How to Prepare for Intelligence Bureau Recruitment 2025: Exam Pattern & Syllabus Explained
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) ACIO Grade-II/Executive exam 2025 has brought a fresh recruitment wave with over 3,717 vacancies. Understanding the latest exam pattern and syllabus is essential for targeting the right preparation plan. This blog will explain each tier of the IB ACIO exam, list topic-wise syllabus, and share effective strategies to help you optimize your preparation.
IB ACIO 2025 Exam Pattern – Tier by Tier
The selection process is divided into three tiers: Tier-1 (Objective), Tier-2 (Descriptive), and Interview. Every stage counts toward the final result.
Tier-1 (Objective Test)
- Total Questions: 100
- Marks: 100 (1 mark per question)
- Duration: 1 hour
- Negative Marking: Yes, ¼ mark deduction for each wrong answer
- Subjects Covered: General Awareness / Current Affairs; General Studies; Quantitative Aptitude; Reasoning & Logical Aptitude; English Language
Tier-2 (Descriptive Paper)
- Total Marks: 50
- Duration: 1 hour
- Type: Descriptive writing (Essay, English Comprehension, Long Answer Questions)
- Topics: Socio-political issues, Current Affairs, Economic issues etc.
Tier-3 (Interview / Personality Test)
Candidates who clear both Tier-1 & Tier-2 will be called for an interview. This stage evaluates your communication, clarity of thought, awareness of national & international issues, and suitability for the Intelligence role. Marks are assigned to this stage as per the official notification.
Detailed Syllabus – Subject-Wise Topics
Quantitative Aptitude
- Number Systems, Ratios & Proportions, Percentages
- Averages, Time & Work, Profit & Loss, Discounts & Interest
- Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Data Interpretation & Graphs
- Statistics, Ratio & Time, Time, Speed & Distance
Reasoning & Logical Aptitude
General Awareness / General Studies
- Current Affairs – National & International (last 6-12 months)
- Indian Polity & Constitution, Geography, Economy & Finance
- Science & Technology, Environmental Issues, Government Schemes & Policies
- History, Static GK, Important Organizations, Books & Awards, Capitals & Currencies
English Language
- Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Verbal Ability
- Error Spotting, Fill in the Blanks, Sentence Improvement & Para-Jumbling
- Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, One-Word Substitution, Idioms & Phrases
- Grammar: Parts of Speech, Clauses, Voice, Tenses, etc.
Preparation Strategy & Tips
Knowing the pattern and syllabus is just the first step. Smart, consistent effort wins the race. Here are strategies to boost your preparation effectiveness:
- Create a weekly timetable dividing time for all Tier-1 subjects & Tier-2 practise writing tasks. Allocate daily time for reading current affairs.
- Start with strong basics — clear fundamentals in quantitative aptitude & reasoning. Use standard books & courses to build conceptual clarity.
- Practice with previous year question papers and timed mock tests to build speed and accuracy. Analyze weak areas and revise them.
- Write essays or descriptive responses regularly. Focus on clarity of expression, structure (introduction, body, conclusion) & staying within word limits.
- Improve reading habits — read editorials, reports, and trusted sources to enhance comprehension & vocabulary. Make short notes of important points for revision.
- Revise frequently & keep formula/grammar cheat sheets handy. Last-minute reviews of static GK, financial/economic data, recent schemes, and international affairs help.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring negative marking — guess work can cost you marks.
- Skipping any subject or section — since each has fixed weightage, weak areas drag overall score.
- Poor time management — not enough practice under timed conditions tends to slow many aspirants.
- Writing weak or unstructured essays in Tier-2 — interlocutors often penalize unclear thought flow.
- Neglecting current affairs or general knowledge, especially recent events, government policies & finance/economy.
Sample Study Plan Timeline (8 Weeks)
| Week | Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Quantitative Aptitude Basics & Reasoning fundamentals; start reading daily current affairs |
| Week 3-4 | English Grammar & Vocabulary; Practice Tier-1 full mock tests |
| Week 5-6 | Work on Tier-2 Descriptive practice (Essays / Comprehension); revise static GK topics |
| Week 7 | Full mock exams (Tier-1 + Tier-2) under timed conditions; identify weak areas |
| Week 8 | Final revision: cheat sheets, past papers, polishing communication for interview |
Cracking the IB ACIO 2025 exam requires clarity on the exam pattern, detailed knowledge of the syllabus topics, and disciplined preparation. Following a structured study plan, practising under timed conditions, and staying updated with current affairs can give you a strong edge.