The Journey of a Bank PO: From Exam Preparation to Probation

Becoming a Bank Probationary Officer (PO) is a dream for many aspirants who want to pursue a career in the banking sector. A Bank PO is an entry-level officer who undergoes a probationary period of one to two years before getting confirmed as an Assistant Manager. A Bank PO has to perform various duties such as customer service, general banking, administration, and supervision.

But how does one become a Bank PO? What is the process for selecting candidates? What are the challenges and opportunities that await a Bank PO? In this blog, we will provide an overview of the entire journey of a Bank PO, from exam preparation to probation, and offer some tips and insights for aspiring candidates.

Exam Preparation

The first step in the journey of a Bank PO is to prepare for the competitive exams conducted by various banks such as SBI, IBPS, IBPS RRB, etc. These exams test the candidates on their aptitude, reasoning, English, general awareness, and computer knowledge. The exam pattern usually consists of three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. Banks may have a Group Discussion round in their recruitment process.

To prepare for these exams, candidates need to have a clear understanding of the syllabus, exam pattern, and cut-off marks. They also need to practice mock tests, previous year papers, and online quizzes to improve their speed and accuracy. Candidates should also keep themselves updated with current affairs and banking terminology.

Exam Strategy

The next step in the journey of a Bank PO is to devise a smart exam strategy that can help them score well in the exams. A good exam strategy involves time management, question selection, accuracy, and revision. Candidates should allocate sufficient time for each section and attempt the easy and scoring questions first.

They should also avoid guesswork and negative marking as much as possible. Candidates should also review their answers carefully and ensure that they have marked the correct options. Candidates should also keep track of their performance and identify their strengths and weaknesses.

Interview Preparation

The final step in the journey of a Bank PO is to prepare for the interview round, which is conducted by a panel of experts from the bank. The interview round aims to assess the personality, communication skills, attitude, and knowledge of the candidates. To prepare for the interview round, candidates need to brush up on their basic concepts, banking terms, current affairs, and personal details.