The LIC AAO (Assistant Administrative Officer) exam is a highly sought-after recruitment exam conducted by the Life Insurance Corporation of India. The AAO role comes with great career growth, job security, and benefits, attracting numerous aspirants. To succeed in this competitive exam, it’s essential to understand the LIC AAO syllabus and structure your preparation effectively.
This blog covers the complete syllabus, exam pattern, and some key preparation tips to help you succeed in the LIC AAO exam.
LIC AAO Exam Pattern
The LIC AAO exam is conducted in three phases:
- Preliminary Exam
- Mains Exam
- Interview
Let’s take a look at the detailed pattern and syllabus of each stage.
1. Preliminary Exam Pattern
The Preliminary Exam has three sections:
- Reasoning Ability
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Language
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Total Marks: 70 (The English section is qualifying in nature)
- Sectional Distribution:
- Reasoning Ability: 35 questions, 35 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude: 35 questions, 35 marks
- English Language: 30 questions, 30 marks (Qualifying only)
2. Mains Exam Pattern
The Mains Exam varies slightly depending on the specialization of the AAO role (Generalist, IT, CA, Actuarial, or Rajbhasha).
- Common Sections:
- Reasoning Ability
- General Knowledge and Current Affairs
- Insurance and Financial Market Awareness
- Professional Knowledge (depends on the role)
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Total Marks: 300 (except for the Generalist, which is 200)
- Descriptive Test: English Language (Essay and Letter Writing) – 25 marks, 30 minutes
3. Interview
Candidates who qualify for the Mains Exam are called for the Interview. The interview round is critical as it helps assess candidates’ overall suitability for the AAO position.
LIC AAO Syllabus for Preliminary Exam
1. Reasoning Ability
The Reasoning section tests logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Important topics include:
- Puzzles
- Seating Arrangement
- Blood Relations
- Coding and Decoding
- Syllogism
- Inequality
- Order and Ranking
- Data Sufficiency
- Logical Reasoning
2. Quantitative Aptitude
This section evaluates your mathematical abilities. Important topics include:
- Simplification and Approximation
- Number Series
- Data Interpretation (Tables, Graphs, Charts)
- Profit and Loss
- Time, Speed, and Distance
- Percentage
- Ratio and Proportion
- Average
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Time and Work
3. English Language
This section tests your understanding of English. Key topics include:
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Error Spotting
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Fill in the Blanks
- Vocabulary (Synonyms and Antonyms)
LIC AAO Syllabus for Mains Exam
The Mains Exam consists of both objective and descriptive tests. The syllabus varies based on the specialization of the AAO post you’re applying for. Here is the detailed breakdown:
1. Reasoning Ability
The Reasoning Ability section is more advanced in Mains. Key topics include:
- Advanced Puzzles and Seating Arrangement
- Coding and Decoding
- Data Sufficiency
- Syllogism
- Logical Reasoning
- Input-Output
- Blood Relations
- Order and Ranking
2. General Knowledge and Current Affairs
The General Knowledge section focuses on current events and static GK. Important topics include:
- Current Affairs (National and International)
- Important Days and Events
- Books and Authors
- Awards and Honors
- Indian History and Geography
- Banking and Financial Awareness
- Insurance Sector Knowledge
- Indian Economy and Budget
- Recent Developments in Science and Technology
3. Insurance and Financial Market Awareness
This section is unique to the LIC AAO exam and covers:
- Basics of Insurance
- Types of Insurance (Life, Health, General)
- Insurance Regulatory Framework (IRDAI)
- LIC Policies and Products
- Financial Market Terms
- Indian Financial System
- Role of RBI, SEBI, IRDAI
- Important Government Schemes related to Insurance and Finance
4. Professional Knowledge
Depending on your role (Generalist, IT, CA, Actuarial, Rajbhasha), this section tests your specialized knowledge. Below are the specifics:
- Generalist: No specific syllabus; questions are based on general awareness.
- IT Officer: Topics include Database Management, Networking, Programming Languages (Java, C++), Web Technology, Cyber Security, Operating Systems, Data Structure.
- Chartered Accountant: Financial Statements, Auditing, Taxation, Cost Accounting, Budgeting, Corporate Finance.
- Actuarial: Actuarial Statistics, Probability Theory, Financial Mathematics, Mortality Tables, Annuity Calculation.
- Rajbhasha: Hindi Language, Grammar, Translation (from English to Hindi and vice versa), Essay Writing in Hindi.
5. Descriptive Test (English Language)
The Descriptive Test assesses your writing skills. Topics include:
- Essay Writing (topics based on current events, insurance, and finance)
- Letter Writing (formal and informal)
Preparation Tips for LIC AAO Exam
- Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with each topic in the syllabus to cover everything in a structured way.
- Practice Mock Tests: Regularly take mock tests for Prelims and Mains to improve speed and accuracy.
- Focus on Current Affairs: For the General Awareness section, stay updated on daily current affairs, especially related to insurance, banking, and finance.
- Brush Up on Professional Knowledge: For specialized roles, concentrate on domain-specific knowledge to gain a solid foundation.
- Develop Writing Skills: Practice writing essays and letters as the descriptive test will test your English writing skills.
- Revise Regularly: Consistent revision will help retain important concepts and data for the exam.
Conclusion
The LIC AAO syllabus is comprehensive and requires focused preparation across various sections. With a clear understanding of the syllabus and strategic preparation, you can improve your chances of excelling in the LIC AAO exam.
Best of luck with your preparation journey!