Toppers Recommended Best Study Resources to Crack SEBI Grade A Exam

The SEBI Grade A exam is a gateway to a prestigious career in the Indian financial sector. To conquer this challenging exam, aspirants must prepare effectively, armed with the best study resources.

This article will list the toppers’ recommended best books, newspapers, websites, and magazines that will help you ace the SEBI Grade A exam and secure your place among the top candidates.

Understanding SEBI Grade A Syllabus & Pattern

Before examining the essential resources for the SEBI Grade A 2024 exam, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the exam pattern and syllabus. This helps clarify the topics to focus on, the marking scheme, and the format of the questions. This knowledge allows you to tailor your study plan, allocate time efficiently, and be well-prepared for the exam.

Now, coming to the important questions. Which books, websites, and magazines should you refer to for SEBI Grade A? Which is the best newspaper for SEBI Grade A preparation? Let’s find out.

Note: Based on the static or practical nature of the subject, the types of resources available will vary. Additionally, the syllabus for Paper 2 of Phase 1 and Phase 2 is the same. We will look at those subjects together later in the article.

Resources for Phase 1: Paper 1

Phase 1 of the SEBI Grade A exam consists of 4 subjects.

1. Quantitative Aptitude
2. Reasoning
3. English
4. General Awareness

Following are the expert-recommended books, magazines, and websites for Phase 1 Paper 1.

Quantitative Aptitude Resources

Following are the recommended resources that you must study for Quantitative Aptitude.

Reasoning Resources

Following are the recommended resources that you must study for Reasoning.

English Resources

Following are the recommended resources that you must study for English.

Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.

1. Word Power Made Easy
2. The Hindu
3. The Indian Express

General Awareness Resources

Following are the recommended resources that you must study for General Awareness.

Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.

1. Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
2. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
3. Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)
4. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
5. Ministry of Finance
6. The Hindu
7. Livemint

Resources for Phase 2: Paper 1

Phase 2 Paper 1 consists of a single paper of descriptive English. The questions are structured around:

1. Essay Writing
2. Precis Writing
3. Reading Comprehension

Following are the recommended resources for descriptive English. Here, it is important to build subject-relevant vocabulary and be updated on current affairs to successfully attempt this paper.

Descriptive English Resources

Following are the recommended resources that you must study for descriptive English.

Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.

1. Press Information Bureau
2. The Hindu
3. Livemint
4. The Economist
5. Business India

Resources for Phase 1 + 2: Paper 2

Paper 2 of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the SEBI Grade A exam consists of 7 subjects.

1. Commerce 
2. Accountancy 
3. Management
4. Finance
5. Costing
6. Companies Act 
7. Economics

Following are the expert-recommended books, magazines, and websites for Paper 2.

Commerce & Accounts Resources

The preparation for Commerce and Accountancy goes hand-in-hand. Following are the recommended resources that you must study for Commerce and Accounts.

Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.

1. 11th NCERT Part 1 and 2
2. 12th Class NCERT Part 2
3. Students guide to Accounting Standards
4. Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)

Management Resources

Following are the recommended resources that you must study for Management.

Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.

1. Principles and Practice of Management – LM Prasad
2. Principles and Practice of Management  – TN Chhabra
3. Human Resource Management
4. Organisational Behaviour
5. Management Study Guide (Website)

Finance Resources

Following are the recommended resources that you must study for Finance.

Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.

1. Principles and Practice Of Banking
2. Indian Financial System
3. Bank Financial Management
4. Indian Economy
5. Investopedia
6. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) FAQs
7. Economic Survey
8. Livemint

Costing Resources

Following are the recommended resources that you must study for Costing.

Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.

1. Cost Accounting – Principles and Practice
2. Modern Cost and Management Accounting
3. Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI)

Companies Act Resources

Following are the recommended resources that you must study for Companies Act.

Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.

1. Companies Act, 2018 (Ministry of Corporate Affairs) PDF
2. Companies Act, 2013 (AUBSP)

Economics Resources

Following are the recommended resources that you must study for Economics.

Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.

1. Indian Economy
2. Principles of Microeconomics
3. Macroeconomics Theory and Policy
4. IGNOU Notes

Important Note: Aspirants are advised to selectively cover the listed resources based on syllabus topics and PYQ analysis. The resources are not meant to be studied exhaustively.

Resources for Phase 3: Interview

As you approach the final stage of your SEBI Grade A journey, the interview stands as the last hurdle. While the interview doesn’t have a set syllabus, it aims to test your skills, personality, and readiness.

With the right strategy and helpful tips, you can turn those sweaty palms into confident steps, bringing you closer to your ultimate goal. Following are a few key points to focus on when developing an effective strategy.

1. Prepare well on your Candidate Profile

• Prepare well for at least 100 questions related to your candidate profile, including family background, educational qualification, gap years if any, low % in academics, etc.
• Be honest yet careful while explaining reasons for leaving previous jobs.
• Provide professional references.
• Fill out your form in a structured manner.

2. Know About SEBI

• Read the About section, annual reports, press releases, and speeches on the SEBI website.
• Use this information to frame your answers thoughtfully.

3. Make Yourself Stand Out

• Gain ground knowledge by studying stock exchanges, interacting with people, doing NISM certifications, or reading books by ex-SEBI officials.

4. Be updated on Current Affairs

• Stay updated with current affairs through Hindu/Livemint and the SEBI website.
• Focus on the reasons and implications behind any action.

5. Revise the Static Syllabus

• Be aware of the basics of the capital market and its regulations.

6. Have Basic Interview Manners

• Dress professionally.
• Enter and exit the room politely.
• Maintain good eye contact and body language.
• Sit upright.
• Keep hand movements appropriate.
• Handle stress calmly.
• Politely say “I don’t know” if you don’t have an answer.
• Disagree politely, if necessary.

Additional Tip: Take mock interviews with experienced panellists to gain firsthand experience. Expert feedback will help you enhance your strategy and better your preparation.

SEBI Grade A Preparation: Are Books Enough?

While theoretical resources such as books, magazines, and websites can provide comprehensive information on the exam syllabus, they do not promise success.

Following are a few tips to ensure that you make the best of the recommended resources.

• Tap into books, magazines, and websites to build a solid theoretical foundation.
• Test series and mock tests are your training ground for applying concepts and mastering preparation strategies.
• Don’t just passively read. Engage with the material by taking notes, highlighting key points, and creating mind maps.
• Revise. Make sure to include regular revision time slots in your strategy.

The most effective preparation strategy for the SEBI Grade A exam is to combine theoretical and practical resources. Theoretical resources provide the necessary knowledge base, while test series and mock tests help in applying that knowledge in a practical setting.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Notification & Vacancies

The SEBI Grade A 2024 notification was released on 14 March 2024. The detailed notification will be released on the official website of SEBI on 13 April 2024.

Additionally, 62 vacancies have been released for the General stream. Vacancies have also been intimated for Legal, IT, Engineering, Research, and Official language.

Important Update: SEBI has postponed the application window for all streams of the Officer Grade A position. The recruitment registration, initially set for April 13, 2024, has now been delayed. SEBI made this announcement on April 10, 2024, citing the General Elections as the reason for the postponement. However, SEBI will announce new dates soon. Keep checking the SEBI website for updates.

Conclusion

SEBI Grade A exam is a very important exam for aspirants who want to make a career in the Indian financial sector. While the exam pattern and syllabus are quite extensive, it should not be an obstacle. With the right preparation strategy and the use of the best resources, you can crack this exam. Nevertheless, aspirants are strongly advised to opt for mock interviews to prepare themselves for the final stage of the exam.

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