How To Prepare for SEBI Grade A Officer

As you begin on your exam preparation journey, one thing becomes clear that it’s not just about studying harder, but about studying smarter.

As I came across the challenges of preparing for competitive exams myself, I’ve come to understand what truly works when it comes to cracking exams like the SEBI Grade A. 

One of the biggest lessons I learned along the way is that effective preparation isn’t just about reading books every day; it’s about understanding your strengths, working on your weaknesses, and creating a routine that keeps you on track.

The trick is finding balance—balancing your time, your focus, and your energy. The journey may seem long, but with the right mindset and strategy, you’ll find that every step brings you closer to your goal. 

Having mentored countless students over the years, I’ve gained valuable insights into the preparation challenges faced by aspirants.

I can confidently say that without a well-rounded preparation approach, it becomes difficult to stay on the right track. 

If you are gearing up for the SEBI Grade A 2025 exam, I have some great news for you! On this page, I’ll share an effective preparation strategy that can help you excel in the exam. 

So, without further delay, let’s get into the details and start preparing for success! 

Preparation Strategy: SEBI Grade A Phase 1 & 2

In this section, I’ve divided the SEBI Grade A preparation strategy into several key topics, making it easier for you to approach your exam preparation step by step. 

Additionally, I’ve included a detailed, subject-wise study plan that you can follow to structure your SEBI Grade A preparation efficiently. 

By carefully reviewing each point and sticking to this strategy, you’ll steadily move closer to achieving your goal of clearing the exam. 

So, let’s start with the most important topics for SEBI Grade A exam preparation:

Study Sequence

1. Take Mock Tests:
   At the beginning of your preparation, it’s necessary to assess your current level. Take at least 3 mock tests for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the SEBI Grade A exam. This will help you identify your strong and weak areas. If your score is below 50%, it indicates that those areas need more focused attention.

2. Self-Evaluation:
   Once you complete your mock tests, carefully evaluate your performance. Break down your results by subject, categorizing them into areas where you are strong and areas where improvement is needed. This will give you a clear roadmap of what to prioritize during your preparation.

3. Create a Study Timeline:
   To ensure you stay on track, divide your preparation into week-wise phases. Choose 2 subjects to focus on at a time: one that you’re confident in and one that needs more work. You can follow the timetable I’ve provided below, which is organized into morning and evening shifts to help you structure your study time effectively.

4. Revise Current Affairs:
   Current Affairs play a significant role in the SEBI Grade A exam. Make use of resources like ‘Spotlight’ and ‘Finance Current Affairs’ to stay updated. If you’re short on time, start working on current affairs once you’ve covered at least 50% of the syllabus. Do not begin with current affairs, as it’s important to build a strong foundation

5. Practice Writing:
   Improving your writing skills is essential for the descriptive part of the exam. Make it a habit to attempt an essay test every week. This will help enhance your ability to organize thoughts and present them clearly under time constraints.

Important Techniques

• Plan Your Day:
  Start your day by scheduling everything you need to accomplish before you even get out of bed. A well-planned day keeps you focused and ensures that you stay on track with your studies. Stick to the plan as much as possible, but be flexible enough to make adjustments if necessary.
• Revise Regularly:
  Revision is essential in retaining what you’ve studied. Depending on your schedule, revise on a daily or weekly basis. If you’re working while preparing for the exam, a weekly revision schedule works best. For full-time aspirants, daily revision is more effective. Make sure to go over the topics consistently to keep the information fresh in your mind.
• Analyze Previous Year’s Papers:
  Reviewing previous years’ question papers is essential in understanding the exam pattern and identifying the important static sections. It also helps you spot any shifting trends or changes in the exam pattern, allowing you to adjust your preparation strategy accordingly.
• Self-Assessment:
  Regularly evaluate your progress. You are the best judge of your strengths and weaknesses. Take time to reflect on where you are struggling and assess how much time you need to dedicate to a particular topic. This self-awareness helps you focus your efforts on areas that need improvement.
• Be Focused on Current Affairs:
  Current Affairs is an important part of the SEBI Grade A exam. However, avoid spending excessive time reading newspapers. Instead, rely on current affairs magazines, as they are concise and tailored for exam preparation. Monthly magazines are perfect for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 preparation. Keep in mind that for the interview stage, understanding arguments and opinions in current affairs will be more useful.

Approach to mocks

1. Take Weekly Mocks:
   Taking weekly mock tests is crucial for your SEBI Grade A preparation. These can be sectional or comprehensive, depending on the stage of your preparation. Early on, focus on sectional tests for both Phase 1 and 2. As the exam date approaches (about one month before the exam), switch to comprehensive mocks to simulate the actual exam environment and assess your overall preparedness.

2. Time Management:
   Mock tests, whether sectional or comprehensive, are excellent tools for improving time management. By practicing under timed conditions, you’ll get a better sense of how to allocate your time to different sections and questions, allowing you to pace yourself efficiently during the actual exam.

3. Analyze Your Mocks:
   Mock analysis is just as important as taking the mocks themselves. After each test, break your performance into three categories: correct answers, incorrect answers, and unanswered questions. Focus on understanding why you got certain questions correct by chance and why some were wrong due to avoidable mistakes. This self-reflection helps minimize errors and improve accuracy over time.

4. Use Elimination Techniques:
   Mastering the elimination technique can significantly enhance your accuracy and score. In this method, systematically eliminate obviously incorrect answer choices before selecting your final answer. Though it might take a bit longer, elimination increases the likelihood of choosing the right answer.

5. When to Avoid Elimination:
   Note that the elimination technique isn’t always applicable, especially for Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning sections. If you’ve already arrived at the correct answer through proper calculations or logical deductions, there’s no need to waste time applying elimination. Use it only when you’re uncertain about the answer or need to narrow down your options.

Do’s and Don’ts for SEBI Grade A Exam Preparation 

To help you achieve success with your preparation, here are some Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind. 

Do’s: 

• Learn Wisely:
  Modern question papers are a blend of concepts and facts, which requires a well-rounded approach. Combine rote learning with understanding core concepts to ensure comprehensive knowledge retention and application. 
• Stick to Limited Resources:
  When it comes to preparation materials, quality matters more than quantity. Choose a few reliable and well-organized resources and stick with them. Referring to too many books can be overwhelming and lead to confusion, so focus on mastering a select few. 
• Practice Aptitude Tests Regularly:
  Aptitude is a crucial part of the SEBI Grade A exam. Make sure to dedicate time to practice mock tests regularly, especially focusing on key areas like comprehension, mental ability, and logical reasoning. This will help you develop accuracy and speed. 
• Effective Time Management:
  Manage your time wisely by following a disciplined routine. Avoid distractions and unnecessary discussions. A simple “Eat, Sleep, Study & Meditate” routine will keep your focus sharp and improve your overall well-being, leading to better results. 

Don’ts: 

• Stay Away from Social Media:
  Social media can be a significant distraction. Avoid platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and other apps that can steal valuable study time. Stay disciplined in your study hours and keep distractions at bay. 
• Avoid Using Phones While Studying:
  Phones are tempting distractions that disrupt your focus. If possible, use a desktop or laptop for studying. Keep your phone in another room or locked away in a drawer to prevent the urge to check messages, emails, or notifications while you study. 

These are all the important points that you’d need to be mindful of while preparing for the SEBI Grade A exam. 

Now it is time for me to share with you the Day-wise study plan that I have designed for you all in the form of tables.

Day-Wise Study Plan

1. The plan has been divided into-  

Phase 1: Quant, Reasoning and English;  

Phase 2: Finance Theory & Numerical; Management; Companies Act & Costing; Accounts & Economics. 

Based on your priority, you can pick up any one of it.  

2. If you have ample time with you, it is advisable to start with Phase 2 subjects of Finance & Management, followed by Companies Act & Costing, then Accounts & Economics and finally Phase 1 QRE. However, you can also start with Phase 1 QRE, if you feel that you are very weak in the same. 

3. Pick up a maximum of 2 subjects in one day, as described in the study plan. Do not pick up more than 2 subjects at one point. 

4. If you are a working aspirant, divide your study session into 2 slots- morning and evening. Begin your study session early in the morning as provided in the below study plan. 

After leaving the office at 6 PM, take a nap rest for 1 hour. Start studying by 8 PM and give only 3 hours.   

5. Repeat the cycle after you have completed your syllabus once. In the second reading, start with current affairs too. You need to cover Phase 1 and Phase 2 current affairs together.

Phase 1 (Paper 1) – STUDY PLAN (Quant, Reasoning & English)

In the table below, I have provided a day-wise study plan with proper segregation of topics in a simplified manner. This will help you with comprehensive coverage as well as multiple revisions of the syllabus. 

Phase 1 & Phase 2 (Paper 2) – STUDY PLAN (Finance, Management, Commerce & Accountancy, Costing, Companies Act and Economics )

To help you organize your preparation effectively, below is a detailed study plan for Phase 1 & Phase 2 (Paper 2). This plan will guide you in managing your time and focusing on important topics for each subject. 

Conclusion

Now that you’ve got a comprehensive understanding on the SEBI Grade A exam preparation strategy, including a detailed study sequence, essential do’s and don’ts, and a day-wise study plan. 

You have all the tips needed to cover the syllabus thoroughly and approach the exam with confidence. 

I truly believe in your potential to succeed in the SEBI Grade A exam, and with consistent effort, you will definitely reach your goal. 

Best of luck for your preparations and future endeavors!