Understanding Your IBPS PO Score and Interview Experience

It is heartening to hear that you have scored 69.75 in the IBPS PO (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Probationary Officer) examination for the OBC (Other Backward Class) category. Such a score is commendable and positions you well in the overall candidate pool. This score, especially with the current trend of 70 being a good cutoff for general candidates, highlights your strong performance in the preliminary stage of the selection process.

Why a Poor Interview Rating Does Not Necessarily Mean Rejection

It's essential to understand that the interview component of the IBPS PO process plays a crucial role but not the entirety of the selection criteria. Your interview performance is not solely based on your ability to answer specific questions correctly. Interviewers typically look for several qualities, such as confidence, composure, verbal communication, and overall demeanor. These qualitative aspects often carry more weight than the quantitative knowledge assessment during the main exam.

Assessing Your Interview "Worst" Experience

First and foremost, it's important to reflect on what made you feel your interview was the worst. Did you argue with the interviewer or misbehave in any way? These factors can significantly impact the interviewer's perception, leading to a negative evaluation. However, if your concerns are solely based on an inability to answer certain questions, it is crucial to recognize that the interview panel does not expect perfect answers from all candidates. They are aware that even well-prepared candidates may struggle with specific questions due to the complexity and breadth of the topic.

Confidence and Body Language vs. Bank Knowledge

Interviewers are trained to observe non-verbal cues, such as body language and confidence. They are less concerned with your banking knowledge, which they already have reason to believe you possess due to your successful preliminary exam. A confident and composed demeanor can often make up for technical knowledge, especially when it comes to essay-type questions or situational assessments.

Assessing Your Chances of Success

Even if you perceive your interview performance as subpar, it is important to consider the overall score and percentile. If your preliminary exam score was strong enough to make it to the interview round, your interview performance, unless exceptionally poor, should not significantly diminish your chances of selection. A low interview score can still be compensated by a very strong performance in the main exam. It's possible to have an interview score as low as 55 and still be considered for selection if the overall package (exam score interview) is strong.

What to Do Next

Your focus should now shift towards preparing consistently and positively for the final interview. Here are some steps to help improve your interview skills:

Practise Common Interview Questions: Familiarize yourself with typical interview questions and practice answering them. Improve Your Body Language: Work on maintaining eye contact, sitting up straight, and speaking clearly. Reflect on Your Performance: Identify areas where you felt you could have performed better and work to improve these. Maintain a Positive Attitude: Keep a positive mindset and prepare with confidence.

Your journey to becoming an IBPS PO is not just about passing the exam, but also about demonstrating your potential. With a strong preliminary score and a positive approach to the interview, you have a good chance of securing a position.

Conclusion

Though your IBPS PO interview experience might feel like a setback, your overall score is a testament to your capabilities. By understanding the interview's role and focusing on your strengths, you can increase your chances of success. Always remember that the selection process is designed to find the most suitable candidates, and you have already shown that you are well-prepared. All the best, and keep striving for the best!