PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Guide – Mock Test, Sample Questions, Exam Pattern & Selection Process

PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Guide – PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026 (Notification No. HRD/APP/2025-26) offers 5,138 apprenticeship posts for graduates. This guide explains eligibility, selection stages, exam pattern, syllabus, sample questions, cutoff trends, and includes mock test & preparation support to help candidates plan their study strategy effectively.

🎯Attempt Free Mock Test, available after 📝Sample Questions Section 👇(Check It below)

Important Recruitment Overview

Selection Process : PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Guide

The PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Selection Process is designed to ensure that candidates have basic banking aptitude, language proficiency, and document authenticity. Unlike permanent bank exams, this process focuses more on foundational readiness rather than advanced banking knowledge.

♦ Online Written Examination
• This is the primary screening stage consisting of objective-type questions.
• Questions test general awareness, numerical ability, reasoning, English, and computer basics.
• The exam level is graduate-friendly, but time management plays a critical role.

♦ Merit List Preparation
• Merit is prepared based on marks obtained in the written exam.
• Higher accuracy significantly improves ranking because no interview marks are added.

♦ Local Language Proficiency Test
• Candidates must demonstrate reading, writing, and understanding of the local language of the applied State/UT.
• This stage becomes crucial for candidates from non-local regions.

♦ Document Verification (DV)
• Educational qualification, age proof, category certificates, and identity documents are verified.
• Any mismatch can lead to disqualification, even after clearing the exam.

Selection Process Summary Table

Exam Pattern : PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Guide

The PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Pattern closely resembles entry-level banking aptitude tests. Candidates who have appeared for Bank Clerk or other apprenticeship exams will find the structure familiar.

Key observations from previous apprentice-level exams show that General Awareness and Quantitative Aptitude often become deciding sections due to time pressure.

Important points candidates should note:
• Total exam duration is limited, so section-wise pacing matters
• No negative marking encourages attempt optimization
• Difficulty level remains moderate, but cutoff depends on vacancies

Exam Pattern Overview Table

Syllabus : PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Guide

The PNB Apprentice 2026 Syllabus is designed to test basic banking awareness, numerical ability, and logical thinking, rather than advanced theory.

♦ General / Financial Awareness
• Current Affairs (last 6–8 months)
• Banking terms, RBI roles, financial institutions
• Government schemes related to economy

♦ English Language
• Reading comprehension with banking-related passages
• Grammar usage, vocabulary, sentence correction

♦ Quantitative Aptitude
• Arithmetic topics such as percentage, ratio, time & work
• Data interpretation sets are usually calculation-light but logic-based

♦ Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
• Puzzles, syllogism, coding-decoding
• Basics of computers, internet, and MS Office

Syllabus Snapshot Table

Recommended Books / Study Material

Recommended Books & Study Resources

Choosing the right books is critical for PNB Apprentice 2026 because the exam tests basic aptitude + banking awareness, not advanced theory. Overloading resources often reduces accuracy.

♦ General / Financial Awareness
• Lucent GK (Selective Banking Sections)
• Banking Awareness by Arihant
• Monthly Current Affairs PDFs (last 6–8 months)

♦ Quantitative Aptitude
• Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal (Basic to Moderate level)
• Fast Track Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma

♦ Reasoning Ability
• A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R.S. Aggarwal
• Puzzle Practice PDFs (Bank-level)

♦ English Language
• Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
• Reading practice from editorials (The Hindu / Indian Express)

♦ Computer Knowledge
• Computer Awareness by Arihant
• Basic MS Office & Internet notes

Exam Preparation Strategy

The PNB Apprentice exam is not about extreme difficulty, but about time management, accuracy, and smart coverage of topics. Many candidates fail not due to lack of knowledge, but due to poor planning and weak revision strategy.

Below is a step-by-step, section-wise, time-bound strategy that works for both freshers and repeat aspirants.

Step 1 – Understand the Exam Before Studying

Before opening any book, clearly understand:
♦ Total Questions: 100
♦ Total Time: 60 Minutes
♦ No Negative Marking
♦ Moderate difficulty level

Implication for students:
• Speed matters more than depth
• Blind attempts should still be avoided
• Section-wise balance is crucial

Step 2 – Section-Wise Preparation Strategy

General / Financial Awareness (High Scoring Section)

This section often decides the final merit position.

What to Focus On:
♦ Banking terms (CRR, SLR, Repo, NEFT, RTGS)
♦ RBI functions & monetary tools
♦ Government schemes (especially finance & economy)
♦ Current affairs of last 6–8 months

Daily Strategy:
• Read current affairs for 30–40 minutes daily
• Revise static banking notes every alternate day
• Make short revision notes (1–2 lines per topic)

Common Mistake to Avoid:
Studying GK like school exams
Focus on banking relevance

Quantitative Aptitude (Accuracy-Driven Section)

Quant section in PNB Apprentice is not calculation-heavy, but time pressure is real.

Important Topics:
♦ Percentage, Ratio & Proportion
♦ Profit & Loss, Simple Interest
♦ Time & Work, Time & Distance
♦ Data Interpretation (basic tables & bar graphs)

Preparation Strategy:
• Practice 15–20 questions daily
• Learn short tricks only after understanding basics
• Time yourself while practicing (not optional)

Target:
✔ Attempt 18–20 questions with 90% accuracy

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude

This section checks logical clarity, not memorization.

Reasoning Focus Areas:
♦ Puzzles (linear / circular)
♦ Inequality, Syllogism
♦ Coding-Decoding, Direction Sense

Computer Focus Areas:
♦ Basics of Computer
♦ Internet & Networking
♦ MS Word, Excel, Shortcuts

Preparation Tip:
• Do not ignore computer section assuming it is easy
• Revise computer notes 2–3 times weekl

English Language (Scoring if Practiced Right)

English questions are usually direct and predictable.

Key Areas:
♦ Reading Comprehension
♦ Error Detection
♦ Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms)
♦ Sentence Improvement

Strategy:
• Read one editorial daily
• Practice grammar rules (not guesswork)
• Avoid over-attempting RC questions

Step 3 – Mock Test Strategy (MOST IMPORTANT)

Mock tests are where real improvement happens.

Mock Test Plan:
♦ Start mocks after completing 70% syllabus
♦ Attempt 3–4 full mocks per week
♦ Analyze every mock for at least 1 hour

What to Analyze:
• Time spent per section
• Wrong attempts reason
• Topics causing repeated errors

✔ Improvement comes from analysis, not from number of mocks

Step 4 – Time Management in Exam

Ideal Section-Wise Time Split:

Golden Rule:
✔ Do not get stuck on one question
✔ Move ahead, come back later if time permits

Step 5 – Revision Strategy (Last 7 Days)

♦ Revise only short notes & formulas
♦ Avoid learning new topics
♦ Attempt 1 mock per day
♦ Sleep well before exam day

Last-Day Tip:
✔ Light revision only
✔ No heavy problem solving

Step 6 – Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring General Awareness
Depending only on books, no mocks
Studying too many resources
Practicing without time limit
Skipping revision

Step 7 – Final Advice for Aspirants

PNB Apprentice exam rewards consistency, not intelligence.
Candidates who practice daily for 2–3 hours with focus generally outperform those studying randomly for long hours.

If you treat this exam as a learning opportunity in banking, it will also help you in future Clerk / PO exams.

Sample Questions

Free Mock Test

Candidates preparing for PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Guide should practice the Mock Test to understand question difficulty, improve accuracy. This Mock Test is designed as per the Latest Exam Pattern and Syllabus. Attempt Mock Test here – Click here

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

Q1. What is included in the PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Guide?
The PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Guide includes a complete overview of the exam pattern, detailed syllabus, section-wise preparation strategy, sample questions, mock tests, expected cutoff analysis, and exam-day tips to help candidates prepare in a structured manner.

Q2. Is the PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Guide useful for beginners?
Yes, the PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Guide is designed for both beginners and repeat candidates. It explains concepts in simple language, focuses on basic aptitude and banking awareness, and provides step-by-step preparation guidance suitable for first-time aspirants.

Q3. How difficult is the exam according to the PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Guide?
As per the PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Guide, the exam difficulty level is moderate. Questions are mainly based on basic banking knowledge, arithmetic, reasoning, and English. Candidates with consistent practice and mock-test exposure can score well.

Q4. Does the PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Guide include mock tests and practice questions?
Yes, the PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Guide provides sample questions, memory-based questions, and free mock test support to help candidates understand the exam pattern and improve speed and accuracy.

Q5. How should candidates use the PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Guide for best results?
Candidates should use the PNB Apprentice 2026 Exam Guide by first understanding the exam pattern and syllabus, then following the section-wise study plan, practicing mock tests regularly, and revising weak areas during the final days before the exam.

Note: Applicants are strongly advised to carefully verify all details such as important dates, eligibility criteria, application fee, age limit, number of vacancies, experience requirements, and selection process from the official notification and official website before applying. Candidates must submit their applications only through the official website using the direct login link provided by the recruiting authority.

For the latest, easy-to-understand, and student-friendly government job updates, visit GovtJobLink.com – Latest Government Job Updates, where we also provide structured exam preparation guidance along with detailed exam pattern and syllabus information. For more government job notifications, candidates are encouraged to regularly check our Latest Jobs section.

Explore Other Related Posts & Latest Job Notifications that You Shouldn’t Miss

Stay Updated with GovtJobLink.com