Banking Exams (SBI/IBPS/RBI) — Key Topics

Quantitative Aptitude

Q: A sum doubles in 8 years at SI. At what rate?

Simple Interest: SI = PRT/100
Sum doubles means SI = P (principal)
P = PRT/100 → 1 = RT/100 → R = 100/T = 100/8 = 12.5%

Q: Pipes A and B can fill a tank in 12 and 18 hours. Together?

A's rate = 1/12 per hour | B's rate = 1/18 per hour
Combined rate = 1/12 + 1/18 = 3/36 + 2/36 = 5/36 per hour
Time = 36/5 = 7.2 hours = 7 hours 12 minutes

Tip: If rates are 1/a + 1/b → Time = ab/(a+b)
= 12×18/(12+18) = 216/30 = 7.2 hours ✓

Q: Train 150m long crosses a pole in 15s. Speed in km/h?

Speed = distance/time = 150/15 = 10 m/s
To convert m/s to km/h: multiply by 18/5
= 10 × 18/5 = 36 km/h

Crossing a platform of length L:
Distance = train length + platform length

Reasoning Ability

Q: In a row of 25 students, Ravi is 10th from left and 18th from right. Row size?

Total = position from left + position from right - 1
= 10 + 18 - 1 = 27
But given 25 students → contradiction. Re-read: he is 10th from left.
Position from right = 25 - 10 + 1 = 16th from right

Q: Blood relations — types tested in banking exams.

Key relations for banking exams:
Father's brother = Uncle | Mother's brother = Maternal uncle
Brother's son = Nephew | Sister's son = Nephew
Spouse's parents = In-laws | Wife's brother = Brother-in-law

Tip: Draw family tree on paper
Codified: A + B = A is B's father | A - B = A is B's mother
          A × B = A is B's husband | A ÷ B = A is B's sister

English Language

Q: Common error correction patterns in banking exams.

Subject-verb agreement:
  Singular subject → singular verb
  'The team ARE playing' → 'The team IS playing' (collective noun = singular)
  'Neither of them ARE' → 'Neither of them IS' (neither = singular)

Common confusions:
  Affect (verb) vs Effect (noun): 'Rain affects crops' | 'The effect of rain'
  Than vs Then: comparison vs time
  Its vs It's: possessive vs it is
  Principal vs Principle: head of school vs rule

Sentence correction tips:
  Read all options before answering
  Identify the ERROR first (not just 'sounds wrong')
  Common errors: tense, preposition, articles (a/an/the)

Banking Awareness

Q: What is the CRR and how does RBI use it?

CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio): % of bank's deposits held with RBI
Current CRR (2024): 4%
If deposits = ₹100 crore → must keep ₹4 crore with RBI

RBI uses CRR to control money supply:
  Increase CRR → banks have less to lend → money supply falls → controls inflation
  Decrease CRR → banks have more to lend → money supply rises → stimulates growth

SLR (Statutory Liquidity Ratio): % kept in liquid assets (gold/govt securities)
Current SLR: 18%
Repo Rate: rate at which banks borrow from RBI
Reverse Repo: rate at which banks park excess with RBI

Revision Notes

QUANT SHORTCUTS:
  SI = PRT/100 | CI: A = P(1+R/100)^n
  Pipes: combined time = ab/(a+b)
  Speed: m/s × 18/5 = km/h | km/h × 5/18 = m/s
  Profit %: [(SP-CP)/CP] × 100
  Discount %: [(MRP-SP)/MRP] × 100

BANKING AWARENESS KEY TERMS:
  CRR: cash with RBI | SLR: liquid assets | Repo: RBI lends to banks
  Reverse Repo: banks park with RBI | MSF: emergency borrowing window
  Inflation target: 4% (±2%) | Priority sector: 40% of loans
  NEFT: batch (30 min) | RTGS: real-time (>₹2L) | IMPS: instant

REASONING TIPS:
  Seating: always draw diagram | Blood relations: always draw tree
  Syllogism: use Venn diagrams | Coding: identify pattern first