Roadmap to score high marks in GA Section: Achieve RBI exam success!

For RBI Grade B | 14th August 2023 – 10 mins read

“You are an RBI Grade B aspirant preparing to crack the exam but facing complications in the General Awareness and current affairs section? Not your fault, it’s not something you can just study and memorize from a defined textbook and then take the exam. In this blog, I’ll solve this problem of yours and give you a plan following which, you can score High in GA.”

– Manish Mishra

For the most part, our dreams are often just a step away from realization, and sometimes it is our ignorance to examine our flaws deeply that come in the way of its fulfillment. The same can be said for aspirants preparing for prestigious examination like RBI Grade B! 

Talking about challenging aspects in the RBI Grade B exam, it is the section of General Awareness (GA) that mostly comes to the minds of many aspirants. A huge apprehension is felt towards tackling this subject, which leads them to believe that achieving a high score in GA is beyond their capabilities.  

Well, guess what? That’s not true at all!  As someone who has scored exceptional marks in GA section twice, I can assure you that with the right strategy, hard work, and smart execution, anyone can score high and excel in this section. 

To help you with that, I am going to share with you a comprehensive strategy to conquer GA and current affairs, which will assure you success in the RBI Grade B examination. 

So, let’s dive deep to know the secret tips to eliminate your fears and master the General Awareness section to fully unlock your potential of becoming the next RBI Grade B officer! 

Rule One: Realize the relevance and scope of GA in RBI Grade B

To begin with, it is extremely important for you to understand the significance of General Awareness section in RBI Grade B examination. Since, clearing the exam, requires qualifying Phase 1 and as well as Phase 2, having a strong grasp over current affairs and General Awareness becomes absolutely essential. 

While some aspirants may underestimate the significance of current affairs, the reality is that ignoring this subject can hinder your chances of success. Scoring well in GA can compensate for weaker performance in other sections, making it a critical factor in determining your overall cutoff. 

Now, I know many of you must be wondering but why is scoring in GA is so important? It is because the section of GA plays a major role in all the three phases of the exam.  

In Phase 1, GA accounts for 80 out of 200 marks, with 80 questions focusing on current affairs and static GK. In Phase 2, both ESI and FM sections include questions related to current affairs.  

Additionally, current affairs play a crucial role during the interview stage, making it very clear that GA has a vast scope in the entire examination process. 

Rule Two: Adopt the right approach for preparing GA

After realizing the importance of GA, another significant aspect towards preparing for General Awareness is adopting the correct approach.  

One of the initial steps is to analyze the previous year question papers which will help in identification of the important topics and familiarize you with the nature of the exam.  

For effective exam preparation, referring to reliable sources like “Spotlight”, “PIB 247” or “Affairscloud” is vital to ensure comprehensive coverage of current affairs.  

Next, focus on listing down the important topics from the syllabus by classifying the subtopics as “Important” and “Very Important” for easy segregation.  

Rule Three: Make a mental note of the relevant topics for Current Affairs

Well, covering current affairs plays a huge role in preparation for GA section which is often a common concern among students.  

What if I tell you that you don’t necessarily require to cover every single news? Allow me to elaborate myself on that.  

Talking about important topics to cover under current affairs, the questions in Phase 1 exam are generally asked from topics such as government schemes, defense – related developments, important national and international news, economic reports, indices etc.  

Whereas, to cover current affairs for Phase 2, you must focus on government schemes, indices reports, GDP forecasts for the section of Economic and Social Issues. For Finance and Management (FM), concentrate on RBI and SBI news, banking and economic development, Union Budget and Survey.  

To be on a safer side, make sure you cover 6-8 months of current affairs for the General Awareness section.  

Rule Four: Apply the Secret Techniques for Effective Retention

When it comes to preparation for competitive exam like RBI Grade B, you must dive little deeper to match the competent level of the exam.  

Therefore, focus on gaining conceptual understanding of the topics that come under current affairs to comprehend the context and the significance instead of putting efforts in mere memorization of the news. 

It’s always easier to recall a particular information when you have a picture in mind regarding the same. To prepare optimally for GA section, you must emphasize on building a connection between a fact and the event to help you retain information effectively during revisions.  

Make a habit of inculcating current affairs as part of your daily life to stay updated beyond your study sessions and strengthen your knowledge for the actual exam. 

Instead of referring to plethora of study materials, strictly stick to limited number of sources to avoid the information overload and ensure completion of the entire syllabus.  

Lastly, devise a systematic yet detailed revision plan to make sure you revise regularly and be consistent with long – term retention.  

By now I am sure you must have realized that mastering the General Awareness section is crucial for ensuring success in the RBI Grade B examination.  

By adopting a well-structured strategy, focusing on important topics, and regular revision, you can confidently score great marks in this challenging section.  

I hope by effectively applying all the tips and techniques mentioned in the blog above, you would be able to cover the General Awareness effectively and gain confidence about clearing the exam.  

Remember, with dedication and perseverance, you can definitely conquer this exam and fulfill your dreams of becoming an RBI Grade B officer.  

So, push yourself to work on your shortcomings, embrace the challenges that come along, and embark on the true journey to excellence. Wishing you all the best in your exam preparation!