Overview of LIC AAO 2013 Exam

  • Is exam Computer based ? yes
  • Is Negative marking ? yes
  • Is Sectional cut-off ? yes
  • Is Bond System in job ? yes, 1 lakh Rupees (4 years)
  • how many Vacancies ? approx 750
Sections / SubjectsNo.of QsMarks per QsTotal Marks
Reasoning30390
Maths30390
GK30260
Computers30260
English402.5100
Total160-400

How LIC AAO 2013 different from previous exams

Earlier LIC AAO 2011 examNow LIC AAO 2013
Pen and Paper basedComputer based
Had only four sections

  1. Reasoning
  2. Maths
  3. GK
  4. English
Has five sections

  1. Reasoning
  2. Maths
  3. English
  4. Computer awareness
  5. English grammar, comprehension and Vocab
Had descriptive English paper (précis and comprehension)There is no descriptive English paper.
Did not have negative markingHas -25% negative marking.
Fees was Rs.400Rs.500 (inflation everywhere)
ok, now start with each section

How to prepare Reasoning for LIC AAO 2013

The reasoning questions in LIC exam, run almost same to that of SSC CGL and Bank PO.
So, 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 manner:

1: Chart based Ques.

  • It includes: Direction sense test, Sitting arrangement (rectangle, circular, building, lecture schedules etc.) and blood relations.
  • I club them together because in all of them you’ve to make rough diagram / chart / table to solve it.
  • Here is the order in which they should be prepared:
Sr.NoTopicRS Aggarwal Chapter No.
1.Direction Sense Test.8
2.Sitting arrangement: circular6
3.Sitting arrangement: rectangle6
4.Sitting arrangement: “table” based e.g. lecture schedules, job-car-cloth color, building-car-newspaper etc.6
5.Blood relations5,6
  • Sr. No. 2 to 5 are more important because if they’re asked, it is usually a set of 3-5 questions based on one case.
  • These topics don’t have any straight-forward theory or formula as such, therefore only way to gain speed and proficiency= via maximum practice. Otherwise you’ll be stuck in just one set for 15-20 minutes and yet get wrong answers.

2: Analogy, Odd man out type Ques.

They  generally ask a set of 3-5 questions.
Sr.NoTopicRS Aggarwal Chapter No.
1.Analogy2
2.Oddmen out3 (chapter title is “Classification”)
Analogy and odd men can be of two types:
  1. Word based.
  2. Number based.

3: Math ops Ques.

 Sr.NoTopicRS Aggarwal Chapter No.
1.Math ops13
2.Ranking12
3.Dictionary based arrangement10
  • I club these together, because in each of them you’re given some instructions and if you follow those instruction carefully then you can get answer without mistake. It doesn’t require any trial and error (unlike the coding-decoding type).
  • Math ops are important because it is usually a set of 3-5 questions.

4: syllogism Ques.

“All cats are dogs,…” statement and conclusion. Usually a set of 3-5 questions. Then do all the questions given in RS Agarwal’s book Section II, Chapter 1 : Logic.

5: coding n series Ques.

Sr.NoTopicRS Aggarwal Chapter No.
1.Coding-decoding4
2.Alpha-numeric sequence puzzle11
These five are the main / core areas for LIC AAO exam.

Peripheral

These are not asked every year.  So they don’t form the “Core” part.  (although it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare them, because on a few occasions LIC has asked these in their AAO/ADO exam)
TopicRS Aggarwal Chapter No.
Non verbal reasoninglast part of the book.
Eligibility Test18
Input output7
Statement assumptionsSection II, Ch.2
Data sufficiency17

Tips for Computer Questions

  • In the pen-paper based test, if you don’t know answer to a particular question, you could mark it or write its question number at the end of question paper (in the rough space). And at the end of the exam, you’ll review that question and try to solve it.
  • In the computer based test, they also provide same facility.
  • Under every question there is button for “mark/review”.  I suggest you goto following page and see how computer based test (CBT) “looks and feels”
  • You must make efficient use of mark/ review button. There are two ways to do it (whichever works fine for you).

First Approach

Second Approach

  • In the beginning, donot solve any question. Just read all question  (1,2,3…)and click on “mark” button on the questions that you can confidently solve.
  • Then goback to home page /index and click on “review all marked questions”.
  • Start solving questions one by one in the series (1,2,3..) if any questions is totally un-solvable then ignore it and proceed to next question.
  • but if any question is “sitter” type (that means, it can be solved but it’ll require lot of time or trial n error). E.g. some tough question on code-decoding, or number based analogy.
  • In that case mark all the “sitter” questions. and once you’ve finished the paper, goback to homepage/index and click on review all marked.
  • If you’ve got MK Pandey’s reasoning book (for the SBI high level reasoning), you should also use its chapter for on math ops, input out, sitting arrangement, blood relations, and syllogism – for getting maximum practice.  Although there is no need to specifically get MK Pandey only for LIC exam. Because RS Agarwal’s reasoning book is more than sufficient – as far as reasoning is concerned.

Simple Approach of Maths (Quantative aptitude) for LIC

Maths of LIC is pretty much the 90s era Bank/SSC tests = few questions on BODMAS, algebra, percentages, average-alligiation, Time speed work distance and you’re done. So, If you’re a serious player of SSC/IBPS, then it should hardly pose any challenge to you.

How LIC maths different from SSC CGL?

How LIC maths different from IBPS/SBI PO?

  • LIC’s data interpretation questions are very cheap and easy compared to them.
ok, Question (again) is how to prepare it in a systematic manner?
  • Ofcourse you can just mugup a few formulas, practice a few questions from book. But that’s like firefighting / desi-jugaad= not good.
  • Why? Because apart from LIC, you’d also be preparing for IBPS, SSC, CDS, CAPF, ONGC, CSAT, CAT (depending on your taste). So better approach is: first get basic concepts clear (from NCERT etc), then try maximum questions.

Topic

Subtopics

How to approach

  1. Number theory
  • Divisibility, remainders
  • LCM and HCF
  • Unknown numbers from given conditiofor
  • Fractions-comparisions.
  • NCERT Class 7 Chap 2, 9 (fraction)
  • NCERT Class 10 Chap 1 (divisibility)
  • Finally your Quantitative aptitude book.
  1. Basic Maths
  • Simplification (BODMAS)
  • NCERT Class 8 Chap 1
  • Surds, indices
  • NCERT Class 8 Chap 12
  • Then NCERT Class 9 Chap 1
  • Roots, squares, Cubes
  • Basics from NCERT Class 8 Chap 6 and 7.
  1. Algebra
  • Linear equation
  • “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.
  • Quadratic equations, Polynomials
  • Not asked.
  1. Avg and Ratios
  • Wine-Water mixture (Alligations)
  • do practice
  • Simple Average
  • Lolz
  • Ratio-Proportion-variations
  • For ratio-proportion NCERT Class 8 Chap 13.
  • Partnership
  • important, required practice
  1. STD
  • Time speed distance
  • Trains, platforms
  • Boats-streams
  • Time and Work
  • Pipes and Cisterns
  • easy questions but require good practice
  1. Geometry
  • Angles, sides, bisectors, circles etc
  • Not asked.
  • Mensuration (area , volume, perimeter).
  • Basics explained in NCERT Class 8 Chap 3, 11.
  • Then NCERT Class 9 Chap 9, 12, 13.
  • Lastly Lastly NCERT Class 10 Chap 13
  • Trigonometry
  • Not asked.
  1. %
  • Basic % (increase, decrease in consumption, population)
  • Also do NCERT Class 8 Chap 8.
  • Data-interpretation cases.
  • Mere extention of % concept. Just practice.For long division, use this approximation method
  • Profit, loss, discount, marked price.
  • require good practice
  • Simple and compound interest rate
  • require good practice
  1. PCP
  • Permutation
  • Combination
  • Probability
  • Asked in rarest cases.
  1. Misc.
  • Coordinate Geometry
  • Not asked
  • Progression: Arithmetic+ Geometric
  • Asked in rare case (e.g. 2009’s paper). Basics of Arithmetic progression explained in NCERT Class 10 Chap 5. And for Geometric progression, use your quantitative aptitude book.
  • Logarithms
  • Not asked.

Book for Quantitative aptitude?

  • If you already have RS Aggarwal’s book on Quantitative aptitude, it is sufficient for LIC Exam.
  • If you don’t have it, I would suggest go for Fast track to objective arithmetic by Rajesh Verma or Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Kumar because they help in other exams as well. (RS aggarwal’s Quantitative Aptitude book doesn’t have good coverage for geometry, trigonometry topics that come in SSC CGL, plus these new books have given explanations in more lucid manner .)

How to prepare General knowledge and current affairs for LIC AAO

If you look at very old papers of LIC AAO (2005, 2006..), they even used to ask from History (Ancient, Medieval, even world history!), geography (physical, india, world), science (physics, biology) and so on. But nowadays, it is mostly related to current affairs.
TopicAAO 2009ADO 2013
Books21
PIN24
Sports23
Misc.GK13
Defense10
Polity31
Economy Theory53
Economy Current02
Geography India21
Geography World12
Computer10

2020

Some ready-made data of Current Affairs (2012-13)

  1. Persons in news (PIN), books, sports
pratiyogita darpan PIN part (Also to be released)
  1. Defense
http://sschub.blogspot.com/2013/04/current-affairs-analysis-2012-2013-defence-agni-prithvi-brahmose-nirbhay-etc-for-upsc-ssc-cgl-pcs-lic.html
  1. Space Tech
http://sschub.blogspot.com/2013/04/space-tech-current-affairs-analysis-2012-2013-for-upsc-ssc-cgl-up-pcs.html
  1. Science tech
To be released
  1. Economy
To be released
^You update it with whatever new stuff happens. For that you can hit the library, go through issues of Pratiyogita Darpan, Wizard, Chronicle, competitionmaster, whatever you can get for free. (there is no need to exclusively purchase magazine solely for LIC).

Insurance related GK Questions

  • Read this article: To be released
  • Also download the (free) studymaterial for Insurance (given in appendix) that zip file contains
    • 1) Insurance knowledge handbook released by IRDA
    • 2) NIOS chapter on Insurance service
    • 3) India Yearbook 2011’s few pages on insurance. (although its info may be outdated but basic / history of LIC, GIC etc is relevant).
  • Visit: www.policyholder.gov.in/Default.aspx  this website is created by IRDA for consumer awareness about insurance. You’ll find lot of useful insurance GK worthy of being asked in MCQs.
  • Also visit the official site of LIC to know about their latest schemes

Economy, polity

  • Economy theory:  NIOS PDF files, NCERT Class 11. (download links in the appendix of this article) for Economy current affairs, compilation will be released in upcoming days (just like I did with person in news, space, defense)
  • Polity: if you’re a UPSC / State PSC aspirant then Indian Polity by M.Laxmikanth, otherwise NIOS PDF files (download links in the appendix of this article). There is no need to specifically get Laxmikanth only for LIC.

Others resources

  • Geography, science, History: NCERT, +/-NIOS, +/- Lucent’s GK Book.
  • if you’ve already prepared these things for SSC CGL or UPSC or CAPF etc, then it is well and good, but otherwise, beyond the basics, these topics are not worth dwelling into, exclusively for LIC AAO- given the cost benefit ratio, even after factoring the sectional cut offs.

Approach for Computer

  • In the old times, LIC did not have exclusive section for computer / IT questions. But this time (LIC AAO 2013), they’re going to ask 30 questions exclusively from Computer / IT section alone.
  • If you already have some book for Computer for your BankPO/IBPS exam from Kiran, Arihant, BSC, GKP etc publication, that’s well and good. Read, revise it multiple times.
  • If you don’t have any book on computer then no need to specifically purchase a book because NIOS (National open school) runs various courses on Computer/IT/Web-design/Software programming and provides free PDF files. I’ve attached them in the appendix of this article.

Approach for English grammar, comprehension

topicAAO 2009ADO 2010ADO 2013
Sentence Arrangement055
Sentence Correction51010
Comprehension075
Fill in the Blanks10
5
Vocabulary (Syn, Antonym, Fill in Blanks, Analogy)1530
Total302525
  • for LIC AAO 2013, they’ll have 40 questions on English worth 100 marks.
  • Again, LIC English section runs parallel to that of SSC, IBPS. Except that SSC has specific sets of active/passive, direct/indirect speech, idioms and phrases while LIC doesn’t.
Anyways, approach
  • For vocabulary, the difficulty level isn’t as high as SSC CGL so it doesn’t require exhaustive or exclusive preparation as such.
  • For comprehension, and Sentence arrangement = do maximum practice from old question papers of SSC, IBPS etc.
  • For sentence correction  / spot the errors / fill in the blanks: first understand the rules from grammar book and then do maximum practice for old papers of SSC, IBPB etc.
  • For grammar book, If you already have grammar book (R.S.Agarwal, A.P.Bhardwaj) etc. use it. If you don’t have any book, I suggest you go for objective general English by SP Bakshi (Arihant Publication).

Job Profile: LIC AAO (Administrative Officer)

  • There are two wings in LIC where a Direct Recrutee AAO can work: 1.) Administrative 2.) Marketing
  • Initially AAO will be given administrative responsibilities where u will be made HOD of a deptt. Or even more than one department Like New Business, Claims, Policy Servicing, Office services, Aaccounts..in every dept.
  • You have to take the responsibility of all the works related to that dept.
  • After two years you can get the chance for job rotation and move to marketing side as Asstt. Branch Manager(sales).
  • You will get a car worth Rs. 5.50 lakhs.
  • The work pressure is immense and those thinking of joining LIC as AAO and prepare for UPSC etc. You must be clear that its not possible at all once u r in LIC.
  • Well Initially you have to join as Asst. Admin officer only….after 2 years of confirmed service in the cadre you will become eligible for marketing assignment as Asst.Branch Manager (Sales).
  • Its your choice ..but since there are lot of promotee officers who are desirous of becoming ABM(s), the competition becomes tough, though Direct recruit AAOs are given the preference.
  • And there is nothing like targets n all for AAOs…these targets are only for ADO…so be cool and prepare hard.
  • Yeah the salary is under revision and is due w.e.f from Aug 2012..cant say the exact quantum  of revision but in hand salary will definitely be 35k+
  • In addition to this you will be entiteled to Rs. 125/- per day as meal coupon(sodexo) for each working day +600 as entertainment allowance+400 mobile expenses(confirmed AAOs)+ reimbursement for any one financial news paper

Job Profile: Bank PO vs LIC AAO

  • SBI PO is ahead in terms of perk and allowances.
  • Promotion are time bound…i mean there is no separate departmental or any other exm to give to out of term promotion. The promotion duration as of now is long..like it takes about around 6-7 years for an AAO to become AO.
  • Though things are expected to change in future. Probation is for 1 year.
  • Regarding postings, since it’s an all India cadre u will be posted to any part of the country.
  • During our time most of the AAOs had got home or nearby divisions

Job Profile: LIC ADO (Development officer)

  • Recruiting and training agents to sell life insurance products
  • ii)Providing support and service to policy-holders
  • Travelling within allotted area
  • LIC ADO is a different sort of job and you cant compare it with the bank jobs

Negative Factors (ADO)

  • LIC ADO is purely a marketing job and it takes your time & energy to lead & generate the business.
  • The work pressure will be high & should achieve the minimum target at any cost as a DO.

Positive Factors(ADO)

  • No restrictions and you can work independently with your own working strategy and techniques without any intervention and the bottom line is your minimum targets which you have to achieve.
  • An number of earning opportunities. You can earn in Crores if you have the abilities of leading the team, generating the business and the coordination of your entire activity effectively with customer satisfaction.
  • Considering my opinion, For science graduates, non commerce graduates and for those who prefers marketing job, this is a dream job.
  • The essence to work in LIC in terms provide the Safety, Security and other perks with ease as it is a Central Govt. Undertaking.
  • it’s a TARGET BASED job..
  • Basically, LIC will not fire u in d first two years .. & the salary is not bad it’s approx 14000 but the sad thing is during this period of 2 years they’ll give u extensive training dat how to promote/sell insurance policies.
  • And after this you’ll be awarded with a target ,& if u couldn’t achieve your targets they will…
  • So d conclusion is If u have a deep interest in marketing, then dis job is damn good, because you’ll get enormous chances for your growth.. also we shouldn’t forget that other perks, incentives & bonus always there.
  • End Of Copy Paste

Sectional Cutoffs for LIC AAO 2011

According RTI, for LIC AAO 2011 exam, Total 1.8 lakh people applied but only about 54,000 appeared in the written exam.


Max. MarksGen, OBCSC,ST,PH
Paper IReasoning603630
Maths301815
GK201210
English Grammar, Vocab301815
Subtotal1408470
Paper II*English Descriptive: Précis, RC502520
*Paper II only qualifying nature, its marks not counted in merit list.

Conclusion

  1. For aptitude and English= practice maximum questions at home.
  2. For GK/current affairs= do maximum revision.
  3. Don’t push your luck through negative marking.
If you do that, then you should be able to crack the LIC without much problem.

Appendix: Free download links, Studymaterial for LIC AAO

Topic

Download link

Question paper of 2009 LIC AAO examhttp://files.secureserver.net/0su7hQGqw3bLz8
Insurance study material zip filehttp://files.secureserver.net/0s9a7XZPCy4WvL
NIOS study material for Economyhttp://files.secureserver.net/0so2tFkAylJgRg
NIOS study material for Computer and IThttps://files.secureserver.net/0swHyTV5WfhAuj
NCERT Class 11 Economy bookhttp://files.secureserver.net/0snQX0x3hjXey8
NCERT Mathematics Class 8Download
NCERT Mathematics Class 9Download
NCERT Mathematics Class 10Download
Blank Answersheet for practicing MCQShttp://files.secureserver.net/0sIv1qXObmVlZs

This article is an Analysis from mrunal.