How to Solve ‘Computers’, ‘Marketing’ & ‘GK’ Sections in Competitive Exams?

Nowadays, banks and PSU organizations are asking questions from computers and marketing necessarily in competitive exams. Given the importance and need for computers and marketing in banking and in any other business, it doesn’t come surprise if the recruiters want the candidates to be well versed with these subjects.

1.    Questions asked in computers section are just basic and they are intended to test whether the candidate is aware of basic operations of the computer. The subject name itself is ‘computer awareness’ and it is not ‘computer proficiency’. The test is not intended to know whether you are software engineer or hardware technical person. It is intended to know whether you can operate the computer for basic operations, when in the organization. Hence, it will just cover basic topics and anyone having using computers in day-to-day life will be able to answer it easily.

2.    Learn the basic topics if you are not familiar with technical terms. You will need to focus on networking basics, windows shortcuts, Microsoft Office (only MS Word and MS Excel) shortcuts, history of computers, etc topics. Most of the questions from these repetitive topics and hence you can be able to score more if you are perfect in these basic topics.

3.    For becoming perfect in windows shortcuts & MS office shortcuts, you need to utilize those shortcuts at least few times practically. This will not only help you to remember the shortcut easily, but will also be helpful when you are actually working on the computer in your job. If you have computer access, try to utilize the shortcuts as much as possible in order to get mastery over it.

4.    Study about the organization you are preparing to get in. For instance, if you are writing banking exam, know about the recruiting organization, exam conducting organization (i.e. IBPS), Reserve Bank of India, history of banking in the world & in India, latest updates in banking (covered in current affairs), working of banking field, etc. In the same way, when you are preparing for PSU exam, learn about the organization, its inception, its working, its achievements, etc. You should also know about the terminology used in the field. This kind of information is useful in both written exam and for interview.  

5.    Even for marketing subject, you need not be a pro. The exam is intended to know your understanding levels about the market, market dynamics, marketing process, etc. Hence you should be able to know what, when, how and why of marketing. Even the basic concepts will be sufficient. Many candidates have a kind of apprehension towards technical questions. Remember, you need not be an MBA graduate to answer these marketing questions. Most of the questions from marketing subject will be from basics and can easily be mastered.

6.    Prepare your own notes for computers, marketing and organizational information (IBPS & RBI / PSU, etc) with your own handwriting. Refer this book every now and then, so as to keep the information fresh and alive in your mind.

7.    In banking and PSU competitive exams, static general knowledge questions (GK questions other than current affairs) are not being asked much these days. Only few questions, may be 1 or 2 questions, from static GK can be expected. You may leave that question in case you feel cost-benefit ratio is too low i.e. you have to prepare lot of questions and the benefit you will get is just 1 or 2 marks. If you are perfect in current affairs, its ok to focus less on static GK.

8.    For few exams like UPSC and SSC, static general knowledge questions still hold the importance. Many questions are being asked from geography, history, and traditional general knowledge subjects. So, you have to focus on these questions in case you are preparing for SSC kind of exams.

9.    Try to become perfect in basics of computers, marketing questions, so that you don’t have to spend lot of time in answering these questions. Just by practice, you will get those concepts. Even if you have gained command over the subject, don’t relax. Practice the model questions regularly to brush up your awareness. 

10.                       Questions from computers and marketing are like boon to candidates appearing for competitive exams. These questions can be completed within short period of time and marks can be scored easily. The time saved in these sections can be utilized for solving quantitative aptitude and reasoning questions. So, make use of these sections to score more in the exam.