Aspirants are often suggested to apply for various government exams. A variety of competitive examinations are conducted annually. SSC and banking exams are the first choices for students due to their similar syllabus and the types of notifications. However, they are distinctive in terms of pattern, syllabus, application process, and recruitment.
The examinations require consistent focus, practice tests, mock test practice, and revision to ace the topics. They may include some common areas of study and subjects that the students can take advantage of and prepare for two exams simultaneously.
Here are the six key differences between SSC and Banking exams to guide you to choose the right examination for you or come up with tactics to ace both exams at once.
Types of SSC Exams:
- Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGL)
- Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) 10+2 Examination
- Junior Engineer (Civil, Electrical & Mechanical) Examination
- Junior Hindi Translator in Subordinate Office Exam
- Multitasking (Non-Technical) Staff Examination
- Scientific Assistant Exam
- Stenographers Grade 'C' and 'D' Examination
- SSC Constables (GD) in CAPFs, NIA & SSF Examination
- Sub Inspector In CPO Exam
- Lower Division Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDC)
Types of Banking Exams:
- IBPS Clerk
- IBPS Specialist Officer
- RBI Grade B Officer
- RBI Assistant
- SBI PO
- SBI Clerk
- IBPS PO
- IBPS RRB Officer Scale I
- IBPS RRB Office Assistant
Top 10 Differences Between SSC and Banking Examinations
1. Current Affairs
Current affairs are crucial to government examinations. However, the topics may differ from one exam to another. SSC examinations focus primarily on static awareness and current affairs related to issues like appointments, policies, awards, sports, etc.
Banking exams emphasise on economics, latest statistics, finance, financial policies, etc.
2. Weightage of English
The level of English is similar in both exams with a similar syllabus. Students can prepare the syllabus from a common set of specialised books. However, English is more important in SSC exams, with 250 questions in Tier I and Tier II combined. It focuses on the usage of language by filling in the blanks, idioms, and spotting errors.
Banking exams primarily focus on vocabulary, grammar, jumbled sentences, and comprehension. The majority of exams consist of 25 questions in the English language. Thus, English has more weightage in SSC exams.
3. General Awareness Topics
SSC exams comprise subjects like geography, history, economics, Indian polity, and static awareness.
Banking exams expect students to be more aware of banking terminologies, processes, functioning, scope, structure, and policies. It also comprises the additional section of computer awareness.
4. Format of the Exam
SSC exams and Banking exams follow a similar format. Both exams consist of Tier I or the preliminary round. The difference lies in the duration and the number of questions in the exams.
5. Level of General Intelligence and Reasoning
Reasoning is an essential section of SSC and Banking exams. SSC exams have a medium level of reasoning questions.
Banking exams often have a lengthier and tougher level in this section. Here are some reasoning topics unique to SSC exams and Banking exams:
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Topics unique to SSC exams |
Topics unique to Banking exams |
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6. Level of Quantitative Aptitude
Candidates require a firm foundation in quantitative aptitude. SSC exams have more conceptual questions. Banking exams have calculative questions in quantitative aptitude with a wide variety of questions on the topic of Simplification.
There are some unique topics to SSC and Banking examinations depicted in the following table:
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Topics unique to SSC exams |
Topics unique to Banking exams |
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7. Difficulty Level
SSC exams have comparatively less calculative and complex sections than banking exams. SSC covers various topics with limited depth in the details.
However, banking exams have additional general aptitude sections and require in-depth knowledge of Banking and finance in India.
8. Promotion Levels
Promotions in SSC examinations entirely depend on the departments, sectors, and regions allotted to the selected candidates.
However, promotions in banks are steady and agile. The selected candidates are highly likely to be promoted at regular intervals in banks due to the banking policies.
9. Recruitment Process
SSC examinations like SSC CGL and SSC CPO have a longer recruitment process than banking examinations. The results in the final merit list in SSC exams include the marks obtained in the Preliminary exam, Mains exam, and the skill test unique to the chosen posts.
The final merit list of banking exams primarily includes the marks obtained in the Mains exam and the Interview. The Preliminary exam is a qualifying stage for Banking candidates.
10. Sectional Cut-Off
The SSC exams and banking exams have the same duration of two hours. There are four sections in SSC examinations- Quantitative aptitude, English language and comprehension, General Intelligence and Reasoning, and General Awareness.
The majority of banking exams are composed of three to five sections with principal subjects like Quantitative aptitude, English language and comprehension, Banking, Computer awareness, and Reasoning.
SSC exams do not have a sectional cut-off, i.e the overall marks are counted in the merit list to determine the final cut-off. On the other hand, Banking exams have a sectional cut-off for each of its sections that define the requirements of the minimum mark.
Conclusion
These are the key differences between both the examinations that the students can take into consideration before choosing one of the two exams or both the exams for preparation. You may also notice that the banking exams are more calculative and require students to maintain a higher calculation approach than the SSC examinations.
The right approach to excel in both the examinations is to focus on the common areas and chapters and calculation speed first. It offers an edge on exam day and avoids students from getting burnt out.
