If you have just taken the SEBI Grade A Generalist exam or if you are going to appear next year, there is only one thing that you are bound to be apprehensive about: the cutoff. It is the magic figure that separates the successful from the unsuccessful. The uncertainty about which side of the cutoff you fall on can be exhausting particularly given that this year’s results are not out yet.
Knowing the expected cutoffs can help you judge your performance and make better strategies for the next stages of the exam or even further attempts. Whether it is to check how you rank this year or plan ahead for next year, this blog will take you through what you should know about the SEBI Grade A cutoffs for 2024, including factors that may influence this year’s marks.
Understanding SEBI Cutoffs
In very simple terms, a “cutoff” means the minimum mark a candidate needs to obtain in a competitive exam for qualification into the next stage, whether it be an interview or another written exam. The cutoff of the SEBI Grade A exam varies every year and depends on various factors. That makes it an essential aspect to track for both current candidates and future aspirants.
To get selected for SEBI Grade A and qualify for the selection stages, a candidate must achieve two types of cutoffs: the sectional cutoff and the overall cutoff.
- Sectional Cutoff: In the SEBI Grade A examination, there is a certain minimum qualifying mark that is set for every section, whether it be Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, General Awareness, and so on. If you don’t meet the sectional cutoff in any subject, then you will be disqualified, even if your overall score is higher.
- Overall Cutoff: The overall cutoff marks are the aggregate marks in all sections combined in the SEBI Grade A examination. You must achieve this combined merit to move on to the next stage or for consideration in the final selection.
What Determines SEBI Grade A Cutoff?
Various factors come into play that decide the cutoff of the SEBI Grade A written exams, and it is very relevant for the candidates to know these elements while preparing for the exam or when analyzing the performance. A tentative prediction of the SEBI Grade A cutoffs can be made by analyzing these factors. The following are the most critical factors that affect the SEBI Grade A Generalist cutoff:
- Vacancies of SEBI Grade A: The primary factor in determining the SEBI Grade A Generalist cutoff is the vacancies available. The more the vacancies, the lesser the cutoff for SEBI Grade A because there is a scope for more candidates to qualify. In simple words, the less the number of vacancies, the cutoff for SEBI Grade A will be more because there is high competition.
- The toughness of the SEBI Grade A Exam: The difficulty level of the SEBI Grade A exam in a specific year determines whether SEBI is going to keep the cutoff high or low. If in some years the exams are tough, then SEBI may keep the cutoff low. If it is considered comparatively easier, you must expect that the cutoff of SEBI Grade A written exams will increase accordingly.
- Number of Candidates for SEBI Grade A: The number of aspirants appearing for the SEBI Grade A Generalist exam is another deciding factor of the cutoff. More candidates normally mean increased competition, which drives the cutoff upwards. Fewer candidates could result in a slightly low cutoff for SEBI Grade A.
- Previous Trends of SEBI Grade A Cutoff: Although the cutoff percentage differs every year, analysis of the previous year’s cutoff trends of SEBI Grade A gives a good idea about what exactly one should expect. The variation of cutoff in the past trends of SEBI Grade A cutoff will help students set realistic expectations.
SEBI Grade A Generalist Exam Cutoff Predictions
First, let’s talk about the number of vacancies, which has a major role in determining the cutoff for any competitive exam, especially one like SEBI Grade A Generalist. This year, the vacancies are higher compared to previous years, increasing the level of competition.
On the other hand, for the unreserved categories, around 2,837 candidates cleared SEBI Grade A Phase I in 2023, out of the total number of candidates combined, which was around 4,900 for all categories. Going further back, in the SEBI Grade A exam for 2022, there were 96 interview calls for only 32 vacancies. In 2024, the number of vacancies have tripled to 102.
Though this rise in vacancies is a good thing for the candidates, this also means that the competition will be tough. The relative simplicity of the SEBI Grade A Generalist Phase 1 2024 allowed many qualified professionals, such as CAs, CFAs, and MBAs in Finance, to qualify it easily. About 400 to 500 candidates are estimated to have cleared Phase 1 from financial backgrounds. Even candidates lacking such specialized qualifications but who attempted approximately 80 to 85 questions with confidence have done well.
The competition remains keen with 4,900 candidates chasing 102 positions despite increased vacancies. Some candidates have started asking about this year’s expected cutoff, and while it is precarious to make such assessments before the actual examination, a clearer picture is possible after the exam by looking at trends. Based on the trends of previous years and keeping in mind the relatively easy nature of this year’s exam, the 2024 cutoff of the SEBI Grade A Generalist Phase 2 may fall between 68 to 70 marks for Paper 2.
The Descriptive English paper will, play an important role in the final selection process. Since a lot of candidates have reported the SEBI Grade A Paper 2 to be quite easy, the performance in English will turn out to be decisive in pushing the final cutoff. The candidates who have concentrated on their writing skills and prepared well for the Descriptive English section of the exam will have an edge.
Based on the feedback received, candidates who will score in the range of 68-70 marks in Paper 2 and with a good performance in English are bound to get through the selection process and progress onto the SEBI Grade A Interview. Though most candidates have performed well in Paper 2, it is the descriptive section in English that may make a difference in getting into the final selection list.
In a recent poll conducted by SEBI experts at ixamBee, around 400 candidates responded to it, out of which about 40 candidates claimed to have scored in the range of 81+ in Paper 2. With roughly 2,300 candidates in the unreserved category, the analysis shows that the cutoff for SEBI Grade A Phase 2 could be between 68 to 70 marks, though it might slightly vary depending upon the grading of the Descriptive English section.
These predictions are based on feedback and trends, but usually, they are quite accurate, as in previous years also, our predictions have around 80-90% accuracy. The final selection will be conclusively based on one’s aggregate performance in Paper 2 and English.
| Exam Stage | Expected Cutoff (Marks) | Key Factors |
| Phase 1 (Paper 2) | 68 – 70 | High competition, easier paper, more vacancies |
| Phase 2 (Paper 2) | 68 – 70 | Relatively easy paper, English descriptive section plays a crucial role |
| Final Selection | 75+ | Strong performance in both Paper 2 and English required |
How to be Ahead of the SEBI Grade A Cutoff
While this year’s paper was easy, there is always a chance that from the next year onwards SEBI Grade A will become increasingly competitive. This is only more likely to make an aspirant stick to clearing the SEBI cutoff. So, whether you are waiting for this year’s results or planning for next year, here are some intelligent tips to keep you going ahead:
- Focus on High-Weightage Sections
Seeing that the SEBI Grade A Paper 2 was reported to be relatively easy this year, and the descriptive English section is expected to play a very vital role in the final selection, your preparation should focus on those areas. Obviously, candidates who have prepared well in English would have an edge over others, for it is oftentimes the deciding factor in pushing you past the cutoff. Those who plan to write next year should start their writing of clear and concise answers now, this will help you do well when it counts.
- Time Management is Key
Though the number of questions attempted is a factor, accuracy is also equally important. From the candidates of this year, it has been reported that the ones confident about their attempts did well in terms of speed with precision. While more attempts improve your chances, make sure you are not compromising on accuracy.
- Update Yourself with ixamBee
The expert faculties at ixamBee do a regular analysis of the SEBI Grade A exam patterns and results to give correct insights into the exam. Such careful analysis has formed the basis of our prediction for this year’s cutoff at 68-70 for the 2024 SEBI Phase 2. To strengthen your exam preparation, you can avail ixamBee’s SEBI Grade A mock tests, SEBI Grade A online courses, and previous year papers to understand where you stand relative to the cutoff and adjust your preparation strategy accordingly.
Conclusion
Although understanding the cutoff of SEBI Grade A and its prediction helps, one must remember that this is not the sole factor dictating your success. It is not just about clearing the cutoff but about constantly performing higher to clear the final selection list. The feedback received this year underlines the need to excel in both Paper 2 and the English descriptive section, which should be the aim for not only the candidates who appeared for the exam this year but also for those who appear next year.
ixamBee’s SEBI expert faculties, through continuous analysis and interaction with the candidates, present to you the expected SEBI Grade A 2024 Generalist cutoff as a guiding factor to your preparation. Whether you appear this year or are preparing for the next, remember, diligent preparation with focused strategy and regular practice are the keys to success. On that note, all the very best, and always remember that clearing the cutoff with the right approach is just the beginning of your journey to be a SEBI Grade A officer!
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