Trapti Mathur shares her success story in clearing SBI Clerk 2019 in first attempt

“I prepared for the SBI Clerk exam six months seriously. I used to attempt mock tests and practice regularly,” says SBI Clerk qualifier Trapti Mathur. Read a complete interview where she has shared some tips & tricks on how to prepare for the SBI Clerk exam.

SBI Clerk exam is one of the most sought after banking exams in the country. Lakhs of candidates appear in the exam every year but only a few manage to get into the reputed banking organisation. One among them is Trapti Mathur, who cleared the exam in her first attempt. While talking to Shiksha, she said, “I prepared for SBI Clerk exam six months seriously. I used to attempt mock tests and practice regularly.”

“I used to study five to six hours regularly and referred to the online resources for preparation. Initially, I took coaching for three months to clear my basic,” she added.

In conversation with Shiksha, Trapti Mathur shared some strategies for cracking SBI Clerk exam for future aspirants.

I was very excited after getting the result. I cleared the exam in the first attempt. I always wanted to work with SBI. After clearing the exam, I left LIC ADO job where I was working as an officer.

I attribute this success to my family and mentors who supported me a lot in this journey.

I completed my schooling from Adrash Vidyalaya, Kota with 87% aggregate. After that, I went on to pursue B Tech in Electrical Engineering from Kota. I completed my B Tech in 2018 with 83% aggregate. I was also the college topper. My mother is a teacher in a government school and my father works in a private company.

I scored 90 marks in the prelims exam and around 105 marks in the mains exam. I am working as Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) in SBI, Kota. I cracked SBI Clerk exam in 2019.

I always desired for a government job but was confused about which field/area to choose. It was only after my cousin got selected in Bank of Baroda, I made up my mind to choose banking as a profession and started preparing for the various exams. I had cleared LIC ADO exam and NABARD Development Assistant. I failed to crack IBPS PO, ESIC UDC, and NIACL by few marks. I had also appeared in EPFO SSA, the result of Tier-3 is awaited.

I started preparing for SBI Clerk exam when I was in the final year of graduation. I took coaching for three months from a coaching institute in Kota. I prepared for six months seriously for SBI Clerk exam.

My roles and responsibilities in SBI are looking after fixed deposits, recurring deposits, NEFT, RTGS, etc.

My strategy was to put extra effort on the strong areas so that I get a good command over those areas. I also focused on my weaker areas too. I used to clear the concepts from online classes. I took help from my mentor to clear doubts in any topic.

It varies from person to person. You just need the right guidance to crack the exam. There are ample online resources that candidates can refer to crack the exam. Even candidates can get themselves enrolled in the online classes. I took coaching to clear my basics.

I believe persistence is the most important factor. It does not matter how many hours you devote to the study, what matters is how focused and disciplined you are. Candidates should dedicate five to six hours daily to study.

It is ideal to begin preparing six months prior to the release of SBI Clerk notification.

For English, one should focus on developing a reading habit. For Reasoning, puzzles are most important, therefore, practice them properly. For Maths, candidates must focus on calculation. To develop the GK section, candidates must prepare the current affairs of the last five to six months. I used to make notes for GK and revise them weekly.

Honestly speaking, I did not follow any specific book. I used to practice online from mock tests and watch YouTube channels that provides useful tips on preparation.

English and Reasoning sections were easiest for me. I found Maths a bit tough in the mains exam. GK was also easiest section for me.

I used to perform well in all subjects except GK. Therefore, I started preparing notes on a daily basis by watching various YouTube channels and revise the topics weekly. I used to devote most of my time on making notes of GK. Gradually, I started scoring good marks in GK too.

Yes, I attempted mock tests. It improved my speed and concentration. It also helped me to deal with the new pattern questions asked in the mains exam.

My hobbies are reading and listening to music. It really helped me to prepare the English section. Music kept my mind relaxed and helped me to deal with all the exam stress.

Aspirants must be thorough with SBI Clerk. After clearing basics one should give mock tests and practice regularly. Aspirants must believe in themselves and their preparation.