How Tough is RBI Grade B Exam? Check Factors & Strategy

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How Tough is RBI Grade B Exam?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Grade B exam is one of the most competitive and sought-after examinations in the country. Every year, thousands of candidates appear for this exam, vying for a limited number of vacant positions within the central bank and the most common question among the aspirants is how tough is the RBI Grade B exam? In this blog post, we’ll explore the various factors that contribute to the difficulty of this exam.

RBI Grade B Exam – Tough or Easy?

Before moving on the question that Is RBI Grade B Exam Tough or Easy, one must know how many students appear for RBI Grade B Exam? Well, every year approximately 2 lakh students fill the application forms and approximately 1.5 lakh aspirants appear for the Phase 1 exam. Now if we talk about the selection, out of these 1.5 lakh students, only around 150 or 200 aspirants get to become RBI Grade B Officers which is only around 0.1%. The answer to the toughness of RBI Grade B Exam is Yes, RBI Grade B is tough but definitely doable. One has to be quite passionate about becoming a Grade B officer in the Reserve Bank of India and prepare with all heart and soul.

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RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2024

Check out the detailed RBI Grade B Exam Pattern for all the phases in this page.

RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern

The RBI Grade B Prelims exam consists of 4 sections: Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language. The detailed exam pattern in a tabular format is presented below along with the duration:

Sections	Total Questions	Marks	Duration
Reasoning	60	60	45 minutes
General Awareness	80	80	25 minutes
English Language	30	30	25 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	30	30	25 minutes
Total	200	200	120 minutes

There will be a 1/4th negative marking for each question. Candidates, who will secure minimum marks separately for each test as prescribed, will be shortlisted for Phase 2 of the examination based on the aggregate marks obtained in Phase 1.

Download RBI Grade B 2024 : The Complete Guide Here

RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Pattern

The RBI Grade B Mains exam consists of three papers: Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3. Papers 1 and 3 are a combination of both objective and descriptive questions, while Paper 2 is a completely descriptive paper. The detailed format is presented below in a tabular format.

Papers	Type of Test	Total Marks	Duration
Paper I – Economic and Social Issues	50% Objective Test (30 objective questions) 50% Descriptive Test(6 descriptive questions out of which 4 need to be answered)	50 marks 50 marks	30 mins 90 mins
Paper-II – English (Writing Skills)	Descriptive Test	100 marks	90 mins
Paper III – General Finance and Management	50% Objective Test (30 objective questions) 50% Descriptive Test(6 descriptive questions out of which 4 need to be answered)	50 marks 50 marks	120 mins

For both Paper I and III, there will be 30 questions and 50 marks for Objective questions (some questions carrying 2 marks each and some carrying 1 mark each).

How tough is RBI Grade B Exam – Important Pointers

Check out some of the important pointers of the RBI Grade B Exam below:

In the case of Descriptive questions, 6 questions will be asked, of which candidates will be required to attempt 4 questions (2 of 15 marks each (with difficulty level) and 2 of 10 marks each). In case, the candidate answers more than 4 questions in descriptive, the first 4 shall be evaluated.
All question papers (in both Phases, except the test of English) will be set bilingually in Hindi and English.

How to Attempt RBI Grade B Exam?

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

Read the Instructions Carefully: Before starting the exam, thoroughly read the instructions provided on the question paper. Ensure that you understand the marking scheme, the guidelines for answering, and any other important information.
Manage Your Time Wisely: Time management is crucial in the RBI Grade B exam, as you need to attempt a large number of questions within a limited time frame. Allocate your time judiciously for each section, ensuring that you have enough time to attempt all the questions.
Attempt the Easier Questions First: Start by attempting the easier and more straightforward questions first. This will help you build momentum and boost your confidence. Once you have tackled the easier questions, move on to the more challenging ones.
Approach the Numerical Questions Strategically: The RBI Grade B exam often includes complex numerical questions. Develop a systematic approach to solve these questions, such as identifying the relevant formulas, showing all the necessary workings, and double-checking your calculations.
Prioritize Accuracy over Speed: While time management is important, it is crucial to maintain accuracy in your responses. Avoid the temptation to rush through the questions, as even a small mistake can cost you valuable marks.
Utilize the Rough Work Space: Make the most of the rough work space provided in the exam booklet. Use it to perform calculations, draw diagrams, or jot down important points that can help you arrive at the correct answer.
Review Your Answers: Before submitting the exam paper, allocate some time to review your answers. Check for any careless mistakes, ensure that you have attempted all the questions, and make any necessary corrections.
Manage Your Stress and Stay Calm: The RBI Grade B exam can be a high-pressure situation, but it is important to remain calm and focused. Practice stress management techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, to stay composed throughout the exam.
Avoid Overthinking: Sometimes, the easiest answer is the correct one. Avoid overthinking the questions or trying to find a complex solution when a straightforward approach may be more appropriate.
Trust Your Preparation: During the exam, have confidence in your preparation and the knowledge you have acquired. Believe in your abilities and trust that your hard work will pay off.

RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF 2024

We have compiled the complete RBI Grade B Syllabus 2024 in a PDF. The candidates can download the RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF from the direct link given below. We have covered all the sections such as reasoning, english, quantitative aptitude, ESI, FM and more in RBI Grade B 2024 Syllabus PDF Download.

Download RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF

Strategy to Prepare for RBI Grade B Exam

In general, while preparing for the exam, you must decide on the following things:-

Order of attempting various sections
Time to be spent on each section
Number of questions to be attempted

Things to Kept in Mind While Preparing

Understand that all the 3 things mentioned above are dynamic and would vary from person to person, or sometimes even paper to paper, based on the difficulty level. Attempting a substantial number of RBI Grade B Mock Tests (both sectional & full length) would help you decide on the above mentioned things.
Do remember, the mock tests mentioned in the study plan will serve their purpose only if you analyze them and devote sufficient time to that analysis, instead of simply taking a mock test.
Understand, that the goal is to clear the individual sectional cutoffs first and then to maximize your overall score. Clearing sectional cutoffs requires a basic level of proficiency in each of the sections whereas, for maximizing the overall score, one can capitalize on their strengths.
Apart from the subject knowledge, your time management skills play an equally important role in the exam. Taking mock tests will also provide you with a situation where you can practice making such important decisions, and thus be better prepared for the actual exam.

It is no secret that the RBI Grade B examination is tough. However, it is definitely not impossible to crack. The prospect of such a prestigious job makes it one of the most sought after options when it comes to government jobs for graduates. If you study well, then you will be able to pass successfully and score for this job.

RBI Grade B Preparation Material – Free Ebooks

Hey aspirants!! We have specifically kept this section for the free ebooks. Here, you will get all the topic-wise ebooks. We will keep on updating fresh and new ebooks on different topics so do not forget to bookmark this blog. To download this ebook, all you need to do is log in. Also, download RBI Grade B 2023 Memory-Based Papers below:

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The syllabus of all the regulatory exams is somewhat similar, so practicing and learning from other exam-specific ebooks are also beneficial in the preparation. Here, we have compiled all the latest ebooks that will help you ace 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!

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