Banking industry is one of the most sought career option amongst everyone as it is challenging, secure, well paid and good status career. An individual, who has excellent communication skills, ability to deal with customers, having good interpersonal skills and a sound knowledge about the industry, is good enough to get entry in this sector. However, he has to qualify a competitive exam to join banks. From this year, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) will conduct a common written exam for recruiting office assistants and probationary officers. Earlier, every bank conducts a written exam for the recruitment of staff. But now, there is a golden opportunity for bank aspirants that they can get entry in 19 private sector banks through a single common exam for instance - Allahabad Bank , Andhra Bank , Bank of Baroda , Bank of India , Bank of Maharashtra , Canara Bank , Central Bank of India , Corporation Bank , Dena Bank , Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank , Oriental Bank of Commerce, Punjab National Bank , Punjab & Sind Bank , Syndicate Bank , UCO Bank , Union Bank of India , United Bank of India and Vijaya Bank .

Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for Common Written exam for clerk, the prospective candidate must ensure that he has fulfilled the minimum eligibility criteria.

The candidate should have minimum age limit i.e. 18 and maximum of 28 years as on 1st August 2011.
Also, he must secure 60% marks in Matric/SSLC/Std. 10th or 50% marks in Hsc/12th standard or intermediate/pre-university level or pass in degree (any discipline) from a recognized university on 1st August 2011.
Select your state for test where you want to work. In future, you can apply only to vacancies in that state only.
Moreover, he should also possess proficiency in the official language of that state.

CWE Exam Pattern
In Common Written exam, there will be 50 questions in each section from Test of reasoning, Test of English Language, Test of Numerical Ability, General awareness with reference to banking industry and computer.  To solve this test paper, candidate will have 150 minutes. For the candidates, all the tests except Test of English Language will be printed bilingually – Hindi and English. Besides, For every wrong answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted as a penalty.

How to Start Preparation for CWE Exam?
First of all, clear your basic concepts from 12th standard books and after that, a reference book to study numerical ability and test of reasoning paper. Do practice a lot from last year question papers. For preparing general awareness section, you should read regularly newspaper like Times of India and magazines like Banking chronicle, Manorama yearbook etc. to be updated from latest happening in India and world. Also remember that the questions will be asked in general awareness paper from the subjects like finance and banking technologies, economy etc. Start preparing for this section in advance. For Test of English paper, you should prepare from a good book and try to build your vocabulary. Read english newspapers on the regular basis to improve English. Last but not least, do practice practice and practice to get success in this competitive exam.