Introduction
Understanding the exam pattern and syllabus will help the candidates in devising effective preparation strategies. Speed/Time management is vital in obtaining a good score in any competitive exam and hence, analysis of NIACL AO exam pattern and syllabus is very crucial to be able to complete the exams in the stipulated time.
The NIACL AO Selection Process involves three phases: Phase I – Preliminary Examination, Phase II – Main Examination. Candidates shortlisted in the online Main examination will subsequently be called for an interview to be conducted by the Company, at select centers.
Pattern
Phase-I: Preliminary Exam
- Preliminary Examination consisting of Objective Tests for 100 marks will be conducted online. This would consist of 3 sections as follows:
| S.No. | Name of Test/ Section (not in sequence) | Type of test | Max. Marks | Duration for each test/ section (Separately timed) | Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Language | Objective | 30 | 20 min | English |
| 2 | Reasoning Ability | Objective | 35 | 20 min | English/ Hindi |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | Objective | 35 | 20 min | English/Hindi |
| Total | 100 |
Note:
Penalty for Wrong Answers (Applicable to both – Preliminary and Main examination)
There will be a penalty for wrong answers marked in the Objective Tests. 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 as penalty to arrive at corrected score. If a question is left blank, i.e. no answer is marked by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that question.
- Main Examination will consist of Objective Tests for 200 marks and Descriptive Test for 30 marks. Both the Objective and Descriptive Tests will be online. Candidates will have to answer Descriptive Test by typing on the computer. Immediately after completion of the Objective Test, Descriptive Test will be administered.
(I) Objective Test: The Objective Test of 2 hours duration will be as follows:
| S.No. | Name of Test (not in sequence) | Type of test | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Test of Reasoning | Objective | 50 | English/ Hindi | 120 min |
| 2 | Test of English Language | Objective | 50 | English | |
| 3 | Test of General Awareness | Objective | 50 | English/ Hindi | |
| 4 | Test of Quantitative Aptitude | Objective | 50 | English/ Hindi | |
| Total (Aggregate) | 200 |
Note:
Penalty for Wrong Answers (Applicable to both – Preliminary and Main examination)
There will be a penalty for wrong answers marked in the Objective Tests. 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 as penalty to arrive at corrected score. If a question is left blank, i.e. no answer is marked by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that question.
| S.No. | Name of Test (not in sequence) | Type of test | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Test of Reasoning | Objective | 40 | English/ Hindi | 120 min |
| 2 | Test of English Language | Objective | 40 | English | |
| 3 | Test of General Awareness | Objective | 40 | English/ Hindi | |
| 4 | Test of Quantitative Aptitude | Objective | 40 | English/ Hindi | |
| 5 | In Specialist stream, an additional test to assess technical& professional knowledge in the relevant discipline | Objective | 40 | English/ Hindi | |
| Total (Aggregate) | 200 |
Note:
Penalty for Wrong Answers (Applicable to both – Preliminary and Main examination)
There will be a penalty for wrong answers marked in the Objective Tests. 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 as penalty to arrive at corrected score. If a question is left blank, i.e. no answer is marked by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that question.
- Final selection would be based on consolidated marks of main examination (objective test) & Interview.
- The final merit list shall be prepared in descending order of the consolidated marks secured by the candidates.
- Candidates who fall within the number of vacancies in the merit list shall be considered for appointment.
- The selected candidates may be appointed in more than one batch as per the discretion of the Management.
- The seniority of the selected candidates will be as per the merit / select list.
- A Waiting List of candidates not exceeding 50% of the number of vacancies may also be prepared and may be utilized in the event of non-acceptance of employment offer by the candidates selected in the final merit list.