RBI Grade B 2024 Topper Interview | Tanay Gaurav | AIR - 01 | Crack RBI Grade B 2025

Summary

In this insightful interview, Tan Gorov shares his journey to clearing the RBI examination in his second attempt, after overcoming challenges such as a missed attempt due to timing issues. He discusses his unique preparation strategy, focusing on source mapping, utilizing previous year question banks, and mastering weak areas like Finance. Tan reflects on his strengths and weaknesses, emphasizing the importance of consistency, smart work, and conceptual clarity. He also shares valuable tips for aspirants, including the significance of sticking to a few reliable sources and developing strengths in key areas. Tan’s interview offers practical advice and motivation for those preparing for competitive exams like RBI.

Takeaways

• 😀 Source mapping is essential for targeted preparation: Analyze previous years' questions and map them to specific sources to determine the most relevant material to study.
• 😀 Consistency and hard work are key to clearing competitive exams: A clear study plan, hard work, and consistent preparation were emphasized throughout the preparation process.
• 😀 Personal strengths and weaknesses should guide preparation: Identifying areas of strength and weakness allows for a more focused and efficient study approach.
• 😀 Mock tests help identify weak spots: Attempting mock tests early on helps students assess their performance and pinpoint areas to improve.
• 😀 Finance and management can be tackled by using specialized resources: Students from non-commerce backgrounds can succeed by using the right resources, such as YouTube channels and PDFs, for subjects like finance and management.
• 😀 Focus on quality over quantity: Avoid jumping between too many resources; stick to selected sources and revise them thoroughly.
• 😀 Effective note-taking can make a difference: Making structured, concise notes on complex subjects like ESI (Economic and Social Issues) helps in quick revisions and deeper understanding.
• 😀 Current affairs are crucial for RBI preparation: Consistently integrating current affairs into study materials, such as finance and government schemes, is essential for staying updated and relevant.
• 😀 Interview preparation requires broad knowledge: RBI interviews cover a wide range of topics, including technical, economics, HR, and personal background, so comprehensive knowledge is vital.
• 😀 Developing specialized strengths boosts exam performance: Cultivating expertise in certain subjects, like management, can help achieve higher marks even in weak areas like finance.

Q & A

What was Tan's approach when starting his preparation for the RBI exam?

Tan started by downloading the syllabus and reviewing the previous year's question bank. He created an Excel sheet to map the questions to sources, and based on this, he developed a study plan focusing on high-weightage topics and areas where he needed improvement.

How did Tan perform his Source Mapping process, and why was it helpful?

Tan mapped each question from the past five years to specific sources he planned to use for his preparation. This helped him focus his time and effort on the most relevant sources, ensuring efficient use of study time and aligning his preparation with the exam's requirements.

What strategies did Tan use to identify and overcome his weaknesses?

Tan took mock tests early in his preparation to identify his strengths and weaknesses. For instance, he found his General Awareness weak and focused on improving it by devoting extra time to current affairs and using specific sources like RBI 247 and PIB.

What did Tan do to prepare for the Finance and Management sections, given his technical background?

Tan, coming from a chemical engineering background, found Finance and Management challenging. He started by studying management through a YouTube channel and supplemented his knowledge with PDFs and notes. For finance, he followed revision sessions and studied the notes provided by the institute.

How did Tan handle note-taking for his preparation?

Tan did not make extensive personal notes for Finance and Management, as the provided notes were comprehensive. However, he made handwritten notes for the Economic and Social Issues (ESI) section by focusing on key topics and using flowcharts to organize data and ideas for efficient revision.

What role did the previous year's papers play in Tan's preparation?

The previous year's papers were crucial for Tan. He used them to source-map the questions and identify which syllabus topics needed more attention. These papers helped him assess whether he was focusing on the right areas and ensured his preparation was on track.

What were the major topics covered in Tan's RBI interview?

Tan's interview covered a wide range of topics, including Finance, Economics, Cryptocurrency, CBDC, and Monetary Policy. There were also HR questions about his choice to join RBI over other career opportunities, and technical questions from his discipline of chemical engineering.

How did Tan prepare for the various types of questions in the interview?

Tan prepared by thoroughly researching topics like the Monetary Policy Committee's decisions and the global stance on CBDC. He also reviewed technical concepts from chemical engineering and current affairs, ensuring he was ready for both subject-specific and general questions.

What advice did Tan offer to aspirants preparing for the RBI exam?

Tan emphasized the importance of sticking to a single set of sources for the entire preparation. He also recommended identifying strengths early in the process and focusing on developing them while ensuring there were no weak spots in any section of the syllabus.

What was the significance of Tan’s mock interview experience?

Tan found his mock interview valuable for getting feedback on his performance. The mock interviews helped him refine his answers and approach, giving him more confidence for the real interview. This experience allowed him to work on areas of weakness and gain clarity on how to present himself effectively.