To work as a manager in the banking industry, the first stepping stone is becoming a Probationary Officer (PO). A PO starts as a trainee officer in the Junior Management Grade Scale (JMGS) of the bank and can rise to the highest levels, becoming a General Manager, an Executive Director or even the Chairman of the Bank.
Various nationalized and Private banks conduct their own PO exams to recruit candidates. While different banks may have their own eligibility and selection criteria, the broad prescribed format is as listed below.
CWE (PO/MT)
The Common Written Examination, conducted by the IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel selection), is one of the most important exams for those who seek a career in banks in India. The CWE is the first step in the recruitment process for Management Trainees, Bank Probationary Officers, Specialist officers and Clerks for 19 Public Sector banks and Regional Rural banks. The participating banks (in the CWE) include premier banks like Bank of Baroda, Corporation Bank, Union Bank of India, etc.Eligibility
Any graduate within the age group of 21 to 30 years is eligible for the CWE. For candidates from reserved categories, relaxation in the upper age limit is available.
Written Test Pattern
This 2-hour test consists of 200 questions (1 mark per question, 1/4th negative marking for wrong answers) – 50 from Reasoning, 50 from Quantitative Aptitude, 40 from English Language, 40 from General Awareness and 20 from Computer Knowledge.
Selection Process
All candidates who aspire for bank PO posts need to appear for the CWE (PO/MT) and secure the minimum qualifying marks (or higher) in order to get their scorecards. After getting their scorecards, candidates must apply to the various banks that they are interested in. Each bank may then conduct further selection processes, such as Group Discussion, Interviews, etc., separately.
SBI PO
SBI’s selection process for probationary officers consists of written tests (first phase) and Group Discussions & Interviews (second phase).
Eligibility
Any graduate within the age group of 21 to 30 years is eligible for this exam. Candidates in the final year of graduation are also permitted to appear for this exam. For candidates from reserved categories, relaxation in the upper age limit is available.
Written Test Pattern
This test includes Objective Tests of 2-hour duration and a Descriptive Test of 1-hour duration. The 2-hour objective test consists of 200 questions (1 mark per question, 1/4th negative marking for wrong answers) – 50 each from Reasoning, Data Analysis & Interpretation, English Language and General Awareness, Marketing & Computers. The descriptive test comprises précis, letter writing, essay, etc.
Selection Process
The Descriptive Test paper of only those candidates will be evaluated who have scored qualifying marks in the objective tests and are placed adequately high as per total marks in the objective test. The final merit list for each category is arrived at after aggregating the marks of Written Test, Group Discussion and Interview.
CWE (Clerical)
The IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel selection) also conducts the Common Written Examination for recruitment of Clerks for 19 Public Sector banks and Regional Rural banks.
Eligibility
Any graduate within the age group of 20 to 28 years is eligible for the CWE. For candidates from reserved categories, relaxation in the upper age limit is available.
Written Test Pattern
This 2-hour test consists of 200 questions (1 mark per question, 1/4th negative marking for wrong answers) – 40 each from Reasoning, English Language, Numerical Ability, General Awareness and Computer Knowledge.
Selection Process
All candidates who aspire for clerical posts need to appear for the CWE (Clerical) and secure the minimum qualifying marks (or higher) in order to get their scorecards. After getting their scorecards, candidates must apply to the various banks that they are interested in. Each bank may then conduct further selection processes, such as Group Discussion, Interviews, etc., separately.
SBI Clerical Exam
SBI’s selection process for clerical positions consists of written tests (first phase) and Group Discussions/Interviews (second phase).
Eligibility
Candidates who wish to appear for SBI’s clerical exam must be within the age group of 18 to 28 years. For candidates from reserved categories, relaxation in the upper age limit is available. Further, candidates must have passed 12th Boards with at least 60% marks or must be graduates.
Written Test Pattern
The objective test is of 135-minute duration (2 hours and 15 minutes) and consists of 200 questions (1 mark per question, 1/4th negative marking for wrong answers) – 40 each from General Awareness, General English, Quantitative Ability, Reasoning and Marketing Aptitude & Computer Knowledge.
Selection Process
The final merit list for each category is arrived at after aggregating the marks of Written Test, Group Discussion and Interview.