RBI Grade B Phase 1 2025 Preparation and Key Takeaways From Past Year’s Paper

If you are preparing for RBI Grade B 2025 Exam, then the first stage of your success will be Phase 1. For Phase 1 preparation, it is essential that you first understand the exam trends from the previous year (2024). You must know what kind of questions appeared and their difficulty level. In this article, we will explore which types of questions in Shift 1 and Shift 2 tested the candidates’ knowledge and skills, and what kind of questions you can expect this year. Additionally, we will discuss how you can start your Phase 1 preparation and accelerate it.

Also, know why RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam: The Silent Eliminator of 99% Aspirants & What is the Finance and Management Syllabus for RBI Grade B Exam?

Difference Between Shift 1 and Shift 2

There are notable differences between shift -I and shift-2. It is very important for all the candidates preparing for the exam this year to know which topics were covered in Shift 1 and Shift 2. With this information, they will understand the level of questions in each section, and how the two sections were similar or different. Based on this information, they can prepare for the next exam. So, let’s see what kind of questions appeared in both shifts.

1. General Awareness

The General Awareness section is highly scoring. The difficulty level of the General Awareness section in the 2024 RBI Grade B exam was moderate. This section included questions related to Current Affairs and RBI as well as other regulatory circulars.

Let’s analyze this section.

Shift-1:

• The exam’s difficulty was of Moderate level.
• It covered 3 to 4 months of Current Affairs.
• Questions popped up from RBI and SEBI circulars.
• There were more one-liner questions as compared to the previous years.

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GA shift-2:

• The difficulty of the exam in Shift 2 was moderate to difficult.
• 3 to 4 months of Current Affairs and Circulars.
• The exam in Shift 2 was more difficult than the one conducted in Shift 1.

Top Prerataion Tip: Reading Daily Newspapers Like Mint, and Business Standard, to not only prepare for the GA part but also Improve your English skills simultaneously. Check out PIB Sutra to Accelerate Your GA Prep 10x

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2. Reasoning Ability

The Reasoning section is very important. To perform well in this, your analytical and reasoning skills must be very strong. And without practice, it is of no use. Because no matter how good your logical skills are, unless you solve different types of reasoning ability questions, you won’t be able to solve different types of questions during the exam either.

That’s why it becomes essential to go through the previous year’s questions, see what types of questions were asked, solve them, and train your mind to solve similar questions as quickly as possible.

Shift 1 & Shift 2:

• Easier than in previous years.
• The critical reasoning part was at a similar level to that of previous years.

Top Preparation Technique: Focus on the topics you are strong in. For some, it can be Can puzzles, for others it can be CR. So, practice 3 puzzles and 3 Critical Reasoning Paragraphs (Time-bound).

3. English

The English section also plays a crucial role in scoring the maximum marks in the Phase 1 exam. And if you don’t have a good understanding of the fundamentals of English, you won’t be able to score well in this section.

That’s why it becomes essential to first prepare its fundamental grammar properly, and then try to solve syllabus-related questions quickly and accurately. And if your basics are clear, scoring in English becomes very easy.

Shift 1 & Shift 2:

• The exam’s difficulty was of Moderate level.
• On the expected lines of the previous year.
• It is the best section to score for merit.
• People struggle in QA and Reasoning for the sectional cut-off

Top Prep Practice: Sectional Mock practice every two days if you’re comfortable in English. If weak, go for daily sessional mock test practice.

4. Quantitative Aptitude

The Quantitative Aptitude section is the most difficult of all sections, especially for aspirants who are weak in math. Therefore, scoring the maximum marks in this section depends entirely on your calculation skills.

That’s why try to solidify your basic math first, then move on to difficult questions only after practicing basic ones. And practice as much as possible because the other name for the Quantitative Aptitude section is practice.

Let’s shed light on the types of questions asked in both shifts of the exam.

Shift 1:

In Shift 1, the Quantitative Aptitude section was the most difficult among the shifts. 5 to 8 attempts were very good. The topics asked in this were DIs, Number Series, etc., whereas Quadratic Equations were missing in this.

• The exam’s difficulty was of Difficulty level.
• 5 to 8 attempts were very good.
• The topics were the same. DIs, Number series, etc.
• Quadratic Equation was missing.

Top Preparation Habit: Practice 3 DI questions daily, and 3 topics of Mathematics in a time-bound manner.

Shift-2:

• The Shift 2 exam was moderately difficult. Around 12 to 14 attempts were termed very good.
• Questions were on the same topics but were comparatively easier.

Also read, How to Prepare Finance and Management for RBI Grade B?

Takeaway

Here are the most important points that you need to consider were preparing for the RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam:

• Be fully prepared for uncertainties. In the exam, cut-off questions can come from any topic, so it is very important to practice every topic thoroughly.
• If the questions seem difficult during the exam, do not panic, read the questions carefully.
• Pay special attention to the Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning sections, and practice different types of questions from each topic thoroughly.
• For GA, read any current affairs magazine, and prepare the current affairs of the last 5 months properly before the exam.
• English and GA can either help you clear the prelims or stop you from clearing it, so try to score maximum marks in these.