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 Again repeating: article given below is outdated (then why don’t I delete it?)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 That’s why I’m not deleting this outdated article.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.
@ prashant ,suneel my interview is also in hyderabad on dec 9th do u guys got any information abt interview like how many members on the board what type of the questions genarally asked etc let me know..thanx
Its 9716145325
Hey Suneel, that is really great that u cleared it on the basis of ur own prep !!
Congratulations :).
R u wrking or doing ur studies or only prep for competition exams?
wats ur background?
and frm where did u do the prep besides mrunal site?
Hi Shilpa,
Im working as software engg. Actually Im preparing for public services and just attempted this exam … now after selecting written test Im little excited on this kind of James bond job …. trying to get some info on the job nature and interview .. if u know any thing pls reply
Hi Suneel.. it is really great that u cleared the exam while working :).
I m sory i dont knw abt job nature etc.
All d best for interview.
and ur sources of preparation?
@rahul
my interview is on dec 11th..and i dont have any information about the panel..do u have any information of any physical requirements..pls help mrunal..
guys pls inform me..do any one have interview on 9th or 10th..pls share the details..08977664533..
@bnr..pls call me yaar
my interview is on 12th. so explain me how to prepare for interview.
plz assist me!
After Interview :~
if you are selected , Medical Test and Police Verification follows.
You will be intimated of training schedule by post.
750 people will be divided into different batches of 150(or 120) each.
Probation training at Jaipur / Shivpuri(UP)and some batches in Delhi I guess.
After that you will be placed in SIB of any state (All India Liability).
ACIO is a civilian job; advisory in nature – will work closely with the police.
ACIO Grade 2 equals Sub Inspector rank ; Grade 2 officers work as field agents collect and disseminate information. Grade 1 Officers are normally deputed from other organisations and they look after administration and planning.
I heard from some sources that if we perform well we may be inducted into RAW.
Regarding interview questions are most likely from :
1. Your biodata
2. Why IB?
3. GK
4. CA
5. Educational Background
6. Previous job
7. Misc (national/regional issues).
8. If you are from Technical background brush up with terminologies.
9. Hobbies
If you are not fluent in English practice it, as some panel may insist that you answer in English.
For some people it was for 5 mins and for some it went upto 20 mins.
In the panel, one member will be observing you and taking notes.
Keep your cool. Don’t bluff.
Last year I guess , they did not publish the final result.
If you get police verification – you can assume you are selected.
My interview on 12 Dec 2012 ( End of World? Conspiracy )
Good Luck and Best Wishes,
Pavel could you please tell me that when will there be an appointment after all the doings like, physical, police verification etc etc. I mean when will one has to leave everything and go for IB. Please waiting for you reply
Vivek, once Interview is over and if qualified – police verification will be done – after it is through – we need to appear for medical test ( mostly in govt. hospital in our district or as specified ). We will be sent Offer/Joining Letter to our house address and will be called for Probationary Training. 750 candidates will be divided into different batches of 125-150 each and called every 3 months ( I guess ). Some of the last year batch are still waiting for Joining Letters . I think the whole process would take from Feb – Nov/Dec 2013 depending on which batch we fall we may get call letters early / late. This analysis is based on last year recruitment , this year they may publish the final result. All the Best
thanks.
Pavel ur wrong abt the RAW part. RAW has it’s own cadre called RAS and they conduct separate exams to recruit officers for that.
Sach, you are right. But a friend of mine told that people from IB may be inducted into RAW on deputation.
yes there is a chance for that. depends on several factors.
One more update :
Written Test : 150 marks + Interview: 100 marks
Total : 250 marks
pls pls say is there any height restriction??
ANY HEIGHT REQUIREMENT????????????
what is the physical standard required for this job?? any such height checks????? plsssss help
my obc certificate non creamy layer certificate is 2yrs old..is that enough??pls help PAVEL..ALSO SAY ABOUT HEIGHT
https://www.onlinesubmit.in/mha/Guidelines/MHAAdvertisement.pdf
It says you need to have OBC Certificate in Central Govt format and NOT in State Govt format. Please refer the URL – Appendix 1.
I am not aware of height restrictions( mostly there should not be any as it is not a uniformed service), but we do have a Medical Test which includes Colorblind tests,many blood tests etc etc. If they certify then, there are no issues. Some candidate’s training got postponed last year due to delay in medical test results.
is my obc certificate valid..which was taken in 2010 march..pls help pavel
obc certificate made after 2006i.e after implemantation of 6th pay commission is valid,there is no need to renew it.bt it must b for central govt
even my interview on dec 9th..it will be helpful if anyone who already attended it..give us some tips.
are you phanni bhushan?
no im phani kiran..
Hello,
Anybody having interview in Bangalore? Plz reply.
Regards,
Apoo!
yes apooava am from bangalore interview is on 11th
Hello Sri,
If you don mind send me your contact number to my mail id i.e. apoo87@in.com. I will get in touch with you. We can discuss about interview.
Me too…In Bangalore.
On 9th.
Nybody,givin interview frm delhi..pls make contact on 9716145325 or himanshu.singh7216@gmail.com,,so d knwledge nd quries vl jointly shared..as i hv heard dat around 50% Employees leave d job within 1st year of thr joining itself,so it would b betr to have a indepth knowledg regarding d job profile,so dat our efforts would nt go futile
Hi,
I have OBC certificate in Govt. of India format. But in website they want in prescribed format. Whether I should download it and prepare new certificate or not.
i have obc in prescribed format but 2yrs old..is that enough???????
yes, but you’ll also need a non-creamy layer certificate that is not older than 1 year.
for more, visit obcguru.com
thankyou mrunal
mrunal can u pls also say whether there is any height criteria for selection as most of them whom i asked are not sure about this..pls help
hai guys , is there any one having interview on 11 dec, in hyderabad, give information abt how the interview will be conducted
I HAVE ON 10TH CONTACT ME 8885286878
yes i have interview on dec 11th.hyderabad..pls contact me 8977664533..@naveen
cleared IB !!! TIPS FOR INTERVIEW PLS …..
THEN ARE THEY CALLING FOR THE INTERVIEW ACCORDING TO THE WRITTEN EXAM MARKS OR ROLL NUMBER ORDER ? PLS SIR REPLY……….
CONGRATS AMRITA.DONT WORRY ABOUT INTERVIEW.IT’L BE COOL.MOST QUESTIONS WILL BE BASED ON YOUR BACKGROUND,PLACES YOU KNOW,CURRENT AFFAIRS OF LAST FEW DAYS BEFORE UR INTERVIEW ETC.CALL FOR INTERVIEW WILL BE GENERALLY BASED ON ROLLNUMBER AND CATEGORY
thank u :-)
Hi Amrita,
Congratz, Can u pls provide few tips on exam???and also May i know about your results???
thank u :-)
anyone having interview at 12/12/2012, mumbai at 9:00 am???????
yes,my interview is on 12th dec at mumbai.
ANYBODY FROM KERALA?
Many from Kerala are having Interview in Bhopal. Please confirm with them if there is an error in Venue allocation for all applicants from Kerala. I guess other state people have their interview in their own SIB.