update: August-07-2013: this is an old article written for 2012’s exam. New article for 2013’s Exam has been published separately on following link:
Please click ME. Again repeating: article given below is outdated (then why don’t I delete it?) Because ACIO-2012 toppers/buddies use this page’s commenting system as their hangout-place. If I delete this article the comments will also be deleted. That’s why I’m not deleting this outdated article.
- Readymade guidebooks for ACIO exam
- How to approach the Objective paper of ACIO exam?
- Difference between GK and GS
- The books
- Topicwise Preparation for ACIO Exam
- General Knowledge
- Aptitude and English
- English Grammar and Vocabulary
- Aptitude
- Essay
- Structure of the Exam
Many a times, sincere candidates fail in Government job exams because
- Relying on readymade guidebooks by “jholachhap publication”.
- They underestimate the level of competition and hence their preparation is not upto the mark. [although personally they may be believing that they’ve studied hard.]
Know that whether it is IAS exam or Bank clerk’s exam, competition is always tough and life is always cruel [thanks to our population]. Hence, The only way to make life easier, is studying harder and harder.
Readymade guidebooks for ACIO exam
As I keep saying: DONOT USE any readymade book such as “ACIO/APFC/CPF guidebook by XYZ bogus publisher. ”
Reasons:
- They merely copy paste few chapters from here and there, donot provide you comprehensive information / theory on any topic.
- Secondly, many candidates simultaneously prepare for SSC, LIC, CPF, IBPS and similar exams, so they’re really good both in GK as well as aptitude. You prepare from some ‘jholaachhap” book then you loose in the competition.
How to approach the Objective paper of ACIO exam?
I’m grateful to the good friend CSL180 for providing the inputs on previous papers of ACIO exam.
From the previous trend, it seems ACIO is more about GK than GS.
Difference between GK and GS
| General Knowledge | General Studies |
| Kaun banega crorepati kinda things. Mere knowledge of facts. “Who, Where and When” type of questions. | encompassing much more than GK, deals with important things of life- science, Constitution, History – why this and why that – so you need not only the knowledge of facts but understanding of events. |
| Who invented Telescope? | How does Telescope work? |
- In, CPF (assistant commandant) or UPSC (IAS/IPS etc.)- the questions are less related to GK and more related to GS.
- Usually the Class I and II officers’ recruitment exams have more GS than GK but for god knows why, ACIO paper almost entirely made up of GK questions only.
- For example “NABARD was setup under which five year plan?”,
- “OPEC was established in which year?”
- May be because ACIO exam isn’t conducted by UPSC and the Old professors who setup the ACIO papers, haven’t grown out of the 90s era yet.
- Anyhow, the moral of the story is, you shouldn’t prepare for ACIO exam, the same way you prepare for UPSC, CPF or APFC. This one requires similar books but different approach.
The books
 |
I DONOT recommend Manorama Yearbook for GK, because
Therefore instead of Manorama, I recommend another book |
Topicwise Preparation for ACIO Exam
The NCERT can be freely (and legally) downloaded using this link Click ME.
The NCERTs contain GK information scattered throughout their chapters, Besides they’ve colorful photos and text, so they’re interesting to read.
General Knowledge
| What is asked in previous papers? | Recommended Book | |
| History | Xyz temple was built by which king? Xyz war was fought by which two sides? |
|
| Geography | Nothing from Physical Geography (Theory, atmosphere etc) Only “xyz place is famous for what?” “xyz thing is located at where?” That type of GK questions from Geography- both India and World. |
|
| Science | Who invented this and that? |
|
| Polity | Only GK For example “which article of Constitution contains provision for Constitutional amendments? |
|
| Culture | Location of Temples and fairs. |
|
| Stupid Current Affairs |
(ya, UPSC stopped asking such stupid things in Civil service exam but ACIO paper setter uncle-ji hasn’t learned the lesson yet, may the almighty give them some wisdom.) |
|
| Economy | Trivial questions like when was RBI established and when was NABARD established etc. I would expect similar GK from Current affairs based Economy. |
Current affairs material already suggested above. + Manohar Pandey |
Aptitude and English
The trivial GK is limitless, but brain’s memory has limits, so how do you improve your score?
Obviously, you’ve to score huge in English Grammar and Aptitude.
There are aspirants in this “competition business” for 2-3 years, trying for Bank, LIC, CPF, SSC and similar jobs, and they’ve impeccable command over English grammar/Reading comprehension and aptitude.
So if you make any excuse ki “meraa English thik nahi hai” or “meraa maths kamjor hai”, then you’re digging your own grave. Toppers donot fall from sky, they’re among you, but they’re just studying harder and not wasting time in giving such excuses or doing cut off speculation. So, If your maths/english is not good, then study hard and improve it. Know that every master was once an amateur.
English Grammar and Vocabulary
Sentence correction, Sentence arrangement, Reading comprehension, synonym, antonym, fill in the blanks etc.etc.etc.
Study approach and booklist is same, as given in earlier APFC exam article: Click ME.
Aptitude
Since you’ve applied for ACIO exam, I assume that your end goal is Government job of some kind.
So even if you fail in ACIO, you’d continue pursuing similar competitive exams such as IBPS, SSC, LIC, CPF etc.Therefore, I would suggest the aptitude books that can be used for all such exams.
  |
For ACIO exam, prepare upto level 1 exercises only from each each chapter. Ideally you should do all the sums from all the chapters, Including the Non-Verbal portion i.e. figure based questions.
And most importantly, no one can master aptitude by reading the solved sums alone. You’ve calculate them by your hand. |
Sidenote:
- If you’re running out of time, you may use IBPS Manual by Disha Publication
instead of the book #1 and Book #2 given above. But that’s like firefighting and such shortcuts are luck dependent, hence should not be used in normal case.
Essay
The ACIO 2012’s notification specifically mentions that
ACIO-II/Exe contains two papers namely
Paper I (Objective type) and
Paper II (Descriptive type on English language only).
The total duration for both the Papers is 1 hour and 40 minutes.
- It means you’ll have to write Essay in English (Paper II).
So how to approach this essay?
First read this article on how to write an essay: Click ME - Second, go through this book “A book of Essays by Spectrum Publication
This book has around 100 essays on various themes and topics, so you get enough fodder material for writing essays on conventional topics.
Apart from that daily newspaper reading: Either The Hindu or Indian Express.
How to read newspapers? Already explained in earlier article: Click ME.
![[Studyplan] CDS Maths Paper: Number System, Quadratic Equations, Surds, Indices, Linear Equation (Part 1 of 3) for UPSC Combined Defense service exam](https://mrunal.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/icon-plan-500x383.png){kind=icon}
![[Studyplan] MPPSC Mains GS1 and GS2: Priority Revision topics](https://mrunal.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/i-mppsc-500x383.png)
Anyone can plz provide me with this years question paper of ACIO Exam held on 23rd Sep 12.. I am preparing for it and hopefully i will be sitting for the exam next year.. If anione can plz upload this years question paper or can plz provide me with the link then it would be of great help.. tY in advane.. :)
Hello
In notification they have not mentioned about Interview for ACIO post. Then how all of you talking about an Interview?
You have not read the notification carefully. Interview will be held in the month of November and successful candidates names will be out in the month of October.
mrinal sir- i appeared for acio-2012 exam.i belong to sc category.i am getting 55 correct answers(objective)and have written the essay well enough. i will be getting atleast 20-25 marks in subjective portion.can u plz tell me whether i will be called for interview or not.plz reply me sir.
with regards,
Manish.
sorry friend no idea. check the discussions on pagalguy forum.
extremely sorry, i mispelled your name.its mrunal(sir).plz reply.
paper I ,attempted 70…61 correct. Paper II expected is 30-35.
I am an SC candidate… What are my chances ? Any guess ?
Your chances are good, start preparing for the Interview.
I checked again and found some more wrongs…so the figures are…
paper I ,attempted 70,…56 correct. Paper II expected is 30-35.
what could be cut-off for SC category ?
Ajit, Your Paper 2 marks going to play major role now.
With score of 86/150, chances are sleek.
What you can do for now is stop thinking of your score and start reading Current On-going activities in details and revise your graduation concepts. Both will not going to get waste even if you couldn’t make through it.
All the best. Do share your result afterwards for 2013 aspirants.
buddy …….check out the marks proportion ….it is not out of 150……….it is out of 100 wherein 50 marks are give to objective and 50 to essay………………..you guys talk big things without verifying things and then you make others nervous………….not a goood approach
DEAR MPji(Mrunal pandye)any idea abt ACIO results?
Results will be out in mid October. Best of luck to you.
@Neeraj Chandrakar-sir can u plz tell me how to prepare for acio-2012 interview.i have done btech in electrical engg. from NIT Allahabad.
Please read conversation between Naushad and Mrunal Sir on September 24th in above comments.
mrunal sir is truly an inspirational paragon.u not only provide us source of material but also trigger our hidden talents.bhagwan ap jaise logo ka khoob bhala kare.
hare krishna.
NEERAJ CHANDRAKAR SIR,
MY SCORE IS 70/100 AND 30+ in eassy ,AND I BELONG OBC CATAGORY, PLZ TELL ME SIR IS THERE ANY CHANCE FOR ME TO GET INTERVIEW CALL, REPLY ME SOON SIR.
Yes Ankur, as there were enough seats this time, there are good chances that you will get call. Please start preparing for Interview, as you might need to get score more on Interview side.
“Know that whether it is IAS exam or Bank clerk’s exam, competition is always tough and life is always cruel [thanks to our population]. Hence, The only way to make life easier, is studying harder and harder.”
thanks for the mind blowing advice….will try to follow this.
mrunal sir , i m getting 50 marks out 100 and expecting 20 marks in essay..is there any chance for me to getting interview call..i belong to OBC catagory..
No, Dinesh. Sorry!
sir iam i.b guy took acio 2 xam.i am getting 65-70 in objective ,30-40 in essay ,can i have any chance to get a interview call.plz inform me sir
I.B. Guy? Are you working already inside the system i.e. Intelligence Bureau?
If yes, then please start for interview preparation.
If No, then please specify your Category, Marks range in {5} for essay and, also what you meant by “i.b guy” in your previous question asked?
iam belongs to oc.category
sir iam working in intelligence bureau ,iam belongs to o.c category my scores were mentioned above.
Anil, please start preparing for interview, with no doubts.
sir i have 42 marks and in essay 30-40 marks in obc category what is the chance for me
Stalin, no hopes!
@ Neeraj Chandrakar:- I am getting 52-53 correct, and wrote a normal essay, with less obscurant language included 5-10 tough words, meaningful sentences with almost no gramatical errors, but the word limit exceeded by 50-60 words, from the given limit of 400 words, finished it in 1 and a half page. So, expecting essay score to be 25-35 depending on the checker. I am in dilemma whether to prepare for interview or not!! Please suggest as appropriate thanks. My cat. is SC.
Please prepare for an interview as your average score is lying on margin according to previous years interview calls. It is always good to be prepare on your side. Brush up your graduation concepts and Current topics in GA.
Thanks Neeraj, your answer gives a bit confidence. Should i join any institute for preparation of the Interview? and do you know anyone who has been called for interview with this score in previous years?
Strong hold on your educational background and on-going activities, will be the only key that will make you clear the interview.
At the time of Interview, even a best coached candidate get the shaky boots. So don’t think of getting ‘coached’, instead of that stay ‘Prepared’.
Thanks Neeraj for useful advice. 1 last question, i have heard that last year cutoff for general category was 62/100 and the paper last year was easy, is that correct? and do you know anyone from SC category who has been called for interview with 52-53/100 score?
my score is 64/100 with a good essay, belong to OBC , what are my chances? please reply
I am considering 64+40= 104 (OBC). Surely you are in.
64+35= 99, chances are sleek. Still you must study for Interview.
mis neha u have good chance to crack with ur score ,prepare for interview,hope for the best.
sir,my objective score is 65 to 70 but my essay was not good….can i have any chance to get a interview call.plz replay me..
65+20= 85, I am considering.
For Gen/ OBC/- No chance at all.
SC/ST- Possibility is there, prepare for interview.
I need to know whether there is negative marking or not at ACIO?…I didnt fine anywhere exceptmention your website mentioning about the negative mark …plz let me know..
@Hemanta: No, there is no negative marking in Acio Exam.
No Negative Marking.
For the same reason,Cut-off goes very high and closes in between 60 to 75% falling in various categories.
respected neeraj sir i belong to general category and i expect 45 out off 100 in objective paper and 25 to 35 in essay .do i have the chance for interview call or not? please reply i need your suggestion
No. Sorry!
guys i forgot to apply this year for this exam, but i have a huge interest in this job, what should i do??? is this exams comes every year?? and when they comes?? at which site i will get these notifications?? what should i do ?? plz give me all the details to apply for this and how should i do study??? plz help me out guyz………….plz
Hello All,
I tried to remeber answers I ahd given in exam, and think that will get 70 Out of 100, dont know how much they give in essay, what is the chances of getting a Interviw call, Cast : OBC.
Sorry Nilesh. Can’t tell you for sure, because your both Marks depends on guessing.
hello mrunal!!
Im getting 35 in objective paper and wrote a good essay, without any grammar mistakes, and used good words…i belong to SC category,…wat r my chances??
Do they consider both Obj and essay for cut-off or just they consider obj score for cut-off?
Sorry! No chance 40(in essay)+35= 75 for SC.
if at all i get 40 in objective, some of my guesses might get correct…vl there be any chance?
No aru, sorry. Due to non-negative marking scheme, cut-off goes very high.
hi sir,
i’m getting around 60 in objective and expecting some 25-30 in essay.. i belong to sc, is there any chance of getting call for interview..??
For 90+ under SC category, you will definitely going to get interview call. Please prepare hard for an interview, because in your case, interview marks will be your deciding factor.
sir,,,i m getting around 65/100 and expecting 25-30 in essay,,,i belong to OBC,,is der any chance to get a interview call
65+30= 95 (OBC),chances are less but you should prepare for an interview, just in case you get interview call.
65+25=90 (OBC), No chance at all.
I got a score of 82 in objective paper and hopin for not less than 30 in the descriptive paper….
Do i stand a chance?
P.S I belong to OBC Category
And also
What areas need to be covered for ACIO interview?
Read previous comments of Mrunal.
sir i am belong to sc category and i got 71 in paper1 and an avg essay..any chance for interview?
sir IAM BELONGS TO O.C CATEGORY and iam working in intelligence bureau too ,i am getting score 65-70 in objective and with good essay 30-35 which i have written Hindu article for that.plz tell me is any chance for me to get a interview call?
thanking u sir
Yes for sure. All the best for Interview!