5 Step Strategy To Prepare for NABARD Grade A Exam

Preparing for the NABARD Grade A 2024 exam requires a strategic approach and a clear roadmap with practical study tips. This blog provides the best strategy recommended by toppers for the NABARD Grade A 2024 exam preparation. It answers essential questions such as how to start your preparation, what is the ideal study plan to follow, and what are the important topics for ESI and ARD answer writing practice.

Whether you are a working aspirant or a full-time aspirant, this NABARD Grade A 2024 preparation strategy is sure to make your journey easier. Let’s get started by first breaking down the steps you should follow when starting to develop your personalized preparation strategy.

NABARD Grade A 2024: How to Start the Preparation?

Here is a comprehensive 5-step journey to help you start your preparation for NABARD Grade A 2024. It covers all aspects from how to approach the syllabus to the importance of mock test practice.

Step 1: Understand the Exam Requirements

Begin by thoroughly analyzing the official notification for NABARD Grade A.
This will give you a clear picture of important information such as the latest exam pattern, eligibility criteria, and subject weightage.

Step 2: Analyze Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs)

Next, access solved PYQs from the past five years to understand the difficulty level of the exam and the types of questions asked. PYQs also help provide insights into important topics from the exam syllabus.
A thorough study of the PYQs will help you identify your strong and weak subject areas and assess your familiarity level with the exam syllabus.

Step 3: Master the Syllabus

Once you have a grasp of the PYQs, it is time to comprehensively delve into the official NABARD Grade A syllabus.
Going through the official syllabus listed in the notification, alongside the decoded syllabus based on the PYQ analysis, will help you develop a deeper understanding of the frequently covered topics and tailor your preparation.
If you are taking a self-study approach, you are advised to make notes at every step of repeated topics. You need to prioritize these topics when approaching specific subjects.

Step 4: Develop a Study Plan

Now that you have a strong foundation, it’s time to create a personalized study plan. Here’s a suggested approach on how to start.

Focus on Merit Subjects (ESI, ARD): These subjects carry more weightage than other subjects and are crucial for both Phase 1 and 2 preparation. Start with ESI if you have an agriculture background, or ARD if you are a complete fresher.
Practice Descriptive Answer Writing: It is important to hone your writing skills for the descriptive questions in ESI and ARD. Practicing answer writing on 2-3 questions for every topic you cover will help strengthen your conceptual understanding. Including time for ESI and ARD answer writing practice during Phase 1 preparation will help build topic clarity and enhance retention.
Prepare Short Notes: Create concise summaries of key points for quick revision. It is important to develop a strong foundation of concepts and make notes of factual information such as short forms and shortcut keys for Computer Knowledge or the types and techniques of Decision Making.
Tackle Remaining Phase 1 Subjects: If you have previous experience with any banking exam, you might be familiar with the syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English. Otherwise, as a beginner, prioritize getting familiar with the syllabus with a mock test to understand the type of questions asked, especially for numerical problems under Quant and Reasoning. For English, focus on a strong foundation of grammatical rules and concepts.
Stay Updated on Current Affairs: Dedicate time daily or weekly (via individual resources such as daily newspapers and websites or weekly/monthly compilations) to keep yourself updated on current events. Remember, a little goes a long way, so try reading a newspaper or following a website daily if you are studying by yourself.

Step 5: Revision and Mock Tests

Regularly revise your covered material, especially ESI and ARD. For example, dedicate Sundays’ for revision every week so that you develop a strong foundation of the covered syllabus and not just memorize facts and information.
Practice mock tests to improve your time management, accuracy, and test-taking speed. For example, mock tests can help you analyze if you are slow, are your answers still correct. This way you’ll know whether to work on your speed, accuracy, or both.
Lastly, a thorough analysis of your chapter-wise or full-length mock test performance can help identify information gaps for targeted improvement.

Now that you have a clear idea of how to go about preparing for NABARD Grade A 2024, let’s examine our topper-recommended study plan for Phase 1 and 2 preparation that is suitable for both beginner and advanced learners.

NABARD Grade A 2024: 9-Month Study Plan

Based on previous years’ trends, the NABARD Grade A 2024 recruitment notification is expected to be released in August or September 2024.

In light of this, we have drafted a 9-month beginner-friendly study plan, allocating approximately 6 months (25 weeks) for comprehensive syllabus coverage and the remaining 3 months for Current Affairs preparation and revision.

Let us break down the given study plan for easy understanding.

Weeks 0 to 7

Focus on Agriculture and Rural Development, prioritizing the static syllabus first.
Alongside ARD, take on Reasoning. A good way to start Reasoning would be to take a full-length mock test and identify information gaps.

Weeks 8 to 16

Continue with Agriculture & Rural Development, ensuring a comprehensive understanding.
By now, you should be well-versed in the Reasoning section. It’s time to take on Quantitative Aptitude preparation.

For effective Reasoning and Quant preparation, it is important to practice multiple numericals on every topic. Your target should be to solve one question in under one minute with complete accuracy.

Weeks 17 to 22

It’s time to move on to Economic and Social Issues. It is best to follow an integrated approach for ESI Phase 1 and 2 preparation and prioritize the complete syllabus.
Continue practicing Quantitative Aptitude and once confident, take up descriptive English. You should start by getting familiar with the format of essay, precis, and letter writing.

Weeks 23 to 25

Start practicing essay, precis, and letter typing (on a keyboard) for descriptive English (Phase 2) in a time-bound format and simultaneously take up Computer Knowledge and Decision Making.
For Decision Making, develop a holistic understanding of the concepts and focus on practicing application-based questions.

Weeks 27 Onwards

With about 3 months left before the expected notification, it is now the right time to focus on your current affairs preparation. Your focus areas would be General Awareness, and the Current Affairs for ESI and ARD respectively.
During the second slot, prioritize English (Phase 1); when finished, focus on the revision of the entire syllabus.

Click here to learn more about how to prepare Current Affairs for General Awareness, ESI, and ARD for NABARD Grade A 2024.

9-Month Study Plan: Additional Tips

Before moving on, here are a few points you need to remember when following the given study plan.

Allocate a minimum of 4 hours each day, from Monday to Saturday, for effective and consistent preparation.
Reserve Sundays for revision to assess your strengths and weaknesses.
Tackle no more than two subjects at one time. You can follow the combinations provided in the study plan.
Engage in an integrated preparation for Phase 1 and 2 for ESI, ARD, and Current Affairs.

We understand that sticking to specific daily study hours can be challenging for some aspirants. To address this, a practical solution would be to compensate for your missed hours by dedicating extra study time on a different day, ensuring thorough syllabus coverage and optimal preparation.

To learn more about which topics you should prioritize under each subject, watch our NABARD Grade A super-mentor break down all subjects individually in the following video.

NABARD Grade A 2024: Answer Writing Practice

Your NABARD Grade A 2024 preparation is incomplete without effective answer writing practice. The Phase 2 Mains exam includes both objective and descriptive questions.

It’s crucial to practice writing answers on the covered topics for Paper 2 of ESI and ARD, along with essay writing practice for Paper 1 of Descriptive English. Here is a list of key topics to help you start.

Descriptive English: Essay Topics

Following is a list of important topics you should practice for descriptive English.

Urban Farming, related challenges, and its potential.
Rising population: A demographic dividend or disaster for India?
Rising Heatwave and its impact
Green Growth: Important, Challenges, Initiatives
Growing startup culture in India
Electric Vehicle: The Future of Transport
Artificial Intelligence and its Role in Education
“Peace can be established by understanding and not by force.”
Role of renewable energy in the fight against climate change
The need of the hour is to maximize the possibilities of agriculture in India

ESI: Answer Writing Topics

Following is a list of important topics that you should practice for descriptive ESI.

What are the tools for Monetary Policy?
Explain the significance & effects of LPG Reforms in India.
What is Inflation? Explain its types and target for RBI.
Explain unemployment and its types.
Write in detail about the important International Economics Institutions.
What is the Balance of payment and its accounts?
Discuss the important components of the Union Budget.
Explain what inclusive growth is. How is it different from Inclusive development?
What is the Human Development Index? Explain its dimensions and Indicators.
Discuss Urbanization and associated phenomena.

ARD: Answer Writing Topics

Following is a list of important topics that you should practice for ARD.

Explain MSP and how it supports small and marginal farmers.
What is Agroforestry? Explain its types, objectives, and advantages.
Organic farming has changed the way of agriculture in India. Discuss organic farming.
What is soil erosion? Discuss various methods for its prevention.
Explain the methods of vegetative propagation. What are the various facets of vegetative propagation and list some benefits.
Micro-irrigation is the future method of irrigation. Discuss.
Explain various housing systems in poultry.
What is Aquaculture? Explain various types of aquaculture practiced in India.
Discuss the evolution of the Panchayati Raj System in India.
Fruits and vegetables have a very short shelf life. However, various post-harvest techniques are used to enhance it. Discuss these techniques.

Current Affairs: Answer Writing Topics

Following is a list of important topics that you should practice for Current Affairs-based questions.

What are the key objectives of e-NAM? What are its features?
The National Food Security Mission plays a crucial part in the Food Economy, however, there are certain lacunas in it. Discuss.
Explain in detail the objective and features of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Gramin Phase II.
Explain in detail the objectives and features of Per Drop More Crop (PDMC).
Explain in detail the objectives and features of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture.
What are the key objectives of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)-Har Ghar Jal? What are its features and its components?
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission plays a crucial part in the Food Economy, however, there are certain lacunas in it. Discuss.
What are the key objectives of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme? What are its features and components?
Discuss the objectives of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Also, highlight the important initiatives under this scheme.
Explain in detail the objectives and features of Prampargat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY).

Remember, when answering current affairs-based questions, ensure that you start from the origin of the asked topic, include information on the latest developments, and address the future impact as well.

Conclusion

The journey towards cracking the NABARD Grade A 2024 exam demands a well-structured strategy, a personalized study plan, and consistent answer writing practice. This blog has provided you with a comprehensive roadmap, covering strategy for everything from the start of preparation to the revision phase.

Additionally, the answer writing practice topics for Descriptive English, ESI, ARD, and Current Affairs will equip you with the required skills to excel in both the objective and subjective sections of the examination. So, get started today!

FAQs

1. Is this study plan suitable for both working and non-working aspirants?

Yes, the study plan outlined in this blog is designed to cater to the needs of both working and non-working aspirants. It provides a flexible approach to accommodate diverse schedules while ensuring comprehensive syllabus coverage.

2. How can I effectively balance preparation for Phase 1 and Phase 2 subjects?

Aspirants are strongly advised to adopt an integrated preparation approach for Phase 1 and 2 subjects like ESI, ARD, and Current Affairs. Additionally, tackle no more than two subjects at a time and prioritize comprehensive revision on Sundays.

3. Can I modify the study plan based on my strengths and weaknesses?

Yes, you should definitely modify the study plan based on your learning style. The given study plan serves as a guideline, and aspirants are encouraged to tailor it to their strengths and weaknesses. The key is to ensure comprehensive coverage of the syllabus.

4. How important is answer writing practice for Phase 2 of the NABARD Grade A exam?

Answer writing practice is crucial for Phase 2, which includes both objective and descriptive questions. It helps enhance writing skills and conceptual understanding, ensuring you are well-prepared for the subjective questions of the examination.