About the Banking exam
Bank PO & Clerk Exams (IBPS, SBI, RBI) is one of the better-known exams in India. It is administered by IBPS, State Bank of India, Reserve Bank of India and other banking recruiters and attracts a large number of candidates each cycle. The exam is held most bank exams are conducted once a year, in Prelims, Mains and interview stages.
Format of the real exam: Online computer-based test in sectional-timed format, followed by a Mains and an interview or language test for officer posts. Practising in the same style is the quickest way to remove surprises on exam day, which is exactly why Banking mock tests matter.
Banking eligibility
A bachelor's degree in any discipline for most clerical and officer posts; age limits are typically 20 to 30 years for PO and 20 to 28 years for Clerk, with relaxations.
Eligibility rules, age limits and relaxations can change between cycles, so always confirm the details in the latest official notification from IBPS, State Bank of India, Reserve Bank of India and other banking recruiters before you apply.
Banking exam pattern and marking scheme
Prelims is usually a 60-minute online test of English, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning with a separate time limit for each section and a quarter-mark negative for wrong answers. Mains adds General or Financial Awareness, Data Analysis and Computer Aptitude.
- Subjects and sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, General & Financial Awareness, Computer Aptitude and Data Analysis & Interpretation.
- Mode of the real exam: Online computer-based test in sectional-timed format, followed by a Mains and an interview or language test for officer posts.
- Frequency: Most bank exams are conducted once a year, in Prelims, Mains and interview stages.
Banking syllabus: what to study
The Banking syllabus is organised around 6 main areas. Plan your preparation so that every area gets a revision cycle before your first full-length mock test.
- English Language: revise concepts, practise topic-wise questions, then test yourself under timed conditions.
- Quantitative Aptitude: revise concepts, practise topic-wise questions, then test yourself under timed conditions.
- Reasoning Ability: revise concepts, practise topic-wise questions, then test yourself under timed conditions.
- General & Financial Awareness: revise concepts, practise topic-wise questions, then test yourself under timed conditions.
- Computer Aptitude: revise concepts, practise topic-wise questions, then test yourself under timed conditions.
- Data Analysis & Interpretation: revise concepts, practise topic-wise questions, then test yourself under timed conditions.
How to prepare for Banking
A good Banking plan combines concept study, topic-wise practice and regular full-length mock tests. Use the checklist below as a starting point.
- Because every section is separately timed, practise in the sectional format so you never waste minutes carrying time over.
- Master data interpretation and puzzles, since they decide the Mains cut-offs.
- Follow banking and economy news weekly, including RBI policy changes and government schemes.
- Analyse every mock test: separate errors into concept gaps, calculation slips and time pressure, and fix one group at a time.
- Keep a short error notebook and revise it weekly, since repeated mistakes cost more marks than new ones.
Why practise Banking mock tests online
Reading and notes build knowledge, but only timed practice builds exam performance. A Banking mock test trains time management, question selection and stress control. Mock Archive gives you instant scoring, subject-wise accuracy, time spent per question and a full answer review the moment you submit.
- Real CBT interface: question palette, section timers and review marking.
- Instant result with accuracy, attempts and a question-by-question review.
- Works on mobile, tablet and desktop, and can be installed like an app.
- Free forever: no login, no signup and no payment.