RBI Assistant 2016 Prelims Exam: Essential Study Guide and Tips

When preparing for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Assistant Exam, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the type of questions that will be asked in the preliminary stage. While there is no official syllabus provided by the RBI for the 2016 preliminary exam, the numerical and quantitative aptitude section forms a significant part of the exam. This article will provide an in-depth guide on the topics and types of questions that you can expect in the written exam, along with some effective study tips to ace this section.

Overview of the RBI Assistant 2016 Prelims Exam

The RBI Assistant Exam is designed to assess a candidate's eligibility for the position of Assistant in the Reserve Bank of India. The preliminary stage of the exam is typically an objective type written test consisting of three sections:

Reasoning Ability English Language Numerical Ability

The numerical ability section, also known as the numeracy section, tests the candidate's basic mathematical skills and reasoning abilities in quantitative problems. This article will focus on the numerical ability section to provide you with a detailed overview of the topics and question types that you should prepare for.

Key Topics in Numerical Ability (Syllabus)

The numerical ability section of the 2016 RBI Assistant Prelims exam covered a variety of topics that assess your basic numeracy skills. These topics include:

1. Profit and Loss

Questions in this category involve calculations of profit, loss, and discounts. You may encounter problems where you need to calculate the selling price, cost price, profit percentage, or loss percentage. For example:

Example: If an item is sold for Rs. 1,200 at a loss of 20%, find the cost price.

2. Percentages

Questions related to percentages are common in the numerical ability section. You may need to calculate percentages, find the original value, or deal with successive percentage changes. For example:

Example: A salary is increased by 15% and then decreased by 10%. What is the overall percentage change in the salary?

3. Time and Work

Problems involving work, time, and efficiency are a key part of this section. You may be asked to calculate the time taken to complete a job by one or more people, or to find the time taken by a combination of people. For example:

Example: A alone can do a piece of work in 6 days, and B alone can do it in 8 days. If they work together, how many days will it take to finish the work?

4. Pipes and Cisterns

This category involves problems related to filling or emptying tanks or cisterns. You might need to calculate the time taken to fill or empty a cistern, or to find the combined time when two or more pipes are working together. For example:

Example: Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 5 hours and 6 hours, respectively. If both pipes are opened together, how long will it take to fill the tank?

5. Number System and Simplification

Questions in this category involve basic arithmetic operations and simplification of mathematical expressions. You might need to perform calculations with large numbers, simplify fractions, or find the least common multiple. For example:

Example: Simplify the expression: 1203.75 × 37.5 5625.0075 / 33.75

6. Number Series

This section involves identifying patterns in a series of numbers and determining the next number in the sequence. You might be asked to find missing numbers or to continue the series. For example:

Example: Find the missing number in the series: 2, 4, 8, 16, __, 64

7. Unitary Method

The unitary method involves finding the value of a single unit and then using that to find the value of multiple units. You might need to solve problems using direct and inverse proportions. For example:

Example: If 12 workers can complete a task in 8 days, how many days will it take for 10 workers to complete the same task?

8. Problems Based on Numbers

Questions in this category involve calculations based on numbers and numerical expressions. You might be asked to solve word problems or to manipulate numbers to find the correct answer. For example:

Example: If 32% of a number is 160, find the number.

9. Decimal Fractions

Questions involving decimal numbers and their conversions are common. You might need to perform arithmetic operations with decimals or convert fractions to decimals. For example:

Example: Convert 25/8 to a decimal.

10. Ratio and Proportion

Problems based on ratio and proportion are a key part of this section. You might need to solve word problems or to find the value of variables based on given ratios. For example:

Example: If the ratio of a to b is 5:3, and a - b 14, find the values of a and b.

11. Partnership

This section involves problems related to the sharing of profits based on the investment ratio of partners. You might need to calculate the share of profits for individual partners. For example:

Example: A and B invest in a business in the ratio of 3:2. If A's share of the profit is Rs. 9,000, find the total profit.

12. Simple Interest and Compound Interest

Questions related to simple and compound interest are a common part of this section. You might be asked to calculate the amount, interest, principal, or time period. For example:

Example: If Rs. 5,000 is invested at a simple interest rate of 5% per annum, what will be the amount after 3 years?

13. Time, Speed, and Distance

Problems involving time, speed, and distance are a key part of this section. You might need to calculate the time taken, speed, or distance based on given information. For example:

Example: A car travels 300 km in 5 hours. What is the average speed of the car?

Effective Study Tips for the Numerical Ability Section

To prepare effectively for the numerical ability section of the RBI Assistant 2016 Prelims exam, follow these tips:

1. Practice Regularly

The more questions you practice, the better you will become at solving them quickly and accurately. Use online resources, books, and mock tests to practice regularly.

2. Understand the Fundamentals

Make sure you have a strong grasp of basic mathematics concepts such as arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. This will help you solve problems more efficiently and confidently.

3. Time Management

During the exam, manage your time wisely. Allocate a specific time to each section and practice taking quick, accurate answers without spending too much time on a single question.

4. Learn Shortcuts and Tricks

There are many shortcuts and tricks that can help you solve problems faster. Learn and practice these to improve your speed and accuracy.

5. Review and Analyze

After solving practice questions, review your answers and analyze the mistakes. This will help you identify areas where you need to improve and focus on those areas during your preparation.

Conclusion

The numerical ability section of the RBI Assistant 2016 Prelims exam is crucial for your success. By understanding the topics and types of questions that can be expected, and following the study tips provided in this article, you can prepare effectively and increase your chances of success in the exam. Remember to practice regularly, understand the fundamentals, and manage your time wisely to achieve the best possible results.