The IBPS RRB Office Assistant exam is one of the most competitive exams for candidates aspiring to secure a job in Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) across India. To help candidates prepare effectively, free mock tests for the IBPS RRB Office Assistant 2020 exam have become a valuable resource. These mock tests simulate the actual exam environment and cover a wide range of topics such as Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness, along with questions on English and Hindi language skills. By attempting these mock tests, candidates can assess their preparation level, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and work on improving their speed and accuracy. The free mock tests also provide detailed explanations for the questions, helping candidates understand the concepts better. Practicing regularly with these tests can significantly enhance a candidate’s performance on the actual exam day, boosting their confidence and increasing their chances of success. Mock tests also familiarize candidates with the exam pattern, time management strategies, and types of questions that may appear, making them a crucial part of any serious exam preparation plan.
- Overview: IBPS AFO Exam Date
- Exam Pattern
- Subjects Covered in Paper
- Benefits of IBPS AFO Exam
- FAQ’s
OVERVIEW: IBPS RRB Office Assistant Exam
Exam Pattern
The IBPS RRB Office Assistant exam is a highly sought-after opportunity for candidates looking to secure a position in Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) across India. Given the competitive nature of the exam, it is essential for candidates to prepare effectively and strategically. One of the most effective tools available to candidates is the free mock tests designed specifically for the IBPS RRB Office Assistant 2020 exam. These mock tests are invaluable resources for aspirants aiming to excel in the exam by providing them with a realistic simulation of the actual test environment.
The free mock tests cover all the key subjects that form the core of the IBPS RRB Office Assistant exam. These include Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, and language skills in English and Hindi. By practicing with these tests, candidates can familiarize themselves with the types of questions that are likely to appear on the exam, thereby reducing the element of surprise and boosting their confidence on exam day. Additionally, the mock tests are designed to help candidates improve their speed and accuracy, which are critical factors in a time-bound exam.
One of the major benefits of free mock tests is the detailed feedback provided after each test. Candidates receive comprehensive explanations for each question, allowing them to understand their mistakes and learn the correct approach. This not only helps in reinforcing important concepts but also enables candidates to fine-tune their preparation strategy based on their performance in the tests.
Regular practice with mock tests also assists candidates in mastering time management skills, which is a key to success in the IBPS RRB Office Assistant exam. The tests help aspirants identify their strengths and weaknesses, giving them a clear idea of where they need to focus their efforts. With structured practice, mock tests can enhance performance, helping candidates maximize their chances of success in the actual exam.
1. Preliminary Examination:
The Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the selection process. It is an online objective test that evaluates candidates’ reasoning and numerical ability.
- Mode: Online
- Number of Sections: 2
- Reasoning Ability: 40 questions (40 marks)
- Numerical Ability: 40 questions (40 marks)
- Total Number of Questions: 80
- Total Marks: 80
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
Candidates must clear the sectional and overall cut-off marks in order to qualify for the Mains Examination.
2. Mains Examination:
The Mains Examination is also an objective-type test, covering five sections to assess a wider range of skills required for the Office Assistant position.
- Mode: Online
- Number of Sections: 5
- Reasoning Ability: 40 questions (50 marks)
- Numerical Ability: 40 questions (50 marks)
- General Awareness: 40 questions (40 marks)
- English Language / Hindi Language: 40 questions (40 marks)
- Computer Knowledge: 40 questions (20 marks)
- Total Number of Questions: 200
- Total Marks: 200
- Duration: 2 hours
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
Key Points to Note:
No Interview Stage: Unlike some other IBPS exams, the IBPS RRB Office Assistant recruitment process does not have an interview round. Selection is based solely on the marks obtained in the Mains Examination.
Language Option: Candidates have the choice to attempt the language section either in English or Hindi, based on their preference.
Final Selection: The final merit list is prepared based on the candidate’s performance in the Mains Examination. Those who score above the prescribed cut-off are selected for the clerical positions in RRBs.
This two-tiered exam pattern ensures that candidates are evaluated not only on their basic reasoning and numerical skills but also on their knowledge of general awareness, language, and computers, which are all essential for clerical work in rural banking environments
Subject Covered in paper
he IBPS RRB Office Assistant exam covers various subjects aimed at testing the candidate’s overall abilities in reasoning, numerical aptitude, general knowledge, language skills, and computer proficiency. Below is an outline of the subjects covered in both the Preliminary and Mains exams:
1. Preliminary Examination:
The Prelims consists of two sections that evaluate the candidate’s reasoning and numerical ability:
Reasoning Ability: This section tests logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Topics include:
- Puzzles
- Seating Arrangement
- Syllogism
- Blood Relations
- Coding-Decoding
- Inequality
- Direction Sense
- Alphanumeric Series
- Input-Output
- Data Sufficiency
Numerical Ability: This section assesses the candidate’s aptitude with numbers and mathematical operations. Topics include:
- Simplification
- Data Interpretation
- Number Series
- Ratio and Proportion
- Percentage
- Profit and Loss
- Time and Distance
- Time and Work
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Mixture Problems
- Average
2. Mains Examination:
The Mains exam is more comprehensive and covers five key subjects:
Reasoning Ability: This section expands on the topics mentioned in the Prelims but with an increased level of difficulty.
Numerical Ability: Again, the topics from the Prelims are tested in the Mains but at a higher difficulty level. This section also includes:
- Quadratic Equations
- Probability
- Data Sufficiency
General Awareness: This section tests the candidate’s knowledge of current affairs and general awareness related to the banking industry. Topics include:
- Banking Awareness (e.g., recent banking developments, RBI functions)
- Current Affairs (e.g., national and international events, government schemes)
- Static GK (e.g., capitals, currencies, important dates)
- Financial Awareness (e.g., budgets, economic developments)
English Language / Hindi Language: Candidates can choose between these two languages, and the section tests their comprehension and language skills. Topics include:
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Error Spotting
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Fill in the Blanks
- Synonyms/Antonyms
- Grammar
Computer Knowledge: This section evaluates basic computer literacy. Topics include:
- Operating Systems
- MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Internet and Email Functions
- Basics of Computer Hardware and Software
- Networking
- Computer Security
Benefits of IBPS RRB Office Assistant Exam
The IBPS RRB Office Assistant exam offers numerous benefits to candidates who successfully clear it. Here are some of the key advantages:
1. Secure Job in a Government Institution
Clearing the IBPS RRB Office Assistant exam secures a position in a Regional Rural Bank, which is a government-affiliated institution. This provides job security, stability, and a reliable income, making it an attractive career choice for aspirants.
2. Good Salary and Benefits
The Office Assistant position comes with a decent starting salary, typically ranging from INR 15,000 to INR 20,000 per month, along with allowances such as house rent allowance (HRA), dearness allowance (DA), and medical benefits. As the employee gains experience, the salary and benefits increase substantially.
3. Career Growth Opportunities
There are ample opportunities for career progression within the RRB system. After gaining experience as an Office Assistant, employees can be promoted to higher positions such as Officer Scale I, Scale II, and beyond. Promotions come with better pay, higher responsibilities, and greater authority within the bank.
4. Work-Life Balance
Compared to many other banking roles, the Office Assistant position in an RRB tends to have a relatively relaxed work environment, allowing employees to maintain a good work-life balance. The workload is often more manageable, and employees enjoy the benefits of public holidays, paid leave, and structured working hours.
5. Opportunity to Serve Rural Communities
Working in a Regional Rural Bank offers the unique opportunity to contribute to the development of rural communities. Office Assistants are involved in facilitating banking services such as loan disbursements, financial inclusion schemes, and other financial services aimed at helping the rural population.
6. Pension and Retirement Benefits
Being a government job, the position comes with pension benefits and a reliable retirement plan. Employees can look forward to financial security even after retirement, which is a significant advantage in public sector jobs.
7. Scope for Learning and Skill Development
The role of an Office Assistant involves dealing with various banking operations such as account management, cash handling, and customer service. This provides a great learning experience, allowing employees to acquire valuable skills in banking and finance, customer relations, and administrative tasks.
8. Diverse Exposure
The job offers exposure to multiple banking functions, including loan processing, customer service, account management, and more. This diverse experience can be beneficial for career advancement within the banking sector, as it provides a well-rounded understanding of banking operations.
9. Job Satisfaction
For individuals who enjoy helping others and working in community-focused roles, the Office Assistant position offers job satisfaction. Employees get to interact with a variety of customers, assist in solving their banking issues, and play a key role in financial empowerment, particularly in rural areas.
10. Transfers and Postings
Employees may be transferred to different branches within their region, allowing for flexibility in work location. Transfers also give employees the chance to experience different working environments and broaden their understanding of the bank’s operations in different areas.
FAQ's
To be eligible for the IBPS AFO exam, candidates must have a 4-year degree (Graduation) in Agriculture or related fields such as Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Science, Dairy Science, Agricultural Engineering, Fishery Science, etc. Additionally, candidates must meet age criteria, which typically range from 20 to 30 years.
The exam consists of two stages:
- Preliminary Exam: It includes Reasoning Ability and Numerical Ability sections, with a total of 80 questions to be solved in 45 minutes.
- Mains Exam: It covers Reasoning, Numerical Ability, General Awareness, English/Hindi Language, and Computer Knowledge. The Mains has 200 questions to be solved in 2 hours.
Yes, there is negative marking for wrong answers. For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted in both the Preliminary and Mains exams.
Candidates can apply for the IBPS AFO exam online through the official IBPS website during the registration period. They need to fill out the application form, upload required documents, and pay the application fee.
