Banking Exams 2025 — Complete Guide | Your Complete Guide for Banking Exams

BANKING EXAMS 2025 — The Complete Preparation Guide

Syllabus, exam pattern, subject-wise strategies, 30/60/90-day timetables, topic-wise practice, FAQs and mock questions for IBPS, SBI, RBI and other banking exams.

Updated for 2025 • No external links • Contact: Contact Samir

Overview: Which banking exams to target (2025)

The banking exam space in India includes national-level and state-level notifications. Most candidates target:

IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection) — IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, IBPS SO
SBI (State Bank of India) — SBI PO, SBI Clerk
RBI (Reserve Bank of India) — RBI Grade B, other cadre exams
SSC Banking & State Bank Exams including state co-op bank exams
Other public sector banks & specialized roles (e.g., NABARD)

Typical Exam Pattern (PO / Clerk style)

Most modern banking exams follow a two-stage structure for PO posts: Prelims (objective) and Mains (objective + descriptive). Clerk exams are usually single stage or two stage with lighter mains.

Stage	Subjects	Duration	Marks
Prelims	English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning	60 minutes	100
Mains	Reasoning, Quantitative, English, GA/Banking Awareness, Computer	2 - 3 hours (varies)	200 - 300
Descriptive	Letter/Essay	30 minutes	25 - 50

Key exam skills: speed, accuracy, time management, strong basics in arithmetic and reasoning, updated banking awareness, and reliable English writing skills.

Complete Syllabus — Topic-wise (detailed)

Below is a combined syllabus covering most banking exams. Use it as a checklist for each subject.

Quantitative Aptitude

Number systems, LCM, HCF, divisibility
Decimals, Fractions, Percentages
Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest
Ratio & Proportion, Partnership
Averages, Mixtures & Alligations
Time, Speed & Distance, Boats & Streams
Work & Time
Time & Work with efficiency
Speed and Relative speed problems
Mensuration (2D/3D basics)
Permutation & Combination, Probability
Data Interpretation (bar, line, pie, tabular)
Simplification/Approximation

Reasoning Ability

Seating Arrangement (linear, circular)
Puzzles (mixed patterns, complex)
Syllogism
Blood Relations
Direction Sense
Order & Ranking
Input-Output
Series (number, alphabet, missing)
Logical Reasoning (statements & conclusions)
Matrix & Visual reasoning

English Language

Reading Comprehension
Para jumbles
Sentence improvement / error detection
Fill in the blanks (vocabulary & grammar)
Cloze tests
Direct/Indirect speech, Active/Passive voice
One-word substitution, synonyms & antonyms

General Awareness & Banking Awareness

Banking terms and functions
Monetary policy basics, RBI functions
Current Affairs — last 12 months focus
Important committees, boards, schemes
Budget highlights, economic indicators (GDP, CPI)
Financial inclusion, NBFCs, Payment banks, UPI, NPCI basics

Computer Knowledge

Basics of computer systems, hardware, software
MS Office: Word, Excel basics
Internet fundamentals, networking basics
Shortcuts and commonly used keys

Descriptive Writing (Mains)

Essay writing (banking topics, economy, social)
Letter writing (formal — application, complaint, request)

Use this syllabus as your master checklist. Tick each topic as you complete short notes and practice sets.

Subject-wise Strategy & Tips

Quantitative Aptitude — Strategy

Focus on basics — clear conceptual understanding of percentage, ratio, SI/CI. Use short notes for formulas.
Daily practice — 30 to 50 questions daily with timed practice.
DI practice — start with tables & simple graphs, then progress to multi-set DI (2-3 sets each day).
Shortcut mastery — learn Vedic shortcuts, approximation techniques, and decimal tricks.

Reasoning — Strategy

Puzzles first — daily 1-2 puzzle sets; emphasize pattern recognition.
Structured approach — for seating/puzzles, list known facts, mark relationships, eliminate impossibilities.
Mock analysis — maintain a notebook of puzzle types and the fastest solving patterns for each.

English — Strategy

Reading habit — 30 minutes daily reading: editorials, economy news, short essays.
Vocabulary — learn 10 useful words daily with example sentences; focus on words used in banking & economy.
Comprehension practice — 2 passages daily in early phase, reduce when you get accuracy with speed.

Banking Awareness — Strategy

Daily current affairs — 20 minutes daily, note important RBI policies and financial news.
Static banking topics — functions of RBI, types of banks, money market instruments, negotiable instruments.
One-pagers — prepare one-page notes on every important scheme, committee or policy.

Computer Knowledge — Strategy

Focus on basics and shortcut keys.
Practice with MS Excel and common tasks like sorting, formulas, and simple charts.

Study Timetables — 30 / 60 / 90 day plans

Choose a plan based on time available. Each plan assumes 4–6 hours/day for working professionals and 8+ hours/day for full-time students.

30-Day Crash Plan (For last-minute revision)

Week 1: Revise basics: Number theory, percentage, ratio, basic reasoning patterns, 10 RCs.
Week 2: Full DI practice, puzzle sets, advanced simplifications, English accuracy drills.
Week 3: Full length prelim mock tests (alternate days), timed sectional practice on off days.
Week 4: Revision of weak topics, 2 full mocks + error analysis every day, light GA reading.

60-Day Balanced Plan

Days 1–20: Build core skills: fundamentals in all subjects, 1 topic per day in Quant & Reasoning.
Days 21–40: Practice DI sets, RCs daily, timed sectional tests, start banking awareness notes.
Days 41–60: Focused mocks (3 per week), revision blocks, descriptive writing practice (if Mains expected).

90-Day Deep Preparation Plan

Phase 1 (0–30): Fundamentals + small quizzes. Emphasis on accuracy and clearing concepts.
Phase 2 (31–60): Strengthening speed: mixed-topic timed sets, 2 full tests per week.
Phase 3 (61–90): Mains-level practice, descriptive practice, interview prep (if applicable), final revision notes.

Sample Daily Schedule (For full-time student — 8 hours/day)

6:00–7:00 — Revision of previous day (quick notes)
7:15–9:00 — Quant practice (topic + 20 mixed questions)
9:30–11:00 — Reasoning puzzles & sets
11:15–12:00 — Short break + GA reading (30 mins)
12:00–1:30 — English: RC + vocabulary
2:30–4:30 — Full length sectional test or DI sets
5:00–6:00 — Computer knowledge / banking awareness short notes
Evening — Light revision, flashcards, or mock review

Practice Questions & Mini Mock Tests

Below are representative practice questions with solutions/explanations. Try timed practice: 20–30 seconds per question for easier ones, 1–4 minutes for tougher puzzles/DI.

Quantitative Aptitude — Practice Set (10 questions)

Simplification: Calculate: 125 × 8 ÷ 5 + 64 ÷ 8 — (Answer at bottom of section)
Percentages: If A’s salary is ₹48,000 and B’s salary is 20% less than A, what is B’s salary?
Time & Work: A can do a work in 15 days and B in 20 days. A and B together work for 6 days. What fraction of total work is left?
Profit & Loss: A buys a product at ₹480 and sells at ₹600. What is the profit %?
Ratio & Proportion: If ratio of A:B is 3:4 and A’s share is ₹300, find total amount.
DI — Table: (Short tabular DI) — Given sales of five products over months — find difference between product A and B totals. (Practice making a table)
Probability: Two coins tossed, probability of exactly one head?
Mensuration: Area of a circle with radius 7 cm (use π = 22/7)
Permutation: Number of ways to arrange letters of "BANK"?
Approximation: √(9801) approx what? (work for quick root checks)

Reasoning — Mini Puzzle

Seven friends A, B, C, D, E, F and G sit in a row facing north. B sits third to the right of A. C sits to the immediate left of D. E sits between B and F. G is not at an extreme end. Who sits at the left end?

Hint: Draw slots, place A, then B (3rd to right), then fill constraints.

English — Mini Test

RC (Short): Read: "Digital payments grew rapidly due to UPI adoption..." — Question: What is the primary reason cited for growth? (Choose from: A) Increased bank branches B) UPI adoption C) Cash shortage)

Fill in the blank: She ____ to the office every day. (go / goes / went)

Answers & Explanations

125 × 8 ÷ 5 + 64 ÷ 8 = (1000 ÷ 5) + 8 = 200 + 8 = 208.
B’s salary = 48,000 × (1 − 0.20) = 48,000 × 0.8 = ₹38,400.
Work done by A & B in one day = 1/15 + 1/20 = (4+3)/60 = 7/60. In 6 days they do 42/60 = 7/10. Left = 3/10.
Profit = 600 − 480 = 120. Profit% = (120/480)×100 = 25%.
If A’s share is 300 and A:B = 3:4, A = 3x = 300 → x =100 → B = 400 → total = 700.
DI not fully specified — practice: sum rows & columns, compare.
Two coins: P(exactly one head) = 2/4 = 1/2.
Area = πr² = (22/7) × 7 × 7 = 154 cm².
Arrangements of "BANK" = 4! = 24.
√9801 = 99 (exact).

Tip: After each practice set, maintain an error log: note down wrong answers and the reason (careless / concept gap / calculation). Revise those topics in the next 7 days.

Revision Plan & Short Notes

Revision is the most important part of preparation. Use spaced repetition and quick one-pagers for each topic.

How to make short notes

One page per topic: formulas + 5 example problems + common mistakes.
Highlight key shortcut tricks in yellow (or bold in digital notes).
Keep a "weekly revision box": 20 questions covering all subjects, solve every Sunday.

Sample Short Note — Percentages (1 page)


Percentage formula:

% Of a number = (part / whole) × 100

Shortcuts:

- Increase by x%: Multiply by (1 + x/100)

- Decrease by x%: Multiply by (1 − x/100)

- Successive changes: Multiply factors

Examples:

1) 20% of 500 = 100

2) Increase 200 by 25% = 200 × 1.25 = 250

3) Successive +10% and −10% => net = (1.1 × 0.9 = 0.99) => −1%

Keep such notes handy for last-minute revision.

Banking Awareness & Current Affairs — How to prepare

Banking awareness is both static (concepts) and dynamic (current updates). Your preparation should cover both.

Static topics to master

Functions of RBI, Monetary Policy tools (Repo, Reverse Repo, CRR, SLR)
Types of banks (Commercial banks, Cooperative Banks, Regional Rural Banks)
Banking terms: NPA, CRAR, Basel norms, Repo rate, Reverse repo, Open market operations
Payment systems: NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, UPI, NPCI

Dynamic topics — Current Affairs checklist (rolling 12 months)

RBI policy decisions and rate changes
Major bank mergers or regulatory changes
Important government schemes related to finance and banking
Major economic indicators (GDP revisions, fiscal deficit updates)

Daily routine for GA (30 minutes)

Scan top 4 financial headlines (10 minutes)
Note down one RBI/Policy update (10 minutes)
Review one static banking topic from notes (10 minutes)

Note: Maintain a dated current-affairs log with one-sentence summaries for each news item — this helps in quick revision before the exam.

Recommended Resources & Books

Use only trusted books and consistent mock test series. Below are typical recommendations (titles, not external links).

Quantitative Aptitude: R.S. Aggarwal (practice), Abhijit Guha (short tricks)
Reasoning: R.S. Aggarwal Reasoning + MK Pandey (advanced puzzles)
English: Wren & Martin (grammar basics), Word Power Made Easy (vocabulary)
Banking Awareness: Banking awareness books updated for 2025, RBI reports (summarised notes)
Mock series: Choose a test series with performance analytics — focus on tests that give detailed sectional reports.

Important: Avoid switching too many resources. Pick 1–2 books per subject and one mock test series and stick with them.

FAQs & Common Candidate Doubts

Q: How many hours should I study for banking exams?

A: It depends — full-time students: 6–10 hours daily; working aspirants: 3–5 focused hours. Quality beats quantity — practice with timed mocks.

Q: Is coaching necessary?

A: Not always. Coaching helps structure preparation and provide mocks. Self-study with the right plan and consistency works for many toppers.

Q: How do I improve accuracy in Quant?

A: Master formulas, practice calculations, use shortcuts, and maintain an error log for frequent mistakes.

Q: How to prepare for descriptive section?

A: Practice essays (200–300 words) and formal letters. Improve clarity and structure — introduction, body, conclusion. Time yourself (20–30 minutes per piece).

Q: When should I start interview prep?

A: If your exam has an interview stage (e.g., SBI PO), start after clearing mains. Prepare basic banking knowledge, why banking, strengths/weaknesses, and current affairs.

Full-length Mock Example (Suggested structure)

Attempt this as a time-bound test to simulate exam pressure.

Prelim mock: 60 minutes — English (30 Q), Quant (35 Q), Reasoning (35 Q)
Mains mock: 3 hours — Reasoning (40 Q), Quant (40 Q), English (35 Q), GA (40 Q), Computer (20 Q), Descriptive (Essay/Letter)

After mock: Analyze mistakes — divide errors into concepts, calculation, interpretation, and careless mistakes. Fix one category per week.

Conclusion — Your 3-point Action Plan (Start Today)

Make a 60-day plan based on your current level — fundamentals first.
Daily Mocks & Error Log — practise regularly and track mistakes.
Consistent GA Routine — 20 minutes daily for banking awareness and recent policy updates.

Stay consistent. Preparation for banking exams is a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on small improvements every day — 1% better daily leads to massive gains in 60–90 days.

Written by Samir

Banking Exams 2025: Complete Syllabus, Preparation Strategy, FAQs & Free Notes Guide