How to Prepare for Bank Exams GK
General Knowledge (GK) is one of the primary scoring areas in top banking examinations such as IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI PO, SBI Clerk, RBI Assistant, etc. Unlike Quantitative Aptitude or Reasoning Ability, GK is free of any calculation or logical puzzle. It is a measure of how updated a person is with the world around them. Aspirants can receive proper and systematic guidance by enrolling in reputed coaching institutes. In this blog, we will explore the most innovative and effective ways to prepare for GK for bank exams, covering static GK, financial awareness, banking awareness, and current affairs.
Why GK Matters in Banking Exams?
Not only does the GK part of the test raise your total score, but it also helps you save valuable time in the examination period. Doing well in this area sets you apart from the rest of the thousands of candidates because:
- There is no need for a formula or calculation in GK questions.
- You have the opportunity to attempt a larger number of questions in a shorter time-frame.
- GK significantly contributes to the overall cutoff score.
- Banking exams usually give the most attention to current affairs and economic awareness.
Banking is a sector that is constantly evolving, and exams expect students to be aware of the latest developments in the financial world. Hence, the GK section is more than a mere instrument of scoring; it mirrors how much you know about the Indian economy.
Key Areas to Focus on for Bank GK
Best competition coaching in Sikar ensures you get the hang of every GK topic that are of primary importance. Also, they impart preparation tips regarding these topics:
- Current AffairsCovers events from the past 4–6 months, including:
- Government schemes
- Appointments & resignations
- National & international news
- Summits & conferences
- Sports
- Books & authors
- Awards
- Static GKComes from the realm of facts that remain unchanged:
- Capitals and governors of the states
- The most important national parks
- Countries and their currencies
- The famous temples, dams, and rivers
- Major disorganizationheadquarters
- Banking & Financial AwarenessIt is the most crucial portion of bank exams, which comprises:
- RBI functions
- Monetary policy
- Bank account types
- Payment systems (NEFT, RTGS, UPI)
- Budget and economic survey
- Banking institutions like NABARD, SIDBI, and EXIM Bank
Having a solid background in these areas will enable you to excel in the GK section.
How to Prepare for Bank Exams GK: Best Strategies
Below are tried-and-tested methods followed by successful banking aspirants, including toppers and experts, shared by bank coaching classes in Sikar.
1. Read a Newspaper Every Day
Aspirants should dedicate at least 45–60 minutes daily to reading reliable newspapers such as:
- The Hindu
- Indian Express
- Economic Times
Give your main attention to topics such as:
- Economy
- Business
- Budget news
- Government schemes
- Banking sector updates
The habit of reading newspapers makes you familiar with concepts, rather than just rote learning of facts.
2. Make Daily GK Notes
Making notes facilitates long-term memory and serves as a valuable time-saver during revision. Prepare brief notes on:
- Important dates
- Committees
- Indexes & reports
- Banking terms
- New appointments
3. Follow Monthly Current Affairs Magazines
The monthly compilations make studying general knowledge much more manageable. Some of the best sources to refer to are:
- Monthly banking capsules
- PIB summaries
- RBI bulletins
- Competitive exam magazines
Such compilations allow covering the whole month's news in just 2-3 hours.
4. Focus More on the Last 4–6 Months of Current Affairs
The bank exam questions mainly come from the last six months of current affairs, as per previous years' analysis. So, focus on:
- Government subsidies & schemes
- Banking appointments
- Budget & economic survey highlights
- RBI notifications
- Financial indexes
- Banking committees
Such a focused strategy guarantees the highest possible level of accuracy.
5. Divide GK Into Sub-Topics and Study Systematically
Instead of going through study materials randomly, divide your GK syllabus into:
- Banking Awareness
- Static GK
- Current Affairs
- Economy
- Financial Systems
If you switch from one topic to another in an orderly way, not only will you be able to keep track of your progress, but you will also be productive at the same time.
6. Revise Weekly & Monthly
Revision is the main factor behind scoring well in GK. One can set a weekly target as follows:
- 1 weekly revision
- 1 full-length mock test
- 1 Sunday revision of the month-end CA notes
Students who diligently follow this method achieve better results in the final examination.
7. Solve Previous Year Papers
Solving previous year's question papers helps you understand the format and analyse which topics are of prime importance.
Conclusion
Although GK can be prepared at home, many students consider consulting expert mentors. Institutions like Banco Career Academy Sikar offer structured GK classes, weekly CA sessions, and regular mock tests that build exam discipline. Their supervision ensures that students maintain their preparation, avoid common errors, and have a clear understanding of what the exam requires. With the proper combination of self-study and professional assistance, aspirants will be able to confidently achieve high scores in the GK section of bank exams.
FAQs
- How many months of current affairs should I prepare for bank exams?
Most banking exams are only concerned with the last 4-6 months of current affairs. Preparing current affairs for 6-8 months is an added advantage for mains-level exams.
- What is the best way to prepare for GK for bank exams?
The best way is to subscribe to a daily newspaper, follow monthly CA PDFs, do weekly revisions, and take daily quizzes. Also, an app like Banco Xam Prep App is an excellent help for practice and revision.
- How important is banking awareness in bank exams?
Banking awareness is critical, as a significant part of the questions will be related to the financial environment, which candidates are expected to understand.
- Should I study static GK for bank exams?
Yes, but put more emphasis on current affairs. Static GK accounts for fewer questions, but it remains a significant factor, especially for topics such as countries, currencies, national parks, and important days.
- Can coaching classes help in GK preparation?
Yes. Best competition coaching in Sikar schedules GK sessions that are planned, provides updated material, and regular mock tests that help improve accuracy and confidence.
