I presume that you are already aware about the exam pattern, hence I will straightaway discuss about the sources and strategy I followed for each phase.

(1) Prelims: A lot of people take prelims too casually. Some start preparing for mains even before appearing for prelims. Unless you are very good at GA and aptitude, this approach is better avoided. In fact, prelim is a very competitive phase where out of lacs of candidates, rarely 1500-1800 get shortlisted for the mains. So ensure that you are well prepared for the prelims.

The biggest challenge of prelims exam is the GA section of 80 marks. So I will focus a little more on it. As this section has 40% weightage, meticulous preparations are required. Honestly speaking, it is more difficult to build up a GA base in a limited time than to say, learn some reasoning short-cuts. The most common problem faced by aspirants is the inability to convert GA reading into scores. The real problem here is, picking up competitive exam magazines and random GA material just as the exam is announced, and straightaway start mugging everything up usually do not give productive results. GA is something which cannot be built in a day, a week or a month. It is a regular process that one should continuously pursue. Newspaper reading should not be a compulsion but a habit! Also, the approach of reading should be issue-based-learning rather than mere remembrance of probable GA questions. Newspaper reading should be supplemented with reading articles on finance and economy, watching television news and debates etc.

Also, it is advisable to read and understand Indian financial system in general and banking system in particular. Try to follow and analyze a variety of issues and events happening in financial system of India and all over the world (QE and its impacts, IMF quota reforms, problems faced by PSBs, BASEL studies etc). Such an approach of knowing less-and-less-of-more-and-more than knowing more-and-more-of-less-and-less helps you maximize your attempts and score in GA section. Also, such holistic way of reading may indirectly help you in some GA questions where even if you don’t know the correct answer; you can eliminate some options and make a better guess.

While writing the prelims paper, keep a score in mind. Last year the cut-off for general category was 126/200. Ideally, a target of say, 140+ may be set to be on a safer side. Preference of sectional attempts is entirely subjective and should be decided taking into consideration individual strengths and weaknesses.

GA – One good financial newspaper everyday (ET, BS, Mint are good. I personally prefer Mint. However, it is up to your reading taste as to which newspaper to follow), complete reading of economy section from www.mrunal.org, random reading of banking awareness questions from Google and most importantly, continuous reading of all publications of RBI web-site. Browsing Pratiyogita Darpan during the last week before the exam will be helpful to brush up everything. This should suffice for prelims.

Mathematics – As the section is almost same as other bank exams, R.S.Agrawal is the most credible source to prepare. Focus more on DI, Percentage, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Time and Distance. Since the section consists of only 30 marks and may involve lot of calculations, try to score maximum in a set time period and move on to the other sections instead of wasting time for just few more marks.

Reasoning – Like bank exams, reasoning is of high level. No specific book needs to be followed but regular practice of CAT reasoning material of good national coaching institutes will help a lot. Since this section consists of 60 marks, fair amount of practice will be required if you are not already good at it. Sitting arrangements, analytical reasoning and syllogism need to be thoroughly prepared.

English – It comprises of just 30 marks, but can be extremely helpful in scoring as level of the section is very moderate. If you are good at reading comprehension and have sound grammar fundamentals, a score of 25+ is quite possible. A book on English Grammar by S.P.Bakshi can be handy.

  

(2)  Mains: Although it takes some efforts to go through prelims, the real exam starts here.

Mains is considered to be the most difficult part of the entire recruitment process. In fact, this is the phase where thorough understanding of subjects is required, which is only possible through extensive preparations. One positive thing about RBI mains is that it offers you sufficient time to think, frame and write your answers. Therefore, utilize the ample time you will get to articulate your answers lucidly and coherently.

The most important thing (and ironically the most neglected too) is developing good writing skills. Aspirants read rigorously, make daily notes, do economic data by heart and what not! However, little or no efforts are made in improving writing skills. This is where I feel, the problem lies. Let us not forget that the paper checker will not read what is there on the mind but will read what is written on paper. So it is as much important to be expressive and articulate as it is to be informed and aware. It is advisable to spend 75% efforts on subject reading and 25% efforts on writing practice. Practicing writing can be done by writing blogs on current affairs, participating in online debates among peers or by simply writing previous papers. Supplement your writing practice sessions by simultaneously following some well written magazines and editorials. It will help you develop a language which can fetch maximum marks. Take an example. Compare “If the prices keep rising, RBI will not lower policy rates” with “Persisting inflation may compel Central Bank to hold policy rates”. More or less, both the statements communicate the same thing. But the selection of words and the way of expression make the later one more effective. Therefore, make all attempts to ensure that you write your answer with the best ‘choice of words’.