IBPS RRB 2023 Preparation – Last Minute Study Plans for Prelims & Mains

Although the IBPS RRB Prelims examinations were held on 7th August 2022 for the post of Office Assistant (Multipurpose) and Officer Grade I, II and III. To make the IBPS RRB preparation for next year’s exam, organised and productive, candidates must be focused and well aware of what they need to study and the right order of using the study materials. Since the IBPS RRB exam comprises 3 stages – Preliminary/Singles, Mains and Personal Interview, the level of competition is quite high, when compared to other banking exams. 

To attain success in all of these 3 stages, one requires preplanning, smart strategy and perseverance. 

Every year, lakhs of candidates apply for the IBPS RRB recruitment examination. While most of the time candidates succeed in clearing the Prelims exam, they fail to reach the interview stage. So, keeping this cut-throat competition and various other situations in mind, Team Buddy4Study has created IBPS RRB  preparation strategy for candidates with effective last-minute tips to forgo exam jitters and ace both the IBPS RRB prelims and Mains exam. 

IBPS RRB Exam Pattern

Before moving on to the last-minute IBPS RRB preparation tips and strategies, you need to have a clear idea about the exam pattern. With the help of the exam pattern, one can create an effective study and revision table and achieve a good score.

IBPS RRB Exam Pattern for Prelims Exam

Officer Scale-I (Prelims)

Section	No. of Questions	Total Marks	Duration
Reasoning	40	40	45 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	40	40
Total	80	80

Note – Candidates applying for Officer Scale-II and III will have to appear for a single online examination. Successful candidates will be shortlisted to appear for Common Interview for final recruitment in various rural regional banks.

Office Assistant (Multipurpose) Prelims

Section	No. of Questions	Total Marks	Duration
Reasoning	40	40	45 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	40	40
Total	80	80

IBPS RRB Exam Pattern for Mains Exam

Officer Scale-I and Office Assistant (Mains)

Name	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Duration
Reasoning	40	50	2 hours or 120 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	40	50
General Awareness	40	40
English/ Hindi Language	40	40
Computer Knowledge	40	20
Total	200	200

IBPS RRB Exam Pattern for Single Exam

Generalist Cadre for Officer Scale-II and III (Single)

Name	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Duration
Reasoning	40	50	2 hours or 120 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	40	50
Financial Awareness	40	40
English Language	40	40
Computer Knowledge	40	20
Total	200	200

Generalist Cadre for Officer Scale-II (Specialist) Single

Name	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Duration
Reasoning	40	40	2.30 hours or 150 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	40	40
Financial Awareness	40	40
English Language	40	20
Professional Knowledge	40	40
Computer Knowledge	40	20
Total	240	200

IBPS RRB Key Highlights

Name of Examination	Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) Officers (Scale-I, II & III) and Office Assistant (Multipurpose) in Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) – CRP RRBs XI 2022-23)
Exam Conducting body	Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
IBPS RRB Recruitment Official Website	http://www.ibps.in/
IBPS RRB Total Vacancies	8106
IBPS RRB Exam Date – Prelims	07th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st August 2022
IBPS RRB Exam Date – Singles	Officers Scale II & III – 24th September 2022
IBPS RRB Exam Date – Mains	Officer Scale I – 24th September 2022 Office Assistant – 01st October 2022
Mode of Exam	Online (computer-based test)
Credentials required to download IBPS RRB Admit Card	Registration Number Date of Birth or Password
Compulsory documents to carry on exam day	Admit Card Valid Photo ID Proof Photocopy of Photo ID Proof
Duration of IBPS RRB Exam – Prelims	45 minutes
Duration of IBPS RRB Exam – Mains	2 hours (120 minutes) 2.30 hours or 150 minutes for Generalist Cadre for Officer Scale-II (Specialist)
Duration of IBPS RRB Exam – Single level	2 hours (120 minutes)

IBPS RRB Preparation 2023 – Strategies and Tips

#1 – Start Revising with a Plan

The first IBPS RRB preparation tip before the exam is to retain your composure and move ahead with a plan. As most of the promising candidates would begin with the preparation plan. To begin with the same, candidates require to create and follow an effective IBPS RRB preparation does require a plan. 

You need to create the plan after analysing your strengths and weaknesses and separating the topics based on it. While creating a timetable, you should also keep slots open for revision and mock tests. Following this step will act as a helping hand in your IBPS RRB preparation.

Take help from the IBPS RRB syllabus 2022 and allocate time and energy to each one of the topics based on their difficulty level. Even better, you can take the help of a priority matrix to create an effective timetable and study accordingly.

IBPS RRB Preparation Pattern – Priority Matrix

Matrix 1 Easy and Important Topics	Matrix 2 Fairly Easy Topics but can be Studied Later
Matrix 3 Important Topics but Quite Difficult	Matrix 4 Difficult Topics

The main idea behind creating this priority matrix is to understand and segregate easier topics from difficult ones. Besides this, you can take help of the previous year’s cut off to set a minimum target for the IBPS RRB exam, both overall and section-wise. 

#2 – Section-wise IBPS RRB Preparation – 7 Days Plan for Prelims Exam

The foremost thing for last-minute IBPS RRB preparation is the effective use of time to complete the revision without straining one’s body and brain. As you are already aware, in the Prelims examination, you will be asked questions from Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude sections. Hence, you need to follow a strategic plan to complete your revision within 80 hours in 7 days. 

Here we have created a sample strategy that you can make use to the fullest.

A. IBPS RRB Preparation – Quantitative Section (Prelims)

The quantitative section in the IBPS RRB exam assesses the speed and accuracy of the candidates.

Quantitative Aptitude Revision Strategy

Topics	Expected Questions	Hours to Dedicate for Revision
Simplification	5-10	6
Ratio & Proportion, Percentage	3	4
Profit & Loss	2	4
Mixtures & Allegations	1-2	3
Simple Interest & Compound Interest	1-2	3
Work & Time	2	4
Time & Distance	2	4
Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere	1-2	4
Permutation, Combination & Probability	1-2	6
Data Interpretation	15	5

Quantitative Aptitude – Tips to Follow

1. The quantitative aptitude section is designed to test the general aptitude and numerical reasoning of the candidates. It is best if you start brushing up the basics of 9th and 10th grade Mathematics (8th to 10th Standard Mathematics books from NCERT). 
2. There may not be specific books for IBPS RRB preparation but you can prepare from quantitative aptitude practice books. You can also take the help of the practice books that are used for the preparation of other banking exams. Plenty of such practice books are available both offline and online.
3. Practice the tests from different difficulty levels – start from easy and move to difficult.
4. Practice the problems associated with simplification/approximation, number series, data interpretation to boost your scores
5. Improve your calculation speed by memorizing tables, practising mental calculations

B. IBPS RRB Preparation – Reasoning (Prelims)

This section is one of the trickiest sections of the exam. It comprises 40 marks in Prelims. Hence, candidates are advised to practice as many questions as possible.

Reasoning Section Revision Strategy

Topics	Expected questions	Hours to Dedicate for Revision
Seating Arrangements & Puzzles	15-20	5
Inequalities	5	4
Syllogism	5	3
Input-Output	5	4
Data Sufficiency	5	2
Blood Relations	3-5	3
Order and Ranking	3-5	3
Alphanumeric Series	5	3
Distance and Direction	3-5	3

Reasoning – Preparation Tips to Follow

1. Learn various shortcuts and tricks to solve maximum questions in this section. You will need this knowledge to solve logical and abstract reasoning questions.
2. Categorize reasoning topics as simple, medium and complex based on your convenience
3. Practice topic-wise tests
4. Solve puzzles online to sharpen your logical thinking

Sample Time Table for Prelims Exam (80 Hours)

Days	Revision Time	Written Practice	Mock Test (Simply seeing the test)
Thursday	11 Hours	30 minutes	30 minutes
Friday	10 Hours	30 minutes	30 minutes
Saturday	11 Hours	30 minutes	30 minutes
Sunday	10 Hours	30 minutes	30 minutes
Monday	11 Hours	30 minutes	30 minutes
Tuesday	10 Hours	30 minutes	30 minutes
Wednesday	10 Hours	30 minutes	30 minutes

#3 IBPS RRB Preparation –  Ideal Time Allocation for Mains

The foremost thing to diligently follow during IBPS RRB preparation is allocating time to each section. You need to practice solving IBPS RRB questions at home the same way you would be answering in the actual exam. 

You have already seen the time allocated for IBPS RRB preparation for Prelims examination above. Here, we have provided a rough idea on how to prepare for the Mains exam daily. However, you should not forget to include the time for revision in your IBPS RRB preparation time table.

Ideal Time Allocation for IBPS RRB Preparation Mains (Daily Basis)

Section	Allotted Time
Numerical Ability	40 minutes
Reasoning Ability	30 to 40 minutes
English or Hindi Language	20 to 25 minutes
General Awareness	20 minutes
Computer Knowledge	20 minutes

For the Mains exam preparation, you can segregate the topics for revision as per your ease. However, you should allocate at least 15 to 20 minutes for revision.  

Compared to the Quantitative Aptitude section, the English Language and Reasoning sections are easier to attempt. So, instead of tackling the difficult questions first, start with the easier ones. This tactic will assist you in completing more questions within the allocated time.

Don’t remain stuck on a complicated or difficult question. If you are stuck on a question for more than 30 seconds, leave it and move ahead to the next question. You can come back later and solve it

IBPS RRB Preparation Tips to Follow for Numerical Ability (Mains)

1. Work on your calculation skills. Focus more on problem-solving skills
2. Practice the questions from the topics of your choice
3. Learn the concepts of BODMAS, place value, rounding off, face value, tables and whole numbers
4. Practice techniques of approximation. This will help you take less time while addition, multiplication, subtraction and division
5. Revise and practice the tricks of the square, square root, cubes, cube root finding

IBPS RRB Preparation Tips to Follow for Reasoning Ability (Mains)

1. Learn shortcuts and tricks to solve maximum questions in this section. You will need this knowledge to solve logical and abstract reasoning questions.

2. Focus on the following topics:

• Seating Arrangement (Circular and Linear Seating arrangement)
• Direction
• Order and Ranking
• Blood Relation
• Syllogism
• Inequality (Direct inequality as well as coded inequality)
• Alphanumeric series/Numeric Series
• Puzzle (Floor Based, Day/Month Based)
• Coding-Decoding

IBPS RRB Preparation Tips to Follow for English Language (Mains)

1. Learn the spellings, usage and meanings of words daily. It will improve your vocabulary
2. Don’t forget to practice grammar questions like Antonyms, Synonyms, Vocabulary, Basic Grammar, and Sentence Correction
3. If you come across new and uncommon words while reading anything, write those down and look for its accurate meaning in online/offline dictionaries 
4. While reading newspapers, try to improve your reading speed

IBPS RRB Preparation Tips to Follow for Hindi Language (Mains)

1. Solve Hindi Language section from previous years’ papers

2. Learn at least 20 words per day

3. Go through Hindi grammar books and notes available online

4. Focus on these topics:

• Reading Comprehension (समझबूझ कर पढ़ना)
• Fill in the blanks (रिक्त स्थान भरें)
• Para jumble
• Odd One out

IBPS RRB Preparation Tips to Follow for General Awareness (Mains)

1. Do give special attention to static banking topics like:

• Headquarters of banks and institutions
• Banking rates and ratios
• Banking history
• Nationalization
• Functions of Reserve Bank of India
• Capital market and money market
• Cheques
• Abbreviations of Banking terms
• Type of accounts

2. Learn the current insights of banking and economy like:

• Entry of new player in the banking sector
• Chiefs of various banks 
• FDI limits
• Merger of banks

3. Learn and understand the various schemes launched by the Indian Government. Your focus should be mainly on the Insurance, Economy and Banking sector.

4. Revise the headquarters of the important national and international organizations, current chief ministers, governors, countries and capitals, and wildlife sanctuaries.

5. Focus on summits of important organizations, defence-related treaties and deals and other important events.

6. Be aware of important personalities in news, sports events, awards, new books launched, authors of the books.

IBPS RRB Preparation Tips to Follow for Computer Knowledge (Mains)

1. Revise topics from:

• Computer Software
• Computer Hardware
• History of Computers
• Internet
• MS Office (Word/ Excel/ PowerPoint)
• Computer abbreviations
• Data Base Management Systems (DBMS)

#4. Practice using Previous Years’ Question Papers, Mock Tests and Books

Solving the IBPS RRB question papers from previous years is undoubtedly one of the best strategies to prepare well for the upcoming exam. You can download and attempt all the IBPS RRB question papers to evaluate your performance in the upcoming exams.

Solved  IBPS RRB Question Papers

IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims 2019 Memory Based Paper	IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims 2018 Memory Based Paper	IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims 2017 Memory Based Paper
IBPS RRB Officer Scale I Prelims Question Paper 2019 PDF (Hindi)	IBPS RRB Officer Scale I Prelims Question Paper 2019 PDF (English)

IBPS RRB Office Assistant Mains 2018

IBPS RRB Office Assistant Mains 2018 Papers (English)

IBPS RRB Office Assistant Mains 2018 Papers (Hindi)

IBPS RRB Office Assistant Mains 2018 Answer Key

IBPS RRB Officer Scale I Mains 2017

IBPS RRB Office Assistant Mains 2017 Papers (English)

IBPS RRB Office Assistant Mains 2017 Papers (Hindi)

IBPS RRB Office Assistant Mains 2017 Answer Key

IBPS RRB Preparation – Important Books

IBPS RRB exam syllabus is vast since the questions asked in this examination are not limited to a fixed course or curriculum, especially in the case of Current Affairs/General Knowledge. Candidates need to prepare well from the topics highlighted above to score well in the upcoming IBPS RRB exam.

To get a better grip on various IBPS RRB subjects and enhance your IBPS RRB preparation, candidates can find several expert-recommended books and online study resources in the tables below.

IBPS RRB Preparation – Books on Quantitative Ability (Prelims and Mains)

Name of the Book	Author/Publication
Quantitative Aptitude of Competitive Examination	R.S Aggarwal – S.Chand Publication
Data Interpretation	Arun Sharma – TMH Publication
Magic Book on Quicker Mathematics	M Tyra – BSC Publication
Quantitative Aptitude for all Competitive Examination	Abhijit Guha – McGraw Hill education
Objective Mathematics for Competitive Examination	Tarun Goyal – Arihant Publication
Arithmetic for General Competition	Neetu Singh
Rapid Quantitative Aptitude with Shortcuts and Tricks	Disha Publications
Quantitative Aptitude Test for Bank PO	N K Singh – Upkar Publication
Quantum Cat	Sarvesh Kumar Verma
Fast Track Objective Arithmetic	Rajesh Verma
Objective Mathematics	Dhrmpat – Rai Publication

IBPS RRB Preparation – Books on Reasoning Ability (Prelims and Mains)

Name of Books	Author/Publication
A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning	R.S Aggarwal
Analytical Reasoning	M.K Pandey
Lucent’s Reasoning	Lucent
Logical Reasoning	K Kundan
How to Crack Test of Reasoning	Arihant Publication
A New Approach to Reasoning	B.S Sijwali – Arihant Publication
Reasoning Books for Competitive Examinations	Pearson
Multi-Dimensional Reasoning	Mishra and Kumar Dr. Lal
SSC Reasoning Chapterwise	S.N. Prasad – Kiran Publication

IBPS RRB Preparation – Books on General Awareness (Mains)

Name of Books	Author/Publication
Banking Awareness	Arihant publication
Dhankar Current Affairs	Dhankar Publication
Manohar Pandey Books for General Studies	Arihant Publication
Lucent General Knowledge	Lucent Publication
Basic Banking & Financial Issue	Gautam Majumdar – Upkaar’s Publication
Banking Awareness Handbook of Banking Information	N.S.Toor
Competition Infocus	Arihant Publication
Year Book 2015 – Manorama Year Book	Current Affairs Handout of Vanik
Lucent General Knowledge (for static GK)	Lucent Publication
The Pearson GK Manual	Edgar Thorpe & Showick Thorpe – Pearson Publication
General Studies	Manohar Pandey – Arihant Publication

IBPS RRB Preparation – Books on General Awareness (Mains)

Name of the Book	Author/Publisher
English Grammar and Composition	Wren and Martin
Objective English	R.S Aggarwal – S. Chand Publication
New Pattern English Language for SBI/IBPS Bank PO	Disha Experts
Word Power Made Easy	Norman Lewis
Descriptive General English	S P Bakshi and Richa Sharma – Arihant Publication
DGP English	R.S. Dhillon & S. Zareen – Dhillon Group of Publication
Objective English	Hari Mohan Prasad & U.R. Sinha – Tata McGraw Hill
General English	S. Gupta – Arihant Publication
High School English Grammar and Composition	Wren & Martin

IBPS RRB Preparation – Books on Hindi Language (Mains)

Name of the Book	Author/Publisher
IBPS RRBs Objective General Hindi	Kiran Editorial

IBPS RRB Preparation – Books on Computer Awareness (Mains)

Name of the Book	Author/Publication
Computer Awareness	Dhankar Publications for PO
Computer Awareness	Lucent Publications for Clerk
Objective Computer Knowledge	S.N. Prasad  – Kiran Publication
Objective Computer Awareness	R. Pillai – Arihant Publication
Computer Knowledge for SBI/ IBPS Clerk/ PO/ RRB/ RBI/ SSC/ Insurance Exams	Sikha Aggarwal

For IBPS RRB Mains, candidates are advised religiously to study from the books by Kotler. Read more case studies and inference-based questions.

#5 – Take a Break

Managing time and preparing for the IBPS RRB 2023 exam tends to make both the mind and body tired. If you take a look at the IBPS RRB preparation tips by candidates who cracked the exam successfully and got recruited in reputed Indian banks, taking small breaks in between the study time is a common piece of advice.  

Relaxing and taking breaks not only interrupts the monotony of studying non-stop, but it also refreshes the mind. This much-needed relief can assist you to study with more vigour and concentration.

Exercising is also a good way to de-stress your mind and body. It is a proven fact that Yoga and meditation calm the mind and increase the power of focusing and retaining information. So, take a walk, eat something healthy and fresh, and meditate before sitting for the next round of IBPS RRB preparation with more enthusiasm.

IBPS RRB Preparation – Effective Last-Minute Tips

Solving the previous year’s IBPS RRB question papers is undoubtedly a tough nut to crack. While time management tips to prepare for IBPS RRB 2023 help in planning the study routine, execution requires extra effort. Buddy4Study advises you to consider these aspects to execute your IBPS RRB preparation plan.

• Do not stray from the time allotted for one subject. The IBPS RRB preparation routine should be followed diligently. Revisions should never be missed.
• Topics should be studied from easy to difficult level.
• You should remember the theories mostly asked in the Quantitative Aptitude section.
• Devote quality time on preparing the different sections of IBPS RRB syllabus.
• Don’t get stuck to only one subject. Your self-created time table should have variations to prevent you from having a mental block.
• Instead of reading something new, it is best to revise as per the IBPS RRB syllabus.
• Instead of practising orally, the written format should be opted during IBPS RRB preparation. 
• Designate a time to solve each question and gradually practice reducing the set time.
• If stuck on a particular problem, divert your mind by studying some other topics or revising previously read topics, and then come back to solve the problem

IBPS RRB Preparation – FAQs

What books are best to study before IBPS RRB?

Candidates will find the required book list as per the subjects in the above article. However, study religiously from Kotler (Author) for IBPS RRB Preparation (Mains).

How many questions do I need to solve during IBPS RRB?

You need to solve 80 questions for Prelims and 200 questions for Mains. Each question carries 1 mark. However, there is 0.25 negative marking for incorrect or unattempted answers.

How many times can I attempt the mock tests to crack the IBPS RRB exam?

There is no fixed limit to attempt the mock tests for IBPS RRB. The more a candidate practices, the higher will be the chance to crack the IBPS RRB entrance exam. However, instead of solving the mock test every time, take some time off and see the methodologies to solve the questions carefully.

Should I prepare non-stop for IBPS RRB (at least in the last week)?

Practicing for IBPS RRB diligently with small breaks is the appropriate way to prepare for the exam. Taking breaks and exercising relieves the mind and body from exhaustion and invigorates the person to start studying again with enthusiasm. Also, don’t laze around during your IBPS RRB preparation. Read newspapers and puzzles to refresh your tired mind.