IB ACIO Grade II

A computer-based objective test with multiple-choice sections covering general awareness, quantitative aptitude, reasoning, English and current affairs with national-security awareness. Candidates who clear it proceed to a descriptive English paper with essay and précis writing. The official notification lists the exact sections, marks distribution and qualifying conditions, so read it line by line before you build a study plan.

Individual questions are moderate, roughly at graduate-competition level, but the breadth is the real challenge. Most candidates lose marks through slow arithmetic and weak reading speed rather than unknown facts. If you can solve percentage, ratio and time-work problems quickly and read a passage once for gist, you are already competitive. Accuracy under mild time pressure matters more than attempting every question.

There is no lifetime attempt cap that applies to everyone; eligibility depends on age and the conditions in the notification for that cycle. Candidates typically reappear in later cycles while within the age limit. Check the current notification for age relaxation categories and any cycle-specific restrictions, since these change between recruitments and only the official document is authoritative.

The number of questions, the duration and the application fee are set afresh for each recruitment cycle. The recruiting body publishes the current figures in the official notification on its website. Do not rely on figures from older cycles or coaching material, because they are frequently outdated. Confirm the fee, payment modes and any category concessions from that source before applying.

Start with quantitative aptitude and reasoning, because they improve slowly and reward daily practice. Run English in parallel through one reading passage and one précis a day. Keep general awareness and current affairs as a short daily log rather than a last-month cram. Finish with full-length mocks in the real section order so your stamina and switching speed are trained, not just your knowledge.

Three patterns dominate: ignoring the descriptive paper until after the objective result, memorising current affairs as isolated facts instead of themes, and practising arithmetic without a timer. A fourth is skipping the notification, which leads to eligibility or document mistakes that no amount of study can fix. Fix these early and your preparation converts into marks far more reliably.

Write one essay and one précis every few days under timed conditions, then rewrite them after review. For précis, practise cutting a passage to roughly a third of its length while keeping the argument intact and avoiding lifted sentences. For essays, prepare structured openings and closings on governance, security, technology and social themes, and keep the tone formal and the sentences short.

Prioritise national governance, internal security, border and cyber issues, defence acquisitions, major appointments, schemes and international groupings involving India. Read one newspaper daily and keep a monthly one-page summary of themes rather than a list of dates. The exam rewards understanding of why an event matters, so link each item to a policy or security consequence.

Yes. Selection normally includes later stages such as a descriptive paper, interview or personality assessment, and a medical and character verification process. The exact sequence and weightings are specified in the notification. Because the post involves sensitive duties, expect thorough background checks, so keep your documents, addresses and records consistent and accurate from the day you apply.