How to get Perfect Score in Entry Test for Bank Jobs

Almost all the banks in Pakistan conduct a written test for induction at entry-level jobs or flagship programs such as Management Trainee Officers (MTO) etc. These tests are more or less similar and majorly consists of three sections. Firstly, English or Analytical portion, secondly, Mathematics or Quantitative part and lastly Current Affairs, General Knowledge including Banking and Finance. The tests are primarily based on Multiple Choice Questions commonly known as MCQs format. However, some banks also ask the candidate to write a brief essay or article on a given topic. The topics are generally related to banking, finance, economy, or a prevalent national / international issue.

These tests are not easy and to get perfect score in test require sufficient pre-test preparation as well as attempting the test according to a plan on the given day. The primary trick to achieve good scores in such tests is the right preparation, rigorous practice, and clear comprehension of the test format. However, by following certain tips and tricks, you can prepare well and also bag perfect test score. We will also share tips for the right preparation and recommended books in later write-ups. So check out our blog regularly.

However, here are some of the tips and tricks that will assist you to attempt the test on the test day. This blog will let you know about things that you should keep in mind, what strategy to be followed on the big day and what techniques should be used to properly manage the test. These tips and tricks are based on personal experience thus tried and tested.

1. Get fresh for test day

Getting fresh on the test day without any negative thing on mind is the foremost important thing. Remember good take-off is important for a good landing. This is why the start should be all right.

Like any other exam, you must avoid studying too late on the night before the test. You should also avoid sitting in front of a laptop. Also leave the mobile phone aside and focus on having a good sleep.

Getting a good sleep improves the ability to recall and to concentrate. Therefore, experts suggest that you should get around 8 hours of sleep but not less than 6 hours.

Similarly, you should also wake up early at least 2 hours before the test. For this purpose, the candidate must sleep early. You might have heard the phrase early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy and wise.

Subsequently, take a shower to get fresher. Have a healthy breakfast and drink tea or coffee an hour or two before taking the test. Take a bottle of water and keep hydrated yourself through the test.

2. Prioritize Test Sections

This enables you to complete the test within time while attempting most of the questions. Thus accomplishing the ultimate target of achieving a perfect score.

The strategy for choosing the order of the sections should be based on two things. Firstly, how much the question of a particular section takes time and second how comfortable or confident you are with a particular section.

I attempt GK, Current Affairs, Banking, or Economy related section in the first place. I call them binary questions. Either you know the answer or you do not know the answer. For the question that you know the answer you can comfortably solve 10 questions in one minute. Here I would like to remind you that while you try to attempt these questions in a quick span, it is important that you should choose the right answer. Do not hasten as you might tick or fill the wrong answer. Also you should give due time to the question according to its complexity.

The section I attempt in the second place is English or analytical section as the questions can be answered based on the grammatically knowledge and language familiarity. 

At the end I attempt math or quantitative section. The main reason is because its time consuming and requires rough work. Sometimes even you have to use a calculator or any other gadget.

Some of the tests require a certain percentage in each section to pass the test. Therefore, prepare your strategy in such a way that you could be able to attempt most questions of each section.

3. Skip and Go

You have to remember that time is very key when attempting aptitude tests and instead of spending a lot of time on one question, you should focus on attempting other questions.

Avoid spending too much time attempting a question or getting stuck on a single question. In case you get stuck and fail to come up with an answer, you should go to the next question.

Remember you can always return to the question at the end. Therefore, don’t get stuck on one question, even if you think you nearly have it.

You should follow a three-step strategy while solving the questions. First step, attempt those questions which you know that correct answer and you are 100% sure about it. Secondly, attempt those which you do not know but you can get to answer by spending some time. Finally, in the third step, attempt those on which you have doubt or unable to get an answer. Required time can be allocated to such questions from the residual time.

4. Attempt all Questions

Always consider the fact that your test score does not depend upon the total number of questions but the total number of questions you answer / attempt. Your overall test score is directly proportional to the percentage of completed questions.

Moreover, keep in mind that each question carries equal marks. A question consuming 5 minutes has equal marks as compared to a question that can be solved in just 10 seconds. Therefore, do not let 10 questions unanswered just to attempt one or two questions correctly. Use skip and go technique and move on to the next question.

So the trick to get a perfect score in the test is to attempt all questions.

Largely, the tests conducted by banks do not mark negatively for incorrect answers. This is exactly why the cited technique is beneficial to get a high score in such kind of test. You can freely attempt all the questions sans fear of negative marking. On the off chance if there is negative marking, you should be particular about the questions you are attempting.

5. Apply elimination method

The elimination method is another good technique to reach to minimum possible options, and hence achieve perfect score in the test. This method involves guessing the answers wisely and knowledgeably while eliminating incorrect options or that are out of pattern.

Primarily, you should have enough preparation, so that you would be able to answer most of the questions. However, it is not practically possible to cover every aspect. Elimination method helps to cover this gap by letting you guess possible answers with your knowledge.

Let’s assume you do not know any answer or you are unable to come onto to a conclusive answer choice. It would not be a prudent decision to let the question un-attempted. Remember you have to attempt each question, as stated earlier. In such circumstances, this method can be put into good use.

Well that being said, you must be careful about the negative marking rule in the test.

The elimination method can be divided into two parts. The first part is to understand the question completely. Then you will be able to eliminate the available options that could be wrong. While in the second part, eliminate the answer choices that not make sense. Generally, the following tips should be kept in mind while eliminating possible answers:

• Most of the time, unfamiliar answers may be false hence can be eliminated.
• Analyze opposite answer choices because one of the either can be the right.
• Evaluate similar answer choices as both cannot be the answer.
• Answers with are grammatically incorrect or answers that do not make sense can be eliminated using this method.

Bear in mind that basic knowledge and understanding of the subject is still needed for productive usage of this method.

Employing only one tip alone may not be that effective. Better results or perfect score can be produced by utilizing all the tips and tricks simultaneously.

Complimentary Tip

When you are done with the test you should spend some moment alone. Do not discuss the test with your friends or colleagues or ask them about their answers.

You should avoid comparing the answers and regret on the wrong choices. Remember they might be wrong and you could be right so the comparison is not beneficial for you.

You will only stress out yourself.

If you do not have time to read the whole blog, you can just watch this video.

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