Rupali PruthiAssistant Manager - Editorial
The OICL exam conducts the AO exam each year to recruit the candidates for the Administrative officer position. The OICL AO exam is a three-stage exam comprising the prelims, main and interview. The OICL prelims and main exam both are conducted online on a Computer Based Test (CBT) format.
There is a very tough competition in the OICL prelims exam as a large number of candidates fill the OICL application form and prepare for the AO position. The candidates need to plan their preparation as per the pattern of the OICL exam. The stage-wise pattern of the OICL exam is given below.
OICL Prelims Exam Pattern
The OICL exam serves as the filter to screen the candidates for the OICL main exam. There is very fierce competition in the prelims exam because of the nature of the exam. The OICL prelims exam is objective type and conducted online. The duration of the exam is one hour only and three sections appear in the prelims question paper.
The pattern of the OICL prelims paper is given below
| Section |
Marks |
Duration |
| English language |
30 |
One hour |
| Reasoning Ability |
35 |
|
| Quantitative Aptitude |
35 |
|
| Total |
100 Marks |
|
There is a sectional cut-off for all the sections and the candidates have to qualify each section. There is no time constrain for the section and candidate need to finish the paper in one hour. No individual time limit for the section is given in the notification.
OICL Main exam Pattern
OICL main exam is also conducted online in the CBT format. The time duration of the OICL main exam is two hours. There is a sectional cut-off in the main exam also and the candidates need to qualify in each of the section. There is a separate paper pattern for the generalist and specialist positions. There is a descriptive test also in the OICL main exam.
The OICL main exam pattern is given below
| Section |
Marks |
Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Test of Reasoning Ability |
50 |
Two hour |
| Test of English Language |
50 |
|
| Test of General Awareness |
50 |
|
| Test of Quantitative Aptitude |
50 |
|
| Total |
200 Marks |
|
For Specialists
| Section |
Marks |
Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Test of Reasoning Ability |
40 |
Two hour |
| Test of English Language |
40 |
|
| Test of General Awareness |
40 |
|
| Test of Quantitative Aptitude |
40 |
|
| Test of Professional Knowledge |
40 |
|
| Total |
200 Marks |
|
OICL Descriptive Test
In addition to the objective paper, there is a descriptive test of 30 marks also which will also be conducted online. The candidates need to qualify the descriptive test as well. So, the candidates need to practice typing on the computer beforehand so that they can write the essay and other things on the computer easily.
Negative Marking in the OICL Exam
There is a provision of negative marking in the OICL exam, which includes prelims and main exam. Each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question, will be deducted. No marks will be deducted for the questions where the answers were left blank. So the candidates need to answer very carefully.
OICL Interview
The OICL interview is the last stage of the OICL exam process and there are three candidates for each vacancy. The chances of selection are very high because one out of three will be finally selected in the OICL exam. The candidates will be called for the interview and the date of the venue will be mentioned in the call letter. No request for changing the venue and date of interview will be entertained.
The weightage (ratio) of the online examination and interview will be 80:20 respectively. It means that the interview carries 50 marks only.
Also Read: OICL important dates
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