The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducts the RBI Assistant Exam. RBI chooses several candidates for the post of Assistants for several zones, branches, and sub-offices of RBI. The entire examination consists of three steps: the preliminary exams, the main exams, and the Language Proficiency Test (LPT). As this exam paves the path for aspirants to enter into one of the best government organizations, they need to prepare adequately for such competitive examinations.
It is crucial to dissect the syllabus and understand it thoroughly. After this step, candidates should formulate a study plan best suited for themselves, stick to it, and cover the entire syllabus. The study plan should include solving sample papers, previous years’ question papers, giving mock tests, increasing accuracy, and enhancing time management. These expert tips to prepare for the RBI exam will help to crack the exam!
What is the paper pattern for the RBI Assistant examination?
The entire exam comprises three parts in total. They are:
- Prelims
- Mains
- Language Proficiency Test
Prelims: The total marks of the prelims paper is 100 marks. The decision-makers give the candidates one hour to complete the whole exam paper. The three subjects in the preliminary examination are Reasoning Ability, Numerical Ability, and English Language. Out of 100 marks, 35 marks each are available for Reasoning Ability and Numerical Ability. Alongside, the remaining 30 marks are for the English Language. Ideally, candidates should devote twenty minutes to each of these three sections.
Mains (Main Examination): The total number of marks for the main exams is 200 marks. The decision-makers give the candidates a total of 135 minutes to complete the exam paper. The whole paper comprises five sections in total. The subjects are Reasoning Ability, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, and Computer Knowledge. Out of 200 marks, each part consists of a score of 40 and has 40 questions each. Ideally, aspirants should give half an hour each to Reasoning Ability, English Language, and Quantitative Aptitude. While General Awareness should get twenty-five minutes, and Computer Knowledge should get twenty minutes. The candidates need to remember that negative marking is present in this paper. Hence, for every wrong answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted. Yet, if the student leaves some questions unattempted, the examiners will not cut any marks.
The Language Proficiency Test (LPT): If the candidate can qualify through the main exams and are provisionally shortlisted, they will need to appear for the Language Proficiency Test. The LPT is the last leg of the recruitment procedure. Here, the examiners check the candidates’ proficiency in the official or local language of the State concerned. If the candidates are not proficient, then they will be disqualified. This test is mandatory, and no exemptions are present for any student. All students must qualify for this round.
What are the expert tips to prepare for the RBI Assistant Examination?
- Make a routine – After assessing the syllabus properly, you must formulate a plan for yourself. This schedule should give priority to each of the sections of the exam paper. Ensure that you keep revising your timetable daily and make updates to it. All your subjects should get equal priority from you initially. When you need to emphasize a particular topic, then make space for that in your routine.
- Make your foundation strong – Your foundation must be strong before you jump on to the higher-level problems of the subject. Most of the questions will be surrounding the basic concepts of the subject. Hence, focus on building your base first. You can ensure that your foundation is strong by solving sample papers, previous years’ papers, and giving mock tests. Ensure that you complete each chapter thoroughly before you give your mock tests to see your preparation.
- Learn Short Tricks – Once you have ensured that your foundation is rock solid, you need to focus on speed and accuracy. As the exam has a limited time constraint, you might not complete questions that you know. For this, short tricks come in handy. These tricks will help you with fast and easy calculations, decreasing the time you need for solving the questions. Learn easy tricks for quant and reasoning sections. Make sure to memorize and revise cube roots, square roots, and tables up to 20.
- Read the newspaper daily – You must read the newspaper every day. This practice will enhance your English reading skills, vocabulary and help with your grammar and construction of sentences. Alongside, it is the best way to help you develop your knowledge on the dynamic part of the General Awareness paper. Hence, wake up and spend a minimum of 45 to 60 minutes with the newspaper.
- Enhance your English skills – Ensure that while studying English, your grammar knowledge is accurate. Study your grammar concepts thoroughly and ensure that you implement these theoretical concepts in your writing as well. Try reading as much as you can, be it a book, magazine or the newspaper. The more you read, the faster you will be able to read the comprehension passage. If you are comfortable, learn a minimum of three words each day and try applying them in your writing. This procedure will help with your English Language skills.
- Give utmost importance to General Awareness – If there is one subject that can make all the difference in a competitive examination, it is the paper on General Awareness. Hence, put a lot of focus on this subject. Ensure that the current affairs of the last six months are at the tips of your fingers. If your GA section is well prepared, you can answer maximum questions in the exam paper. Prepare the static part by reading about the history, policies, and functions of RBI. You will be able to cover the dynamic portions of the subject by reading the newspaper daily and doing some quizzes.
- Give mock tests – You might be sitting and practicing reasoning and numerical ability daily and solving several sample papers from previous years. Yet, it is always better to give mock tests after preparation where the examiners check your answer paper. You might not understand where you need to improve when you are solving papers yourself. Whereas, in a mock test, you can evaluate your preparation depending on the marks you get. Hence, appearing for a rbi assistant prelims free mock test or mock tests for mains via online mode can be a step to push you towards doing better in the exam.
- Time Management is crucial – Every time you sit to solve papers, time yourself. See how much time it takes initially to complete one exam paper. Slowly start decreasing the time. Apart from that, stick to the sectional timing allotted in the paper. Take as many quizzes and mock tests as you can. These will help you enhance your speed without compromising on accuracy. Ensure that you can answer the maximum number of questions without making mistakes. Proper practices will help you with your time management.
Aspirants need to prepare for both Prelims and Mains together. It is so because they might not get adequate time for revision for mains after their prelims results are out. Hence, start as early as possible. Believe in yourself that you will be able to crack the exam, and go and rock them!
