Preparing for the LIC AAO (Assistant Administrative Officer) exam requires a strategic and well-planned approach. Here’s a step-by-step comprehensive guide to help you get started and succeed in the LIC AAO examination:
Step 1: Understand the LIC AAO Exam Pattern & Syllabus
The LIC AAO exam consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Exam (Prelims) – Online Objective Test
- Main Exam (Mains) – Online Objective & Descriptive Test
- Interview – Personality Assessment
Prelims Exam Pattern (100 Marks, 1 Hour)
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Time |
|---------|----------------|------|------|
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 mins |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 mins |
| English Language | 30 | 30** (Qualifying) | 20 mins |
- English section is qualifying in nature (marks are not counted in merit).
Mains Exam Pattern (300 Marks, 2 Hours 30 Minutes)
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Time |
|---------|----------------|------|------|
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 90 | 40 mins |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | 30 | 60 | 20 mins |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation (For Generalist) / Professional Knowledge (For Specialist) | 30 | 90 | 40 mins |
| Insurance & Financial Market Awareness | 30 | 60 | 20 mins |
| English Language (Essay & Letter Writing) | 2 | 25 (Qualifying) | 30 mins |
- The English Language (Essay & Letter Writing) is only qualifying and does not contribute to final merit.
Interview Stage
- Conducted for candidates who clear the Mains.
- Weightage: 60 Marks
- Focus Areas: Banking & Insurance knowledge, LIC business, Economy, and Personal Questions.
Step 2: Create a Study Plan
Ideal 3-Month Study Plan
| Weeks | Focus Areas |
|--------|------------|
| Week 1-4 | Basic Concepts & Fundamentals (Quant, Reasoning, English) |
| Week 5-8 | Practice Previous Year Papers, Speed Improvement |
| Week 9-12 | Mock Tests, Revision, Current Affairs & Final Prep |
- Devote at least 6–8 hours daily:
- 2 hours: Reasoning Ability
- 2 hours: Quantitative Aptitude
- 1 hour: English Language
- 1 hour: General Knowledge & Current Affairs
- 1 hour: Insurance & Financial Awareness
- 1 hour: Mock Tests & Analysis
Step 3: Subject-Wise Preparation Strategy
1. Reasoning Ability
Topics to Cover:
- Syllogism
- Blood Relations
- Seating Arrangement (Linear & Circular)
- Puzzles
- Input-Output
- Coding-Decoding
- Logical Reasoning
- Data Sufficiency
Best Books:
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R.S. Aggarwal
- Analytical Reasoning – M.K. Pandey
Practice Strategy:
- Solve 3–5 puzzles daily.
- Focus on high-weightage topics like Seating Arrangements & Puzzles.
2. Quantitative Aptitude
Topics to Cover:
- Simplification & Approximation
- Number Series
- Quadratic Equations
- Data Interpretation (DI)
- Time & Work
- Profit & Loss
- Probability
- Speed, Time & Distance
- Mensuration
Best Books:
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams – R.S. Aggarwal
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic – Rajesh Verma
Practice Strategy:
- Learn short tricks for fast calculations.
- Solve 20–30 DI questions weekly.
3. English Language
Topics to Cover:
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Sentence Correction
- Error Spotting
- Fill in the Blanks
- Para Jumbles
Best Books:
- Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis
- Objective General English – S.P. Bakshi
Practice Strategy:
- Read editorials of The Hindu / The Indian Express.
- Improve grammar and vocabulary daily.
4. General Awareness & Current Affairs
Topics to Cover:
- Banking & Financial Awareness
- Government Schemes
- Budget & Economic Survey
- Important LIC Updates
- Sports, Awards, Books & Authors
Best Sources:
- The Hindu / The Indian Express / Economic Times (Daily)
- Monthly GK Capsules (from AffairsCloud, Bankers Adda)
- Manorama Yearbook
5. Insurance & Financial Market Awareness
Topics to Cover:
- History of LIC
- Insurance Terms & Policies
- IRDAI Regulations
- Banking & Insurance Sector Mergers
- Economic & Finance News
Best Sources:
- LIC Annual Reports
- Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA) Website
- RBI Circulars
Step 4: Take Mock Tests & Analyze
- Attempt 1 full-length mock test every 2 days.
- Analyze mistakes and improve weak areas.
- Use previous year question papers.
Recommended Online Mock Test Series
- Testbook
- Gradeup
- Oliveboard
- Adda247
Step 5: Interview Preparation
- Be confident & have clarity on LIC’s functions.
- Focus on current affairs related to finance & insurance.
- Improve communication skills.
Common Interview Questions
- Why do you want to join LIC?
- What do you know about LIC?
- How does the insurance sector work?
- What are the functions of IRDAI?
- Current economic trends in India.
Step 6: Stay Consistent & Revise Regularly
- Keep a daily revision schedule.
- Stay motivated and avoid distractions.
- Practice time management to increase speed & accuracy.
Final Words
The LIC AAO exam is highly competitive, but with proper planning, daily practice, and mock tests, you can secure a position successfully. Stay focused, be consistent, and keep improving through regular revision and test-taking strategies.
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