When asked about the banking exams, we are sure IBPS PO or SBI PO may be the ones that would strike your mind first. These two are the mainstream ones and are quite popular amongst government job aspirants. However, one exam that is not mentioned enough or is considered too tough to clear by many is the RBI Grade B exam.
We won’t say this exam is easy to clear, considering its rigor and competition. But there’s a clear plan and strategy that could make it possible for you to clear this exam. In this article, we will talk about essential tips, strategies, and resources to help you ace the RBI Grade B exam.
Understanding the RBI Grade B Exam
The exam pattern of the RBI Grade B is pretty much the same just like other competitive government exams out there, except that it is a bit more difficult than the other exams.
Phase I: Preliminary Examination (200 marks)
Duration: 120 minutes
Sections: English Language (30 marks), Quantitative Aptitude (30 marks), Reasoning (60 marks), General Awareness (80 marks)
Phase II: Mains Examination
Paper I: Economic & Social Issues (100 marks)
Paper II: English Writing Skills (100 marks)
Paper III: Finance & Management (100 marks)
Phase III: Psychometric Test and Interview (75 marks)
Phase 1 & 2 Strategy to Crack RBI Grade B
Now that you know what the exam pattern looks like, we are sure you would want to know how to deal with each one of these stages of the RBI Grade B exam. Let’s break it down individually.
RBI Grade B Phase 1
The first stage and arguably the hardest, owing to the elimination of 99% of applicants who cannot get through the elusive cutoff is Phase 1. You have to not only ace aptitude but also the most dreaded and unpredictable section i.e. General Awareness which is going to take a lot of rote memorization. Here’s how you can go forward with RBI Grade B phase 1 preparation.
1. Quantitative Aptitude
– Get used to the subject with basic arithmetic
– Once you’re comfortable with basic concepts, move to harder ones.
– Get your accuracy strong game first, then focus on being fast.
2. Reasoning
– Verbal reasoning shall be the first thing you do.
– Complex logical puzzles can be done next (50% of the whole section is filled with puzzles)
– When you wake up, solve a reasoning set first thing in the morning
3. English Language
– Reading financial newspapers for RBI Grade B will help with GA and improve your English language skills.
– Enrich your vocabulary by keeping a journal of complex words.
– Practice one reading comprehension passage each day
RBI Grade B Phase 2
RBI Grade B Phase 2 is a bit more detailed and you don’t get to solve just MCQs. It features a good mix of objective as well as descriptive questions.
Economic and Social Issues
– Start with basic economic concepts. You can start with the NCERT books Economics from 11th and 12th grade.
– It is heavy on current affairs and government schemes. So, take both into account too.
– Start connecting theories to real-world examples to make learning easier
Finance and Management
– Start with core banking fundamentals. All the advanced topics are related to them.
– Read RBI functions and monetary policy rates since its an exam by RBI
– Keep track of any regulatory changes and circulars that come in
– Some concepts are common in both subjects. If you cover for one, its done for another.
– Management is lengthy as per the syllabus but concepts are really easy.
Pitfalls to Avoid to Crack RBI Grade B in One Attempt
What you do right really matters in the RBI Grade B exam. But you don’t want to make critical mistakes that could set you back months of work.
Here are some pitfalls you should avoid to crack RBI Grade B in one attempt :
- Preparing too close to the exam date (2 months – 3 months)
- Irregular study hours and irregular daily routine
- Lack of parallel preparedness for both Phase 1 and Phase 2
- Following too many study sources instead of sticking to quality materials.
- Trying to skip difficult topics in the hope that they won’t show up in the exam.
- Not taking mock test performance seriously and learning from mistakes
- Practicing questions without time constraints.
- Ignoring English section.
- Studying for long hours without practicing active recall.
- Failing to balance work and life terribly.
Conclusion
Most people believe it’s impossible to crack RBI Grade B, but if you have the right strategy, discipline, and thoughts, you’re already there.
The more you master every concept, the more you attempt every mock test, the more you spend every early morning on your studies, and you’re closer to your goal.
Just be consistent, trust your prep, and keep going. The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is a little ‘extra’ in your preparation! Best of Luck!
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