RBI GRADE B STRATEGY

Name: Saugat Das (Leonidus)

Hello Aspirants!!! I take this opportunity to present before you my strategy for the 1st Phase
in the RBI Grade B examination process. The most important point to be noted here is that
whatever I mention is not sacrosanct; many other successful guys have followed different
other strategies and I am one among them mentioning my own way of preparation. No single
coaching or book or test series can make you clear this exam. One has to understand the
syllabus, see the pattern of previous years question papers (though the pattern and the
standard of questions are changing every year but the topics are the same) and then prepare a
plan working on his/her own strengths and weaknesses.

Firstly, make it clear in your own mind why you want to appear for this examination and
understand the feeling what it takes to become a part of the Central Bank of a country. Its
not that you are appearing for all the exams available under the sun and RBI is just one of
them. To become a part of the system which carries the hopes and aspirations of the entire
economy on its shoulders is a different ball game.
Lot of Gyaan. Lets get on with strategy (Hard work + Smart work)!!!

PHASE-I
Step I
Read the syllabus and understand what it is trying to judge in the aspirants appearing for the
exam.

Objective Type Test No. of Questions Marks Time

General Awareness 80 80
Reasoning (Verbal) 60 60 Composite time of
English 30 30 120 minutes for all
Quantitative Aptitude 30 30 tests together
Total 200 200
As can be seen from the table, only the subject name is mentioned and nothing in details. So,
it should be clear in ones mind that the Phase I is not only the toughest part but also it is
conducted to eliminate you and not to select you. Hence, a regular focus and practice
should be done for at least 2 months before the exam.
(Information Handout of RBI Grade B 2016: https://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/
content/pdfs/FIHRBISB10082016_Eng.pdf )

Step 2
Have a look at the cut-offs of the previous few years (including the sectional cut-offs) and try
to analyze the importance of each section. One should try to gauge individual strengths in the
syllabus to be covered in every section especially Quantz and Reasoning. Find out the
individual topics in these two papers where one is comfortable with and practice them
thoroughly so that questions asked from that particular section isnt left unattempted. A
minimum cut-off is required for each section, but it wont suffice to clear the final cut-off. It
is a very important phase as from lakhs of candidates, only a few thousand gets to appear in
Phase II. I took no Test-Series for Phase I. Remember that you just need to cross the line.
Topper in Phase I get no awards.

PS: There are mainly two types of candidates appearing for this exam: Civil Service
Aspirants and Banking Aspirants/Professionals. It is very important to be kept in mind that
practicing CSAT paper wont suffice to clear Phase-I in RBI Grade B especially the Quantz
section. Have a look at the previous 6-7 years Bank PO papers to get a feeling of the topics
that are actually asked in the exam. Finally, the biggest mantra is Practice, Practice and only
Practice!!!
Step 3
a. General Awareness (GA) is the easiest and trump-card for clearing the Phase I
examination. 80 questions can be completed in less than 15 minutes. Very scoring
section. One has to acquaint oneself with all the happenings including facts and
figures for the last 4-5 months before the examination. The study materials followed
by me are (To be revised at least 5 times):
i. Monthly capsules of Affairs Cloud/Bankers Adda.(Any one would do)
ii. Vision IAS Monthly Current Affairs Magazine.
b. Quantz is the toughest and hence, more practice is required on this part and attempt
should be made to just be near about the cut-off because devoting more time in this
section will take your time away from other parts. The section has 30 marks.
Attempting 40% questions correctly should be the target. Books followed by me:
i. Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Dr. R.S. Aggarwal
ii. How to prepare Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma
iii. How to prepare Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma
(Data Interpretation is very important as one question contains 4-5 parts,
hence understanding one question can fetch you 5 marks which is more
than 50% of the sectional cut-off. There are minimum 2 DI questions in this
section)
c. Reasoning has 60 questions, but the crucial point is that the pattern of questions is
changed by IBPS almost every year. The topic remains the same but the questions
asked are complex. Internet should be used extensively to understand the nature of
questions- which one to attempt/not attempt. One or two big questions should be tried
in the beginning like puzzles, matrix, sitting arrangement, blood relations etc. These
questions have 5-6 sub-questions which help to score more if you can interpret the
logic of the caselet. Rest all depends on practice and your hold over the concept. Book
followed by me: Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma.
d. English and GA are the two portions to be focussed for clearing the overall cut-off.
On one hand, you can score very high in these parts; on the other hand these
 80+30=110 questions can be completed in maximum of 30 minutes. Hence, the entire
examination can be under your control by focussing on these two parts.

Step 4
Caution: Accuracy is a very important factor in this Phase. No need to attempt 140-160
questions. Attempt around 120 with more than 90-95% accuracy. Its more than enough.

My Score: (Attempted 113)

General Awareness: 50.5
Reasoning: 24.25
English: 21
Quantitative Aptitude: 8
Total: 103.75

PHASE-II strategy will be written once the marks are declared. I will get an understanding
which of my strategy worked and which didnt. Also, the transcript of my interview will be
uploaded with the focus points to be covered for Interview preparation.

List of Books for Phase II

1. Economic Survey: To be read in full (At least 2 times) and make specific notes. Then
revise it from some source (Vision IAS/IAS BABA).
2. Budget Speech: To be read minimum 5 times (Entire Speech)
3. Ramesh Singh: Specific part from the Syllabus
4. Social Issues: NCERT and Internet
5. Newspaper Reading: Indian Express/Livemint/Hindu (Specially for the English
Section)
6. Finance: JAIIB/CAIIB/CFA materials. Some of the topics can be covered from
Ramesh Singh or Basic FM book.
7. Management: P.C.Tripathi and Robbins & Judges.
8. Last 6 months Current Affairs: Backbone of the entire preparation.

PS: Remember one thing. There is no one source or book which can make you clear this
examination. Same topics are mentioned in various books. Its about how you choose the
sources and use them according to the demand of the examination. Internet should be used
extensively.

Good Luck Aspirants!!! I will keep updating my strategies in due course of time. Dont waste
your time asking silly questions. Focus on the syllabus, understand your strengths and keep
studying diligently.