Introduction
I have been preparing for government exams for the last three years. During this journey, I learned what works, what doesn’t, and where most aspirants make mistakes. This blog is an attempt to share my real experiences so that others can prepare in a smarter and more practical way.
Why I Chose Banking Exams
- Job security
- Respect in society
- Stable career
- Personal motivation
My Banking Exam Preparation Journey
First Year – A Random Beginning
I started my banking exam preparation without any clear plan or direction. At that time, my main focus was on completing the syllabus and solving questions from different books and online sources. I believed that studying more topics would automatically lead to success. I was not aware of the importance of mock tests and exam-level practice. Because of this, my preparation lacked structure, and I could not properly judge my real exam readiness.
Looking back now, I feel that this phase was important because it made me realise how not to prepare for competitive exams.
Second Year – Consistency Without Direction
In my second year, I became more serious about my preparation and started giving mock tests consistently. However, I made a major mistake during this phase—I did not analyze my mock tests properly. I focused only on my score and rank instead of understanding my mistakes, weak areas, and time management issues. Due to this, I missed the cut-off by a very small margin in several exams. This phase was frustrating, but it also helped me realise that effort without proper analysis does not give results.
Third Year – Learning from Mistakes
At the beginning of my third year, I decided to change my approach completely. I started analyzing every mock test in detail and noted down my mistakes. I focused more on accuracy rather than attempting more questions. Gradually, my performance improved, and I began clearing both sectional and overall cut-offs. I also started giving balanced time to all subjects, which made my preparation more stable and effective.
What This Journey Taught Me
- Completing the syllabus is not enough for banking exams.
- Mock tests are useful only when they are analyzed properly.
- Accuracy is more important than attempting too many questions.
- Balanced preparation of all subjects is necessary.
- Small improvements over time make a big difference.
Common Mistakes Most Banking Aspirants Make
- Studying from too many sources at the same time.
- Ignoring mock test analysis.
- Running behind speed instead of accuracy.
- Skipping regular revision.
- Getting demotivated after missing cut-offs by small margins.
Final Thoughts
Banking exam preparation is a long and challenging journey, and results do not always come quickly. There are times when effort does not reflect in scores, but that phase is part of the process. Learning from mistakes, staying consistent, and improving step by step are what truly matter. Through this blog, I hope my experience helps aspirants avoid common mistakes and stay focused on their preparation with a clearer mindset.
