How to Manage Time Effectively in the SIDBI Grade A Exam

The SIDBI Grade A Exam is a highly competitive exam that requires a thorough understanding of both the syllabus and effective time management skills. Time is one of the most crucial factors in determining your success in this exam. Even if you have prepared well, poor time management during the exam can lead to incomplete sections or rushed answers, which may affect your overall score.

This article will guide you on how to manage time effectively in the SIDBI Grade A Exam, using smart strategies and preparation techniques that ensure you make the best use of your time. We will also touch upon the importance of understanding the SIDBI Grade A Syllabus, which plays a key role in effective time management.

Understanding the SIDBI Grade A Exam

Before diving into time management strategies, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the SIDBI Grade A Exam. The SIDBI Grade A Exam is conducted by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to recruit Assistant Managers (Grade A) in various departments. The exam typically consists of two phases:

Phase I: Objective Test (Computer-based)
Phase II: Descriptive Test and Interview
Each of these phases tests different aspects of a candidate’s knowledge, including general awareness, reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and English language skills. It is important to manage time effectively in both phases to maximize your performance.

Understanding the SIDBI Grade A Syllabus

One of the first steps to managing time well is to become familiar with the SIDBI Grade A Syllabus. The syllabus outlines the topics that will be covered in the exam and helps you focus on the important areas. The SIDBI Grade A Syllabus is broadly divided into the following sections:

English Language: This section tests your grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and ability to understand and analyze written material.
Quantitative Aptitude: This section assesses your mathematical abilities, including topics like data interpretation, arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.
Reasoning Ability: Logical reasoning, puzzles, seating arrangements, syllogisms, and analytical problems are key areas tested in this section.
General Awareness: This section tests your knowledge of current affairs, banking awareness, and economic developments, especially related to SIDBI and financial institutions.
Computer Knowledge: This section covers basic computer knowledge, including software, hardware, and common applications.
Understanding the weightage and pattern of each section will help you allocate time more effectively during your preparation and on exam day.

Time Management During Preparation

Time management doesn’t just apply to the exam day itself—it starts from the very beginning of your preparation. Here are some strategies to manage your time effectively while preparing for the SIDBI Grade A Exam.

1. Create a Study Plan
A well-structured study plan is essential for effective time management. Start by assessing how much time you have before the exam and break it down into weekly and daily schedules. Focus on covering all the topics in the SIDBI Grade A Syllabus while leaving enough time for revisions and mock tests.

Prioritize Topics: Identify which topics are more difficult or time-consuming for you and allocate more time to them.
Daily Targets: Set achievable daily targets, such as completing a certain number of practice questions or revising specific topics.
Mock Tests and Practice: Allocate time every week for mock tests and practice sessions. This will help you assess your speed and accuracy.

2. Allocate Time Based on Section Weightage
Not all sections of the SIDBI Grade A Exam are equal in terms of difficulty or weightage. By reviewing past papers or analyzing the exam pattern, you can determine which sections require more attention.

Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability often require more time for practice, as they involve problem-solving and analytical skills.
General Awareness and Computer Knowledge may require less time but should be revised regularly to stay up-to-date with current events.
English Language can be challenging for some candidates, so ensure you dedicate enough time to improving your reading comprehension and grammar skills.

3. Set Time Limits for Practice Sessions
To simulate exam conditions, practice solving questions under timed conditions. Set a timer for each practice session and try to solve a set number of questions within that time. This will help you get used to the pressure of time constraints and improve your speed.

Speed vs. Accuracy: While practicing, focus on finding the right balance between speed and accuracy. Answering quickly is important, but getting the correct answer is crucial for scoring well.

4. Revise Regularly
Revision is a critical part of your preparation. Without regular revision, you may forget important concepts or formulas. Allocate specific time slots each week for revision.

Short Notes: Create short notes or flashcards to quickly revise key concepts and formulas. These can be extremely helpful in the final days leading up to the exam.
Weekly Revisions: Set aside one day each week to review the topics you’ve covered during the week. This ensures the information stays fresh in your memory.

Time Management on Exam Day

Now that we’ve covered how to manage time during preparation, let’s discuss how to manage your time effectively on exam day.

1. Read Instructions Carefully
At the start of the exam, take a minute or two to read through all the instructions carefully. This will help you avoid any confusion during the exam, such as missing out on important details or misinterpreting a question.

2. Plan Your Time Allocation Per Section
Each section of the SIDBI Grade A Exam has a specific time limit, and it’s important to stick to it. Here’s a rough time allocation strategy based on the typical pattern of the exam:

English Language: 20-25 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude: 30-35 minutes
Reasoning Ability: 30-35 minutes
General Awareness: 15-20 minutes
Computer Knowledge: 10-15 minutes
Start with the section you are most comfortable with to build confidence and save time for more difficult sections. Avoid spending too much time on one question—if you’re stuck, move on and come back to it later if time permits.

3. Use the “Time Block” Strategy
The “Time Block” strategy involves dividing the total time of the exam into smaller blocks, each dedicated to a specific section or set of questions. This approach prevents you from spending too much time on one part of the exam.

Example: If you have 90 minutes for the exam, divide it into 3 blocks of 30 minutes each. Allocate each block to a specific set of questions or sections and stick to the time limit. If you finish early, use the extra time to review your answers.

4. Skip and Return Strategy
If you encounter a question that seems too difficult or time-consuming, don’t waste valuable time trying to solve it. Skip the question and move on to the next one. After you’ve completed the rest of the section, you can return to the skipped question if you have time left.

5. Monitor Your Progress
Keep an eye on the clock throughout the exam, but don’t let it stress you out. Try to complete each section within the allocated time and leave a few minutes at the end for reviewing your answers.

6. Maintain Composure
Finally, managing time effectively requires maintaining a calm and focused mindset. Stress or anxiety can cause you to rush through questions or make careless mistakes. Practice deep breathing techniques or short mindfulness exercises if you feel overwhelmed during the exam.

Conclusion

Effective time management is essential for success in the SIDBI Grade A Exam. By understanding the SIDBI Grade A Syllabus and planning your preparation with a structured study plan, you can ensure that you cover all the important topics and improve your speed and accuracy. On exam day, implementing strategies like time blocks, skipping difficult questions, and monitoring your progress will help you manage your time effectively and maximize your score.

Remember, success in the SIDBI Grade A Exam is not just about knowledge—it’s about using your time wisely to demonstrate your abilities. With the right approach, you can achieve your goals and perform at your best.
Read more blogs.