Success Story of Ashutosh Sharma – Selected in IBPS RRB Scale-II

If you are preparing for banking exams and feel demotivated after missing selection by a few marks, you really need to read Ashutosh Sharma’s story. His journey is full of “almost” moments — missing exams by 0.15 marks, clearing mains but not making the final list. It happened again and again. But he didn’t stop. He kept moving forward, improving every time. And finally, he cracked IBPS RRB Scale-II 2024 in his home-state bank. Let’s read his story below.

Q1. Please brief us on when did you start preparing for the competitive exams and how was your preparation journey?

After graduating in 2018, I began preparing for banking exams with PracticeMock as one of my main resource. I missed SBI Clerk Mains by just 0.15 marks but cleared IBPS RRB Scale-I and joined in 2019. That year, I cleared SBI PO Mains but missed the final list due to a weak GD and couldn’t make it in LIC AAO due to a poor interview.

In 2022, I cleared IBPS Scale-II but didn’t join as it wasn’t my preferred bank. In 2023, I cleared SBI CBO, and in 2024, I cracked IBPS Scale-II in my home-state bank. While my ultimate dream remains unfulfilled, each step has brought me closer to my goal, with PracticeMock guiding me throughout.

Q2. Which exams did you appear in till date and what were their results?

2018
• SBI Clerk Mains: Failed by 0.15 marks.
• NIACL Assistant Prelims: Failed by 1 mark.
• IBPS PO Mains: Failed due to sectional cutoff by 0.25 marks.
• IBPS RRB PO: Cleared.
• IBPS RRB Clerk Mains: Failed by 3.5 marks.

2019
• SBI PO Mains: Cleared with 13.50 marks above cutoff but scored 5/20 in GD.
• LIC AAO Mains: Cleared with 16 marks above cutoff but failed interview (25/60).

2022
• IBPS RRB Scale-II: Cleared but did not get a desirable bank.

2023
• SBI CBO: Cleared.

2024
• IBPS RRB Scale-II: Cleared with a home-state bank.

Q3. How did you prepare for the English section?

My Preparation Strategy for English

1. Daily Editorial Reading: Read one editorial daily to improve comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar.
2. Complete Paper Solution: Solve the entire section of mock papers thoroughly and analyse mistakes.

This combination helped me enhance my reading skills and strengthen my accuracy in exams.

Q4. How did you prepare for the Quantitative Aptitude section?

My Preparation Strategy for Quant

Since I have a good grasp of Quant, my main focus has been attempting as many mocks as possible and solving them. This strategy helped me refine my speed, accuracy, and time management, which were crucial for clearing the exams.

Q5. How did you prepare for the Reasoning section?

My Preparation Strategy for Reasoning

My goal in Reasoning was to achieve above-average marks. I focused on selecting the easiest puzzles and questions in every mock, giving the first 1-2 minutes to identify them. By avoiding difficult questions, I ensured that I could attempt the maximum number of questions within the limited time, optimizing my score.

Q6. What was your strategy for the General Awareness section? (If Applicable)

My Preparation Strategy for GK

For GK, I rely on two main sources: AffairsCloud GA Capsule and PracticeMock Bazooka. I focus on revising these monthly as much as possible to ensure thorough preparation and retention of key information.

Q7. What was your overall strategy? Did you follow a study schedule? If yes, please share the details.

My Preparation Strategy: A Shift in Approach

Before August 2019

During this period, I had the flexibility to dedicate significant time to my preparation. My approach was structured:

1. Building Strong Basics:
   • I focused on thoroughly understanding the fundamentals of Quant, Reasoning, and English.
   • Used books and online resources to strengthen my conceptual clarity.
2. Mock Practice:
   • Once my basics were solid, I started attempting mocks regularly.
   • My strategy included analyzing each mock, identifying weak areas, and working on them to improve accuracy and speed.
3. Consistent Revision:
   • For GK, I used reliable sources like capsules and revised them frequently to stay updated.

After August 2019

After joining the bank, balancing work and preparation became a challenge. My strategy shifted to:

1. Focused Mock Practice:
   • Due to time constraints, I prioritized giving mocks only before exams.
   • I utilized mocks to gauge my readiness and fine-tune my performance.
2. Efficient Time Management:
   • I maximized the limited time available by focusing only on key areas.
   • Avoided diving into new topics and focused on retaining what I already knew.
3. Quick GK Updates:
   • Revised GA capsules monthly to stay prepared without spending excessive time.

This adjustment in strategy helped me maintain consistency and perform well in exams despite my busy schedule.

Q8. Did you face any hurdle as well? How did you overcome it?

When I first started attempting mocks, my scores were quite low.
However, consistent practice and analysis of my mistakes gradually improved my performance. As my percentile began reaching 97-98, I gained the confidence needed to perform well in actual exams.

Q9. Did PracticeMock help you in your success? Please elaborate.

Throughout my preparation journey, PracticeMock played a pivotal role in helping me achieve my goals. Here’s why I consider it indispensable:
• PracticeMock provided me with high-quality mocks that closely resembled the actual exam pattern.
• The questions were well-structured, challenging, and designed to test concepts effectively, helping me improve consistently.
• After every mock, the platform offered an in-depth analysis of my performance, highlighting weak areas and time management insights.
• This allowed me to focus on specific topics that needed improvement and refine my strategy.
• One of the standout features of PracticeMock is its seamless and intuitive interface.
• It’s easy to navigate, visually appealing, and provides a smooth experience, making preparation stress-free.
• I strongly believe the interface should remain unchanged as it adds immense value to the platform.

If I were to credit my success, I’d attribute a significant portion of it to PracticeMock. It not only helped me perform better in exams but also made my preparation journey more structured and efficient.

Q10. What’s your message for the fellow aspirants who are preparing for competitive exams?

Stay confident, relax, and trust the process. Consistent preparation is key—don’t rush, and keep working steadily. The best opportunities are waiting for you, and with patience and persistence, you’ll get there.

Conclusion

Ashutosh Sharma’s journey is a perfect reminder that success is not always quick or easy. Sometimes, you come very close again and again, but things still don’t work out. What matters is that you don’t stop. He kept learning from every small failure, improved his strategy, and stayed consistent even after joining a job. Slowly, all his efforts started giving results. His story tells us one simple thing — stay patient, trust yourself, and keep going. Your breakthrough will come.

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