Video summary

NICL Assistant 2026 Strategy (By NICL AO) | Stop Making These Mistakes! 🛑 | Ghar Se Pathshala

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas / lessons conveyed

  • This is not a shortcut video: the speaker promises a detailed roadmap—exam syllabus, preparation strategy, common mistakes, and a daily study schedule.
  • Exam type & why the strategy matters: NICL Assistant is on a banking pattern, so the approach also fits other similar banking exams (Clerk/PO level).

  • Focus on what determines selection:

    • Prelims = qualifying (cut-off only; not added to final merit).
    • Mains = determines final merit (high priority).
    • LPT / Regional Language Test = qualifying only (read/write/speak; not merit-based).

  • Selection approach is “smart practice”:

    • Prioritize high-weightage topics first.
    • Use mock tests to learn difficulty/selection strategy and improve speed.
    • After every mock test, do thorough analysis (why wrong/right, concept fixes).

  • Avoid common mistakes in both preparation and the exam hall:

    • Leaving the scoring portion (notably RC in English) for the end.
    • Over-investing time in a single difficult question (ego/trap behavior), especially in DI/arithmetic.
    • Over-focusing only on puzzles, ignoring miscellaneous reasoning.
    • Waiting for prelim results before starting GA/insurance preparation.
    • Using a calculator at home (but not in exam); learn to compute manually.

  • Resource strategy (specific sources/playlists/books mentioned):

    • Mock tests: OliveBoard / practice mocks.
    • English editorial practice: read The Hindu / Indian Express yourself; don’t rely on editorial videos.
    • Insurance awareness: use a dedicated insurance playlist created by the channel.
    • Current affairs: use sources like AffairsCloud and “Dr. Gaurav Garg” videos.
    • Computer awareness: focus via their computer playlist (previous-year MCQs).
    • Math/Quant: use series/books and DI/reasoning puzzle PDFs mentioned.

Detailed exam pattern (as described)

Conducting body

  • IBPS (banking-pattern exam)

Prelims (Qualifying)

  • Date: 27 August 2026
  • Time: 60 minutes
  • Total marks: 100
  • Subjects & questions:
    • Reasoning + Maths: 35 questions (implied split as 20 + 20)
    • English: 30 questions
  • Nature: qualifying cut-off only
    • Marks not added to final merit.

Mains (Merit-based)

  • Date: 30 October 2026
  • Time: 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Total marks: 200

  • Sections (5 subjects implied):

    • Reasoning
    • Quant / Maths
    • English
    • Computer Awareness
    • General Awareness (GA) including Current Affairs + static GK + insurance awareness

  • Question structure (as stated):

    • 40 questions per subject
    • 40 marks per subject
    • 200 questions total worth 200 marks
  • Nature: final merit depends on Mains score

LPT (Qualifying)

  • After Mains clear
  • Regional Language Test: read/write/speak the state language for which you applied
  • Nature: qualifying only (not merit-based)

Comprehensive syllabus + topic weightage (with mistakes to avoid)

1) English (weightage emphasis + subtopics)

Main focus = high scoring RC + close test style questions

  • Reading Comprehension (RC)
    • Prelims: ~7–10 marks
    • Mains: ~15–20 marks
  • Error Spotting: ~5 marks
  • Cloze Test: ~5–7 marks
  • Para jumble: included under cloze/close-test type (~“number five parajumbles”)
  • Fillers / phrases / related grammar items: ~3–5 marks

Mistakes (English)

  • Main mistake #1: Memorizing grammar rules but then leaving RC to the end
    • Result: English not cleared; candidates panic and lose marks.
  • Main advice:
    • Attempt RC early (don’t postpone scoring portion).
    • Use mock test practice to learn pacing and question approach.
  • Editorial method advice:
    • Read editorials yourself from newspapers (The Hindu or Indian Express).
    • Translate and note vocabulary; search meanings on Google and write translations.
    • Prefer starting with Indian Express (easier), then use The Hindu (harder).

Vocabulary improvement method

  • During/after mock tests and editorial reading:
    • Note vocabulary
    • Revise daily
    • Avoid cramming; revisit words repeatedly so they stay familiar

2) Quant / Maths (topic priority + DI/arithmetic strategy)

High scoring / frequently asked

  • Simplification & Approximation: 5–10 questions (more in Mains); described as high scoring
  • Number Series
    • includes missing number + wrong number series
  • Quadratic equation: ~5 marks
  • Data Interpretation (DI)
    • charts mentioned: pie chart, bar chart, “cashlet”
    • Prelims: DI around 15 marks (as described) with 2–3 DI sets
    • Mains: 3–4 DI sets with higher marks

Arithmetic chapters (important)

  • Percentages
  • Profit & Loss
  • Simple Interest & Compound Interest
  • Time & Work
  • Speed & Distance

Mistakes (Quant/Maths)

  • Mistake #1: Using a calculator at home
    • Practice calculations manually.
  • Mistake #2 (exam hall trap behavior):
    • Getting stuck on difficult DI or a difficult arithmetic question
    • Wasting 3–4 minutes due to ego (“I should know it”)

Correct approach

  • Start with easy/straightforward questions first (e.g., easier quadratic).
  • In DI, select sets strategically; don’t attempt everything blindly.
  • Use mock tests to learn which questions are “easy” for you to attempt under time.

Mock-test-driven learning

  • Treat “new questions” as opportunities:
    • learn the concept from the mock
    • understand how it’s solved
    • ensure you can solve it next time too

3) Reasoning (weightage + what to practice first)

Difficulty/marks by topic (as described)

  • Five-number questions: “easy”; practice can secure marks
  • Coding-Decoding: ~5 marks
  • Blood relations + direction sense: ~3–5 marks
  • Alpha-numeric series: mentioned as easy in prelims
  • Puzzles & Seating Arrangements: highest weight
    • types mentioned: circular, linear/box, plus age-based and weekly/monthly/floor-based puzzles
    • ~15–20 marks and more weight in Mains

Mistakes (Reasoning)

  • Biggest mistake: spend too much time on puzzles only, ignore miscellaneous
    • consequence: puzzles become fearful; even easy questions seem hard.
  • Correct order strategy:
    1. Do miscellaneous first to build confidence and secure quick marks
    2. Then move to puzzles
  • Puzzles strategy:
    • choose puzzles selectively
    • avoid spending too long on one puzzle; it can ruin performance

Puzzle practice frequency

  • 4–5 puzzles daily to eliminate fear and build speed

4) General Awareness (GA) + Insurance Awareness

Insurance awareness included in GA

  • Insurance questions appear within the GA section.
  • Current affairs window: 4–6 months
  • Static GK included (banking/insurance terms, national parks, capitals, etc.)

Question distribution mentioned

  • Current affairs: 20–25 questions
  • Insurance awareness: 10–12 questions
  • Overall GA: current + static + insurance

Mistakes (GA/Insurance)

  • Mistake: waiting until after prelim results to start GA/insurance
  • Correct approach:
    • Start from day one if you can clear prelims (even at 60–70% predicted performance).
    • Prepare insurance awareness instead of avoiding it.

Insurance resources mentioned

  • A dedicated Insurance Awareness playlist created by the channel (link in description/comments)
    • includes previous-year common questions and history-specific topics
    • speaker adds upcoming videos for latest current affairs

Current affairs resources mentioned

  • Speaker used:
    • Dr. Gaurav Garg videos daily (repeated)
    • duration: 3 months (claims enough), or 4–5 months if more time
    • read AffairsCloud PDF with 100 most important questions

5) Computer Awareness (scoring focus)

Topics listed

  • History of computers
  • MS Office: Word, Excel, PPT
  • Networking concepts
  • Internet
  • Shortcut keys from hardware/software/keyboard
  • Emphasis: basic MCQ-level, not advanced coding

Weightage & scoring claim

  • Computer section is 40 marks in Mains
  • Speaker claims high scoring is achievable (example: 35/40 in NICL AO computer)

Mistakes (Computer)

  • Don’t ignore it—treat it as a scoring opportunity.

Resource method

  • Use a computer playlist with previous-year MCQs (only important ones)

Study methodology & instruction-style guidance (checklist)

Mock tests (core method)

  • Take mock tests from:
    • OliveBoard Practice Mock
    • (also consistently mentioned as a suggested option)
  • Mock-test rules:
    • Practice thoroughly before relying on results
    • After each mock:
      • analyze wrong answers
      • fix concepts
      • note better methods/shortcuts you missed

During mock tests

  • Don’t obsess over early marks
  • Focus on percentile
  • Target: 80%+ for competitiveness
  • Reason: difficulty affects everyone; percentile reflects relative rank

English editorial workflow (detailed instruction)

  • Use newspapers (The Hindu / Indian Express) for editorials
  • For each editorial:
    • read yourself
    • translate
    • note vocabulary
    • search meanings on Google
    • write translation in your copy
  • Grammar should support RC performance:
    • don’t delay RC to the end

Daily vocabulary method

  • Collect vocabulary from mock tests + editorials
  • Revise daily by reading/revisiting notes
  • Don’t rely on cramming

Exam-hall approach (Quant/DI selection)

  • Prefer:
    • easy questions first
    • easy DI sets / clearable arithmetic
  • If stuck in a hard DI/arithmetic question:
    • don’t waste 3–4 minutes due to ego
    • move on and come back strategically (if time allows)

Reasoning ordering method

  • Do miscellaneous first (easy marks)
  • Then attempt puzzles selectively
  • Practice 4–5 puzzles daily

GA/Insurance timing method

  • Start GA + insurance from day one
  • Don’t wait for prelim results

Proposed daily schedule (time-block methodology)

(Adaptable; exact timing not mandatory.)

Morning block (6:00–9:00 am)

  • 6:00–6:30: calm/meditation setup
  • 6:30–7:00: speed math + revise speed tables/cubes and vocabulary
    • revise tables (~30), cubes (~30), calculations practice (~50)
    • random multiplication (10–15 examples)
    • read aloud vocabulary (example: 10,000 daily mentioned)
  • 7:00–8:30: English editorial practice
    • read 2 editorials (The Hindu / Indian Express)
    • translate + note vocabulary

Midday block (10:30–1:30)

  • 10:30–12:00: Quant practice
    • cover syllabus chapters
    • track completed chapters
    • attempt 30–40 questions of one type per chapter after understanding the concept
  • 12:00–1:30: Reasoning practice
    • do miscellaneous
    • complete 4–5 puzzles daily

Afternoon block (3:00–5:30)

  • 3:00–5:30: take 3–4 mock tests
    • take at least one mock properly like exam hall
  • 4:00–5:30 (analysis time)
    • analysis is more important than mock attempts
    • focus on wrong concepts/reasoning and note strategies you used correctly

Evening block (7:00–9:30)

  • 7:00–8:30: GA + Insurance awareness
    • current affairs via AffairsCloud
    • insurance via dedicated playlist
  • 8:30–9:30: computer awareness via computer playlist
  • Adjust balance depending on needs

As prelims approaches (schedule adjustment rule)

  • Increase prelims mock test count progressively:
    • 1 mock → 2 mocks → 3 mocks

Health/consistency instructions

  • Stretch for 5 minutes after ~1.5 hours to avoid back pain
  • Keep water bottle; stay hydrated
  • Sleep ~7 hours

Books / channels / resources explicitly recommended

  • Vocabulary: Word Power Made Easy (Normal Lewis)
  • Grammar: Objective General English (SB/SP Bakshi)
  • Math: RS Aggarwal Quantitative Aptitude
  • Math/teacher channel: Kaushik Mohanty Sir
  • DI PDF: OliveBoard “DI Decoded”
  • Reasoning book: Verbal & Nonverbal (RS Aggarwal)
  • Reasoning/puzzle PDF: OliveBoard “Puzzle Mania”
  • Reasoning/pattern video channel: Ankush Lamba Sir
  • Computer awareness: speaker’s computer playlist (no extra books needed)
  • Current affairs: Dr. Gaurav Garg videos + AffairsCloud PDFs
  • Mock test sources: OliveBoard + practice mocks

Speakers / sources featured

Speaker (main source)

  • Rohit Garg (Administrative Officer in NICL/NISL; claims success in multiple banking/insurance exams)

Mentioned / featured channels or people

  • Dr. Gaurav Garg (current affairs videos)
  • Kaushik Mohanty Sir (math videos)
  • Ankush Lamba Sir (reasoning/pattern videos)

Mentioned publishers / outlets

  • The Hindu
  • The Indian Express

Mentioned platforms / materials

  • IBPS
  • OliveBoard (mock tests and PDFs: DI Decoded, Puzzle Mania)
  • AffairsCloud

Mentioned books

  • Word Power Made Easy (Normal Lewis)
  • Objective General English (SB/SP Bakshi)
  • Quantitative Aptitude (RS Aggarwal)
  • Verbal & Nonverbal (RS Aggarwal)

Video/playlist references (speaker-created)

  • Insurance Awareness playlist
  • Computer awareness playlist (previous-year MCQs)

Original video