How to Crack IFSCA Grade A, Complete Preparation Tips & Plan

Priti Palit

9 hours ago

How to Crack IFSCA Grade A: The IFSCA Grade A exam is a competitive gateway to join the International Financial Services Centres Authority in India. Many aspirants ask, “How to crack IFSCA Grade A?” The key is having a solid preparation plan, understanding the exam pattern, and consistent practice. In this article, we provide a detailed guide on IFSCA Grade A preparation tips, study plan, best books, and strategies to help you succeed.

IFSCA Grade A Exam Pattern

Understanding the IFSCA Grade A Exam Pattern is the first step to building a strong preparation strategy. The IFSCA Grade A recruitment process is divided into three phases:

Phase 1: Preliminary Online Exam (Screening Test)

This stage is an objective-type screening test that checks the basic aptitude and awareness of candidates. It includes:

General Awareness (with a focus on financial and banking sectors)
Quantitative Aptitude
Reasoning Ability
English Language

Each section carries equal importance, and there is a penalty of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer. Since this is a qualifying round, the focus should be on clearing the cutoff with decent accuracy.

Phase 2: Mains Exam (Descriptive + Objective)

This is the core evaluation stage and consists of two papers:

Paper 1: English (Descriptive) – Tests comprehension, essay writing, and precise writing.
Paper 2: Subject Knowledge (Objective MCQs) – Covers topics from finance, economics, management, and the Indian financial regulatory system.

Candidates need a deeper understanding of current and static finance-related topics for this round.

Phase 3: Interview Round

Only those who clear Phase 2 are called for the interview. The final merit list is based on Phase 2 + Interview performance.

Explore IFSCA Grade A Courses

Step-by-Step IFSCA Grade A Study Plan (60 Days)

A structured study plan is essential to cover the vast syllabus in a limited time. This 60-day IFSCA Grade A study plan offers a balanced schedule covering all key topics along with time for revision and practice.

Day Range	Focus Areas	Tasks
Days 1–10	General Awareness (Basics) + Quants Foundation	Read daily current affairs, focus on RBI, SEBI updates, and basic maths
Days 11–20	Reasoning + Financial Awareness	Practice puzzles, banking terms, static GK
Days 21–30	English Grammar + Essay Writing + Economy	Solve RCs, write 1 essay every 2 days, read Budget & Economic Survey
Days 31–40	Subject Paper (Finance, Management, IRDAI etc.)	Study regulatory bodies, capital markets, and financial concepts
Days 41–50	Mock Tests + Revision	Start full-length mocks; analyze performance and revise weak areas
Days 51–60	Advanced Practice + Interview Prep	Attempt descriptive mock papers and revise core concepts

Best Resources for IFSCA Grade A Preparation

Choosing the right resources is key to cracking the IFSCA Grade A exam. From updated books to reliable websites and government documents, quality study material can simplify your learning process.

Section	Resource/Book	Purpose
General Awareness & Financial Sector	Lucent GK	Covers important static GK topics required for prelims
	Banking Awareness – Arihant	Useful for updates on financial regulations and banking sector changes
	Economic Survey & Budget Highlights	Essential for understanding macroeconomic trends and fiscal policies
	Official Websites (RBI, SEBI, IFSCA)	For latest circulars, guidelines, and real-time financial sector updates
Quantitative Aptitude & Reasoning	RS Aggarwal – Quantitative Aptitude	Builds conceptual clarity in arithmetic and data interpretation
	MK Pandey – Analytical Reasoning	Helps in mastering reasoning topics such as puzzles, coding-decoding, etc.
	Online Mock Tests & Practice Quizzes	Daily practice improves accuracy and time management
English & Descriptive Writing	Wren & Martin – High School English Grammar	Strengthens grammar fundamentals and sentence construction
	Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis	Improves vocabulary and comprehension skills
	Editorials (The Hindu / Indian Express)	Enhances descriptive writing and reading comprehension skills

Download IFSCA Grade A PYQ PDF

How to Prepare for IFSCA Grade A General Awareness Section

The General Awareness (GA) section, with a focus on the financial sector, is one of the most scoring parts of the exam—if prepared smartly.

Key Topics to Focus On:

Recent government schemes related to the economy
Banking reforms and RBI/SEBI updates
International financial institutions (IMF, World Bank, FATF)
Reports and indexes (Ease of Doing Business, Global Competitiveness Report)
Static GK from finance, insurance, and stock markets

GA Preparation Tips:

Dedicate 30–40 minutes daily to current affairs
Follow 2–3 reliable sources and make short notes
Attempt daily GA quizzes to track performance
Monthly revision using PDFs or capsules is essential

Time Management for IFSCA Grade A Preparation

Managing time effectively is crucial when preparing for the IFSCA Grade A exam. Let’s check few time management tips for IFSCA Grade A Preparation:

Create weekly goals and break them down into daily tasks
Use the Pomodoro Technique to maintain focus (25 mins study + 5 mins break)
Spend more time on high-weightage topics and weak areas
Use weekends for mock tests and revision
Avoid multitasking—focus on one subject at a time

Attempt IFSCA Grade A Mock Test

How to Prepare for the IFSCA Grade A Interview

The interview is your chance to stand out and secure your final selection. It tests not just your knowledge but also your communication, presence of mind, and awareness of financial policies.

Tips to Ace the Interview:

Know the Organization: Learn about IFSCA’s mandate, structure, and current initiatives.
Understand the Financial Ecosystem: Be confident in explaining how IFSCA differs from SEBI, RBI, etc.
Stay Updated: Be aware of recent financial news, global trends, and economic challenges.
Mock Interviews: Practice with mentors or friends to improve fluency and confidence.
Polish Soft Skills: Maintain a positive tone, use structured answers, and be honest about your opinions.

FAQs

Q1. How to prepare for General Awareness?

Read current affairs daily and follow monthly PDFs. Attempt quizzes for revision.

Q2. What are the best preparation books?

Use Lucent GK, R.S. Aggarwal, Ramesh Singh, and Norman Lewis. Choose based on subjects.

Q5. How to manage time during preparation?

Make a fixed daily schedule. Include revision and mock tests weekly.

Q6. What is a good 60-day study plan?

Focus on concept-building for 30 days. Then revise and attempt mocks for 30 days.

Priti Palit

Priti Palit, an accomplished edtech writer, boasts a wealth of experience in preparing candidates for multiple government exams. With a passion for education and a keen eye for detail, she has contributed significantly to the field of online learning. Priti’s expertise and dedication continue to empower aspiring individuals in their pursuit of success in government examinations.