Part I — Exam Overview
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Chapter 1: RBI Assistant Exam Pattern
1.1 Prelims Exam Pattern
The Prelims stage tests three sections over 60 minutes (20 minutes per section, with strict sectional timing):
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Each correct answer earns 1 mark, with 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer. A sectional cut-off applies — candidates must clear each section individually, not just the overall total.
1.2 Mains Exam Pattern
The Mains stage tests five sections over 135 minutes:
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | 40 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| English Language | 40 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 40 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| General Knowledge | 40 | 40 | 25 minutes |
| Computer Knowledge | 40 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 135 minutes |
The same marking scheme (1 mark per correct answer, 0.25 deducted per wrong answer) applies, with a sectional cut-off for Mains as well.
1.3 Language Proficiency Test (LPT)
Candidates who qualify Mains and are provisionally selected must clear a Language Proficiency Test in the official language of the state/region they are assigned to, as a qualifying (non-scoring) requirement.
1.4 Practice Set — Exam Overview (8 MCQs)
- How many total marks does the RBI Assistant Prelims carry?
(a) 50 (b) 75 (c) 100 (d) 150 - How many sections does the RBI Assistant Prelims have?
(a) Two (b) Three (c) Four (d) Five - What is the negative marking scheme in RBI Assistant exams?
(a) 0.25 marks per wrong answer (b) 0.33 marks per wrong answer (c) 0.5 marks per wrong answer (d) No negative marking - How many sections does the RBI Assistant Mains have?
(a) Three (b) Four (c) Five (d) Six - Which section is unique to Mains (not tested in Prelims)?
(a) Reasoning Ability (b) English Language (c) Computer Knowledge (d) Numerical Ability - A "sectional cut-off" in the RBI Assistant exam means:
(a) Only the overall total matters, not individual sections (b) Candidates must clear each section individually (c) There is no minimum score requirement at all (d) Only the highest-scoring section counts - The Language Proficiency Test (LPT) is:
(a) A scoring stage that affects final merit (b) A qualifying (non-scoring) requirement for provisionally selected candidates (c) Conducted before Prelims (d) Optional for all candidates - The total duration of the RBI Assistant Mains exam is:
(a) 60 minutes (b) 90 minutes (c) 135 minutes (d) 180 minutes
Answer Key
1.(c)
2.(b)
3.(a)
4.(c)
5.(c)
6.(b)
7.(b) 8.(c)