How to Prepare for SEBI Grade A 2026 Phase 1 Exam with Complete Strategy

With the SEBI Grade A 2026 Phase 1 exam scheduled for 10 January, aspirants have less than two weeks to convert preparation into performance. This stage tests both conceptual understanding and quick problem-solving across four core sections, along with stream-specific Paper 2 knowledge. A sharply focused, time-bound plan is essential to clear individual and overall cut-offs.

How to Prepare for SEBI Grade A 2026 Phase 1

Conducted online, it tests aspirants on General Awareness with a financial focus, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language, along with a stream-specific Paper 2. Despite being a screening stage, the exam is highly competitive, with cut-offs determined both at the paper-wise and aggregate level. With the right approach, even the final days before the exam can be leveraged effectively to maximize performance and secure a place in Phase 2.

SEBI Grade A Exam Structure

Clearing SEBI Grade A Phase 1 requires more than just hard work it demands smart preparation and careful time management. The syllabus is broad, covering current affairs, financial regulations, arithmetic, reasoning puzzles, and stream-specific theory. Candidates must focus on high-yield topics, practice extensively under timed conditions, and revise strategically to meet both individual and overall cut-offs.

Paper 1: 100 questions, 100 marks

Sections: General Awareness (financial focus), Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English

Duration: 60 minutes

Paper 2: 100 questions, 100 marks (stream-specific)

Duration: 40 minutes

Negative marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer

Cut-offs: Minimum marks per paper (~30% Paper 1, ~40% Paper 2), overall aggregate ~40%

SEBI Grade A Phase 1, One Week Plan (3–10 January)

Paper 1 is screening but highly competitive; even a minor lapse can lead to disqualification. Paper 2, while qualifying, requires strategic integration into the overall plan because it overlaps heavily with Phase 2 content.

1. General Awareness & Financial Sector Focus

• Prioritize last 6–8 months of current affairs, with emphasis on SEBI notifications, RBI circulars, economic survey highlights, budget measures, and major market events.
• Make short, exam-ready notes for each topic to revise daily. Include quick-reference charts for monetary policy, capital market indices, and regulatory updates.
• Use mock GA quizzes for active recall rather than passive reading. Aim for at least 30–40 questions daily.

2. Quantitative Aptitude

• Focus on high-frequency topics: DI sets, simplification, arithmetic word problems, number series, percentages, ratio-proportion, SI/CI, and speed-distance-time.
• Skip rare or time-consuming topics in the last week; the goal is accuracy and speed over coverage.
• Daily routine: 20–30 minutes of calculation drills, 30 minutes of timed mini-sets (10–15 questions) simulating the actual exam tempo.

3. Reasoning Ability

• Prioritize puzzles and seating arrangements, inequalities, syllogism, and coding-decoding.
• Maintain a personal “shortcut sheet” for recurring puzzle patterns.
• Practice mixed sets under 15–20 minutes to get used to selecting solvable questions quickly.

4. English Language

• Focus on reading comprehension and error detection, as they are high-scoring with minimal time investment.
• Revise common idioms, phrasal verbs, and grammar rules.
• Solve at least 20 MCQs daily under timed conditions.

5. Paper 2 Integration

• Allocate 30–40 minutes daily for Paper 2 revision, covering core topics like Accounting, Finance, Management, Companies Act, and Economics for the General stream.
• Use handwritten formula sheets, definitions, and charts for quick last-minute revision.
• Focus on application-based MCQs, not in-depth theory, since Phase 1 emphasizes conceptual understanding.

Mock Tests and Analysis (4–9 January)

• Attempt full-length Phase 1 mock tests at least once every other day. Analyze speed, accuracy, and question selection thoroughly.
• Maintain a mistake log for recurring errors, especially in Quant and Reasoning.
• Simulate exam conditions: 60 minutes for Paper 1 and 40 minutes for Paper 2 with strict negative marking awareness.

Exam-Day Strategy (10 January)

• Start with the section you are most confident in to build momentum (usually GA or English).
• Tackle moderate sections like Reasoning and Quant strategically avoid wasting time on tough questions early.
• Keep a mental timer and skip questions that appear too time-consuming; accuracy matters more than attempting every question.
• Stay calm, avoid overthinking, and trust your last-minute notes and short-hand charts.

SEBI Grade A Key Points to Remember

As the SEBI Grade A 2026 Phase 1 exam approaches, the final days should be used to strengthen existing preparation rather than starting something new. Priority should be given to improving speed and accuracy, as well as revising high-impact topics that directly contribute to clearing the cut-off. Instead of chasing the entire syllabus, focused revision and careful analysis of mock tests yield better returns. A regular daily schedule, along with timely practice sessions and crisp notes, can significantly improve performance and help candidates clear both the sectional requirements and overall cut-off for Phase 2.