SEBI Grade A Exam Analysis 2024: Phase 1 & 2 | Key Learnings

Analyzing the SEBI Grade A exam is key to understanding the subject-wise difficulty and weightage of each topic. Skipping this analysis can lead to an inefficient preparation strategy, causing you to focus on minor topics and failing to recognize the exam’s true difficulty.

By reviewing the SEBI assistant manager Phase 1 and Phase 2 papers, you can fine-tune your study plan, ensuring you focus on the most important topics and increase your chances of success.

In this article, I’ll provide a detailed SEBI Grade A exam analysis, covering subject-wise difficulty, topic weightage, and cut-off marks for 2024 and 2022, to help you streamline your preparation.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Analysis of Phase 1

The SEBI Grade A 2024 Phase 1 (prelims) exam was held on 27 July 2024. Here is the subject-wise difficulty level of the SEBI Grade A 2024 Phase 1 exam:

Based on the analysis, we can say that the overall difficulty level of the SEBI Grade A 2024 Phase 1 exam was Easy to Moderate compared to last year’s moderate level.

After getting the overview of the Phase 1 exam analysis, let’s understand the section-wise analysis of the SEBI Grade A 2024 Phase 1 exam.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Reasoning Ability Difficulty Level 

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 reasoning difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 Reasoning Ability Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 reasoning topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from the Reasoning Section for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• The overall difficulty level of reasoning in 2024 was moderate, with only 4 difficult questions. 
• 60% of the reasoning questions were from Seating Arrangement and Puzzles.
  • These types of questions are time-consuming and typically come in sets of 4 to 5 questions. 
  • Prioritizing these topics can help you cover the majority of the reasoning syllabus.
• Seating Arrangement questions included:
  • 1 seating arrangement with 6 persons who liked different vegetables was easily doable.
  • The second seating arrangement was about uncertain persons and north-facing positions, which was time-consuming.

• Analytical Reasoning questions included Statement and Inference-based questions.
• 3 questions were asked from Blood Relations in 2024, whereas no questions from this topic appeared in 2022.
• No questions were asked from Syllogism and Inequality in 2024.
• Dedicate regular time to practice Reasoning questions to improve your speed and accuracy.
• Simulate exam conditions by taking time-bound mock tests to assess your preparation level and identify areas for improvement.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Quantitative Aptitude Difficulty Level 

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 quant difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 Quantitative Aptitude Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 quant topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from Quant Section for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• The overall difficulty level of quant in 2024 was moderate, with only 2 difficult questions. 

• Around 50% of the quant questions come from data interpretation (DI).
  • These types of questions are time-consuming and come in a set of 4 to 5 questions. 
• Quadratic Equation questions were easy to solve.
• Wrong Number Series questions were difficult and time-consuming.
• Data Interpretation Questions:
  • One DI set with 5 questions was table-based and calculative, moderate in difficulty.
  • Another DI with 4 questions was based on a caselet, which was easy to solve.
• No questions were asked from Partnership, Time & Work, Simple Interest, and Percentage. However, don’t skip these topics, as they are still important.
• Consistent practice is key to improving your speed and accuracy.
• Solve a variety of questions from different topics to enhance your problem-solving skills.
• Practice solving SEBI Grade A previous year papers and take multiple mock tests within a time limit to improve your speed and time management. 

SEBI Grade A 2024 English Difficulty Level

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 English difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 English Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 English topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from the English Section for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• The SEBI Grade A 2024 English exam was easy to moderate in nature.
• A maximum of 7 questions were asked from Reading Comprehension (RC), which was lower compared to 10 questions in the 2022 exam.
  • The RC passage was based on the presence of humans beyond Earth and its challenges.
• No questions were asked from Cloze Test, Odd One Out, Double Fillers, and Idioms and Phrases.
• Overall, the paper was doable within the given time limit.
• English was the most scoring section among QRE (Quantitative, Reasoning, and English).
• Focus on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension to ace this section.
• The Comprehension was easy to solve, with direct and factual questions. The rest of the exam mainly focused on vocabulary and grammatical sections.
• Practice MCQs and take mock tests to boost your performance and score well in this section.

SEBI Grade A 2024 General Awareness (GA) Difficulty Level

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 General Awareness (GA) difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 GA Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 GA topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from GA Section for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• GA questions were moderate in difficulty level.
• The majority of questions were from Government Schemes, so prioritize studying these, especially those related to SEBI.
• No lengthy, statement-based questions were asked, making the section less time-consuming and easier to solve.
• Questions were straightforward and easy to tackle, particularly for candidates with a basic understanding of finance.
• Most questions were from 3 to 4 months old current affairs, with a few questions from 5 to 8 months old.
• To improve your knowledge, regular mock tests are essential for assessing your preparation and identifying areas to work on.
• Stay updated by solving daily or weekly current affairs quizzes.

After analyzing the SEBI Grade A 2024  Paper 1 exam, let’s analyze the Phase 1 Paper 2 exam in detail. 

SEBI Grade A 2024 Management Difficulty Level

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Management difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 Management Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Management topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from Management for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• The overall difficulty level of the SEBI Grade A Phase 1 Paper 2 Management section was easy.
• Most questions were from General Management, which can be easily solved if your basic concepts are clear.
• No questions were asked from Motivation.
• Focus on understanding the concepts rather than just cramming information.
• Take regular mock tests to assess your knowledge and identify areas that need improvement.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Finance Difficulty Level

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Finance difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 Finance Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Finance topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from Finance for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• The Finance section in the SEBI Grade A Phase 1 Paper 2 exam is moderate in difficulty.
• The majority of questions (11) in the exam were from Finance, so it’s essential to pay extra attention to this section.
• In 2024, there was a noticeable shift toward Debt Market, Bonds, and Financial Inclusion. Make sure you allocate enough time to these topics in your preparation.
• Topics like Functions of SEBI and Basics of Derivatives have remained consistent, so don’t overlook them.
• Basics of Derivatives (Options) and Mutual Funds were not covered in the 2024 exam, but you should not ignore these topics.
• Maximum (3) questions were asked from Bonds, so make sure you understand the concepts thoroughly.
• Regularly take mock tests and solve sectional questions to improve your understanding and speed in Finance topics.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Commerce and Accountancy Difficulty Level

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Commerce and Accountancy difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 Commerce and Accountancy Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Commerce and Accountancy topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from Commerce and Accountancy for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• The Commerce and Accountancy section was moderate in difficulty.
• Only 6 questions were asked from Commerce and Accountancy in SEBI Grade A Phase 1 Paper 2, the least among other sections.
  • These 6 questions were spread across 6 different topics, with no two questions from the same topic.
• There were fewer numerical questions in the accounts and costing sections, a noticeable change compared to the 2022 exam.
• There were no questions on topics like Introduction to Accounting, AS for Revenue Recognition, Accounting for Buyback of Shares, and Accounting for Bonus Shares—topics that were included in the 2022 exam.
• There were only 2 repeated topics from previous exams:
  • Presentation and Preparation of Final Company Accounts
  • AS for PPE
• Ensure a strong understanding of basic accounting principles, financial statements (Balance Sheet, Profit & Loss), and key concepts like cash flow statements and ratio analysis.
• Solve numerical problems regularly, particularly in areas that are often tested.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Costing Difficulty Level

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Costing difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 Costing Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Costing topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from Costing for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• The Costing section was easy, with no particularly difficult questions.
• Questions were straightforward and easy to solve if you have a basic understanding of core concepts.
• A maximum of 3 questions were asked from Lean Systems and Innovation, which is half compared to the previous 2022 exam, where 6 questions were asked on this topic.
• 3 questions came from topics that were not tested in 2022:
  • Standard costing
  • Marginal costing
  • Active based costing. 
• No questions were asked from Budget and Budgetary Control, Labour Cost, and Material Cost. However, don’t ignore these topics in your preparation, as they could still be relevant in future exams.
• Focus on memorizing and understanding the application of formulas for marginal costing, standard costing, and budgetary control.
• Practice a wide range of numerical problems to improve both your speed and accuracy in solving costing-related questions.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Companies Act Difficulty Level

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Companies Act difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 Companies Act Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Companies Act topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from Companies Act for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• The Companies Act section was easy in nature.
• No questions were asked from Chapter III – Prospectus & Allotment of Securities.
• A maximum of 3 questions were asked from Chapter IV – Share Capital and Debentures.
• No new topics were included that weren’t present in the 2022 exam.
• The subject is highly factual, so it’s important to focus on memorization.
  • The best strategy is to read the law, revise the key sections and facts, and memorize them.
• Create concise notes to simplify complex sections, making them easier to recall during the exam.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Economics Difficulty Level

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Economics difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 Economics Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Economics topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from Economics for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• The Economics section was relatively easy.
• No questions were asked from Market Structures, Elasticity of Demand, andBalance of Payments, which were included in the 2022 exam.
• The questions are generally conceptual, with little focus on technical graphs or numerical solving. The emphasis is on understanding core economic principles.
• Economics questions in SEBI Grade A are mostly theory-based, but the depth and framing can vary each year.
• Focus on the core principles of micro and macro-economics.
• Familiarize yourself with recent economic surveys, budgets, and reports, as these are frequently the basis for questions.

After analyzing the SEBI Grade A 2024 Phase 1 exam, let’s review the Phase 2 (mains) exam.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Phase 2 Exam Analysis 

The SEBI Grade A 2024 Phase 2 exam was conducted on 31 August 2024. Here is the subject-wise difficulty level of the SEBI Grade A 2024 Phase 2 exam:

Based on the analysis, we can say that the overall difficulty level of the SEBI Grade A 2024 Phase 2 exam was moderate.

After getting the overview of the Phase 2 exam analysis, let’s understand the section-wise analysis of the SEBI Grade A 2024 Phase 2 exam.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Descriptive English Difficulty Level

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Descriptive English difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 Descriptive English Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Descriptive English topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from Descriptive English for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• The Descriptive English paper is considered moderate in difficulty. However, you should not underestimate this section and must prepare for a higher difficulty level.
• Essay: 
  • You were given 4 essay topics and had to attempt only one.
  • A significant change in 2024 was the strict word limit of 250 to 270 words, a shift from the previous open-ended approach with a minimum of 250 words.
  • The topics were varied and thought-provoking, including:
    • ESG Norms
    • Management
    • Banks & Social Healthcare
    • Machines vs. Humans
• Precis:

• The passage, titled “Evolution of the Gaming Industry since 2000,” was longer than in previous years.
• The word limit for the precis was also specific, requiring a summary of 140 to 160 words.

• Reading Comprehension:
  • The passage was titled “Dawn of Social Influence” and discussed the rise of social media influencers.
  • It was recommended to write 70-80 words for each answer.
• To succeed in this section, practice writing descriptive answers regularly.
  • This will help you build the skill to clearly and effectively express your views within the given word limits.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Management Difficulty Level

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Management difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 Management Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Management topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from Management for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• The Management section was easy overall.
• All the questions came from the same topics that were asked in the 2022 exam.
• A maximum of 9 questions were asked from General Management.
• Questions were based on core management theories, including Theory Z and Victor Vroom’s Theory.
• This section had a mix of easy and time-consuming questions.
• Focus on the foundational theories of management, including motivation, leadership, and organizational behavior.
• Pay attention to key terminology and the concepts they represent, as this is often tested in multiple-choice questions.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Finance Difficulty Level

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Finance difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 Finance Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Finance topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from Finance for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• The Finance section was moderate, with only 3 difficult questions.
• Finance questions were easy to solve with a solid understanding of finance fundamentals, especially when compared to the 2022 exam, which was more calculation-heavy and time-consuming.
• No questions were asked from Financial Institutions and the Functions of RBI.
• New topics covered in 2024 that weren’t part of the 2022 exam include FRBM Act, Time Value of Money, Derivatives, and Equity Markets.
• Build a strong foundation in financial markets, corporate finance, and risk management.
• Stay updated with current financial news and developments, as questions often connect theory to recent events.
• Practice previous year questions (PYQs) and take mock tests to improve your speed and understanding.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Commerce and Accountancy Difficulty Level 

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Commerce and Accountancy difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 Commerce and Accountancy Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Commerce and Accountancy topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from Commerce and Accountancy for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• The Commerce and Accountancy section was generally easy, with only 1 difficult question.
• Topic Focus:
  • Most questions were based on fundamental theoretical concepts.
  • Numerical questions were simple and didn’t require a calculator. Focus on mastering basic calculations.
  • The maximum number of questions were from Ratio Analysis and Accounting for Bonus Shares and Rights Issues, with 3 questions each.
• Topics Not Covered:
  • No questions were asked from Accounting Standards for Inventories and Property, Plant, and Equipment, which were part of the 2022 exam.
  • Other topics that were not covered in the past two exams, but you shouldn’t ignore, include:
    • Recording Transactions (Part 1 & 2)
    • Trial Balance
    • Bills of Exchange
    • Income Statement
    • Balance Sheet
    • Accounting for ESOPS
    • Accounting for Buyback of Shares
    • Accounting Standard for Investments
    • Accounting as a Financial Information System

• Practice Previous Year Questions (PYQs) and take mock tests regularly to familiarize yourself with the question patterns.
• Stay focused on understanding basic theoretical concepts and simple numerical problems.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Costing Difficulty Level

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Costing difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 Costing Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Costing topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from Costing for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• The Costing section was moderate in difficulty level.
• The maximum number of questions were asked from Marginal Costing, with 3 questions.
• Numerical questions were straightforward and formula-based, with specific mention of the PV ratio formula.
• No questions were asked from Budgeting and Labour Cost, although these topics were included in the 2022 exam.
• Over the past two exams, no questions were asked from the following topics:
• Activity-Based Costing

• Output or Unit Cost
• Job Costing & Batch Costing
• Contract Costing
• Joint and By-Product Costing
• Service Costing

• Focus on PYQs and practice topic-wise questions, especially numericals.
• Numerical questions were asked less compared to the 2022 exam, so concentrate on basic costing formulas and improve your speed in solving them.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Companies Act Difficulty Level

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Companies Act difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 Companies Act Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Companies Act topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from Companies Act for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• The Companies Act section was easy, with only 1 difficult question.
• The maximum number of questions was asked from the Companies Act subject in the SEBI Grade A Phase 2 Paper 2 exam.
• The highest number of questions (4) was from Chapter IV – Share Capital and Debentures.
• Questions were also asked from Chapter XI – Appointment of Directors (Section 161 to 172) and Chapter XII – Meeting of Board of Directors (Section 184 to 195), which were not covered in the 2022 exam.
• Questions were fact-based and focused on specific sections of the Companies Act.
• Focus on recalling specific sections and factual details.
• Practice Previous Year Questions (PYQs) and take mock tests to improve your recall and understanding.

SEBI Grade A 2024 Economics Difficulty Level

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Economics difficulty level:

SEBI Grade A 2024 Economics Topic-Wise Weightage

Here is the SEBI Grade A 2024 Economics topic-wise weightage:

Key Takeaways from Economics for SEBI Grade A Aspirants

• The questions in the Economics section were generally easy to solve..
• Most of the questions were based on definitions, so having a clear understanding of basic economic concepts will help you solve them easily.
• The maximum number of questions (4) were from the topic Inflation and Philips Curve.
• No questions were asked from topics like Demand and Supply, Elasticity of Demand, and Non-Banking Financial Companies—which were part of the 2022 exam.
• Compared to 2022, questions were asked from new topics like Consumption & Investment FN, Multiplier & Acc., Balance of Payments, and International Financial Institutions.
• Focus on understanding key economic laws and theorems to answer theory-based questions.
• Practice Previous Year Questions (PYQs) to get a feel for the exam pattern.
• Take time bound mock tests to assess your weak areas and work on improving them.

Now that you’ve gone through the detailed SEBI Grade A 2024 exam analysis, let’s dive into the cut-off marks analysis for the SEBI Grade A exam. This will give you a clearer picture of what to expect and help you plan your SEBI Grade A preparation more effectively.

SEBI Grade A Exam Analysis: Cut Off Marks

SEBI has not released the cut off marks for the 2024 SEBI Grade A 2024 notification recruitment. Below, I have mentioned the SEBI Grade A cut off marks from 2022 and 2020.

Key Takeaways for Future Aspirants of the SEBI Grade A Exam

• The SEBI Grade A cut-off marks for the Phase 1 are fixed for every category, i.e.,
  • Paper 1: 30 marks
  • Paper 2: 40 marks
  • Overall Aggregate: 80 marks (across both papers)
• Phase 2 Cut-off Marks:
  • Paper 1: At least 30% (30 marks out of 100)
  • Paper 2: At least 40% (40 marks out of 100)
  • To qualify for the interview, you need to score 50% overall (100 marks out of 200).

• Factors Influencing Cut-offs:
  • The difficulty level, number of vacancies, and overall candidate performance all play a role in determining the cut-offs. Keep this in mind as you plan your preparation.
• Important Insights:
  • The cut-off in 2022 was lower compared to 2020, which suggests that the exam difficulty has increased over time.
  • Just clearing the cut-off isn’t enough. It’s important to score well in Phase 2, as it reduces the pressure during the Interview stage.
• Preparation Tips:
  • Practice Mock Tests: They simulate the exam environment, help you manage time better, and reduce test anxiety.
  • Regular mock tests will also help you identify high-weightage questions that match your strengths, so you can focus on mastering them.

What Next?

Now that you’ve gained a clear understanding of the SEBI Grade A exam analysis, it’s time to take action and plan your preparation effectively. Here’s what you should do next:

• Thoroughly understand the SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern and detailed SEBI Grade A syllabus. 
• Focus on high-weightage topics like Inflation, Philips Curve, and Ratio Analysis.
• Identify and work on the topics you find challenging.
• Take a look at the SEBI Grade A topper’s strategy to create a customized study plan.
• Regularly take mock tests and solve Previous Year Papers to improve speed and accuracy.
• Analyse your performance in each mock test and focus on areas that need improvement.
• Keep up with current affairs related to economics, finance, and SEBI.
• Stick to your plan and stay positive. Consistency is key to success.

With this level of preparation, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the SEBI Grade A exam confidently!