBPS SO Prelims Exam. To know and prepare more strategically in a better way, try attempting IBPS SO Prelims Mock Tests. Through attempting mock tests, you can know your preparation level and areas you need to improve. You can easily get online Free Mock tests for IBPS SO Pre Rajbhasha Adhikari and Law Officer and Free Mock tests for IBPS SO Pre IT/HR/Marketing/AFO separately. Candidates can also prepare from ixamBee’s IBPS SO prelims online course.

After the completion of the IBPS SO Prelims exam, you will barely have time of 1 month for the IBPS SO Mains Exam. So if you are thinking of starting your preparation for the IBPS SO Mains exam after that, then it will be too late to start. We at ixamBee, being a prominent platform to provide expert guidance to crack government competitive exams, recommend you get into an overall preparation of the IBPS SO recruitment, which includes all three stages of it. 

It’s time to prepare for the time when you get selected for the next level, i.e. the IBPS SO Mains Exam. Before that, let us get an overview of the IBPS SO exam pattern for Mains. 

Exam pattern of IBPS SO Mains Exam 2024

Let us remind you that here the IBPS SO syllabus varies from post to post, and you have to prepare specifically as per your subject requirements.  

Please refer to the below table to know the IBPS SO exam pattern for Rajbhasha Adhikari. 

Please refer to the below table to know the IBPS SO syllabus and exam pattern for Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer.

We know that the Posts under IBPS SO vary from each other, and we can’t use the same strategies for all of them for the IBPS SO Mains Exam. Here you should have a firm hold on the respective subject. Conceptual knowledge and clarification are must to ace the IBPS SO Mains exam of any profile. To know what exactly we are talking about, you can take help from the previous year question papers of the IBPS SO Exam. Through them, you can get an overview of how the exam is going to look like. 

We don’t want the fear of this exam to get on your nerves. Therefore we have come up with Post wise preparation tips only for you to crack the IBPS So mains Exam. 

Post-wise Preparation Tips for IBPS SO Mains Exam 2024 

Preparation Tips for IBPS SO Mains IT Officer Scale 1 Exam

First of all, before making a study plan for the IBPS SO Mains IT Officer Exam, we recommend you practice through the free mock tests of IBPS SO Mains IT Officer Exam and the previous year papers of IBPS SO mains (IT Officer). This will help you to identify your weak and strong points separately, according to which you can make an efficient preparation strategy. The mock tests and previous year papers will also help you cover the IBPS SO IT Officer syllabus efficiently. Once you are done with it, you are good to go to seek other preparation tips for the exam. Here are some significant tips to prepare for the IBPS SO Mains Exam 2024: 

  1. While the role is IT-focused, having a solid grasp of banking concepts, regulations, and financial terms is crucial. This will enable you to answer questions that might involve the integration of IT and banking knowledge.
  1. Brush up on programming languages like Java, Python, or C++, as these might be tested in your Mains exam. Focus on coding concepts, syntax, and problem-solving techniques.
  1. Learn about computer networks, including protocols, routing, switching, and security measures. Networking is a fundamental aspect of IT in banking operations.
  1. Familiarize yourself with cybersecurity concepts, including encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection, and risk assessment. Banks place high importance on maintaining secure IT systems.
  1. Understand the regulatory requirements and compliance standards that banks must adhere to in terms of IT systems and data security. Keep yourself updated with the latest trends in information technology, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data analytics. These topics might be relevant to the IT operations of the bank.

To be better prepared to clear the IBPS SO recruitment 2024 in the IT stream, candidates can take help of our IBPS SO IT Officer Exclusive Online Course.

Preparation Tips for IBPS SO Mains Agricultural Field Officer Scale 1 Exam

You will find numerous sources to study for the IBPS SO Mains AFO exam, but nothing can give you a precise evaluation of your preparation other than the Free mock tests of IBPS SO Mains AFO and previous year papers of the IBPS SO Mains AFO for covering the IBPS SO syllabus for AFO. You will never regret your decision to attend them as they are great sources which can take out your strengths and weakness altogether. Apart from the two major sources of preparation, you can consider the following preparation tips to qualify for the final stage of the IBPS SO recruitment i.e. the interview: 

  1. Gain a deep understanding of agricultural finance, credit schemes, and marketing strategies. Focus on loan procedures related to agriculture and various government schemes that support farmers.
  1. Study different crops, their cultivation practices, soil properties, types, fertility management and horticultural techniques. Understand the factors affecting crop yield and quality, soil testing and its relevance in agricultural practices.
  1. Familiarize yourself with various types of agricultural machinery, equipment, and their uses, rural development initiatives, agribusiness models, and value chain management in agriculture. This knowledge will help you understand the practical aspects of farming
  1. Study basic economics principles with a focus on agriculture. Understand concepts such as supply and demand, market equilibrium, and price determination in the context of agricultural products.
  1. Keep yourself updated with the latest trends in agriculture, government policies and schemes related to agriculture and farmer welfare. These topics might be relevant to the exam.

Keeping these preparation strategies in mind, you can easily clear the IBPS SO cut off for the AFO stream. Candidates can also take help of the IBPS SO AFO Online Course.

Preparation Tips for IBPS SO Mains Rajbhasha Adhikari Scale 1 Exam

The IBPS SO mains Rajbhasha Officer possess objective and descriptive both kind of questions. Therefore, practice is compulsory to perform well in the exam. The IBPS SO Mains exam Rajbhasha Adhikari free mock tests and the IBPS SO mains Rajbhasha Adhikari previous year question papers are a great source to analyse your performance and the preparation level as per the IBPS SO syllabus. Later on, you can go on with the study plan after a proper evaluation of your strengths and weaknesses. Make sure you follow the below tips while making the study plan:

  1. Since the role involves language and translation skills, focus on enhancing your proficiency in both English and Hindi languages. Work on your grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills in both languages.
  1. Study banking-related terminology and concepts in both English and Hindi. Understand the nuances of financial and banking terms in both languages to translate and communicate effectively.
  1. While language is a significant aspect of the role, having a strong grasp of banking and financial concepts is equally important. Understand banking operations, regulations, and financial products. Familiarize yourself with legal and regulatory terms used in banking. This knowledge is going to be a victory card for you to perform well in the exam. 
  1. Practice translation exercises from English to Hindi and vice versa. Pay attention to maintaining the meaning, context, and accuracy of the content. Practice writing letters, emails and reports in both English and Hindi language to hold a tight grip on clarity, coherence, and professionalism in both languages.  
  1. Study relevant banking acts, guidelines, and policies in both languages. This will help you accurately translate and interpret banking documents. Stay updated with the latest banking news, regulatory changes, and economic trends in both languages.

To cover the IBPS SO syllabus for Rajbhasha stream and to success in the IBPS SO recruitment 2024, candidates should refer to the IBPS SO Rajbhasha Comprehensive Online Course.

Preparation Tips for IBPS SO Mains Law Officer Scale 1 Exam

To build a winning strategy, before delving into the preparation tips, you should be accessing yourself with the two major resources from where you can gain the stricture of your study plan. Yes, you can take help from the IBPS SO Mains Law officer mock tests and IBPS SO Mains Law officer previous year paper. Efficiency is the only key to any process that leads you to success. The above two resources are the catalysts to that efficiency. Once you are done with an efficient study plan structure, then you can consider the following tips, to begin with that plan: 

  1. Study banking laws, financial regulations, and acts that are relevant to the banking sector. Focus on laws related to loans, mortgages, negotiable instruments, and banking operations. Stay updated with recent legal developments, amendments to laws, and regulatory changes that impact the banking sector.
  1. Develop a strong understanding of contract law principles, company law concepts, and consumer protection laws. Learn about the elements of a contract, offer and acceptance, breach of contract, and remedies available. Also, company law concepts like incorporation, corporate governance and responsibilities, shareholder rights etc., are some of the major pillars to enhance your preparation for IBPS SO mains Exam. 
  1. Familiarize yourself with important provisions of the Indian Constitution that impact the banking sector. Understand fundamental rights, directive principles, banking Ombudsman scheme, its mechanism and provision and relevant amendments.
  1. Study landmark judgments and case studies related to banking and financial laws. Understand the legal precedents set by these cases.
  1. Practice drafting legal documents commonly used in the banking sector, such as loan agreements, contracts, and legal notices.

To cover the IBPS SO syllabus for the Law stream and clear the IBPS SO cut off, candidates can refer to the IBPS SO Law Comprehensive Online Course.

Preparation Tips for IBPS SO Mains HR/Personnel Officer Scale 1 Exam

In order to prepare at your best ability, you would be knowing your strengths and weaknesses. You should know which topic you have a strong hold on and which topic needs extra attention. The best way to recognize the same is through attempting IBPS SO Mains HR/Personnel exam mock tests and IBPS SO mains Hr/Personnel exam previous year paper. Through both of them, you will get a double benefit. Along with knowing your strengths and weaknesses, you will also know the real exam pattern. After analysing the strong and weak points and the exam pattern, you will automatically be able to make a smart and efficient study plan. Also, don’t forget to consider the following tips while preparing the study plan for the IBPS SO mains exam. 

  1. Study the basic human resource management principles, including recruitment, selection, performance appraisal, training and development, compensation, and employee relations. Understand the specific regulations and guidelines that apply to the banking sector, especially those related to HR practices, employee benefits, and compliance.
  1. Understand the importance of HR metrics and analytics in measuring the effectiveness of HR initiatives and making data-driven decisions. Be prepared to analyze case studies or practical scenarios related to HR situations in the banking industry. Develop your ability to apply HR concepts to real-world scenarios.
  1. Study methods of training and development in the banking sector, including orientation programs, skill development, and compliance training. Learn about strategies to engage employees, improve morale, and foster a positive work environment in the banking industry.
  1. Understand the legal and ethical aspects of HR management in the banking sector. This includes privacy regulations, anti-discrimination laws, and handling sensitive employee information. Gain a solid understanding of important labour laws in India to enhance your hold on the subject. 
  1. Stay updated with the latest trends in human resource management, such as remote work policies, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and talent acquisition strategies.

Preparation Tips for IBPS SO Mains Marketing Officer Scale 1 Exam

Many students consider preparing for the IBPS SO Mains exam an easy task, as it includes familiar topics. But the truth is, you need to be extra cautious and ready for the IBPS SO mains exam, as there are higher chances of the level of the exam being difficult. To cope with such challenges, you can take help with the IBPS SO Mains Marketing Officer mock tests and IBPS SO Mains Marketing Officer previous year papers. This will not help you cope with the exam challenges but also help you in making an efficient study plan. You can also take help from the following preparation tips to build a study plan that can guarantee you success: 

  1. Study the various banking products and services offered by the bank. Understand the features, benefits, and target customer segments for each product.
  1. Learn about digital marketing strategies, including social media marketing, email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and online advertising. Understand how these strategies can be applied in the banking context.
  1. Learn about CRM strategies, brand positioning and their significance in the banking industry. Understand how banks manage and maintain customer relationships and present their brand identity in the Market. 
  1. Familiarize yourself with the specific regulations and guidelines that apply to marketing activities in the banking sector. Understand the importance of compliance in marketing efforts.
  1. Learn effective ways to promote banking products through market research, data analysis, and customer segmentation. Understand the role of marketing in attracting and retaining customers.
  1. Stay updated with the latest marketing trends in the banking industry, such as personalized marketing, omnichannel strategies, and customer experience enhancement.

Conclusion

Congratulations on beginning your journey of becoming an IBPS SO with these winning preparation tips. Effective time management and self-assessment are crucial throughout your preparation. By following these subject-specific tips, you’ll increase your chances of achieving success and building a promising career in the banking sector. We wish all the aspirants of the IBPS SO Exam 2024 the very best!

What is the IBPS SO exam, and why is it important for aspirants?
The IBPS SO exam is conducted to recruit Specialist Officers in public sector banks for various roles such as IT, Law, Agriculture, HR, and Rajbhasha Adhikari. Clearing this competitive exam provides specialized positions, making it highly sought after among bank job aspirants.

When will the IBPS SO notification 2024 be released?
The IBPS SO notification 2024 was released on August 1, 2024, detailing essential dates, eligibility, and the application process. Candidates should carefully go through this notification as it provides all updates on IBPS SO recruitment 2024.

What are the eligibility criteria for the IBPS SO 2024 exam?
For IBPS SO eligibility, candidates must meet specific educational qualifications relevant to the specialization, like IT, Law, or Agriculture. IBPS SO educational qualification requirements vary by role, making it essential for applicants to verify they meet these before applying.

When is the IBPS SO exam date 2024, and what should candidates expect?
The IBPS SO exam date 2024 has been announced in the official notification. The prelims exams will be in November and the Mains exam in December. Knowing the dates early allows candidates to align their study schedule effectively, so they can focus on preparation without last-minute stress.

How can IBPS online coaching help in preparing for the IBPS SO exam?
IBPS online coaching provides structured guidance, covering the IBPS SO syllabus comprehensively. This format allows candidates to learn flexibly, practice using expert-led modules, and take IBPS SO mock tests, which help simulate the exam environment for better preparation.

What is the selection process for IBPS SO recruitment 2024?
The IBPS SO recruitment 2024 process includes three stages: prelims, mains, and an interview. Only those clearing the cut-off in each round move forward, making each phase crucial. Candidates should prepare thoroughly to succeed in each part of the process.

What is the IBPS SO IT Officer salary package?
The IBPS SO IT Officer salary generally includes a basic pay of around ₹40,480, along with additional perks and allowances. As candidates advance, the salary increases, offering a respectable income along with job security and benefits available in the banking sector.

When will the IBPS SO result be announced?
The IBPS SO result is usually declared a few weeks after each exam stage. Candidates should track the IBPS official website for updates on results and cut-offs, which are essential in assessing the performance of shortlisted candidates in each round.

What is the IBPS SO syllabus for the different roles?
The IBPS SO syllabus varies by role. For instance, the IBPS SO IT Officer syllabus includes topics on information technology, while the IBPS SO HR syllabus focuses on human resource management. Candidates should review their specific syllabus to prepare accordingly.

How can I download the IBPS SO admit card for 2024?
The IBPS SO admit card is usually available on the IBPS website a few weeks before the exam. Candidates need their registration details to download it, as the IBPS SO 2024 admit card is essential for exam entry and should be downloaded well in advance.

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