IB ACIO Exam Pattern 2025, Tier Wise Exam Pattern Details

IB ACIO Exam Pattern 2025 is vital for aspirants preparing for the IB ACIO exam. Understanding the structure, question format, marking scheme, and weightage of each section is essential for preparation. The Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) exam is conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and involves multiple stages to evaluate the candidate’s knowledge, aptitude, and personality. Here, we will provide a breakdown of the IB ACIO Exam Pattern 2025.

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IB ACIO Exam Pattern 2025

The IB ACIO Exam Pattern 2025 comprises a three-tier selection process. Each stage is designed to assess specific capabilities of candidates. These include written aptitude, descriptive writing, and finally, personality assessment through an interview. The entire pattern aims to ensure that the selected candidates are well-rounded and capable of handling both analytical and field responsibilities in the Intelligence Bureau. The three stages of the IB ACIO examination are:

1. Tier I – Objective Test
2. Tier II – Descriptive Test
3. Tier III – Personal Interview

IB ACIO Exam Pattern 2025 for Tier 1 

The Tier I exam is the first stage of the IB ACIO selection process. It is a computer-based test (CBT) that includes multiple-choice questions across five distinct sections. The objective test is designed to evaluate the candidate’s general awareness, reasoning ability, mathematical aptitude, English proficiency, and general studies knowledge.

IB ACIO Tier 1 Mode

The Tier I exam is conducted in online mode, known as a Computer-Based Test (CBT). Candidates use a computer at the exam center to attempt the test, ensuring uniform and efficient testing across all locations.

IB ACIO Tier 1 Type

The paper consists of objective-type MCQs. Each question has four options, with only one correct answer. This format assesses accuracy, speed, and subject understanding.

IB ACIO Tier 1 Total Questions

There are 100 questions in total, divided equally across five sections. Each section includes 20 questions.

• Current Affairs
• General Studies
• Numerical aptitude
• Reasoning/logical aptitude
• English 

IB ACIO Tier 1 Total Marks

The exam carries a total of 100 marks. Each question is worth 1 mark, and all sections have equal weightage, requiring balanced preparation.

IB ACIO Tier 1 Duration

Candidates are given 60 minutes to complete the paper. With less than a minute per question, effective time management is crucial for attempting maximum questions accurately.

IB ACIO Negative Marking

A negative marking of 0.25 marks is applied for each incorrect answer. Guessing should be avoided unless the candidate is reasonably confident, to minimize score deductions.

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IB ACIO Exam Pattern 2025 for Tier II

The Tier II exam is a written descriptive test that assesses a candidate's ability to express ideas clearly and effectively. It is held in an offline mode (pen and paper) and comprises two parts: Essay Writing and English Comprehension & Precis Writing. It carries significant weight in the final merit calculation. 

IB ACIO Tier 2 Exam Mode

Tier II is conducted in an offline mode, meaning it is a pen-and-paper-based exam. Candidates write their answers manually in the provided answer sheet, making it essential to maintain neatness and legibility.

IB ACIO Tier 2 Exam Type

This is a descriptive paper that tests a candidate’s writing skills and analytical thinking. Candidates are required to write essays, précis, or comprehension answers, based on given topics. It evaluates clarity of thought, expression, and command over written English.

IB ACIO Tier 2 Exam Total Marks

The Tier II paper is of 50 marks in total. These marks play a significant role in the final selection, so it’s important to perform well in this stage, even though it is qualifying in nature.

IB ACIO Tier 2 Exam Duration

Candidates are given 60 minutes (1 hour) to complete this paper. Time management is important as answers must be written thoughtfully, yet within the limited duration.

IB ACIO Tier 2 Exam Language

The entire Tier II paper must be attempted only in English. Responses in any other language will not be evaluated. Hence, proficiency in English writing is crucial to clear this stage.

IB ACIO Exam Pattern 2025 for Tier III 

The Tier III is the final stage of the IB ACIO recruitment process. This is a personal interview round where candidates are evaluated on various parameters including personality traits, communication skills, awareness, and suitability for the Intelligence Bureau.

• Mode: Face-to-Face Interview
• Total Marks: 100
• Candidates appearing in interviews may be subject to Psychometric/Aptitude test which will be a part of interview

Final Merit Calculation Based on IB ACIO Exam Pattern

The final merit list is prepared based on the combined score of all three tiers. Every candidate must qualify in each stage to be considered for the final appointment. The overall score distribution is as follows:

Candidates are shortlisted based on their overall performance. Tie-breaking is usually done considering higher scores in Tier II and older age as per rules set by the Ministry.

Normalization in IB ACIO Exam Pattern

In case the Tier I exam is conducted in multiple shifts, a normalization procedure is applied to maintain fairness. It ensures that no candidate is at a disadvantage due to difficulty variations across shifts. The normalized scores are calculated using a statistical formula and are used for shortlisting candidates for Tier II.

IB ACIO Exam Pattern 2025 Importance

The IB ACIO Exam Pattern 2025 is structured to test both technical and analytical competencies. Tier I is about speed and accuracy under time pressure. Tier II demands writing clarity and writing abilities. Tier III focuses on personality and practical understanding of current issues. Candidates must prepare each tier independently. A strong understanding of the IB ACIO Exam Pattern 2025 helps aspirants:

• Allocate time efficiently to each subject
• Identify scoring sections and weak areas
• Choose the right study materials and mock tests
• Prepare targeted strategies for all tiers
• Stay confident during the selection process

IB ACIO Exam Pattern 2025 is a designed process that tests a candidate’s suitability for the ACIO role in IB. PW provides SSC exam content, including SSC Exam Blogs, sample papers, mock tests, guidance sessions, and more. Also, enroll today in SSC Online Coaching for preparation.