Basic familiarity with the pattern of any exam is important as it can provide the candidates an insight on how to answer the paper. Knowledge of exam pattern also prepares the candidates mentally for their exam. The exam pattern of LIC AAO exam will provide the candidates with crucial information like exam duration, number of questions, mode of exam, etc. The exam will be conducted in two stages- preliminary and main and the candidates are advised to familiarize themselves with the pattern of both. Find complete information related to the LIC AAO Exam Pattern 2022 from this article below.
Major Highlights
- Candidate must pass in each section separately and should also obtain minimum marks in the aggregate to qualify the online exams.
- English Language section in both preliminary and main exam will be of qualifying nature and marks of this section will not be counted for ranking.
- Candidates who use a scribe will be eligible for compensatory time of 20 minutes for every hour of the exam.
- In descriptive paper, the candidates will have to write the answers on the computer only. No pen and paper will be provided for writing the answers.
- For both preliminary and main exams, total as well as section-wise time limit will be allotted.
Exam Pattern
Details of the LIC AAO Exam Pattern 2022 for both preliminary and main exam are provided below.
Phase I: Preliminary exam
Candidates who register for LIC AAO will first have to appear for a preliminary round of exam. Check out the exam pattern for this exam below:
- Mode of exam: The exam will be conducted as a computer based test, i.e., in online mode.
- Exam duration: The total duration of the preliminary exam will be 1 hour. 20 minutes will be given to the candidates to complete each section.
- Question paper language: Questions of Quantitative Aptitude & Reasoning Ability will be asked in both English and Hindi language. The English Language section will be only in English.
- Number of questions: The total number of questions in the preliminary exam will be 100.
- Type of questions: All the questions will be asked in the exam will be of objective type.
- Total marks: The paper will carry a total of 100 marks.
- Marking scheme: For every right answer, the candidates will be given 1 mark.
| Sections | No. of questions | Maximum marks | Duration |
| English Language | 30 questions | 30 marks | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 questions | 35 marks | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 questions | 35 marks | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 questions | 70 marks | 60 minutes |
*In the English language section, main emphasis will be given on grammar, vocabulary and comprehension
Phase II: Main exam
Those who clear the preliminary exam will be eligible to appear for the main exam. The basic pattern for the main exam is provided below.
- Mode of exam: Like preliminary, the main exam will also be conducted in online mode.
- Exam duration: The main exam will be held for a total duration of 3 hours. This duration will be broken into section-wise time limit as given below.
- Question paper language: Except for the English language section, questions in all other sections will be in English and Hindi both. English language section should be answered strictly in English medium only.
- Number of questions: A total of 120 questions will be asked in the exam.
- Type of questions: A mix of objective and descriptive type questions will be asked in the exam. English language section will consist of descriptive questions and others will consist of objective type questions.
- Total marks: The paper will carry a total of 300 marks.
- Marking scheme: Marking scheme will vary for each section as per the details given in the table below.
| Topics | No. of ques. | Marks per ques. | Maximum marks | Duration |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 questions | 3 | 90 marks | 40 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge | 30 questions | 3 | 90 marks | 40 minutes |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | 30 questions | 2 | 60 marks | 20 minutes |
| Insurance & Financial Market Awareness | 30 questions | 2 | 60 marks | 20 minutes |
| Total | 120 questions | —- | 300 marks | 2 hours |
| English Language | 2 | —- | 25 | 30 minutes |
* In the English language section, questions based on Letter writing, Essay & Legal drafting for AAO (Legal) will be asked.
Phase III: Interview
The third and last round of the selection will be an interview. Candidates will be shortlisted for the interview on the basis of their marks in the main exam. Marks obtained in main exam plus marks in the interview will be considered for final merit listing.
Cut-off marks
Check out the section-wise minimum qualifying marks for different category candidates required to clear the exam:
For preliminary exam:
- English Language: 9 for SC/ ST/ PwBD candidates & 10 for others
- Quantitative Aptitude: 16 for SC/ ST/ PwBD candidates & 18 for others
- Reasoning Ability: 16 for SC/ ST/ PwBD candidates & 18 for others
For main exam:
- Reasoning Ability: 40 for SC/ ST/ PwBD candidates & 45 for others
- Professional Knowledge: 40 for SC/ ST/ PwBD candidates & 45 for others
- General Knowledge & Current Affairs: 27 for SC/ ST/ PwBD candidates & 30 for others
- Insurance & Financial Market Awareness: 27 for SC/ ST/ PwBD candidates & 30 for others
- English Language: 9 for SC/ ST/ PwBD candidates & 10 for others
Certain Helpful Tips for Writing the Exam
Since not much time is left for the AAO preliminary exam, some basic tips that can help the candidates during the exam time are provided below.
- While writing the exam, make sure that you stick to the prescribed time limit. Once the limit is over, you won’t be able to return to the section.
- Since the time is limited, do not waste it on the questions that you don’t know. Attend such questions only after you have marked all the known answers.
- As you already have an idea of the section-wise qualifying marks, try to answer as much as questions that can help you obtain the minimum cut-off.
- Do not panic inside the examination hall. Keep your mind calm and focused and then write your answer.