Top 7 Mistakes to Avoid in RBI Grade B DEPR Exam

ArthaPoint
5 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 15 minutes ago

Cracking the RBI Grade B DEPR exam is no cakewalk. Yet, many aspirants make the same costly mistakes every year. Want to rise above the rest? Then steer clear of these 7 pitfalls—and let success chase you.

1. Ignoring the Power of Practice Tests

You wouldn’t run a marathon without training, would you?Then why would you attempt one of India’s toughest exams without proper mock practice?

The biggest blunder? Not taking enough full-length mock tests before Phase 1.
Many aspirants believe reading theory is enough. Spoiler alert—it’s not.
Real success lies in applying your knowledge under time pressure.

RBI’s DEPR paper tests not just your economics acumen, but your presence of mind.You’ll be dealing with intense MCQs, tight schedules, and close calls.

What’s the fix?Enroll in a dedicated RBI Grade B DEPR Phase 1 Mock Test Series that mirrors the real exam.

Not all mocks are created equal.Choose a test series that:

Has economics-specific questions
Follows the RBI pattern
Offers in-depth solutions
Tracks your performance over time

Want to reduce silly mistakes and boost your confidence?Mock tests are your secret weapon.

2. Studying Like It’s a University Exam

Still stuck with thick textbooks and last-minute cramming?

DEPR is not your college economics final.
It’s a competitive, elimination-level, skill-testing battlefield.

You’re not just expected to know economic theory—you’re expected to apply it smartly, and fast.

Here’s what doesn’t work:

Reading chapters passively
Highlighting endlessly
Memorising without purpose

Instead, adopt a smarter, layered strategy:

Start with concept clarity
Then move to topic-wise MCQs
Finally, simulate real exam pressure with full mocks

Studying hard is good.But studying smart makes the real difference.

3. Overlooking Current Affairs & Economic Surveys

Think macroeconomics is all models and diagrams?

Think again.

RBI DEPR isn’t just about IS-LM curves or regression equations.
It dives deep into real-world economics too.

Every year, the paper tests your knowledge of:

Recent economic developments
RBI policy updates
Union Budget highlights
Economic Survey and its key chapters

If you're skipping this section, you’re playing a dangerous game.

Ask yourself:

Do I know the inflation trends of the past year?
Am I aware of India’s fiscal deficit targets?
Can I decode Budget 2025–26 in economic terms?

If the answer is "not really", it's time to bridge the gap.

How?Make it a habit to read PIB summaries, RBI circulars, and ArthaPoint+’s current affairs modules weekly.

4. Neglecting Phase 1 Because "DEPR is Academic"

Many aspirants focus only on Phase 2—believing Phase 1 is a formality.

That’s a dangerous myth.

Phase 1 acts as the first elimination filter.
One silly error can cost you the entire attempt.
Especially with negative marking.

Yes, DEPR is technical.But don’t underestimate the General Awareness, Quant, Reasoning, and English sections.

Here’s where people slip:

Brushing aside reasoning questions
Thinking Quant is irrelevant
Assuming English comprehension is easy

The truth?Even toppers get knocked out in Phase 1 due to complacency.

So what should you do?

Dedicate time to Phase 1 prep daily
Practice with mock tests that simulate Phase 1 structure
Aim to build a safe score buffer

Want to avoid heartbreak?Take Phase 1 as seriously as Phase 2.

5. Not Having a Revision Plan

You’ve studied everything.Great. But can you recall it under pressure?

Memory is like a muscle.If you don’t train it regularly, it gets lazy.

Biggest mistake? Leaving revision for the last week.

That never works.

What’s the smarter approach?

Use a weekly revision cycle
Have a dedicated notebook for formulas, concepts, and charts
Use spaced repetition techniques
Make short 1-pager notes per topic
Revise your mocks too—not just textbooks

Remember, knowledge alone won’t get you through.Recall + Speed + Accuracy will.

6. Avoiding Difficult Topics Like the Plague

Let’s be honest.

We all have that one economics topic we fear.Maybe it’s econometrics. Or game theory. Or welfare economics.

But here’s the truth:

Every year, RBI throws in tricky questions from these very topics.
Ignoring them doesn’t make them go away—it only makes your score suffer.

Ask yourself:

Do I skip questions when I see the word "covariance"?
Have I postponed welfare economics revision 3 times already?

If yes, you’re not alone—but you’re also at risk.

Instead of running from these topics:

Break them into micro-concepts
Solve topic-wise questions
Watch visual explainers on YouTube
Take targeted mock tests

Face your weak areas head-on.Because RBI surely will.

7. Preparing in Isolation (Without Feedback or Strategy)

Are you preparing solo, guessing what works and what doesn’t?

That’s like flying blind in a storm.
RBI DEPR is a strategy-driven exam—not just a study-driven one.

Mistake #7 is perhaps the deadliest:Preparing without mentorship or guidance.

Why is this so common?

Aspirants believe they’ll “figure it out”.
They’re overwhelmed by too many online sources.
They confuse activity with progress.

But the truth is:

Without a roadmap, you waste precious time.
Without feedback, you repeat the same errors.
Without expert input, you burn out faster.

What’s the fix?

Join a structured coaching program that specializes in DEPR.
Choose mentors who’ve cleared or coached this exam.
Use performance analytics from RBI Grade B DEPR Phase 1 Mock Test Series to track where you’re falling behind.

Preparation is not about isolation.It’s about direction + feedback + iteration.