How Tough is SEBI Grade A Exam? Check Factors & Strategy

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How Tough is SEBI Grade A Exam?

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) conducts the Grade A exam for the recruitment of Assistant Managers across various streams such as General, Legal, Information Technology, Research, and others. Aspiring candidates often wonder about the difficulty level of this prestigious exam. In this blog, we will know how tough is SEBI Grade A .

SEBI Grade A Exam – Tough or Easy?

Determining whether the SEBI Grade A exam is tough or easy is subjective and depends on various factors including a candidate’s preparation, background knowledge, and familiarity with the exam pattern. Here’s a breakdown of these factors:

1. Exam Pattern and Syllabus

The SEBI Grade A exam consists of two phases:

Phase I: An online screening test with multiple-choice questions divided into two papers. Paper 1 is common for all streams and tests General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. Paper 2 is stream-specific and covers specialized subjects related to the stream a candidate has applied for.
Phase II: An online examination with two papers. Paper 1 tests the English Language (Descriptive) and Paper 2 is again stream-specific.

Additionally, there’s an Interview round for candidates who qualify in Phase II.

The syllabus for the SEBI Grade A exam is extensive and covers a wide range of topics, making it a challenging task to prepare comprehensively. Download the syllabus PDF below.

Download SEBI Grade A Syllabus PDF

2. Competition Level

SEBI Grade A is a highly coveted position, attracting thousands of applicants each year. The competition is intense, with candidates from diverse educational backgrounds, including engineering, commerce, law, and others, vying for a limited number of positions. This high level of competition adds to the overall difficulty of the exam. Check out SEBI Grade A Study Plan for 45 Days.

3. Preparation Time and Strategy

Success in the SEBI Grade A exam requires a well-planned and structured preparation strategy. Candidates need to allocate significant time and effort to cover the vast syllabus, practice mock tests, and revise thoroughly. Balancing preparation for both general and stream-specific subjects can be demanding.

SEBI Grade A Phase 1 Exam Pattern

The Phase 1 Exam consist of two papers. Check the detailed pattern below:

Paper	Details	Marks, Duration & Cut-off
Paper 1 – Common for All Streams	Covers General Awareness (including Financial Sector), English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning.	100 marks, 60 minutes. Cut-off: 30%.
Paper 2 – Stream-specific Subjects	Based on the candidate’s chosen stream (e.g., Commerce, Accountancy, Law, IT, etc.).	100 marks, 40 minutes. Cut-off: 40%.

Phase I is the online screening examination consisting of two papers of 100 marks each.
The Paper 1 is for 100 marks to be attempted in 60 minutes and the cut off is 30%.
For Paper 2, the maximum marks is 100, the duration is 40 minutes and the cut off is 40%.
The aggregate cut off for both the papers will be 40%.
Negative Marking: 1/4th for both papers in Phase 1.
Marks secured in Phase 1 will not be counted in final selection.

Attempt Free SEBI Grade A Mock Test

SEBI Grade A Phase 2 Exam Pattern

The Phase 2 exam pattern was revised by SEBI. The Phase II is further divided into two papers of 100 marks each. The Paper 1 have 1/3rd weightage and Paper 2 have 2/3rd weightage. Here’s the information categorized in a table format:

Paper	Streams / Subjects	Maximum Marks	Duration
Paper 1	All Streams: English (Descriptive Test) – tests drafting and writing skills (Essay, Precis, and Comprehension)	100	60 minutes
Paper 2 General Stream	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) on Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, and Economics	100	90 minutes
Paper 2 Legal Stream	(a) 70 MCQs (1 mark each) on specialized legal subjects (b) 3 Descriptive Questions (10 marks each) on the same subjects – to be typed using keyboard (Hindi or English)	100	60 minutes (MCQs) + 60 minutes (Descriptive)
Paper 2 Information Technology Stream	Coding Test in C++ / Java / Python to assess programming and technical knowledge	100	210 minutes
Paper 2 Research Stream	Descriptive exam to test in-depth knowledge and drafting skills in Economics, Financial Markets, and Statistics (Typed answers – English or Hindi using Inscript/Remington layout)	100	120 minutes
Paper 2 Official Language Stream	Translation and drafting test including: 1. English to Hindi (General – 20 marks) 2. Hindi to English (General – 20 marks) 3. English to Hindi (Technical/Legal – 20 marks) 4. Hindi to English (Technical/Legal – 20 marks) 5. Office notings translation (English to Hindi and vice versa 10 marks total) 6. Short sentences translation (English to Hindi and vice versa – 10 marks total) (Typed answers – Hindi typing via Inscript/Remington layout)	100	90 minutes
Paper 2 Engineering (Electrical) Stream	MCQs on specialized subjects related to Electrical Engineering	100	40 minutes

Important Notes:

Separate Admit Cards: New hall tickets will be issued for Phase II; Paper 2 for multiple streams will be held in different shifts.
Negative Marking: Applicable only to MCQs in Paper 2; ¼ mark deducted for each wrong answer.
Cut-off Rules: Paper 1 – 30%, Paper 2 – 40%, and overall aggregate – 50% (with 1/3 weightage for Paper 1 and 2/3 for Paper 2).
Shortlisting for Interview (Phase III): Candidates meeting all cut-offs will be ranked by merit; up to 3 times the number of vacancies will be called for the interview.
Language of Papers: All papers, except English, will be bilingual (Hindi & English).

Download SEBI Grade A 350+ PYQs with Solutions PDF

How Tough is SEBI Grade A Exam – Important Pointers

To give you a clearer picture of the toughness of the SEBI Grade A exam, here are some important pointers:

Aspect	Details
Wide Syllabus Coverage	The SEBI Grade A exam covers many subjects. In the General Stream, topics include Management, Finance, Cost Accounting, Companies Act, and Economics. Candidates need to understand each topic clearly.
Time Management	Effective time management is crucial. Candidates need to balance their preparation time between different subjects and practice regularly. During the exam, managing time to attempt all questions within the given timeframe is a critical skill.
Difficulty Level	The questions in both Phase I and Phase II are from moderate to tough level. Paper 2 needs strong subject knowledge and good writing skills for descriptive answers.
Negative Marking	There is negative marking in both phases for wrong answers. Candidates should focus on accuracy and avoid guesswork.
Interview Round	The final selection stage is the Interview round, where candidates are evaluated on their knowledge, communication skills, and overall suitability for the role. This round can be particularly tough as it tests not just academic knowledge but also personality and professional acumen.
Consistent Preparation	Consistency in preparation is key to cracking the SEBI Grade A exam. Regular study, continuous practice, and staying updated with current affairs are essential to perform well.

Download SEBI Grade A 300+ MCQs Ebook

How to Attempt SEBI Grade A Exam?

Here are some effective strategies on how to attempt the SEBI Grade A exam paper in the best way during the exam hall:

Thoroughly Understand the Instructions: Begin by carefully reading the instructions on the question paper. Make sure you comprehend the marking scheme, guidelines for answering, and any other critical information to avoid mistakes.
Effective Time Management: Time is of the essence in the SEBI Grade A exam. Allocate specific time blocks for each section, ensuring you can address all questions. Prioritize sections based on your strengths and weaknesses.
Start with the Easy Questions: Tackle the simpler questions first to build momentum and boost your confidence. This strategy ensures you secure marks quickly before moving on to the more challenging ones.
Strategically Approach Numerical Questions: For complex numerical problems, follow a systematic method. Identify relevant formulas, show all necessary steps, and double-check your calculations to minimize errors.
Balance Accuracy with Speed: While it’s essential to manage your time, accuracy should not be compromised. Avoid rushing, as small mistakes can lead to significant mark deductions.
Maximize Use of Rough Work Space: Utilize the rough work space effectively for calculations, diagrams, and notes. This can help in organizing your thoughts and ensuring accuracy in your answers.
Review Your Responses: Allocate the last few minutes to review your answers. Look for any errors or unanswered questions and make necessary corrections to improve your score.
Stay Calm and Manage Stress: The exam environment can be stressful, but it’s important to stay calm and focused. Practice deep breathing or other stress-relief techniques to maintain composure.
Avoid Overanalyzing: Sometimes the simplest solution is the correct one. Avoid overthinking questions and trust your first instinct if you’re confident in your preparation.
Trust in Your Preparation: Believe in the hard work and preparation you’ve put in. Confidence in your knowledge and abilities will help you perform better during the exam.

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Saloni Singhal

Hello there! I’m a dedicated Government Job aspirant turned passionate writer & content marketer. My blogs are a one-stop destination for accurate and comprehensive information on exams like Regulatory Bodies, Banking, SSC, State PSCs, and more. I’m on a mission to provide you with all the details you need, conveniently in one place. When I’m not writing and marketing, you’ll find me happily experimenting in the kitchen, cooking up delightful treats. Join me on this journey of knowledge and flavors!