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Rediff.com  » Getahead » How to prepare for RBI Grade B exam

How to prepare for RBI Grade B exam

November 04, 2015 10:14 IST
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"There are many banking exams you can write. Some of them are -- IBPS PO, SBI PO, RBI GRADE B examination.

"Mostly these examinations are conducted in two phases followed by interview round.

"These papers have questions from Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, General Awareness and Computer proficiency."

In an online chat with readers, Amit Jaiswal, head of academics, MockBank.com shared advice on how to prepare for the RBI Grade B exam.

Every year, the Reserve Bank of India conducts an online entrance examination for the recruitment of officers in Grade B (DR), in the offices of Reserve Bank of India.

The RBI Officer Grade – B Phase- I online examination is scheduled to be held on November 21 and 22, 2015 and Phase – II online examination will be held on December 7, 2015.

To help our young readers, Rediff.com had organised an online chat where Amit Jaiswal, head of academics, MockBank.com addressed reader queries and offered advice on how to prepare for the upcoming exam.

For those who missed the chat, here's the unedited transcript:


Roshan Parkar: what is the upper age limit for the exam?

Amit Jaiswal: Hi Roshan, welcome to MockBank. The upper age limit is 30 years for general category students.

For additional information, please go through the below link - http://rediff.ly/55ogt


yasmin: Sir I haven't got my admit card yet. what to do?

Amit Jaiswal: Hi Yasmin, please get in touch with the RBI officials who are responsible for conducting the examination. You will get the contact details on RBI Website


pratiknidhi: arey bank mein 30 saal ke upar koi recruitment nahi hoti.

Amit Jaiswal: Yes Pratik you are very much right. Norms are relaxed here and there for reserved category and PWD candidates. 


Deepak Patil: sir can you tell the exam pattern and tricks to crack it with material

Amit Jaiswal: Hi Deepak, Pratik, level of difficulty varies in all the competitive examinations. One needs to be good with picking right questions to be solved.

You do not have to solve all of them. For Reasoning and Aptitude - RS AGGARWAL and any CAT reasoning book ( only difficulty level one problems)

You should follow following things -1) The Hindu 2) GK Today - last 10 editions 3) Any year book - Say by Manorama 4) Mrunals blog 5) Websites of RBI, NABARD, SIDBI, WORLD BANK, IMF 6) Banking terms - Repo, crr, etc 7) NCERT economics books - Macro and Micro economics ( 12th standard) See if these help.


Rohit Mohod: Where can I get study E-Study Material for Economy part? Also how much we need to type for 2nd phase of examination?

Amit Jaiswal: Hi Rohit, you should get NCERT macro and micro economics books - easily available on NCERT website.

Additionally, refer websites of RBI, NABARD and SIDBI. Read Indian Economy by Mishra Puri. (Latest Edition). This time phase two examination too will have objective type questions.


hardik: this year I completed my tybbi in somaiya colg what I do for job in bank plz plz help me

Amit Jaiswal: Hi Hardik, there are many banking exams that you can ponder over to write. Some of them are as follows 1) IBPS PO2) SBI PO3) RBI GRADE B examination.

Mostly these examinations are conducted in two phases followed by interview round.

These papers have questions from Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, General awareness and Computer proficiency.


Pratik: [SKB] SirCan you please guide me with the details of the books and websites that one should go through for getting 50+ marks in GA of Phase I.

Amit Jaiswal: Pratik, level of difficulty varies in all the competitive examinations. One needs to be good with picking right questions to be solved.

You do not have to solve all of them.For Reasoning and Aptitude - RS AGGARWAL and any CAT reasoning book ( only difficulty level one problems)


Pratik: Sir can you please guide me with the details of the books and websites that one should go through for getting 50+ marks in GA of Phase I.

Amit Jaiswal: Hi Pratik, you should follow following things -1) The Hindu2) GK Today - last 10 editions 3) Any year book - Say by Manorama 4) Mrunals blog 5)Websites of RBI, NABARD, SIDBI, WORLD BANK, IMF 6) Banking terms - Repo, crr, etc 7) NCERT economics books - Macro and Micro economics ( 12th standard) See if these help.


cheena: Hello Sir, I am 35 yrs old female working in corporate as marketing manager..Any job openings are there for my age group in nationalised bank? How I can get into it ?

Amit Jaiswal: Hi Cheena, mostly the upper age limit in all banking examinations is 30 years. Three to 5 years of age relaxation are granted for candidates for reserved category.

In RBI Grade B examination, you may be given 3 years of age relaxation in case you are Mphil or PHD


SUBHAJIT CHATTERJEE: Hello, going through previous year's papers it can be seen that the emphasis is on GA and reasoning.

But as the time between phase i and phase II is very less, how to channelize the preparation? I have selected finance and management , so what should be my ideal preparation strategy? Thanks.

Amit Jaiswal: Hi Subhajit, welcome to MockBank.Indeed, GA has a 80 questions and Reasoning has 60 questions in the paper.

Preparation for both of the phases should be done together as you won't find much time once the results are out.

Your preparation in phase one should also assist you to sail through phase 2 exam as well. You need to study management concepts and terminologies.


anil: Is there any age limits for RBI Grade officer’s exam?

Amit Jaiswal: Hi Anil, there is an upper age limit of 30 years for general category students. You may like to go through the below link for additional information http://rediff.ly/55ogt


Farhan Aziz: sir I am an undergraduate, is it possible for me to apply for the RBI grade officer examination?

Amit Jaiswal: Hi Farhan, one needs to be graduate with atleast 60 per cent marks to be eligible to appear for the exam.Keep studying and write this once you are graduate


guddy: Sir I am presently working in an nationalised bank, i am working as a scale 2 officer, can i get a better post if i apply for RBI ?

Amit Jaiswal: Yes Guddy, This will certainly fast track your career growth.


sameer sethi: How does the selection process work in the RBI Officers ‘Grade-B’ Exam ?

Amit Jaiswal: Hi Sameer phase one examination is only shortlisting candidates for the phase two examination.

Your performance in phase 2 exam will determine if you should be interviewed for the coveted job with RBI. Thanks


Raj: Sir will d awareness part be only economy or current affairs???..

Amit Jaiswal: Hi Raj, Only current affairs will not be sufficient. In GA - Current affairs, Economics and Financial terminologies, Banking terms and various banks including IMF, World Bank, RBI, NABARD, SIDBI, Public sector and private sector banks, NBFCs etc should be asked.

You will also be having some questions from Geography, History, Polity, Science and technology etc --


Murali Bansi: How can I appear for the exam?

Amit Jaiswal: Hi Murali, the date to apply is over. Anyways, you may like to go through the following link for your future references... http://rediff.ly/55ogt


Haruni: How many people will be called for the second phase? What could be the approximate cut off for UR?

Amit Jaiswal; There is no data available for number of candidates. Last year's cut off for general category was 104 marks.


Haruni: Good afternoon sir/madam. Could you please tell me if Ramesh Singh is a good book for phase 2 economy?

Also, what other material can I study considering there is limited time.

As this is the first time it's going to be objective, could you tell me if the questions would be in depth or theoretical? Also, how and what to prepare for business management and finance?

Amit Jaiswal: Hi Haruni, Ramesh Singh would do. Objective type questions too can check your subject knowledge.

It would only be easier as you won't have to write the answers.

Writing requires a lot of practice and here you are saved.


Ankita gaur: Hello sir,I am very nervous this is the first time am appearing for rbi exam.so,ll u please tell me that on which topics should I focus more to clear the exam.Thank-you

Amit Jaiswal: Hi Ankita, Please focus on GA section as it has 80 questions.

In GA - Current affairs, Economics and Financial terminologies, banking terms and various banks including IMF, World Bank, RBI, NABARD, SIDBI, public sector and private sector banks, NBFCs etc should be asked.

You will also be having some questions from Geography, History, Polity, Science and technology etc.


Lead image used for representational purposes only. Image: Sahil Salvi

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