IBPS RRB CWE 2013 | Officers & Assistants Exam Pattern Explained

The IBPS common written examination for PO/MT jobs conducted recently has turned out to be termed a nightmare for applicants with the difficulty level taking most by surprise.But the common exam for jobs in rural banks (RRB) are to take place in the coming months.

62 regional rural banks (gramin banks) are participating in the common recruitments process & to apply for them, qualifying in IBPS RRB CWE is must. The procedure that precedes, follows the hiring route of PO,clerk & specialist officers.

This post will take you through

• Exam comparisons
• Officer pattern & books
• Office assistant pattern & books
• Which language paper to choose 

With the exams to be conducted on September 21/22 (for officers) & Sep 28/29 (office assistants) there is enough time for applicants to prepare.

Similarity in exam patterns:

If you have appeared for previous PO or clerk CWE`s, then preparing for this IBPS RRB exam 2013 may not be tough as the structure of both are similar. Take a look at the image showing their 2012 composition:
 

They are pretty much the same except for the difference in no. of questions & marks.Both tests shall be online based.

To note:

While unanswered questions are not given any marks, 0.25 as negative mark will be reduced for each wrong answer in both exams.

Officers

Although the exam is for scale I, II (generalist & specialist), III, we shall look at the the Officer (scale I) cadre in depth.

With a 2 hrs 30 mins duration & 200 objective type questions, the outline is as follows
 

Answers for each question in Reasoning & Quantitative aptitude carries 1.25 marks

Computer knowledge section has 20 questions, each worth 0.5 marks

There is no descriptive test

All sections can be attended either in english or hindi medium

Books

Since RRB officer exam is similar to PO, study materials that you used for IBPS exam would be sufficient.If new, consider buying exam guides or solved papers for practice. * RRB Officer Exam Guide – Rs.215 – * Practice papers 20 sets – Rs.178 –

Office Assistants

The RRB office assistants test pattern is exactly same as clerical exam in commercial banks.

You will have to answer 200 objective questions within 2 hrs 30 mins & the maximum marks shall be 200.What are the sections?See below:

1.25 marks is awarded for each correct answer in reasoning & numerical ability

General awareness, language test & computer paper carry 1,1 & 0.5 marks respectively.


Books

As the patterns of office assistant & clerk exam are same, it is worth to prepare for this test using those materials or you could get any of the below books for RRB CWE. * Office assistant exam guide – Rs.240 – Buy online

English or Hindi language paper?

Now this is an important addition to the list of instructions.Since gramin banks are located only within a particular state, employees are required to have proficiency in the local language.

As per the govt.`s official language act, states are categorized as Group A, B & C.

According to it, IBPS says:

Candidates from region A & B can choose to attend either English or Hindi language paper

Those from region C will have to appear in English language test only.