SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025
As per the exam schedule provided in SIDBI Grade B 2025 Notification, there is only 15 days left to SIDBI Grade A Phase 1 exam. Hence, following a well-structured SIDBI Grade B revision strategy, as recommended by experts, is crucial to cracking the exam. We have provided expert tips, 15-days revision plan, and an analysis of the previous recruitment cycle to help candidates understand the exam’s difficulty level.
SIDBI Grade B Exam Pattern
Candidates should note that the SIDBI selection process for 2025 has changed. The detailed exam pattern is as follows:
Phase I Online Objective Examination
The first phase of the SIDBI Grade B selection process is an Online Objective Examination. This exam is designed to test the basic skills of candidates in various subjects. The exam is divided into multiple sections, each covering different areas of knowledge.
Structure of Phase I Exam
- Total Questions: 200
- Total Marks: 200
- Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
Name of the Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks |
English Language | 30 | 30 |
Reasoning Aptitude | 25 | 25 |
Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 |
Computer Knowledge | 20 | 20 |
General Awareness (with special reference to Banking, Financial Sector, and Economic & Social Issues) | 20 | 20 |
MSMEs: Policy, Regulatory and Legal Framework; Finance and Management (with focus on MSME) | 30 | 30 |
Stream Specific Test ** | 50 | 50 |
Total | 200 | 200 |
**Stream Specific Test
- Topics include:
1. General (Grade ‘B’):
- MSME Financing: Due diligence, KYC, financial ratios, assessment of term loans, and working capital.
- NPA and Recovery: IRAC norms, NBFC financing, and credit risk assessment.
- Note: Syllabus is indicative; additional topics may be included.
2. Legal (Grade ‘B’):
- General Law Knowledge: Key acts such as Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Contract Act, 1872.
- Other Laws: Includes Transfer of Property Act, Negotiable Instruments Act, Registration Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, RTI Act, SARFAESI Act, RDB Act, and IBC.
- Additional Topics: Legal drafting and related legal frameworks.
3. IT (Grade ‘B’):
- Domain Knowledge: Focus on recent IT developments and industry trends.
- Technical Skills: Includes programming, database management, networking, security, AI/ML, and system design.
Phase II: Online Descriptive Examination
Candidates who clear Phase I are eligible to appear for Phase II, which is an Online Descriptive Examination. This phase assesses the candidate’s writing skills, knowledge of the sector, and analytical thinking.
- Time for each paper is 75 minutes for descriptive and 60 minutes for objective papers.
- Descriptive answers must be typed using a keyboard, either in English or Hindi (Remington or Inscript).
- Marks per question: Some questions are worth 1-2 marks depending on the type and difficulty level.
Phase-II Exam Details for Manager Grade ‘B’
Paper | Name of the Test | No. of Questions/Maximum Marks | Time |
Paper I Online Descriptive | English Language (Essay, Précis Writing, Comprehension, Business/Office Correspondence) | 3/75 | 75 minutes |
Paper II Online Objective | General Knowledge of Law (Legal Stream) | 50/75 | 60 minutes |
Online Descriptive | Legal Knowledge (Legal Stream) | 4 out of 6 (attempted)/50 | 75 minutes |
Important Notes for Legal Stream
- Paper I: Assess writing skills and comprehension abilities.
- Paper II: Focus on Legal topics such as Constitutional Law, Statutory Interpretation, Contract Act, etc.
- Online Descriptive: 4 out of 6 questions to be attempted, with 15-mark and 10-mark questions.
For Manager Grade ‘B’ General Stream
Paper | Name of the Test | No. of Questions/Maximum Marks | Time |
Paper I Online Descriptive | English Language (Essay, Précis Writing, Comprehension, Business/Office Correspondence) | 3/75 | 75 minutes |
Paper II Online Objective | MSMEs: Policy, Regulatory, and Legal Framework; Finance and Management | 50/75 | 60 minutes |
Online Descriptive | MSME and Financial Knowledge | 4 out of 10 (attempted)/50 | 75 minutes |
Important Notes for General Stream
- Paper I: Focuses on writing skills, including expressing and understanding topics.
- Paper II: Covers MSME topics including finance, risk assessment, NPA, and investment banking.
- Online Descriptive: Attempt 4 questions out of 10, with 15-mark and 10-mark questions.
For Manager Grade ‘B’ IT Stream
Paper | Name of the Test | No. of Questions/Maximum Marks | Time |
Paper I Online Descriptive | English Language (Essay, Précis Writing, Comprehension, Business/Office Correspondence) | 3/75 | 75 minutes |
Paper II Online Objective | IT Knowledge and Technical Skills (Programming, Networking, AI, Data Management) | 50/75 | 60 minutes |
Online Descriptive | IT Knowledge (Algorithm, Big Data, Cybersecurity, IoT) | 4 out of 10 (attempted)/50 | 75 minutes |
Important Notes for IT Stream
- Paper I: Tests writing skills and comprehension.
- Paper II: Covers IT concepts such as software, programming languages, data management, AI, and cybersecurity.
- Online Descriptive: Attempt 4 out of 10 questions, including 15-mark and 10-mark questions.
SIDBI Grade B Preparation Tips by Experts
As only 15 days are left for the SIDBI Grade B Phase 1 exam, it is time to focus on a well-structured revision strategy instead of starting anything new. The last two weeks should be dedicated to revising important topics, practicing mock tests, and analyzing mistakes. Below are expert-backed tips that candidates should follow for the best results:
- Revise the Exam Pattern & Syllabus Quickly: Ensure you know the weightage of sections to allocate your time smartly.
- Follow a Daily Revision Schedule: Dedicate specific hours to each subject and include time for current affairs.
- Focus on Strong Areas & High-Weightage Topics: Strengthen strong topics first, then brush up on weaker ones.
- Attempt 1 Mock Test Daily: Simulate the real exam environment to build speed and accuracy.
- Analyze Every Mock Test: Identify frequent mistakes and work on them the same day.
- Revise Current Affairs (Last 4–6 Months): Give priority to banking, economy, and finance updates.
- Use Short Notes & Flashcards: For quick recall of formulas, definitions, and static GK.
- Practice High-Quality Questions: Especially for reasoning puzzles, DI, and English comprehension.
- Stay Calm & Maintain Health: Sleep well and avoid burnout during the last days.
15-Day Last Minute Revision Plan
Candidates must create a revision plan for the last minute preparation for a systematic approach, so that no section is left behind. We have provided a sample 15 days revision plan which can be customized accordingly.
Days | Tasks |
Day 1–3 | Revise Reasoning & Quant basics. Practice important puzzles, DI sets, and number series. Read current affairs (last 2 months). |
Day 4–6 | Focus on English (RC, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles). Revise General Awareness (Banking & Finance). Attempt 1 mock test daily. |
Day 7–9 | Practice full-length mock tests daily. Analyze performance and revise weak areas. Revise important formulas & short notes. |
Day 10–12 | Go through current affairs for 4–6 months. Revise GA static topics like RBI, SIDBI, Monetary Policy, etc. Do timed practice sets for speed. |
Day 13–14 | Attempt 2 full-length mock tests each day. Focus only on revision & analysis, no new topics. |
Day 15 | Quick revision of short notes. Revise GA capsules & last-minute facts. Stay calm and get proper rest before the exam. |
SIDBI Grade B Exam Analysis of 2024
Below is the section-wise analysis of the SIDBI Grade B Exam 2024, highlighting the difficulty level and key topics covered in each subject:
Subject | Difficulty Level | Topics Covered / Remarks |
Quantitative Aptitude | Difficult | Heavy on Data Interpretation, Arithmetic, and Simplification. Time-consuming and calculative. |
Reasoning Ability | Moderate to Difficult | Dominated by complex puzzles and seating arrangements. Requires strong logical thinking. |
English Language | Moderate | Included Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Sentence Correction, and Error Spotting. |
General Awareness | Moderate | Focused on Banking Awareness, Current Affairs, and MSME-related updates. |
Stream-Specific Section | Moderate to Difficult | Included questions on Financial Systems, MSME Policies, and Regulatory Frameworks. |
SIDBI Grade B Books
As part of an effective SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy, selecting the right books is crucial. These expert-recommended books will help you cover the syllabus thoroughly and build a strong foundation across all sections.
Section | Recommended Books |
Quantitative Aptitude | – Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams – R.S. Aggarwal – Fast Track Objective Arithmetic – Rajesh Verma – Data Interpretation for CAT – Arun Sharma – Quantitative Aptitude for CAT – Sarvesh Verma |
Reasoning Ability | – A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R.S. Aggarwal – Analytical Reasoning – M.K. Pandey – Puzzle Mania – Oliveboard Practice Series |
English Language | – Objective General English – S.P. Bakshi (Arihant) – Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis – High School English Grammar – Wren & Martin |
General Awareness (incl. MSME) | – Banking Awareness – Lucent’s General Knowledge – Monthly Current Affairs – MSME Schemes – msme.gov.in |
Financial & Economic Awareness | – Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh – Economic Survey & Budget – Ministry of Finance, PIB – Financial Awareness – SIDBI Annual Reports, RBI Circulars |
SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025 – FAQs
Ans: The ideal SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025 for beginners includes understanding the exam pattern, creating a 2–3 month study plan, focusing on high-weightage topics, and practicing mock tests regularly. Cover all sections—Quant, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, and stream-specific areas—consistently.
Ans: A consistent 4–6 hours of daily study is recommended in the SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025. Divide time wisely across subjects and dedicate at least one hour to mock tests or current affairs revision.
Ans: Absolutely. Regular mock tests are a critical part of the SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025. They help improve time management, identify weak areas, and simulate the real exam environment.
Ans: As per the SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness (especially MSME-related topics) need more attention due to their difficulty and importance.
Ans: Yes, the SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025 can be followed through self-study. With the right books, a disciplined routine, mock practice, and current affairs updates, you can prepare effectively without coaching.
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