Last Minute Tips for IBPS Specialist Officer Exam

IBPS Specialist Officer Exam is scheduled for tomorrow. The Specialist Officer Exam, conducted for the recruitment of specialized profiles like – IT Officer, Marketing Officer, Finance Officer, HR Officer, Agriculture etc in 21 PSU Banks. The exam is conducted once in a year (around the month of Feb/March) and it is considered a tough nut to crack given the huge competition and very few number of vacancies.

Keeping in mind the tough competition, candidates should ensure that they go to the exam hall with full preparation and should avoid the slightest mistake in the exam. Essentially, candidates should keep in mind the following, while attempting the exam –

1. Go with a Plan: Candidates should go with proper plan – as in which section to attempt first and which section to attempt last and how much time should one devote on each section. It is very important that candidate stick to their plan (time wise) i.e. if you had decided that you will give 40 minutes to Reasoning section, you should stick to it. Reason for the same is – sometimes a particular section may be very difficult, and while attempting the same you may get carried away by devoting more time on that, it will mean that you will compromise on some other section as you will have lesser time for it. You need to remember that there is a sectional cut-off in the exam and if a particular section is tough, it will be tough for everyone and hence cut-off for that section will be low.

2. Keep in mind the Marks Allocated to each section: Question paper for Specialist Officer Exam will essentially consist of 4 sections – Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, Reasoning Ability and Professional Knowledge and each section will have 50 questions. But, you need to remember that each section might have a different weight-age. For example, in IT Officer exam, each question from Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude will be of 1 mark, while each question of English Language will be of 0.5 marks and each question from professional knowledge will be of 1.5 marks. So, candidates should plan the strategy keeping in mind the weight age of each section.

3. Attempt Paper in 2 rounds: You should attempt the question paper in two rounds. While attempting each section – first do the questions, for which you are sure and which can be done in less than a minute. Leave tougher questions for the second round. This way, you will not miss any easy question in the paper and will be able to optimize the score.

4. Be careful about sectional cut-off: In IBPS SO, you have to score a minimum qualifying marks in each section and qualify overall score also. So, be careful that you do not miss on a section and try to maintain a balance across all sections.

5. Be careful about negative marking: In IBPS SO, there will be negative marks for wrong answers (equivalent to 1/4 of the marks allotted to that questions). There is no negative marking for unattempted questions. So, if you are not sure about a question, it is better to leave that question rather than attempting it wrong.

6. Start with easier section: Suppose, you are more comfortable in a particular section, attempt it first. It will give you the confidence and set the pace for the exam. Attempt most difficult part in the end.

7. Do not get stuck on a question: Never get touchy about any question and hence do not waste time if you are not able to crack it within 1-2 mins. We have seen, many candidates get stuck with questions like seating arrangement/puzzles in reasoning part and waste precious time on these. Never do that. If you feel that you might get stuck, leave it for second round.

8. Never give up during exam: Competitions like this are the tests of your nerves. You should go with a positive frame of mind to the exam hall and maintain the same throughout the exam. Many times, when candidates get stuck or find a particular section difficult, they give up. Never ever give up. Paper is not going to be easy for anyone and winner will be one who will hold the nerves till the end.

9. Take Proper Sleep Before Exam: Candidates should take a proper sleep before the exam day and should have light breakfast before the exam.

10. Do not forget to take following items with you, when you go for the exam –

Call letter with your recent passport size photograph

Photo identity proof (One original and one photocopy)

Ball Point Pen

BankersAdda wishes you all the best! Good Luck! God Speed!