How to Clear SIDBI Grade A Exam in First Attempt: Complete Strategy

The SIDBI Grade A exam is a competitive test conducted by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) for the recruitment of Assistant Managers (Grade A). It offers a prestigious and rewarding career in the banking sector, with opportunities to work towards the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in India. If you are planning to clear the SIDBI Grade A Exam in your first attempt, you need to follow a well-thought-out and strategic approach.

In this article, we will guide you through the complete strategy to clear the SIDBI Grade A exam, including understanding the exam pattern, focusing on the SIDBI Grade A syllabus, managing time, and adopting effective preparation techniques.

Understanding the SIDBI Grade A Exam

Before diving into the preparation strategy, it is important to understand the exam pattern and the selection process. The SIDBI Grade A Exam consists of two phases:

Online Examination (Objective and Descriptive)
Interview
Phase 1: Online Examination
The online exam has two parts:

Objective Test
Descriptive Test
Objective Test:
The Objective Test has four sections:

English Language
General Awareness (with special reference to Banking and Financial Sector and Economic & Social Issues)
Reasoning Ability
Quantitative Aptitude
Here’s the breakdown of the objective section:

Section No. of Questions Marks
English Language 30 30
General Awareness 50 50
Reasoning Ability 40 60
Quantitative Aptitude 40 60
Total 160 200
Descriptive Test:
The descriptive part tests your writing ability and has the following components:

Essay Writing
Letter Writing
The descriptive section is worth 50 marks.

Phase 2: Interview
After qualifying for the online exam, candidates are called for an Interview, which carries 50 marks. The interview is an important stage, where you will be assessed on your knowledge, communication skills, and suitability for the position.

How to Prepare for SIDBI Grade A Exam

Now that you have a clear idea of the SIDBI Grade A Exam pattern and structure, let’s move on to the detailed preparation strategy to crack the exam in the first attempt.

1. Know the SIDBI Grade A Syllabus Thoroughly
Understanding the SIDBI Grade A syllabus is crucial. Without knowing what topics you need to cover, it’s difficult to build a proper study plan. Here’s a brief overview of the SIDBI Grade A syllabus for the Objective Test:

English Language:
Reading Comprehension
Cloze Test
Para Jumbles
Error Spotting
Fill in the Blanks
Sentence Correction
Synonyms and Antonyms
General Awareness (Banking, Financial Sector, Economic & Social Issues):
Current Affairs (National and International)
Banking and Financial Awareness
Budget and Economic Survey
Government Schemes
International Economy
Social Issues like Poverty, Education, Employment, etc.
Reasoning Ability:
Syllogism
Puzzles
Seating Arrangement
Blood Relations
Data Sufficiency
Logical Reasoning
Coding-Decoding
Quantitative Aptitude:
Data Interpretation
Simplification
Number Series
Time and Work
Profit and Loss
Percentage and Ratio
Speed, Distance, and Time
Once you know the syllabus in detail, you can start planning your preparation accordingly.

2. Create a Study Plan
The first step toward clearing the SIDBI Grade A exam is to create a realistic and effective study plan. Allocate time to each subject based on its weightage in the exam. A well-structured study plan should be divided into:

Daily goals: Set short-term targets like covering a topic or practicing a set number of questions from each subject daily.
Weekly goals: At the end of each week, you should revise the topics you’ve studied and take a mock test to assess your progress.
Monthly goals: Track your overall performance at the end of every month by analyzing your strengths and weaknesses in different sections of the exam.

3. Focus on Strengthening Basics
It is essential to have a strong foundation in each section, especially in Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability. If your basics are not strong, it becomes difficult to solve complex problems within the limited time frame of the exam. Make sure you revise your basic concepts regularly before moving on to advanced topics. For example:

In Quantitative Aptitude, practice basic arithmetic operations, learn formulas, and focus on understanding concepts rather than just memorizing them.
In Reasoning Ability, work on understanding different patterns and logic behind each type of question like puzzles and seating arrangements.

4. Time Management and Speed
One of the most important skills in any competitive exam is time management. The SIDBI Grade A exam requires you to solve a large number of questions in a limited amount of time. Here’s how you can manage time effectively:

Practice regularly: Consistent practice will help you improve your speed and accuracy. Set timers while practicing to get used to solving questions within a specific timeframe.
Mock tests: Take as many mock tests as possible to get a real-time experience of the exam. Mock tests not only help with time management but also help in identifying your weak areas.
Skip difficult questions: If you get stuck on a question, don’t waste too much time. Skip it and move on to the next question. You can always come back to it later if you have time.

5. General Awareness and Current Affairs
The General Awareness section, especially focusing on banking, finance, and economic issues, is one of the most scoring sections. Stay updated with the latest news and events related to the economy, government schemes, banking sector developments, and global financial changes. Here’s how to prepare for it:

Read a daily newspaper to stay updated with current affairs.
Follow banking and finance news from reliable sources like RBI bulletins, financial magazines, and websites.
Focus on government schemes, especially those related to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as SIDBI’s core work revolves around this sector.
Prepare notes for quick revision.

6. Strengthen Your Writing Skills for the Descriptive Test
The descriptive section tests your ability to write essays and letters on topics related to banking, finance, and current economic issues. To ace this section:

Practice writing essays on current issues like the Indian economy, financial inclusion, or the impact of digital banking.
Learn the format for letter writing, both formal and informal.
Work on your grammar, sentence structure, and clarity of thought.

7. Interview Preparation
Once you clear the written exam, the next hurdle is the interview. Here’s how you can prepare for the interview:

Be well-versed with SIDBI’s role and functions in developing the MSME sector.
Prepare for common banking and finance questions.
Work on your communication skills.
Be aware of your strengths and achievements, and learn to present them confidently during the interview.

8. Use the Right Study Material
To clear the SIDBI Grade A exam, it’s important to have the right study material. Some useful resources include:

Standard books for Quantitative Aptitude (R.S. Aggarwal), Reasoning (R.S. Aggarwal), and English (Wren and Martin).
Banking awareness books and monthly current affairs magazines.
Online mock tests and previous year question papers for practice.

9. Revise Regularly
Revision is a key part of preparation. Without regular revision, it’s easy to forget concepts and important information. Set aside time each week to revise what you’ve learned and focus on weak areas.

Conclusion

Clearing the SIDBI Grade A Exam in your first attempt requires dedication, smart work, and a well-planned strategy. By focusing on the SIDBI Grade A syllabus, strengthening your basics, practicing mock tests, staying updated with current affairs, and preparing thoroughly for the interview, you can increase your chances of success. Stick to your study plan, remain consistent in your preparation, and keep a positive mindset. With the right approach, you can ace the exam and secure your dream job at SIDBI.