The “Zero to Hero” Reality: How I Finally Broke the Prelims Barrier

Every banking aspirant hears the phrase zero to hero, but living that journey is a very different experience. Chandrakanth T S’s story did not begin with confidence or clarity; it began with confusion, limited time, and repeated setbacks. Like many aspirants, he entered the banking exam space with strong motivation but without a clear roadmap. What eventually transformed his journey was not luck, but disciplined preparation, the right mentorship, and a timely shift in strategy.

The “Zero to Hero” Reality

His banking journey started in 2023 during his master’s degree, when he was introduced to Zero to Hero sessions on YouTube. These sessions helped him understand the basics of banking exams and build initial familiarity with the pattern. However, balancing academic responsibilities with competitive exam preparation proved difficult. Due to limited time and fragmented revision, he was only able to clear prelims repeatedly, while the mains stage remained out of reach.

From Academic Commitments to Focused Preparation

Chandrakanth completed his master’s degree in December 2024, which marked a major turning point in his preparation journey. With academic pressure finally behind him, he was able to dedicate himself fully to banking exam preparation. Instead of relying on scattered resources, he chose a structured approach by enrolling in Mahapack, which brought consistency and discipline into his daily routine.

• His study schedule became fixed and goal-oriented rather than irregular.
• Concepts started becoming clearer due to systematic teaching.
• Regular practice and revision replaced last-minute studying.
• His confidence improved as his mock performance stabilized.

Breaking the Mains Barrier

While prelims had never been his biggest hurdle, mains was the stage that tested his patience the most. This time, the difference lay in smarter preparation and strategic execution. With focused guidance and structured practice, his approach to mains became calmer and more analytical, helping him finally overcome the barrier that had held him back for years.

• He scored 38.75 marks in IBPS PO Mains, which played a decisive role in his final selection.
• Accuracy and question selection became his key strengths.
• He avoided unnecessary risks and focused on maximising attempts wisely.
• For the first time, he left the exam hall feeling confident about his performance.

The Role of Mentors in His Success

Behind every successful banking aspirant are mentors who provide direction at the right time. Chandrakanth is especially grateful to Sourav sir, whose clear and exam-focused teaching helped him strengthen his fundamentals and perform under pressure. The guidance he received played a major role in achieving a strong mains score.

He also extends sincere thanks to Shantunu sir and Ashish sir, whose support, strategies, and consistent motivation contributed significantly to his final selection. Their insights helped him stay focused and confident throughout the preparation phase.

The Moment That Made It All Worthwhile

All the effort, discipline, and persistence finally paid off when Chandrakanth was selected as a Canara Bank PO. This achievement was not just about securing a position, but about validating years of hard work and resilience. His journey proves that the zero to hero transformation is possible when preparation is consistent and guided by the right mentors.