Best Books to Prepare for Bank Exams

The banking sector of India mostly functions under the Indian government. The banks conduct several examinations to select candidates for particular positions in the branches. Most of the government banks hold this exam annually through IBPS or individually like SBI.

The examinations also differ according to positions like PO, SO, Clerk, and more. The syllabus for most of these exams is similar, it is only the difficulty that increases with every higher position. Lakhs of candidates apply every year for bank exams from different states of the country.

Most of these exams have preliminary and mains examinations with similar sections in both the paper. The sections in the paper are – English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, General Awareness, and Computer Aptitude.

The topics are application based and thus applicants must prepare well for them with good reference books. This is important to score well and make it to the final merit list. The competition is higher and the proper strategy is a must to score well.

We have divided the best books for the bank exam according to section. Let us take a look at them –

Bank Exam Pattern

The pattern of the exam changes according to the conducting body. But the basic exam pattern that IBPS, SBI, etc follow are –

Bank Exam Syllabus

The syllabus of the exam changes according to the conducting body and the position applied for. But the basic bank exam syllabus for different sections that IBPS, SBI, etc consists of are –

Reasoning

• Logical Reasoning
• Alphanumeric Series
• Directions
• Reasoning Puzzles
• Order and Ranking
• Alphabet Combination
• Data Sufficiency Tests
• Coded Inequalities
• Seating Arrangements
• Picture Series Puzzles
• Tabulation
• Syllogism
• Input/Output
• Coding and Decoding
• Assertion and Reason
• The statement, Argument, and Assumption
• Word Formation
• Analogy
• Number Series
• Problem Solving
• Passage and conclusions type questions
• Alphanumeric Series
• Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test
• Blood Relations

Computer Aptitude

• Internet
• Memory
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Computer Related Terms Abbreviations
• Computer Fundamentals
• Microsoft Office and Related Word Processing
• Spreadsheet Applications
• Computer Hardware and Software
• Operating Systems and GUI Basics
• Networking
• Computer Network
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Windows

Quantitative Aptitude

• Number Series
• Number System
• Percentage
• Simplification
• Average
• Time and work
• Time, Speed, and Distance
• Probability
• Quadratic Equations
• Profit and Loss
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Ratio and proportion
• Permutation and Combination
• Surds and Indices
• Boats and Streams
• Pipes and Cisterns
• Mixtures and Alligations
• Mensuration
• Data Interpretations

English Language

• Reading Comprehension
• Cloze Test
• Para jumbles
• Miscellaneous
• Fill in the blanks
• Multiple Meaning/Error Spotting
• Paragraph Completion
• Idioms & Phrases
• Vocabulary/Word Association
• Sentence Completion
• Multiple Meaning
• Error Spotting
• Active/Passive Voices
• Rules For Tenses
• Rules For Prepositions
• Active And Passive Voice Rules
• Rules and List of Conjunctions
• Word Substitutions
• Homophones/Homonyms
• Synonyms and Antonyms
• Letter Writing Format
• Precis Writing
• Adjective Degree Of Comparison Rules
• Article Rules
• Direct & Indirect Speech Rules

General Awareness

• Banking awareness
• RBI Functions and Power
• Monetary Policy
• Politics
• Awards and Honors
• Major organizations and headquarters
• Important dates and events
• Prime Ministries
• Indian History
• Agriculture
• Cricket World Cup Winners
• Indian Constitution
• List of Neighbouring Countries of India
• Finance and Insurance
• List of Banking Abbreviations
• Budget and Taxes
• Government Schemes
• Authors and Writers
• Current Affairs and Economy
• Capitals and Countries
• Currencies
• Sports and recreation
• Some topics of Static GK

Bank Exam Books for the English Language

• Word Power Made Easy – Normal Lewis
• English Grammar & Composition – Wren and Martin
• Descriptive General English – S P Bakshi and Richa Sharma
• Objective English for Competitive Examinations – Mcgraw Hill Education Publication
• Reading Comprehension – Dilip Khushwaha
• Ordering of Sentences – Dilip Khushwaha
• Ordering of Words – Dilip Khushwaha
• Cloze Test – Dilip Khushwaha

Bank Exam Books for Quantitative Aptitude

• Quantitative Aptitude Book – Wiley’s Publication
• Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examination – The Pearson Guide
• Teach Yourself Quantitative Aptitude – Arun Sharma
• Rapid Quantitative Aptitude with Shortcuts & Tricks – Disha Publication
• Quantitative Aptitude – Sarvesh Verma
• Fast Track Objective Arithmetic – Rajesh Verma
• Quantitative Aptitude – Disha Experts
• Data Interpretation – Arun Sharma
• Data Interpretation magical books series – BSC Publication
• Magical Book for Quicker Maths – M Tyra

Bank Exam Books for Reasoning Ability

• A Modern approach Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning – BS Sijwali
• Verbal Reasoning – RS Agarwal
• A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal & Non-Verbal – B S Sijwali
• Logical reasoning – K Kundan
• Analytical Reasoning – MK Pandey
• Multi-Dimensional Reasoning – Mishra & Kumar Dr. Lal
• Reasoning Book for Competitive Examinations – Pearson

Bank Exam Books for General Awareness

• Guide to Banking General Awareness – R Gupta
• Manohar Pandey Book – Arihant Publication
• Manorama Yearbook – Philip Mathew
• Banking Awareness – BK Publication
• Current Affairs – Dhankar PublicationIndia Year Book by Publications Division, Government of India
• Banking Awareness by B.K Raut and S.R Behera
• Pratiyogita Darpan

Bank Exam Books for Computer Aptitude

• Computer – Rani Ahilya
• Objective Computer Awareness – Soumya Ranjan Behera
• Objective Computer Awareness – Arihant Publication
• Computer Knowledge – Shikha Agarwal

Conclusion

The article above covered all the important books for the bank exam. They are good references for the PO exam, SO exam, Clerk Exam, and other banking service exams as well. The sections in these exams are mostly the same thus the same reference can be used across for their preparation.

These books are easily accessible on online platforms at an affordable price that the applicants can buy. Online pdf is also available for some of the books. The basic bank syllabus and bank exam pattern are covered too as they are important to look at before the exam.

They will help you prepare your examination strategy and prepare accordingly.