RBI Grade B Success Story: Ms. Jhansi Cracked RBI While Working as an SBI PO

Jhansi Patnaik isn’t one to settle. Despite already achieving a reputed position of SBI PO, her sights were set even higher. Driven by a desire to make a bigger impact in the public service sector, she started preparing for the RBI Grade B exam.

However, her journey was not a piece of cake. Despite initial setbacks in the RBI Grade B exam, Jhansi’s unwavering determination and strategic approach ultimately led her to success.

In this article, Jhansi shares her inspiring story, offering valuable insights for future RBI Grade B officers.

Background

• Graduated with a B.Tech degree in 2019 
• Cracked SBI PO in 2021
• Two failed RBI Grade B Attempts
• Was working as a Probationary Officer at SBI (at the time of RBI Grade B selection)

Brief Introduction

I graduated in 2019 with a B.Tech degree. I received placement offers from two companies during my graduation, but the software industry wasn’t a good fit for me. I decided to pursue a career in the public sector, so I started taking government exams. In 2021, I cleared the SBI PO exam and joined the bank as a part of the 2020 batch. 

Interestingly, my interview for the SBI PO position coincided with my RBI Grade B Prelims. I attended the SBI PO interview and took the RBI Grade B Prelims the next day. However, I wasn’t entirely focused on the RBI exam then and simply wanted to try it. Unfortunately, I missed the cut-off by 0.25 marks.

My RBI Grade B Journey

After joining SBI, I gained a deeper understanding of the RBI’s crucial role in the financial sector. That sparked my interest in pursuing a career with RBI. In my first RBI Grade B attempt (2022), I missed the Mains by a narrow margin of six marks. 

However, I didn’t give up. Determined to succeed, I doubled my efforts and cleared the RBI Grade B Mains in my next attempt. With focused preparation for the interview, I finally achieved my goal and cleared the entire RBI Grade B exam in 2023. 

My Motivation

The RBI itself was my biggest motivator. Joining a large organization like SBI was good, but the RBI has a bigger picture that appealed to me. This desire to contribute at a larger scale drove me to keep trying, even when it meant dedicating another year. I held onto hope and remained positive about achieving my goal.

My parents, however, encouraged me to settle down. They questioned the need for more exams, reminding me that the SBI job was stable and secure. They expressed concern about the stress I was putting on myself, especially considering the shorter window of freedom young women often experience before marriage. They wanted me to enjoy this period.

Despite their well-intentioned advice, I felt a strong reluctance to give up. Deep down, I knew I hadn’t given my best in my previous two RBI Grade B attempts. This time, I was determined to put in 100% effort. It was more than just trying; it was about leaving it all on the field.

My RBI Grade B Preparation Routine

As a morning person, I prioritized sleep. After work, I’d wind down and be in bed by 9:30-10 p.m. My weekdays were dedicated to consistent study sessions. I woke up at 4:00 a.m. and focused on studying until 8:30 a.m., giving me a solid 4-4.5 hours. Weekends and holidays offered more flexibility, allowing me to stretch my study sessions to 8-10 hours.

I was balancing work and study together. I occasionally took cheat days when I couldn’t stick to the schedule. However, I aimed for consistency most of the time. Having a full-time aspirant friend was also a big motivator. Seeing her complete her tasks every day motivated me to finish mine. It was a constant reality check; “She’s doing it, so I need to do it too!”

While full-time aspirants undoubtedly have more time to dedicate, it also means that even a little laziness with the limited hours I had could put me behind the competition. So, I stayed focused and maximized my study time.

My RBI Grade B Preparation Strategy

In my experience, dedicating 6-8 months of focused preparation was sufficient for the RBI Grade B exam. Here’s the breakdown:

• Pre-notification: I utilized 3 months to build a strong foundation by studying core concepts and practicing regularly.
• Post-notification: Once the exam notification arrived, I used the remaining 4 months to refine my strategy, took mock tests, and revised key areas.

My RBI Grade B Phase 1 Strategy

While the question types in the RBI Grade B and Bank PO Phase 1 exams share similarities, their preparation strategies are totally different. I observed that RBI Grade B Phase 1 features a mix of easy and difficult questions. Clearing sectional cut-offs in Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English is crucial for success. 

General Awareness, however, offers an opportunity to maximize your score. Mastering the art of picking the right questions is key for Quant and Reasoning. Practicing and mock tests will equip you to identify the easier questions within these sections.

I used to struggle with the temptation to tackle every question, even those that seemed complex at first glance. It fueled a sense of pride; “How can I not solve this?” But this often led to wasting time. Some questions, while seemingly doable, could easily eat up 15 minutes. Mock tests were key in overcoming this. By practicing with a variety of mocks, I learned to identify these time-consuming, tempting questions.

Practice RBI Grade B Mock Tests

In my experience, focused practice through mock tests was more effective than additional content cramming for the RBI Grade B Phase 1. One month before the exam, I began solely practicing with mocks, avoiding reading every topic. 

During one EduTap All India Mock, feeling confident about clearing the overall cut-off based on past performances, I neglected to check the sectional cut-offs. I finished the mock unsure of my performance, but a friend reassured me. However, the results revealed that while I cleared the overall cut-off but missed the sectional cut-off.

This experience became a valuable lesson. It highlighted the importance of considering sectional cut-offs in addition to the overall cut-off. This awareness proved crucial in the actual RBI Grade B exam, which was quite difficult. Selective question picking was essential for clearing the sectional cut-offs. 

I had seen two of my friends clear the overall cut-off but missed Phase 1 due to failing sectional cut-offs. This highlights the importance of these sectional cut-offs for all candidates.

My RBI Grade B Current Affairs Strategy

As a working professional, I had limited time to prepare for current affairs. I adopted a two-pronged approach in the months leading up to the Prelims to address this.

I went into a holistic preparation mode for three to four months before the RBI Grade B Prelims. I covered everything important in current affairs, ensuring comprehensive understanding.

However, I couldn’t cover the exact 6 months of current affairs. So, I relied heavily on EduTap’s marathon sessions for those missing months. I followed all the available marathons for the Prelims, finding video explanations more effective than PDFs. Watching these marathon sessions proved very helpful for me. I also relied on AffairsCloud weekly videos.

How I Covered EduTap’s Videos

During the initial viewing, I watched EduTap’s videos at 2x speed. However, due to time constraints, I didn’t take any notes for revisions. So, I would revisit the videos for revision, typically at 2x, 3.5x, or even 4x. Since I had already watched them once, I could grasp the content even at a faster speed, saving valuable time.

Moreover, I overwhelmed myself with numerous information sources in my previous attempts. This time, I kept my sources limited. However, I trusted my chosen sources, believing they would be helpful. This very confidence played a supportive role in my success. 

My RBI Grade B Phase 2 Strategy 

Here is my RBI Grade B Phase 2 Strategy:

My RBI Grade B Descriptive Strategy

I adopted a unique approach to prepare for the RBI Grade B descriptive section. I used the syllabus as a guide. For each topic, I used to frame a potential question and then craft a detailed answer digitally in a Word document.

By the time the RBI Grade B notification came out, I had a comprehensive list of answers covering the most anticipated questions from the syllabus. This saved me valuable post-Prelims time for revision.

When we read certain news, PIB releases, government schemes, etc., I used to collect data points that could help me write answers. I maintained a separate Word document where I meticulously copied and pasted relevant data and figures that could potentially strengthen my responses. I reviewed this document daily or once in two days, solidifying my grasp of this crucial information.

During answer writing practice, I actively looked for opportunities to integrate the memorized data points. That helped me develop the skill of strategically using data to enhance my answers. However, recalling every detail can be difficult with exam pressure. Therefore, I aimed to memorize 5-6 points that I could use in my answers. 

My Trick to Memorize Important Points for Answers

Instead of memorizing data while reading, I developed a method to engage with key points actively. This involved reviewing my notes multiple times daily and identifying the most impactful information. During practice, I strategically incorporated these points into various answers. I reused the same point to write different answers to similar topics when applicable.

For example, I would use the same points to write answers for financial inclusion and inflation topics if they applied to both. With more emphasis, I felt like it was okay to remember certain points to a certain extent, so I used to try to remember only such points.

My RBI Grade B Finance and Management Strategy

For Finance and Management, I relied entirely on EduTap’s material. I used their summary sheets for the objective section.

For the descriptive section, I read the multiple questions and answers provided by EduTap. They also provided certain quotes and examples in the Finance and Management answers. So, I used to read those and practiced selective picking. By referring to their study material, I developed my own answers.

Moreover, I had a friend who was a full-time RBI Grade B aspirant. She could complete her answers very quickly. We used to review each other’s answers, which was helpful for me. Seeing her speed and her approach helped me develop my own ability to complete answers within a reasonable timeframe.

My RBI Grade B ESI Strategy

I followed the same approach for Economic and Social Issues. For current topics, I used to frame answers based on editorials. If a specific topic appeared consistently for two or three days, I would try to write an answer on it. These current topics could be anything from the current social issues.

Initially, I felt it took me a very long time, around two and a half hours, to prepare a single answer. The answer-writing process involved searching on Google, gathering data points, crafting a proper answer, typing it out, and correcting any grammatical mistakes, which is a tedious process. 

Instead of spending so much time, I thought I could simply jot down key points on paper, revise them later, and then go straight to the exam in my previous RBI Grade B attempts. However, I didn’t want to take any chances this time. I wanted to be more thorough with my preparation.

My RBI Grade B Descriptive English Strategy

In my previous attempt (2022), I missed the cut-off for the Mains exam by a mere six marks. Looking back at my scorecard, I realized my English score was the culprit. My ESI and FM scores were decent, similar to most average scores. However, my English score was only 50, while a friend of mine scored 70. He got qualified, but I didn’t because of my English marks. Since we had similar scores in other subjects, it became clear that English was the reason for my failure.

This experience convinced me to prioritize English this time around. After all, English carries equal weightage in the RBI Grade B exam yet requires comparatively less effort and time compared to subjects like ESI and FM. Therefore, I invested significantly more time in preparing for English this time.

What I Changed in My RBI Grade B Descriptive English Strategy

The previous year, I completely neglected English preparation. I naively believed English was a basic subject with just essay, precis, and reading comprehension. With that assumption, I skimmed through some basic rules and went straight into the exam. However, this strategy backfired and I didn’t clear the RBI Grade B 2022 exam. 

For the 2023 RBI Grade B exam, I took a different approach. I started by watching EduTap’s videos on the basics of essays, precis writing, and reading comprehension. While foundational knowledge was key, I didn’t stop there. After a dedicated week of video lectures, I began practicing by writing at least one precis daily. For reading comprehension, I attempted EduTap’s mock tests. I completed five full-length English mocks, recognizing the importance of consistent practice even in subjects perceived as “easier.” The evaluation I got from these mocks helped me understand where I was lacking. 

English description heavily emphasizes meeting word limits and avoiding spelling errors. Previously, spelling mistakes were my major weakness. Rushing through answers without a final review often led to typing errors. However, through persistent practice, I improved my ability to identify and correct grammatical and spelling errors. This focus on accuracy significantly boosted my confidence.

My RBI Grade B Mains Experience

The first paper was FM. With only five minutes remaining, I still had a 10-mark question left incomplete. I managed to attempt only half of it before time ran out. Following the FM paper, there was a break before the ESI and English sections. 

Although disappointed by my FM performance, I somehow gained the courage to attempt the remaining papers. However, I lacked the confidence I had previously, and I didn’t have a strong feeling of “this time it will happen.” Instead, I approached the rest with a wait-and-see attitude, unsure about clearing the RBI Grade B Mains.

My RBI Grade B Interview Preparation

For the RBI Grade B interview preparation, the first thing I did was focus on my biodata. After receiving the interview call, I had a week to submit it. I prepared my biodata meticulously by writing down all the information about myself on the first day. 

A few days later, I shared my biodata with two or three friends who had already attempted the RBI Grade B exam. Their feedback was invaluable. They pointed out how presenting the same information in a different way could have a significant impact. Taking their advice to heart, I showed them my revised biodata before finally uploading it.

I believe that biodata is the question paper that you are preparing. Since the biodata includes your background and experiences, most questions will likely revolve around the information you provide. So, you already know the answers to the interview questions. The key is to learn how to present your answers. 

Besides biodata, I also read about the RBI’s workings and functions. I also gave a lot of mock interviews and self-practiced to prepare myself for the RBI grade B Interview. 

Mock Vs. Real RBI Grade B Interview

While my mock interview experience differed significantly from the actual RBI Grade B interview, the mocks still proved valuable. They helped me identify areas to improve, particularly speaking style and body language. The recorded sessions I received after each mock interview were especially helpful. Reviewing these recordings made me more aware of my unconscious habits, such as certain facial expressions or hand gestures. This self-awareness was crucial.

Furthermore, mock interviews provided an opportunity to practice speaking more extensively. Unlike the written emphasis of the RBI Grade B Prelims and Mains, the interview format requires strong speaking and body language skills.

The actual RBI Grade B interview itself focused heavily on my biodata, current affairs, and RBI’s functionalities. The panel primarily asked questions related to these areas.

Times When I Could not Answer Questions

There were three or four questions I couldn’t answer. However, I avoided guessing. I knew a possible answer for one or two questions but wasn’t entirely confident. In those cases, I honestly stated, “I don’t know, sir, but I’ll definitely look into it further.” 

Thankfully, the panel was very understanding. They didn’t pressure me by saying things like, “This is a basic question you should know.” Instead, they simply acknowledged my honesty and moved on to the next question.

During the interview, I realized how easy it is to feel flustered when you don’t know the answer. The questions weren’t difficult; they were actually quite basic. You’ll feel like you should know the answer, this is very basic, etc. However, the key takeaway is this: if you’re unsure, don’t guess! The panel can easily detect when someone is making things up. 

In those situations, honesty is the best policy. I learned that admitting you don’t know something is perfectly acceptable. However, offering incorrect information as a substitute for a genuine answer creates problems. The panel doesn’t want candidates with a faulty understanding of key concepts. Having knowledge gaps is okay, but presenting misinformation is a different story.

After My RBI Grade B Interview 

Leaving the interview, I felt some doubt about my performance. I hadn’t answered all the questions, and for some that I did attempt, I wasn’t sure if I’d answered my responses effectively. However, after the interview, I was quite busy with work and other commitments, which helped me move on from the initial excitement, tension, and pressure surrounding the results. Thankfully, the results came out quickly within a month of the interview.

RBI Grade B Interview Result

I was still at the office around 6:00 pm when the results came out. A friend of mine updated her status “Selected for RBI!” Then I realized the results were out, but I didn’t want to check them at work. Ideally, I wanted to see them at home with my parents. Unfortunately, getting home quickly wasn’t an option.

The wait between 6:00 and 8:00 pm was my most stressful moment. Finally, around 8:00 pm, I reached home and rushed to check the results. With a sinking feeling, I searched for my name. I used “control F” but didn’t find it. Panicked, I started checking by serial number. There it was, my name in the fifth position! Overwhelmed with disbelief, I called out to my parents to check my roll number. It took all three of us to confirm. A good half hour had passed before the reality of my results finally sunk in. 

RBI Grade B Preparation Tips

I believed in giving 100% effort, regardless of the outcome. Putting in your absolute best, whether the results are positive or negative, is a form of success in itself. However, I also acknowledged that it’s okay to feel down or depressed sometimes. It is okay to include cheat days occasionally. 

Don’t be too hard on yourself, and allow yourself to enjoy moments during the RBI Grade B preparation process. The journey can be demanding and requires significant time and dedication from the candidate. Sometimes, we can be so harsh on ourselves that we avoid doing things we like, thinking it will be a waste of our time. It’s perfectly okay to have those occasional luxuries.

My Inspiration

My friend, who was a full-time exam aspirant, provided invaluable help during my preparation. Palak Ma’am, who had given the interview last time in the success story, also inspired me. I met her in the SBI PO 2020 batch. So, I took inspiration from her and believed that if she could crack the RBI grade B exam, so could I.

Many candidates might consider resigning to focus solely on RBI Grade B exam preparation, but Palak Ma’am proved that success was possible while juggling work and studies. Her positive attitude and perseverance truly motivated me.

Finally, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family and friends who supported me throughout my two-year journey. It was undoubtedly a stressful period, but the immense value of achieving this goal makes it entirely worthwhile.

Here is a video in which Jhansi Patnaik explains her RBI Grade B preparation strategy.

Conclusion

Despite facing setbacks in her first two attempts, Jhansi remained determined and ultimately achieved her dream of becoming an RBI Grade B officer. Her journey offers valuable insights for aspiring candidates, emphasizing the importance of focused studying, effective time management, and a positive attitude.