Prologue
In the Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) exam, you’ve to face two papers
- Paper I: 100 Multi-choice questions from General Awareness + aptitude (=Maths + reasoning)
- Paper II: English Essay worth 50 marks
Total time limit: 1 hr 40 minutes
In this article, we see the approach for Maths, reasoning and English.
The approach for General awareness (History, geography, science, current affairs etc.) is given in a separate article: click me
In ACIO 2012 Question paper, the internal breakup was:
General Awareness | 79 |
Maths | 9 |
Reasoning | 12 |
Total MCQ | 100 |
Therefore, Maths+ Reasoning=9+12=21= approx. 1/5th of paper was about Aptitude. So cost:benefit is quite good but Practice@home=essential, otherwise following things will happen:
#1: silly mistakes in calculation
wrong | right |
x-5=(15/2)2*x-5=152x=15+52x=20
x=10 |
x-5=15/22(x-5)=152*x-(2*5)=152x-10=15
2x=25 x=12.5 |
#2: formula problem
you won’t be able to recall formulas or you will plug wrong values in the formula=> either way answer will not come. (Example: area of equilateral triangle asked in ACIO-2012)
#3: time problem
- In maths, Because of problem #1 + #2= your answer will not match the given options A/B/C/D then you re-calculate the whole sum again=time wasted.
- In reasoning, you’ll take lot of time in each sitting-arrangement/blood-relation / coding-decoding type question. = time wasted
In short, if you want to crack a government / Bank / PSU exam=> aptitude practice@home is essential.
Maths / Quantitative Aptitude
Donot Fear Maths, Donot Hate Maths. If you basic concepts are clear and you practice enough at home, then most of maths/reasoning questions can be solved without effort or mistake during the exam.
Negative thinking “maths is too difficult, ye mujse nahi hoga”=> you’ll only dig your own grave while others prepare maths and get selected for the job.
For all competitive exams of India, we can classify math topics into following
Regular topics | SSC/CDS/CAT exclusive | Misc Topics* |
prepare for ACIO | Ignore for ACIO | prepare for ACIO |
|
(Usually non-SSC/CDS/CAT exam don’t bother much asking questions from this topics). |
(Most govt-job exams nowadays don’t bother with these topics but they were asked in ACIO-2012 hence need to be prepared.) |
Preparation Source:
- NCERT maths (free download @bottom)
- Mrunal.org/aptitude
- Any one Quantitate Aptitude book. Even second hand /used copy will work- you don’t need latest edition. Based on their utility for SSC-CGL exam, I classify the Quant books into 3 types:
will work in ACIO + Useful for SSC-CGL; CDSBecause quadratic eq., trigonometry and geometry-theory (non-AVP) is covered properly. | ![]() |
will work in ACIO but Not so useful for SSC-CGL; CDSBecause quadratic eq., trigonometry and non-AVP geometry is not covered in length. | |
Useless for any exam | Readymade Junk from jholachhap publishers like “ACIO guide book; RBI assistant guidebook; National Insurance AO guidebook” etc. |
- For additional practice you may go through previous SSC question papers (but ignore trigonometry, quadratic equation and geometry except Area-volume-perimeter.)
Permutation combination probability (PCP)
In the late-90s, this used to be the hot-favorite topic for govt.exams, but nowadays rarely comes. However ACIO-2012 did contain two questions from PCP (meaning ACIO paper-setter uncleji still runs with 90s mindset) so you’ve to prepare PCP. Most of the PCP stuff can be solved without any formulas. Go through following articles
- [Aptitude] Permutation Combination made easy without Formulas
- [Aptitude] Combination: Coins possible Sums (without formula)
- [Aptitude] PnC: arrange such that two people Always sitting together?
- [Aptitude] PnC: How many Ways to arrange letters of word “RECUPERATE” (Permutation without Formulas)
- [Aptitude] PnC Arrange digits in ascending order to form numbers (asked in UPSC 2009)
- [Aptitude] PnC: Conditional Selection in Committee
- [Aptitude] PnC: Binomial Expansion. How many ways to select one or more out of given Items?
Additionally, I had also uploaded a few short-lectures about PCP on youtube you can see them on:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheMrunalPatel/videos?view=1&flow=list
And then solve maximum questions from your Quant book.
Observe the questions from 2012’s ACIO paper:
There is a 7-digit telephone number with all different digits. If the digit at extreme right and extreme left are 5 and 6 respectively, find how many such telephone numbers are Possible.
- 120
- 1,00,000
- 6720
- 30,240
Seven digit phone number looks like this
6*****5
so we’ve five empty seats, and we’ve 8 gentlemen (0,1,2,3,4,7,8,9). Question demand “all different digits” so we can’t use 5 or 6 again. so five seats and eight gentleman. Order/sequencing of number matters. (Because in phone number 1234 is different than phone number 4321). So this is a permutation problem.
= seat1 and seat 2 and …upto seat5
= _ x _ x _ x _ x _ (because in permutation/combination: “and” means multiplication)
= first seat has 8 option x second seat has 7 options x third seat has 6 options..
=8 x 7 x 6 x 5 x 4
=6720 Answer C
Probability
Probability questions can also be solved with mere extension of Permutation-combination concept. Read the following articles
- [Aptitude] Probability Made Easy (Extension of Permutation Combination Concept!)
- [Aptitude] Probability : Two Dice problems Sums and multiples
And then solve maximum questions from your Quant book.
Observe the Question from ACIO 2012:
A speaks the truth 3 out of 4 time, and B speaks truth 5 out of 6 times . What is the probability that they will contradict each other in stating the same fact?
- 2/3
- 1/3
- 5/6
- 1/21
A speak true=3/4 that means chances of A telling lie =(1- 3/4)=1/4
same way chances of B telling lie=1/6
In probability related question, convert the question into a Statement
Two people will contradict each other, when one speak truth and other is lying
=(A true AND B lie) OR (A lie AND B true)
but in probability, And=multiply (x) and OR=add(+) ;
=(3/4 x 1/6) + (1/4 x 5/6)
=3/24 + 5/24
=8/24
=1/3 answer is B
AP-GP
arithmetic progression | Basics of Arithmetic progression explained in NCERT Class 10 Chap 5. (free downloads @bottom) |
geometric progression | class 11’s NCERT chapter 9. |
Then practice sums from your quant-book. AP-GP does require memorizing a few formulas.
Observe the question from ACIO-2012 Exam
After striking the floor, a ball rebounds to 4/5th of the height from which it has fallen, Find the total distance that if travels before coming to rest if it has been gently dropped from a height of 120 metres.
- 540 meters
- 960 meters
- 1080 meters
- 1120 meters
Ball dropping=geometric progression (GP).
Approach #1
The special readymade formula for ball dropping GP case is,
Distance=height x (1 plus rebounding ratio) / (1 minus rebounding ratio)
Distance
=120 x (1+4/5) / (1-4/5)
=1080 mts
Approach #2
Distance travelled by ball
=down + {up + down} + {up + down} +… infinite (not infinite in reality though!)
=120 + {4/5(120) + 4/5(120)} + {4/5 [4/5(120)] + 4/5 [4/5(120)]}…upto infinite
=120 + 2 x 4/5(120) + 2 x 4/5 [4/5(120)]… upto infinite
=120 + 2 x 120(4/5 + (4/5)2 + (4/5)3…upto infinite)
but in such infinite GP series highlighted in bold, the summation formula is S=a /(1-r)
therefore sum of bold part
=(4/5)/[1-(4/5)]=4
=120 + (2 x 120 x 4)
=120 + (120 x 8)
=120 x 9
=1080 meters.
Now, Moving to the regular topics:
Basics (bodmas, surds-indices etc)
In the banking exams, usually first few questions have lengthy multiplication division etc. based on BODMAS. While you don’t need that speed-maths ability for ACIO, but basics should be clear otherwise you’ll make silly calculation mistakes in remaining topics.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Algebra, Linear Eq.
“Mother’s age was x and daughters age..”; “3 mangos and 5 bananas purchased for…” ; X+1/2x+3=3/8 then find X.
^This type of stuff. Just practice and you’ll get a hang of it.
- Basics given in NCERT Class 8 Chap 2 and 9.
- Then NCERT Class 9 Chap 4
- Lastly NCERT Class 10 Chap 3.
- them maximum practice from your quant book
let’s solve ACIO-2012 question
A toy weighing 24 grams of an alloy of two metals is worth Rs 174/-, but if the weights of the two metals be interchanged, the toy would be worth Rs 162/- If the price of one metal be Rs 8 per gram, find the price of the other metal used to make the toy
- Rs 10/ gram
- Rs 6/gram
- Rs 4/ gram
- Rs 5/gram
Suppose two metals: A and B. A costs 8 rupees and B costs “b” rupees.
Situation #1
metal | price | wt | total price |
A | 8 | m | 8m |
B | b | n | bn |
m+n=24 gm (total qty) | 8m+bn=174…eq1 |
Situation #2
Now we interchange the weights
metal | price | wt | total price |
A | 8 | n | 8n |
B | b | m | bm |
m+n=24 gm (total qty) | 8n+bm=162…eq2 |
now we’ve two equations
8m+bn=174
8n+bm=162
add left side to left side and right side to right side
(8m+bn)+ (8n+bm)=174+162
Re-arrange
(8m+8n)+(bm+bn)=336
take “8” and “b” common
8(m+n)+b(m+n)=336
but we know that total weight of new alloy is 24gms that means m+n=24
8 x 24 + b x 24=336
24 x (8+b)=336=> you get value of b=6
Ans. price of second metal is Rs.6 per gram
Average- Allegation
|
Can be solved without formula. Go through https://mrunal.org/2012/03/aptitude-alligationsmixturesalloys.html |
|
complex questions can be made even from simple average. click me to solve them without formulas |
|
For ratio-proportion NCERT Class 8 Chap 13. |
|
https://mrunal.org/2012/05/aptitude-partnership-and-profit-sharing.html |
Time speed distance work
This involves
- Time speed distance
- Trains, platforms
- Boats-streams
- Time and Work
- Pipes and Cisterns
All of them can be solved with our universal STD formula. see following articles to learn the concept
- [Aptitude] TSD: Average Speed made easy without Formulas (Our Good ol’ STD-Table Method!)
- [Aptitude] TSD: Average speed question from CSAT-2012
- [Aptitude] Pipes and Cistern problem: 3 pipes, 2 work together
- [Aptitude] STD Table: Two complex cases of Time and Work
- [Aptitude] Time n Work : P and Q start together but P leaves after some days
- [Aptitude] Boats and Streams made-easy using our STD-Table Method
- [Aptitude] TnW: How long did the Work last?
- [Aptitude] TnW: A is thrice as good as workman as B
- [Aptitude] Time n Work: 4 men and 6 women can complete a work in 8 Days then
- [Aptitude] Time n Work :Daily Wages and Share in Payment
Then solve max. questions from your quant book
let’s try the question asked in ACIO 2012
- A man decides to travel 80 kilometers in 8 hours partly by foot and partly on a bicycle. If his speed on foot is 8 km/hr and on bicycle 16 km/hr, what distance would he travel on foot?
- 20 km
- 30 km
- 48 km
- 60km
Suppose he walked for “t” hours on foot. meaning he spent (8-t) hours on bicycle. (because total time he took is 8 hrs)
Then make an STD table like this:
on foot | on bicycle | |
speed(S) | 8 | 16 |
time(T) | t | 8-t |
distance(D) |
STD formula is: speed x time = distance
Apply it in both cases and fillup cells
on foot | on bicycle | |
speed(S) | 8 | 16 |
time(T) | t | 8-t |
distance(D) | 8 x t | 16 x (8-t) |
As per the question we know that total distance he covered was 80kms. Therefore
(distance covered on foot)+(on bicycle)=80
8t+16 (8-t)=80
8t+ (16*8)-16t=80
-8t+ 16*8=80
when you solve this equation you get t=6 hrs. update the table
on foot | on bicycle | |
speed(S) | 8 | 16 |
time(T) | 6 | 8-t |
distance(D) | 8×6=48kms | 16 (8-t) |
Ans. He travelled 48 kms on foot.
Approach #2: Alligiation (Wine Water)
we can also solve this question using alligiation method. How?
first understand the concept explained in following article:
[Aptitude] Alligations,Mixtures,Alloys: Water,Milk,Wine mixing: Weighted Average
let’s check the same ACIO question again
A man decides to travel 80 kilometers in 8 hours partly by foot and partly on a bicycle. If his speed on foot is 8 km/hr and on bicycle 16 km/hr, what distance would he travel on foot?
Since he travelled 80kms n 8 hours, his average speed is
Speed x time = distance
Speed x 8 =80=> avg. speed = 80/8=10
Make the wine-water table:
concentration (speed) | 8 (foot) | 10 (avg) | 16 (cycle) |
volume (time) | t | (8-t) |
Apply the visual move, you get two equations:
16-10=t => t=6
10-8=(8-t) =>t=6
In either case t=6
And the distance travelled on foot=> speed x time=8 x 6=48 kms our final answer.
for getting more grip: read following article
- [Aptitude] Product Consistency: If Sugar price increases then consumption should be Decreased by What %, Time-Speed-Distance problems,
- [Aptitude] Alligation: Advanced applications in Interest rates, Profit-loss, Average Wages (Wine-Water Concept)
- [Aptitude] Time n Distance: Early and late to office (shortcut using product consistency method) for SSC, IBPS, CSAT, CAT, CMAT
Percentage, profit-loss, SI-CI
All questions whether it is profit-loss-discount-market price ; or simple / compound interest or population increase / decrease=>all of them can be solved without formulas, as long as your basic concept about % is clear. so first understand the concept from following articles
- [Aptitude] Concepts of Marked Price and Successive Discounts (Profit-Loss) without (stupid) formulas
- [Aptitude] Compound Interest Rate, Population Growth without Formulas
- [Aptitude] Alligation: Advanced applications in Interest rates, Profit-loss, Average Wages (Wine-Water Concept)
- [Aptitude] Product Consistency: If Sugar price increases then consumption should be Decreased by What %, Time-Speed-Distance problems,
Now let’s try the ACIO 2012 question
Due to a 25 % increase in the price of rice per kilogram a person is able to purchase 20 kilograms less for Rupees 400. What is the increased price of rice per kilogram?
- Rs 5
- Rs 6
- Rs 10
- Rs 4
this question calls for ‘product consistency’ approach
If rice price increase by 25% then consumption must decrease by…20% (how? let’s see)
25% increase= new price is 125%=5/4
now just inverse it and subtract from 1
1-4/5=1/5
1/5=20%
That means If rice price increase by 25% then consumption must decrease by…20%
But in the question they’re saying “When rice price increased, customer could be 20kg less”
Meaning the decrease of 20kg=20% of the original qty.
Then what was the original qty of rice that customer could buy, before the price rise?
in this question, situation is simple: 20%=20kg then obviously 100%=100kg.
meaning customer was originally buying 100kg rice, for rupees 400. and now he can buy only 100-20=80 kg for 400 rupees.
Therefore, new price of rice per kg =Rs.400/80kg=5 Rs.per kg.
Number theory, LCM-HCF
topic | approach |
|
|
let’s check Questions from ACIO 2012
Three bells chime at intervals of 48, 60 and 90 minutes respectively. If all the three bells chime together at 10 AM, at what time will all the three chime again that day
- 1 PM
- 2 PM
- 8 PM
- 10 PM
This is an LCM question
LCM of (48,60,90)=720 (how to find LCM has been explained in above article)
Meaning they’ll ring after 720 minutes (but we’ve to convert it into hours): 720/60=12hrs
If bells rang together @10AM then they’ll again ring after 12hrs. (Imagine wall clock’s hour hand moving)=after 12 hours the hour hand will again come @10 but it’ll be night= 10PM answer is D
Finding last two digits
This was also asked in ACIO-2012
- Find the last two digits of : 15x37x63x51x97x17
- 35
- 45
- 55
- 85
Make pairs of two number, just focus on last two digits.
15 x 37 =15(30+7)=150+105=last two digits 55
63 x 51=63 (50+1)=3150+63=last two digits 13
97×17=17(90+7)=1530+119=last two digits 49
Now we’ve three new numbers: 55 x (13 x 49)
13 x 49=13 (40+9)=520+117=last two digits 37
now we’ve two numbers
55 x 37 =55 (30+7)=1650 + 385=last two digits 35
Final answer: 35.
AVP (Area Volume Perimeter)
- Basics explained in NCERT Class 8 Chap 3, 11.Then NCERT Class 9 Chap 9, 12, 13.
- Lastly NCERT Class 10 Chap 13
- in your quant.book you’ll find the consolidated list of formulas and demo questions.
Let’s check the question asked in ACIO2012
A circle is inscribed inside an equilateral triangle touching all the three sides, If the radius of the circle is 2 cm, find the area of the triangle.
- 15 root 3
- 18 root 3
- 12 root 3
- 12 root 2
In equilateral triangle, if you draw a median, then the center of incircle divides it in 2:1 ratio.=>total length is 3 parts.
Meaning 1 unit =>total length of median will be 1 x 3 =3 unit
We know that radius is 2cm. 2 unit=>total median length will be 2 x 3=>6 units (cm)
Then you run Pythagoras, you get side “a”=(12 / root3)
And for equilateral triangles the area is=(root3)/4 x a2
Plug in the value of “a” and you get answer=12 root 3.
enough of maths, let’s move to…
Reasoning
As per ACIO-2012 paper, this portion punning more or less parallel to other exams minus non-verbal ability.
the Recommended Book is as usual: RS Aggarwal’s Modern Approach to verbal and non-verbal reasoning . Then the question is, how to prepare reasoning in systematic manner in the given time?
Do it in following way
#1: Chart based
- This includes: Direction sense test, Sitting arrangement (rectangle, circular, building, lecture schedules etc.) and blood relations.
- I club them together because in most of them you’ve to make rough diagram / chart / table to solve it. prepare them in following order:
Sr.No | Topic | RS Aggarwal Chapter No. |
1. | Direction Sense Test. | 8 |
2. | Sitting arrangement: circular | 6 |
3. | Sitting arrangement: rectangle | 6 |
4. | Sitting arrangement: “table” based e.g. lecture schedules, job-car-cloth color, building-car-newspaper etc. | 6 |
5. | Blood relations | 5,6 |
6 | Number ranking time sequence | 12 |
7 | arithmetic reasoning | 15 |
#2: coding n series + alphabet
Sr.No | Topic | RS Aggarwal Chapter No. |
1. | Coding-decoding | 4 |
2 | alphabet tests | 10 |
3. | Alpha-numeric sequence puzzle | 11 |
#3 Analogy, odd man
Sr.No | Topic | RS Aggarwal Chapter No. |
1. | Analogy | 2 |
2. | Oddmen out | 3 (chapter title is “Classification”) |
Non-priority
After you’re done with above topics, if time permits, do following “non-priority” things from RS Agarwal’s
topic | chapter in RS Aggarwal’s reasoning book |
Input Output | 7 |
Logical venn diagrams | 9 |
Mathematical operations | 13 |
logical sequence of words | 14 |
insert missing characters | 16 |
Data sufficiency | 17 |
Eligibility tests | 18 |
situation-reaction, assertion-reasoning, verification of truth | 19 to 21. |
logical deduction (syllogism etc) | section II of his book |
non-verbal | end part of his book |
Reasoning questions asked in ACIO 2012
coding decoding | coding decoding |
|
|
sitting arrangement | blood relations |
|
|
DBT (Direction Based Test) | Puzzle Test |
|
|
calendar | sequence-series |
1. If it was Saturday on 17th December, 1982 what will be the day on 22nd December, 1984(i) Monday(ii)Tuesday(iii) Wednesday
(iv) Sunday |
1. One term in the following number series is not correct. 15, 16, 22, 29, 45, 70 Find out the wrong term?(i) 16(ii) 22(iii) 45
(iv) 70 |
English
Unlike SSC/IBPS/LIC/CAPF/CDS, here you don’t have to face any grammar, comprehension, vocabulary, idioms or phrases. You just need to write one essay worth 50 marks.
Copy pasting the ACIO-2012 Question paper
Write an essay in English language in only on any one of the following topics is not more than 400 words. (50 marks)
- India’s Space Programme
- Causes of corruption in India
- How to deal with left wing extremism.
- Depending on your font-size/handwriting, 400 words meaning ~4-5 pages (single-side).
- To write a decent essay, what you need is decent points. Essay can be on variety of topics, so ideally you need to keep reading newspapers, magazines, and some good books from library on regular basis. After some months, you have good points on almost every topic.
However: given that not many weeks are left before the ACIO exam- what to do for Essay?
@the bottom of this article, I’ve given two things
- IGNOU India democracy and Development zip file. This PDF set contains lot of fodder points to approach most of the social/democracy/Development etc. topics related essays.
- Topic wise Huge list of essays, from previous UPSC, LIC etc exams.
Fundamental principles remain same like UPSC Essay: spend the first few minutes on brainstorming the idea. Then rank those ideas, start writing essay: introduction >> body (+/- pros, cons) >> conclusion. (click me for more on Essay tips)
Then every day, you try to solve a few essays in your head: Brainstorm for the idea, what will I write in this essay? Can I write 400 words or not- if not then dig books/google for the content.
Also write a few essays on your own every week. (If you don’t have writing practice, then you won’t be able to maintain speed doing the actual exam)
there is no dearth of readymade essay books in the market, but that type of firefighting/desi jugaad, I don’t find it very helpful because such books are either outdated (only reprinted, not updated after 90s), and or don’t cover all the necessary topics. But still, if you want to refer to any books, you may use Spectrum Book of Essays or if you have anyother book- that is also fine. You don’t have to reproduce the same essay verbatim from those books, you can write the essay in your own words- but try to avoid silly grammar/spelling mistakes, write as neatly as possible, without any scratches.
Appendix: Download
NCERT Mathematics
Mathematics Class 8 | Download |
Mathematics Class 9 | Download |
Mathematics Class 10 | Download |
Mathematics Class 11 (Only AP, GP) | Download |
Essay writing
|
Click Me |
|
Click Me |
The strategy/approach for GA/GK portion of ACIO exam is given in a separate article click me
marvellous job… Mrunal sir
sir please suggest the essay topics for 2014 acio exam .that will helpful for us…
hi sir .Can u keep some essay topics on ib acio plz sir thank uuuu
ACIO Admit Cards released.
Please post some expected essay for acio exam 2015
great work..thanks a lot sir
click here for the best mortgage lender available
Go here for the top vitamin c serum now available anywhere and at the best price.
Get the best vitamin c serum for face currently in stock on the market plus reasonably priced.
How to study general awareness for acio?