KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Success starts with clarity; define your NABARD Grade A preparation goals.
- Break the syllabus into subjects and smaller, digestible study targets.
- Build a weekly plan balancing subjects, revision, and mock tests.
- Start mock tests early to identify weak areas and fix mistakes.
The data being released by NABARD suggests that in the recent past there were around 3.5 lakh candidates who enrolled for the Grade A exam and only a few hundred candidates were finally selected.
Studying for this exam is not just about working hard, it is about having a systematic study plan keeping in mind your strengths, limitations and study schedule. A proper study plan will allow you to complete the syllabus on different subjects without feeling burnout and missing important areas from the syllabus.
In this article we will be discussing how we could analyze NABARD Grade A syllabus, divide them into tasty bites and create our own study plan which is practical and flexible.
Start with Why: What Does Success Look Like For You?
Before you even touch the syllabus again, think about your goal. Is it to clear the cut-off? Is it to crack interviews? Or do you want to hit the top ranks? This isn’t just prep for anyone; this is your NABARD Grade A plan, after all.
Step 1: Break Down the NABARD Grade A Syllabus
Don’t simply save the syllabus on your desktop, take time to study it. Go through every line, slowly. Mark sections as “I know”, “I’ve heard of”, and “What even is this?” That last category? Don’t panic. It’ll shrink with time.
Your goal is to understand the entire syllabus, not focus only on one subject like Quant or Reasoning for weeks. Split the syllabus by subjects like Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, Computer, ESI (Economic & Social Issues), ARD (Agriculture & Rural Development), and General Awareness.
Step 2: Get Real About Your Day
Now, picture a normal day. Be honest. Are you a morning person? Are you usually tired after work or college? Do you get one huge Sunday free? Ultimately, only you truly know the study hours that work best.
Block out your available hours—without going overboard. If it’s one hour some days and four hours on Sundays, great. You’re after quality, not just clocking time.
Step 3: Build a Weekly Plan
Start small. Let’s say Monday night is for Quant basics, Tuesday is Reasoning, Wednesday is English, Thursday is ARD, Friday is ESI, Saturday is Revision/mock, and Sunday is a mix—the tough leftover chapter plus a full-length mock or revision.
Focus on bite-sized targets:
- Don’t tell yourself, “I’ll finish Agriculture tonight.” Try, “Chapter on soils, and 10 questions.”
- Don’t write “General Awareness.” Try “2 months’ current affairs and one notes review.”
That way, every small win feels real and keeps you moving.
Step 4: Use Short Notes and Your Voice
When reading any new topic, jot down keywords or ideas in your own words. Use sticky notes, record quick voice notes, or jot ideas on paper.
Review those notes quickly at the end of each week, before the mock or revision day.
Step 5: Add Mock Tests Early
Don’t wait till you complete the syllabus. After two or three weeks, start with small, sectional mocks. They will show you what you really know—and what you just thought you did. Build a routine: take mocks, review errors, fill gaps, and update notes.
Marks don’t matter at first. What matters is that an error points you to what you need to study next.
As the exam approaches, transition to practicing more full-length mock tests. Simulate the actual test with a timer, no phones, and even a bottle of water on the table.
Step 6: Keep It Flexible
No plan works without surprises. If you miss a day or topic, slot it somewhere else in the week. If you keep missing one subject, swap it to a time when you feel the most energetic.
Step 7: Track Progress and Celebrate Wins
Each week, mark off completed topics on your NABARD Grade A syllabus printout. Seeing sections ticked off is real motivation. Celebrate tiny victories—solved one tough puzzle? Understood a hard ARD topic? Give yourself a treat, or just feel proud for two minutes.
Final Words
The real secret is not a perfect, rigid routine. It’s a living plan that matches your habits, adjusts for bad weeks, and builds you up with every loop of study-mock-revise. If you keep showing up, stay curious, and tackle the NABARD Grade A syllabus in pieces, you will see progress. Each day may not feel successful, but every effort eventually adds up.
So slow it down, trust in the process, refuse to quit after a bad mock, and cheer yourself on for each topic mastered. That’s how real students crack the NABARD Grade A, and that’s how you will too.
Ans: To get started, look at the syllabus, divide it into subjects, and set manageable daily study period.
Ans: You can start giving mocks once you have done about 2-3 weeks of the syllabus in its sections, and transition to full length as practice through your studies.
Ans: Develop a weekly, flexible plan, keep track of your achievements, and reward yourself for minor accomplishments to reward yourself and keep yourself motivated.
