My Journey to Clearing the IBPS PO Prelims and Mains 2018: Tips and Lessons Learned

As I sit to write this reflection, it has been a month since the IBPS PO Prelims 2018 took place. I am here to share my personal experience and the lessons I learned throughout this journey. For those of you who are aspiring to clear the IBPS PO Prelims and Mains exams, this article is a must-read, packed with actionable tips and insights that may just help you achieve your goals.

The Moment of Congratulation

It was almost like a dream come true when I saw the phrase “Congratulations! You have been provisionally shortlisted…” on the screen. This experience is all the more overwhelming since I didn’t really expect my selection for the finals phase. The paper was the toughest of all times, but the regular practice of mock tests kept me going. It was a combination of hard work and good preparation that ultimately led me to this moment of triumph.

Key to Success: Management of Nerves and Mock Tests

The real challenge on the day of the exams is not just the toughness of the paper and the stress of the environment, but the control you can maintain over your nerves. You have to remain as calm as possible to perform well. On the day of the exams, I attempted 88 questions in total, with the distribution being:

Reasoning: 19 questions Quantitative Aptitude: 10 questions English: 27 questions General Knowledge and Current Affairs: 32 questions

After the exam, I expected to score around 90 out of 225, including essay and letter writing. This laid the foundation for the subsequent Mains exam.

Clearing the IBPS PO Mains

Yes, I cleared the IBPS PO Mains a month later. Success in the prelims had given me the confidence to give it my best shot. I attempted 132 questions in total and faced my greatest challenge in the General Awareness (GA) section, which I had not given due attention during preparation. However, my performance in other sections was strong, and I am optimistic about scoring around 140 in the Mains, similar to my performance in SBI PO Mains.

Key Takeaways for Your Journey

Here are some key lessons and tips that might help you in your journey:

Accuracy is the Key

Do not underestimate the importance of accuracy. No matter how many questions you attempt, if your accuracy is good, you will ensure a better score. Remember, accuracy carries marks and can make all the difference in the selection process.

Take Lots of Mock Tests

This is perhaps the most crucial tip. Blindly trust me on this – mock tests are the key to success in these exams. I cannot emphasize this enough. Some of the best mock tests available are from Oliveboard, which may be costly, but it's an investment worth making. Do not hesitate to spend on quality mock tests and resources, as you will not repent.

Smart Studying and Practice

Being a general candidate and not enrolling in any coaching institutes made me a bit nervous. However, smart study and determination were my key to success. I practiced as much as I could and attempted as many online mock tests as possible. This strategy proved to be incredibly effective.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

My journey to clearing the IBPS PO Prelims and Mains 2018 was a mix of hard work, meticulous preparation, and smart strategies. Clearing all four exams this year – SBI PO Finals, Bank of Baroda, Indian Bank, and IBPS PO – has been an incredibly rewarding experience. To fellow candidates who are preparing for these exams, my advice is to practice as much as you can and take as many mock tests as possible.

Thank you for reading this reflection, and I wish you all the best in your journey towards clearing these exams.

Good Luck!