7 Simple Steps to Simultaneously Prepare for SBI PO and SSC CGL 2018 Exams
Before we go any further, you must decide if you are capable of preparing for both the exams. For that, you must know a few things. Keep in mind that this article is not going to spoon feed you some magic mantra to clear both exams. It will take serious dedication on your part if you want to make sure you are well-equipped to simultaneously prepare for SBI PO and SSC CGL exams and clear them both in the first shot. That being said, these are simple steps to follow.
1. Pattern & Syllabus of SBI PO and SSC CGL exam and weightage of each topic.
This step is very important before you start the preparation of any exam. It gives you a basic idea about the exam and puts you on the right track for your preparation.
Pattern & Detailed Syllabus of SBI PO 2018 Prelims Exam Pattern & Detailed Syllabus of SSC CGL 2018 Tier I Exam
2. Your current preparation level.
Once you know the pattern and syllabus, you need to know where you stand in terms of preparation. This is a very crucial step because it will help you do the reality check. Appear for 1-2 mock tests for both the exams and see if you are comfortable with the type of questions.
Appear for SBI PO Mock Tests Appear for SSC CGL Mock Tests
This exercise will help you assess the following:
(a) The difference between your current preparation level and the level that is required to pass the exam.
(b) If you need to work on certain topics from scratch.
(c) If you are taking too much time in solving questions.
3. Make a list of topics in following categories:
For SBI PO:
(A) Topics that you are comfortable with and can solve quickly
You do not need to work on these topics separately. Whatever you must be lagging in can be covered by appearing for mock tests alone.
(B) Topics that you are comfortable with but taking time in solving
These topics can be improved very quickly and your score will improve in no time after little bit if practice.
(C) Topics that you have solved earlier but forgot the method
You need to give enough time to these topics. Revise one topic and then appear for questions to see your improvement. Repeat this for all such topics.
(D) Topics that you are not at all comfortable with
Keep these topics for the last as these will take a lot of time.
For SSC CGL:
Now, do the same exercise as above for SSC CGL. This process may look time-taking, but in your overall preparation, it will save you time. You can save additional time by using the detailed analysis feature after each mock test on Testbook. This will tell you what level your preparation is at.
4. Previous years’ cut-offs for SBI PO & SSC CGL exams.
In these exams, cut-off is more important than the actual score. This is because cut offs are the first hurdle that you need to cross to reach your goal. You need to reach to the bare minimum score before you can even start dreaming of maximizing your score. Hence, once you have appeared for a few mock tests, go through the cut-offs of these exams and figure out the difference that you need to cover.
Check Previous Year's SBI PO Prelims Cut Off Marks Check Previous Years' SBI PO Mains Cut Off Marks Check Previous Years' SSC CGL Cut Offs
5. Differences & Similarities between the syllabus and difficulty levels of both exams.
This is the most crucial step. This analysis will help you make an informed decision. This is because this is the part of the plan where you plot to get the maximum output in the minimum time.
(A) Quantitative Aptitude (Mathematics)
In SBI PO, the questions are mainly asked from Data Interpretation, Averages, Time Speed & Distance, Mensuration, Interest, Percentage, Algebra, Time & Work, Approximation, etc. The focus of the Quant section of SBI PO Mains however, will be on Data Analysis & Data Interpretation.
On the other hand, SSC CGL is likely to carry a wider variety of topics apart from the ones asked in SBI PO exam. Some of these are Geometry and Trigonometry.
Your approach:
Your approach should be simple. First, prepare all the topics covered under SBI PO Quant syllabus. Keep appearing for SBI PO mocks and checking if you are able to get more marks than previous years’ cut offs. Before the SBI PO Mains exam, go for higher level Data Interpretation, Data Analysis and Data Sufficiency questions.
The good thing is that the extra chapters in CGL aside, the level of SBI PO Prelims exam will be higher than the SSC CGL Tier I exam. So if you clear the SBI PO Prelims cut offs, you will be prepared for those chapters in SSC CGL as well. Shift your focus to those extra chapters in SSC CGL exam, only once you are done with your SBI PO preparation. Don’t stop taking SSC CGL mock tests through this process.
(B) English Language
In SBI PO exam, the questions are mainly asked from Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Cloze Test, Fill in the Blanks, Error Spotting, Phrase Replacement & Sentence Correction, Word Association Pair etc. These questions aim to test your comprehension and usage skills.
On the other hand in SSC CGL exam, more emphasis is given on Grammar & Vocabulary. In Tier I exam, you will have Phrase or Idiom Meaning, Spellings and One Word Substitution to deal with in addition to the SBI PO topics. In Tier II exam, you will find several questions on Direct & Indirect Speech as well as Active & Passive Voice.
Your approach:
Since the level of English in SSC is very basic and SBI PO also asks 5-10 grammar questions, start with SSC level grammar. Once you start getting average marks, move on to other SBI PO type questions. Learn vocabulary daily. Also, practice Reading Comprehensions, Para Jumbles and Cloze Tests regularly.
Once you are done with the SBI PO Prelims exam, you can start studying for the higher grammar questions asked in SSC CGL Tier II exam.
(C) Reasoning Aptitude (Logical Reasoning)
The type of questions and difficulty level is very different in both exams. In SSC CGL exam, the level of reasoning is very easy. On the other hand, most students call Reasoning the toughest part of the SBI PO exam.
In SBI PO, the questions are based largely on Seating Arrangements, Syllogisms, Puzzles, Input-Output, Coding & Decoding, Ordering & Ranking, Inequalities, Directions & Distances, Blood Relations, Verbal Reasoning etc. Many of these chapters appear in SSC CGL exam as well, but at a lower level.
Your approach:
Since you anyway need to study Reasoning for SBI PO, make sure you do so thoroughly. You will not need to touch these chapters again for SSC CGL. Just make sure to take plenty of SBI PO mock tests. Also make sure to get plenty of Reasoning questions on the Testbook Practice & Test app and elsewhere.
Once you are done with the Reasoning chapters asked in SBI PO, you can take a look at the extra Reasoning chapters asked in SSC CGL Tier I exam. Remember that there are NO reasoning questions asked in SSC CGL Tier II exam. So concentrate the bulk of your effort on preparing Reasoning NOW!
(D) General Awareness (and Financial Awareness)
There is no General Awareness section in SBI PO Prelims. On the other hand, the General Awareness section in SBI PO Mains focusses on Financial Awareness. General Awareness section counts for 50 marks in the Tier I exam. In the Tier II although, it counts for 200 marks.
Needless to say, General Awareness will play the key role in your preparation. How you prepare for this section will set you apart from those who prepare GA last minute with no real strategy.
The GA section of both SSC CGL exams largely covers Static GK topics along with a few questions on Current Affairs. Static GK includes topics like History, Geography, Polity, General Science & Technology, Environment, Sports etc. and also questions from the current affairs. The syllabus for this portion is, very obviously, very huge.
Your approach for Current Affairs & Financial Awareness:
You need to make sure to approach this section smartly. Make sure to read Daily Current Affairs capsules. Also, you need to take Daily Current Affairs Quizzes. This is an activity that you should turn into a daily habit. Spend about 15-20 minutes a day on Current Affairs. This is best achieved using the Current Affairs app.
Augment your knowledge of Current Affairs with Financial Awareness Capsules and Financial Awareness Quizzes. You can hold off on studying Financial Awareness till after the SBI PO Prelims if you find yourself short of time. But for best results, it’s best that you don’t put it off for too long.
For both Current Affairs and Financial Awareness, you need to be up to date with at least 3-4 months’ worth of news. If you have the time, go back to 5-6 months. Don’t forget about the “sweet spot”! That is, significant news from 2-2.5 months before the exam date.
Your approach for Static GK:
Now comes the tricky part! How and how much to study Static GK. You already know that Static GK can appear in both exams but largely appears in SSC CGL exam. You need to cover a lot of topics and more importantly, remember everything you have read. It won’t be possible for you to study all of Static GK only after SBI PO exam is complete. So you need to begin preparation immediately.
The best approach for Static GK is to read Static GK articles & capsules and save them as PDFs for revision. Take Static GK quizzes once you are done with the capsules. This will help you test your retention. Also make sure to practice questions on Testbook’s practice app to cover miscellaneous topics. This also has the added advantage that you are trying a mix of questions. Some GK question banks will also help you do the trick.
(E) Computer Knowledge
Just one more subject to cover. The portion for this section is small and if you have used a computer, you will be able to prepare this portion very quickly. This section will carry a significant weightage in the SBI PO Mains exam. On the other hand, you will find, at most, 2 questions in SSC CGL exam. It is a scoring subject that can be solved quickly in the paper, so don’t ignore it.
Your strategy:
Unlike Current Affairs & GK, where the portion is huge, this has a fixed syllabus. The concepts can be grasped easily if you show even a little interest. Use the app for practice. And keep checking for Computer Knowledge Capsules in PDF.
6. Your career goals.
The nature of job, powers, perks and career prospects are very different for both these posts. You need to decide what you want from life and in which direction you want your career to move.
All about SBI PO:
Top 10 Reasons to Join SBISBI PO Job ProfileCareer Growth & Promotions for SBI POSBI PO Salary, Allowances & Perks
All about SSC CGL:
Analysis & Questions Asked in SSC CGL Tier I 2016SSC CGL Posts, Job Profiles & Preference Order18 Important Questions Answered about SSC CGL
7. Time left in the preparation.Keep in mind the time left for both SBI PO and SSC CGL exams. Your decision will also depend upon the time factor as you should not make plans that are unachievable. Time plays an important role. Because at the end of the day, if you run out of time, even the best laid plans will come to waste.
In Conclusion,
The information given above should serve as a starting point for how to simultaneously prepare for SBI PO and SSC CGL 2018 exams. Start with the common topics. Thereafter, move to topics which will give you maximum return in terms of the marks obtained. Don’t forget to reassess your strategy every week. Use Testbook’s Practice App, Current Affairs App, and Free Study Material & Tips for optimal learning.
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