IBPS SO Law Officer | Vartika Mittal (Canara Bank) Success Story & Preparation Strategy

Summary

In this inspiring interview, Vartika Mittal shares her journey of securing a position at Canara Bank through IBPS SO. She reflects on her 8-month preparation, balancing law studies with banking-related subjects. Vartika emphasizes the importance of covering all areas of the exam, from general awareness to reasoning and professional knowledge. She discusses the significance of mentorship and proper guidance, especially for the interview stage, and how her previous experience with NICL AO motivated her. With insights into study strategies, time management, and exam readiness, Vartika’s success story serves as an encouragement for aspirants aiming for competitive exams.

Takeaways

• 😀 Vartika Mittal was selected in Canara Bank after an 8-month long journey of hard work and preparation.
• 😀 Despite facing setbacks, like missing the NICL AO Legal interview by just 1.25 marks, Vartika found motivation to push through and improve.
• 😀 The IBPS SO exam differs from other law exams, requiring a broader preparation that includes General Awareness, Reasoning, and English, in addition to law knowledge.
• 😀 Equal focus on all three stages (Prelims, Mains, and Interview) is essential for success, especially clearing both overall and sectional cutoffs in the Prelims.
• 😀 The importance of practicing reasoning and studying banking awareness is emphasized, as these areas can be challenging for law students who may not be as familiar with them.
• 😀 Vartika divided her Mains preparation into three portions: major laws, minor laws, and banking-specific laws, to ensure a comprehensive approach.
• 😀 Starting Mains preparation early is crucial, especially considering the high cutoffs and the tight timeline between Prelims and Mains.
• 😀 The Interview stage is highly unpredictable, with questions ranging from banking awareness to criminology and international law, requiring broad legal knowledge.
• 😀 Vartika's interview preparation included mock sessions and mentorship, which helped her tackle unexpected questions with confidence.
• 😀 The importance of a wider scope of study is highlighted, as unexpected topics like Criminal Law (new) came up in the Mains, reinforcing the need for thorough and broad preparation.

Q & A

What was Vartika's initial feeling after receiving the result?

Vartika felt immense excitement and happiness. Even though a month had passed since the result, the excitement of the struggle and hard work remained. She was thrilled that her efforts had finally paid off.

How did Vartika approach her preparation for the IBPS SO exam?

Vartika started preparing even before the notification was released. She initially had experience with the NISCL AO exam, where she narrowly missed the interview. This motivated her to keep improving. Her approach involved preparing for all three sections of the exam—Reasoning, English, and Banking Awareness—while ensuring that she equally focused on each.

What made the IBPS SO exam different from other law exams according to Vartika?

Vartika highlighted that the IBPS SO exam had a unique structure compared to other law exams. The Prelims and Mains syllabus were almost identical, but the approach and study material differed. Additionally, as a law student, Vartika found it challenging to prepare for Reasoning and General Knowledge, as these were areas outside of typical law studies.

How did Vartika manage the General Awareness section of the exam?

Vartika emphasized the importance of studying Banking Awareness from the very beginning. She advised aspirants to allocate equal weight to all three sections and to be thorough in their preparation, especially for Banking Awareness, which many students tend to underestimate.

What was Vartika's strategy for preparing for the Mains exam?

For the Mains, Vartika divided her study materials into three categories: major laws studied for other exams, minor laws, and banking-specific laws. She created a comprehensive list of 60 subjects and ensured she studied broadly, knowing that Mains could cover anything from different legal fields.

How did Vartika manage her time between Prelims and Mains preparation?

Vartika began preparing for Mains right after the Prelims because the time gap between the two was short. She advised aspirants to start Mains preparation early and to focus on understanding the bare acts, as Mains had an objective-type paper, requiring a precise and wide-ranging knowledge of legal topics.

What advice did Vartika give regarding the IBPS SO interview?

Vartika advised that the interview could cover any legal field, so preparation should be as wide as possible. She shared her experience of being asked about International Law and the Stamps Act, and emphasized the importance of being ready for unexpected questions from various legal fields.

How did Vartika handle the unpredictability of the exam questions?

Vartika approached the preparation with the mindset that anything could be asked. She believed in the importance of practicing reasoning within a time limit, and covering a broad range of subjects for the Mains and Interview. She emphasized revising and making sure she was ready to answer anything that came her way.

What role did coaching and mentorship play in Vartika's success?

Vartika highlighted the importance of proper mentorship during her preparation, especially for the Interview stage. She enrolled in the Interview Guidance Program by Legal Age After College, which gave her the confidence and guidance she needed, especially after her previous near-miss in the NICL exam.

How did Vartika prepare for the General Awareness section, particularly regarding banking?

Vartika started her preparation for Banking Awareness from April-May and covered it thoroughly until November, ensuring she stayed updated with the latest financial news and events. She advised aspirants to focus on both current affairs and banking-related questions to ensure they are well-prepared.