“Keep grinding, have faith in yourself, and maintain a good mindset.”
This is the simple, honest message from Ashutosh Pareek. He is a boy just like you, who once felt lost and worried after college. But with a little courage and a simple plan, he cleared the SEBI Grade A Legal exam in his very first attempt.
Do you also sometimes feel confused about your future? Do you worry about what to do next? If yes, then this story is for you. We will walk through Ashutosh’s journey together, and you will see that you are not alone in your fears. This is a story of hope, for all of us.
Let’s start from the very beginning, when Ashutosh was just like many of you, standing at a crossroads.
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- Previous Year Papers
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NLU Graduate Journey to SEBI Grade A Legal Officer
Ashutosh finished his law degree from NLU Orissa in 2022. Like many others, he joined a private company. He even tried another one. But something just didn’t feel right. He felt like a fish out of water. It wasn’t his world.
So, he decided to listen to that small voice in his heart. He started preparing for government exams, even while working. To leave a job and walk on a path with no guarantees.
But choosing a new path is never easy, is it? It comes with a lot of fear and doubt.
Switching from Private Job to SEBI Grade A Preparation
When Ashutosh decided to prepare full-time, a big worry crept into his mind.
“Oh no, I didn’t take the college placement. What if I don’t clear any exam? This one-year gap will look so bad on my CV.”
The fear of what relatives will say, what friends will think. It can make you question your own decision. Ashutosh felt this too. He was scared. But he knew he had to try. He had the full support of his family, who trusted his decision, which was a very big blessing for him.
Feeling lost is okay, but staying lost is not. For Ashutosh, this confusion led to a moment of clarity.
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Overcoming Career Confusion Before SEBI Grade A Exam
In January 2023, Ashutosh made a promise to himself. “No more confusion. I will only focus on government exams.” This one decision changed everything. When your mind is clear, your energy goes in the right direction.
And soon, good things started to happen! He cleared the ECGC exam and the Airport Authority of India exam. This gave him a lot of confidence. He started to believe in himself again. He realized his decision was not wrong. It was just a different path.
Finally, he cleared the SEBI Grade A exam and chose to join SEBI. He had found the place where he truly belonged.
A clear goal is great, but how do you actually study for it? It can feel so big and scary.
SEBI Grade A Legal Phase 1 Preparation Strategy
For the first exam, Ashutosh looked at what he was already good at. He had prepared for Judiciary exams before, so his Legal knowledge was strong. For subjects like Maths and Reasoning, his preparation for the ECGC exam helped.
The lesson here is simple: your past efforts are never wasted. Everything you learn helps you in some way. So, if you are preparing for other exams, don’t feel bad. That knowledge will surely help you.
Now here’s where Ashutosh really showed what smart preparation looks like.
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- Previous Year Papers
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- Strategy
SEBI Grade A Legal Phase 2 Bare Act Preparation Plan
Ashutosh made a very simple and doable daily plan.
- He would pick only 3 Bare Acts (the main law books) to study each day.
- He did not read the whole book. He focused only on the important sections.
- In the evening, he would revise everything he had studied during the day.
- At night, before sleeping, he would close his eyes and try to remember all the key points. This helped him lock the information in his mind.
He got so deep into his studies that one night, his mom heard him talking in his sleep. He was reciting section numbers of the Constitution!
Studying is one thing, but how do you know if you are ready for the real exam?
Role of Mock Tests in SEBI Grade A Legal Exam
Reading books is not enough. You have to test yourself. Ashutosh took mock tests very seriously. He would take a small sectional test every single day and a full mock test every weekend. He says mock tests are like a mirror – they show you your mistakes before the real exam.
He found EduTap’s mock tests very helpful. They made him feel like he was in a real exam hall, which took away a lot of his fear.
He also practiced writing essays on current topics and learned how to answer questions properly, a skill he had learned in college. Practice makes you confident. It’s as simple as that.
He cleared the written exams! But now came the part that scares many of us the most – the interview.
SEBI Grade A Legal Interview Preparation and Experience
Ashutosh was a little nervous during his interview. At one point, he even started to stutter. But the interview panel was very kind. They smiled and offered him a glass of water. This shows that the people on the other side are also human. They are not there to scare you.
How did he prepare?
- He did a mock interview with a senior who gave him honest feedback.
- He read about SEBI’s history and its work.
- He stayed updated on current news related to finance and law.
The panel asked him about his past work experience and how it could be useful for SEBI. They asked him about some real-life cases. They wanted to see how he thinks, not just what he knows.
So, after this whole journey, what does Ashutosh want to tell you?
- Syllabus
- Previous Year Papers
- Preparation Sources
- Strategy
Key Preparation Lessons for SEBI Grade A Legal Aspirants
Here is some simple advice from your senior, Ashutosh, straight from his heart:
- Have a Clear Goal: This journey is long. Relatives and friends might say things that demotivate you. If your mind is clear about your goal, their words won’t affect you. Be mentally strong.
- Stay Calm in Tough Situations: During his final exam, Ashutosh’s keyboard stopped working! He could have panicked. But he stayed calm, informed the staff, and managed the situation. Life will throw problems at you; your calmness is your shield.
- Find a Hobby: Don’t just study all day. Ashutosh used to play basketball or go for a run to clear his head. Find something you love to do – it could be music, sports, or just talking to a friend. Your mental health is very important.
- Use Limited Books: “Focus on mastering a few key resources,” he advises. It’s better to read one book ten times than to read ten books one time.
- Believe in Yourself: “Confidence is key,” Ashutosh says. You have to be your own biggest supporter. Tell yourself every day, “I can do this.”
Hearing his story is inspiring, but the most important thing is what you do after reading this.
So, what is the one thing you can do today?
Just pick one small thing from his story. Maybe you can make a simple daily schedule. Or maybe you can try your first mock test. Or maybe, you can just call your parents and tell them about your dreams and fears.
The journey to a government job is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be good days and bad days. On bad days, remember this story. Remember Ashutosh. Remember that it’s okay to feel lost, as long as you don’t stop walking.
You are capable. You are strong. Just take the first step. We at EduTap are with you at every step of your journey.