Many of you might be working a job right now. You might be feeling confused, thinking, “Can I clear the exam while working?”
Let me introduce you to Aman Raj.
Aman’s story is a simple and honest one that will show you how a working person can clear one of India’s toughest exams. Let’s learn from him, but first get to know him a little better.
A Little About Aman: From IIT to an IT Job
Aman is a very bright student. He studied Computer Science Engineering from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. Imagine one of the best colleges in India! After finishing his B.Tech in 2019, he started working in a good IT company. He was doing well and was a specialist software developer.
But after 5 years, he felt something was missing. He wanted a new challenge.
This feeling led him to a very important decision.
The Big Question: Why RBI After 5 Years?
Aman was thinking about his next step at his job. The next role was a Team Leader or a Manager. But he thought, why not try for something bigger? He wanted a career upgrade.
He loved how RBI works. He said it’s not like a typical government office.
“The major factor that motivated me to appear for RBI was the tech-driven initiatives, the professionalism of the organization, and its like a corporate organization.”
He saw that RBI uses a lot of technology, just like his IT company. This made him feel connected. He wanted to be a part of an organization that is so important for our country.
So, he made up his mind. But his way of starting was a bit different and very brave.
The Journey Begins: A Risky Start After the Notification
Most students start preparing a year before the exam. But can you believe it? Aman started his serious preparation only after the notification came out. Many people would say this is a big risk. Did this thought ever come to your mind?
But Aman had a secret strength.
“I used to read newspapers daily almost I am reading newspaper from my childhood… so I was updated.”
Because he read newspapers every day, he already knew a lot about finance and the economy. He just had to download the syllabus and study topic by topic.
He focused completely on Phase 1 first, because he knew that if he didn’t clear the first door, the second one would not open.
Now let’s see how he managed the first big challenge of this exam.
Facing Phase 1: The First Big Hurdle
Even for an IIT graduate, Phase 1 was not easy. Here’s how he tackled it.
Aman is an engineer, so many people think Quant and Reasoning must be easy for him. But he said it was tough. Why? Because there is very little time!
“The level of difficulty, especially in reasoning and mathematics… Its time is limited, questions are more, and it’s not easy.”
Have you also felt this pressure, where you know the answer, but the clock is ticking so fast? Let’s see how Aman solved this problem.
How He Handled Quant & Reasoning
Aman knew that just knowing how to solve a puzzle is not enough. You have to be fast. So, he looked for help.
“I took the help of videos from EduTap, the Meghna ma’am’s video for reasoning… I watched videos for the puzzle.”
From the videos, he learned tricks on how to process information quickly and write it down on his rough sheet. After learning the method, he did only one thing: Practice, Practice, Practice.
He gave 9-10 full-length mock tests from sources like Testbook and Oliveboard. Sometimes, he would get very low scores, even a single digit! But he did not stop. He just kept practicing until he became comfortable.
His Secret for General Awareness: Making Notes!
This is something many students are scared to do, but it worked for Aman.
Many people say, “Don’t make notes for Current Affairs, it takes too much time.” But Aman did it his own way. He read two newspapers, the Indian Express, the Business Standard, and made his own notes.
But he was smart about it. He did not write everything.
“The bulkiness is not a problem if you select what to write and what not to write.”
He only wrote down very important points from the Economy page, like changes in RBI rules, or data from the budget and economic survey. This helped him revise everything very quickly before the exam.
But after Phase 1, Aman took an even bigger risk.
A Brave Move: Preparing for Phase 2 After Phase 1 Results!
Most students start Phase 2 preparation with Phase 1. But Aman did not. He started preparing for Phase 2 only after the results of Phase 1 came out!
He felt that Phase 1 was the most challenging part for him. He was confident that if he could clear Phase 1, he would be able to manage Phase 2.
How He Covered Finance & Management in So Little Time
First, he focused on Management. He wrote down all the topics in a notebook and finished the entire Management syllabus in just 10 days! Because Management is a static subject, he could cover it quickly.
After that, he moved to Finance. He used notes from online sources and made his own notes for topics he didn’t know. He also smartly analyzed previous year questions to focus only on the most important topics.
Tackling ESI: Schemes and Reports were Key
For ESI, he knew that most questions come from government schemes and important reports (from RBI, World Bank, IMF). So, he focused his energy there.
He made notes for schemes ministry-wise, and for reports, he made notes organization-wise. This organised method helped him remember everything easily. He also practiced answer writing by giving 4 full-length tests for ESI and F&M.
After clearing the written exams, it was time for the final round.
The Final Step: The Interview Experience
Aman started preparing for the interview before his Phase 2 results came. He was watching interview preparation videos by Archit Sir on EduTap to understand what happens in an RBI interview.
After the results, he took mock interviews seriously.
“I appeared in EduTap mock interviews with Anjali ma’am… it was very realistic… when I finished, they gave very positive feedback, so it boosted my confidence.”
He also had a one-to-one session with us at EduTap to clear his last-minute doubts. This preparation made him feel ready.
On the interview day, his turn came in the afternoon. This long wait actually helped him calm down. He answered questions about his job, why he wanted to join RBI, and some tough questions on technology and economics. He was honest and confident.
So, what should you do after reading this inspiring story?
Your Simple Action Plan: What Can You Do Now?
Aman’s journey proves that success doesn’t need a perfect start. A small habit, like reading the newspaper daily, can build your foundation even before serious preparation begins. It’s okay to start late; what matters is having a smart plan and focusing on one step at a time. For Aman, the first step was clearing Phase 1.
“Be deterministic that you are going to crack it. Always believe it that you will crack it.”
These words guided his entire journey. His simple 3-part mantra is worth remembering every single day:
- Consistency: Study a little every day, never take long breaks.
- Discipline: When you sit to study, study with full focus; no distractions.
- Focus: Keep your goal in front of you, always.
From his Phase 1 preparation, Aman learned that practice is the only way forward for Quant and Reasoning. Mock test scores don’t matter much; they are just for learning. Making short notes for current affairs and taking guidance from the right teachers helped him stay on track.
For Phase 2, his advice is clear: know the syllabus and PYQs inside out. A topic-wise plan can cover the syllabus faster than you think. For ESI, focus on schemes and reports, and don’t skip answer-writing practice; it makes all the difference.
So, what can you do today?
- Start a small habit, like reading one finance article daily.
- Make a short plan, focus only on this week’s goals.
- Practice smart, revise, attempt mocks for strategy, and improve step by step.
- Trust yourself, believe in your own pace and strengths.
Aman’s story is a reminder that you don’t need to copy anyone; you just need to keep moving with faith in yourself. Remember, the journey is long, but with small habits, smart planning, and belief in your own power, you will get there.
