Preparing for the SEBI Grade A 2026 exam can feel challenging, especially with a vast syllabus covering both Phase 1 and Phase 2, multiple streams, and descriptive as well as objective papers. But with a proper 3-month study plan, you can manage your preparation effectively and cover all topics systematically. A structured plan not only keeps you on track but also ensures you have enough time for revision, practice, and mock tests, which are key for success in competitive exams like SEBI Grade A.
This blog provides a simple, step-by-step 13-week study plan, covering all streams including General, Legal, IT, Research, Engineering (Electrical and Civil), and Official Language, with both Phase 1 and Phase 2 topics
What should be the SEBI Grade a study approach for the next 3 months?
A smart approach to SEBI Grade A preparation involves dividing your study into three main phases:
- Phase 1 Paper 1 – General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning.
- Phase 1 & Phase 2 Paper 2 – Stream-specific topics like Finance, Management, Accounting, Legal, IT, Research, Engineering, and Official Language.
- Phase 2 Paper 1 – Descriptive English including Essay, Precis, and Reading Comprehension.
The key to success is to start with basics, gradually move to advanced topics, and include daily practice, revision, and mock tests. You should also update yourself with current affairs, SEBI notifications, and financial news daily.
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What is the SEBI Grade A phase 1 and phase 2 exam pattern?
The SEBI Grade A Exam has three stages Phase 1 (Prelims) with two objective papers for screening, Phase 2 (Mains) with one descriptive and one objective paper, and an Interview. Marks from Phase 2 and the Interview (85:15 ratio) are used for final selection, while Phase 1 is only qualifying. Negative marking applies in all objective papers.
| Stage | Paper | Subjects/Focus | Type | Marks | Time |
|---|
| Phase 1 (Prelims) | Paper 1 | General Awareness, English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning | Objective | 100 | 60 min |
| Paper 2 | Stream-specific topics | Objective | 100 | 60 min |
| Phase 2 (Mains) | Paper 1 | Descriptive English | Descriptive | 100 | 60 min |
| Paper 2 | Stream-specific topics | Objective | 100 | Varies |
| Interview | – | – | – | 100 | – |
What is the syllabus for the SEBI Grade A exam?
The SEBI Grade A Syllabus covers a variety of topics to assess candidates' analytical skills, knowledge, and general awareness. In Phase 1, it includes subjects like Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English Language, and General Awareness. Phase 2 has stream-specific papers for areas such as General, Legal, IT, Research, and Engineering. Candidates are also tested on Finance, Management, Economics, Accountancy, and the Companies Act. Understanding the syllabus clearly helps candidates plan their preparation and study effectively for the exam.
What week-wise strategy should SEBI Grade A aspirants follow for the next 3 months?
Aspirants preparing for the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Grade A exam can follow a simple and practical 3-month plan. Every day, they should study around 3 hours for Paper 1 (Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, and General Awareness), 3 hours for Paper 2 (Finance, Management, Accounting, Economics, and Descriptive English), and 1 to 1.5 hours for revision and practice tests. In the first month, focus on understanding basic concepts and completing the core syllabus. In the second month, solve more practice questions, take sectional mock tests, and improve speed and accuracy. In the third month, revise the full syllabus, work on weak areas, and attempt full-length mock tests regularly. The last four to five days should be kept only for quick revision and going through important notes and formulas.
What should you study during week 1 to build a strong foundation?
Start your preparation by covering the basics of Phase 1 Paper 1 General Awareness, English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning. Simultaneously, begin Phase 1 Paper 2 and Phase 2 topics for your chosen stream. The goal is to build a strong foundation and understand the core concepts early.
| Section / Stream | Phase 1 Paper 1 Topics | Phase 1 Paper 2 & Phase 2 Topics (Stream-wise) |
|---|
| Common for All Streams | General Awareness: Budget highlights, Economic Survey basics, RBI & SEBI updates, Top national & international news
English: Reading Comprehension (3 passages), Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Error Spotting
Quantitative Aptitude: Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratio, Averages, SI/CI, Simplification
Reasoning: Inequality, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Directions, Series | General Stream: Commerce & Accountancy (Accounting system, Standards, Depreciation, Inventories); Management basics (Planning, Organizing)
Legal Stream: Constitution of India – Preamble, Parts I, III, IV, IV-A, V
IT Stream: DBMS basics, ER Models, Normalization; SQL SELECT/UPDATE basics
Research Stream: Microeconomics – Demand, Supply, Market Structures
Electrical Engineering: Electrical Materials + Basic Circuits (KCL/KVL, Network Theorems)
Civil Engineering: Building Materials + Solid Mechanics basics
Official Language: Government of India Hindi Policy + Basic Translation (words/phrases) |
How should you strengthen your basics in week 2?
This week, focus on building speed and accuracy in Quant and Reasoning while completing Unit 2 topics of Paper 2 for your stream. Revise current affairs from the last 3–4 months to strengthen General Awareness.
| Section / Stream | Phase 1 Paper 1 Topics | Phase 1 Paper 2 & Phase 2 Topics (Stream-wise) |
|---|
| Common for All Streams | General Awareness: Govt Schemes, Reports & Indices, Financial News, Banking/SEBI/RBI updates
English: Sentence Improvement, Vocabulary lists, Cloze Test advanced
Quantitative Aptitude: Data Interpretation (Tables, Pie, Bar, Line), Quadratic Equations
Reasoning: Puzzles (Linear/Seating), Input-Output, Coding-Decoding | General Stream: Finance (Financial Market basics); Costing (Part 1)
Legal Stream: Contract Law (Offer, Acceptance, Consideration, Breach); Sale of Goods Act
IT Stream: Programming fundamentals (C/C++/Java): Loops, Recursion, OOP
Research Stream: Macroeconomics: National Income, IS-LM, Inflation
Electrical Engineering: Electrical Measurements + Basic Electronics
Civil Engineering: Structural Analysis (Beams, Trusses, ILD)
Official Language: Translation (sentences), Admin/Banking terminology |
Also Check: SEBI Grade A Exam Date 2026
How do you transition to advanced topics in week 3?
Start attempting full-length mock tests for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 to improve speed and accuracy. Complete Unit 3 and Unit 4 topics of Paper 2 for your stream. Focus on high-weight and advanced topics.
| Section / Stream | Phase 1 Paper 1 Topics | Phase 1 Paper 2 & Phase 2 Topics (Stream-wise) |
|---|
| Common for All Streams | General Awareness: Science & Tech, Important Days, Sports, Agreements, Appointments
English: Mixed practice (20–30 questions daily), RC + Para Jumbles
Quantitative Aptitude: DI (Caselet, Mixed), Data Sufficiency
Reasoning: High-level Seating Arrangement, Logical Reasoning | General Stream: Finance (Derivatives, Fiscal Policy, Inflation); Companies Act (important chapters)
Legal Stream: CPC (Parts I–V, VII); Specific Relief Act
IT Stream: Algorithms (Trees, Graphs, Sorting, DP); Cyber Security
Research Stream: Econometrics: Hypothesis Testing, Regression
Electrical Engineering: Analog & Digital Electronics + Signals & Systems
Civil Engineering: Design of Concrete/Steel Structures + Construction Management
Official Language: Legal terminology + Capital market terminology |
How should you consolidate your learning in week 4?
Focus on full revision of all completed topics and attempt daily mock tests. Work on weak areas, formula sheets, and short notes for last-minute retention and confidence boost.
| Section / Stream | Phase 1 Paper 1 Topics | Phase 1 Paper 2 & Phase 2 Topics (Stream-wise) |
|---|
| Common for All Streams | General Awareness: Last 3 months current affairs (fast revision), Budget/Survey quick notes
English: 2 RCs daily + 20 MCQs of mixed grammar
Quantitative Aptitude: Mixed arithmetic + DI sets + mock analysis
Reasoning: Puzzle + Seating + High-level LR | General Stream: Costing formulas, Finance numerical, Companies Act important sections
Legal Stream: Bare Act revision, CPC & Constitution quick checkpoints
IT Stream: SQL queries, OOPs revision, Networks + Cybersecurity
Research Stream: Econometrics formulas, International Economics
Electrical Engineering: Machines, Power Systems, Control Systems (high-weight topics)
Civil Engineering: Hydrology, Environmental Engg, Geotech (high-weight topics)
Official Language: Translation practice + Hindi grammar + official terms |
Explore SEBI Grade A Courses
How can you improve accuracy and speed in week 5?
By Week 5, your basics are clear. Now focus on improving accuracy and time management. Increase mock frequency and start connecting concepts. Paper 2 preparation should now move toward application-based questions and numericals.
| Section / Stream | Phase 1 Paper 1 Topics | Phase 1 Paper 2 & Phase 2 Topics (Stream-wise) |
|---|
| Common for All Streams | GA: Capital Market updates, SEBI Regulations overview
English: RC + Vocabulary revision
Quant: Mixed Arithmetic practice sets
Reasoning: Moderate puzzles + Logical reasoning | General: Financial Management (Capital Budgeting, Ratio Analysis)
Legal: Company Law basics + SEBI Act overview
IT: Data Structures basics (Stack, Queue, Linked List)
Research: Statistics basics + Probability
Electrical: Network Analysis advanced problems
Civil: Fluid Mechanics basics
Official Language: Advanced translation practice |
How do you master problem-solving skills in week 6?
This week should focus on numerical strength and analytical clarity. Attempt sectional mocks regularly and analyze mistakes carefully.
| Section / Stream | Phase 1 Paper 1 Topics | Phase 1 Paper 2 & Phase 2 Topics (Stream-wise) |
|---|
| Common for All Streams | GA: Reports, Indices, Financial Institutions
English: Grammar drills + RC speed improvement
Quant: Advanced DI sets
Reasoning: High-level seating + Data sufficiency | General: Economics (Monetary Policy, Fiscal Policy)
Legal: Securities Laws + SEBI Regulations
IT: Operating Systems + Computer Networks basics
Research: Sampling Methods + Correlation
Electrical: Electrical Machines basics
Civil: Geotechnical Engineering basics
Official Language: Official drafting practice |
How should you strategically increase mock practice in week 7?
Now increase full-length mock tests to 2–3 per week. Focus more on exam-level questions and improve decision-making skills.
| Section / Stream | Phase 1 Paper 1 Topics | Phase 1 Paper 2 & Phase 2 Topics (Stream-wise) |
|---|
| Common for All Streams | GA: Current affairs consolidation (6 months)
English: Mixed sectional tests
Quant: Caselet DI + Mock analysis
Reasoning: Critical reasoning | General: Cost Accounting advanced
Legal: Constitution revision + Landmark judgments
IT: DBMS advanced queries + Transactions
Research: Regression Models
Electrical: Power Systems basics
Civil: Environmental Engineering basics
Official Language: Terminology (Financial + Legal Hindi terms) |
Check Out SEBI Grade A Study Material
How can you enter the intensive revision phase in week 8?
This week marks the shift toward Phase 1 intensive preparation. Revise short notes and practice previous year style questions.
| Section / Stream | Phase 1 Paper 1 Topics | Phase 1 Paper 2 & Phase 2 Topics (Stream-wise) |
|---|
| Common for All Streams | GA: Static + Current mix revision
English: Daily RC practice
Quant: Arithmetic + DI mixed tests
Reasoning: Puzzle marathon practice | General: Companies Act detailed revision
Legal: CPC + Contract Law revision
IT: Cyber Security + Networks
Research: Hypothesis testing revision
Electrical: Control Systems basics
Civil: Transportation Engineering basics
Official Language: Translation speed practice |
How do you fine-tune your preparation in week 9?
If Phase 1 is near, focus on speed, revision, and mock analysis. Avoid starting new topics.
| Section / Stream | Phase 1 Paper 1 Topics | Phase 1 Paper 2 & Phase 2 Topics (Stream-wise) |
|---|
| Common for All Streams | GA: Last 6 months revision
English: Full sectional tests
Quant: Mock-based practice
Reasoning: High-level mixed sets | All Streams: Quick revision of important formulas, concepts, and short notes |
How should you strategically shift focus to phase 2 in week 10?
After Phase 1, your full focus should shift to Phase 2 descriptive + advanced stream topics.
| Section / Stream | Phase 1 Paper 1 Topics | Phase 1 Paper 2 & Phase 2 Topics (Stream-wise) |
|---|
| Common for All Streams | Light revision of GA only | General: Descriptive English + Financial essays
Legal: Case law writing practice
IT: Programming output-based questions
Research: Data interpretation + report writing
Electrical/Civil: Subjective numerical practice
Official Language: Essay + Precis writing |
How can you strengthen descriptive and analytical writing in week 11?
Focus on answer structure, clarity, and time management in descriptive paper.
| Section / Stream | Phase 1 Paper 2 & Phase 2 Topics (Stream-wise) |
|---|
| Common for All Streams | Essay writing (Capital Markets, Economy, SEBI role), Precis writing, Stream-based case studies |
Download 100+ Important Economic and Finance Terms PDF
How do you complete structured full revision in week 12?
This is your complete consolidation week. Revise all high-weight topics and attempt full Phase 2 mocks.
| Section / Stream | Phase 1 Paper 2 & Phase 2 Topics (Stream-wise) |
|---|
| Common for All Streams | Full syllabus revision + 2–3 Phase 2 mock tests + error analysis |
How should you maximize performance in the final week 13?
The last week should be calm and focused. Revise short notes, formulas, Acts, and key concepts. Avoid burnout.
| Section / Stream | Phase 1 Paper 1 Topics | Phase 1 Paper 2 & Phase 2 Topics (Stream-wise) |
|---|
| Common for All Streams | Quick GA revision only | Formula sheets, Bare Act highlights, Important definitions, Mock revision, Confidence building |
Download SEBI Grade A 300+ MCQs Ebook
What are the most effective SEBI Grade A study techniques?
To prepare effectively for the SEBI Grade A exam, you need a structured approach combining planning, revision, practice, and smart current affairs preparation. Creating a day-wise study routine, revising consistently, solving previous year papers, and evaluating your progress regularly can significantly boost your performance. Additionally, relying on monthly current affairs compilations rather than daily newspapers helps you stay exam-focused and saves time.
- Plan your day: Create a clear to-do list and follow a realistic study routine.
- Revise frequently: Daily revision for full-time aspirants; weekly for working professionals.
- Solve past papers: Understand the exam pattern and commonly asked areas.
- Self-assess regularly: Identify weak areas and modify your study plan accordingly.
- Smart current affairs prep: Use monthly current affairs magazines for concise coverage.
What are the last-minute preparation tips for SEBI Grade A?
In the final days before the exam, focus on high-weightage topics, quick revision, mock tests, and time management. Aspirants must strengthen their understanding of current affairs, core concepts of Economics, Finance, Management, and Law, and revise important terms frequently asked in the exam. Using quick notes and flashcards can help you retain maximum information in minimal time.
- Revise key topics: Focus on high-weightage areas and important notes.
- Practice previous papers: Improve accuracy and time management.
- Revise current affairs: Prioritize finance, economy, and regulatory updates.
- Strengthen core concepts: Especially in Economics, Finance, Management, and Law.
- Review technical terms: Revisit important financial and securities market terms.
- Stay updated: Track major financial news, mergers, acquisitions, and SEBI regulations.
- Time management practice: Solve questions within strict time limits.
- Use quick notes: Rely on short notes and flashcards for last-minute revision.
Key Takeaways
| Category | Key Points |
|---|
| Exam Dates | Phase 1: TBA Phase 2: TBA Interview: To be updated |
| Selection Process | Phase 1 (Qualifying) → Phase 2 (Mains) → Interview Final Merit = Phase 2 + Interview (85:15) |
| Phase 1 Structure | Paper 1: GA, English, Quant, Reasoning (100 marks)Paper 2: Stream-specific (100 marks) |
| Study Duration Covered | 30 day study plan with weekly targets for Paper 1 + Paper 2 |
| Week 1 Focus | Paper 1 basics + Paper 2 Unit 1 |
| Week 2 Focus | Problem-solving (Quant/Reasoning) + Paper 2 Unit 2 + Start current affairs |
| Week 3 Focus | Full-length mocks + Paper 2 Units 3 & 4 |
| Week 4 Focus | Complete revision + daily mocks + weak areas |
| Paper 1 Syllabus | GA (static + current), English grammar & comprehension, Quant basics + DI, Reasoning puzzles & logic |
| Paper 2 Syllabus | Stream-specific (General, Legal, IT, Research, Electrical, Civil, Official Language) |
| Effective Study Tips | Daily/weekly revision, past papers, mock tests, monthly CA magazines, structured routine |
| Last-minute Preparation | High-weightage topics, current affairs revision, formula sheets, flashcards, time management |
