RECRUITMENT FOR THE POST OF ASSISTANT MANAGER (OFFICER GRADE-A)

(GENERAL STREAM) IN IFSCA

INFORMATION HANDOUT FOR PHASE I ON-LINE EXAMINATION

In case of any discrepancy or inconsistency between English and Hindi version, the English version shall prevail.

This handout contains details pertaining to various aspects of the online exam you are going to undertake and
important instructions about related matters. You are advised to study the handout carefully as it will help you in
preparing for the examination.

The on-line examination will comprise the objective type multiple choice tests as stated below :

No. of Maximum
Paper Sr.No. Streams/Subjects Version Duration Cut-off
Questions Marks
Paper 1 General Awareness
(i) 25 25
(Financial Sector)
(ii) English Language 25 25 Bilingual i.e. 60 minutes 30%
(iii) Quantitative Aptitude 25 25
(iv) Reasoning 25 25 Hindi and
Total 100 100
Multiple choice English
Paper 2 questions on General 50 100 60 minutes 40%
knowledge, Current except test
(each
events of national and
international question of English
importance, Economic
will carry 2 Language
and social
development marks)
(sustainable
development, poverty,
inclusion, and
demographics),
Commerce,
Accountancy,
Management, Finance
and costing, Indian
Economy, Global
Economy, Five-year
plans, Central
Government’s
initiatives/ Schemes in
the financial sector.

Total 150 200 120 Minutes

Average Cut Off 40%

The time for the test is 120 minutes; however, you may have to be present at the venue for approximately 180 minutes
including the time required for logging in, collection of the call letters, going through the instructions etc. All the tests
except Test of English Language will be made available in English and Hindi. Test of English Language will be made

1
available only in English. All the questions will have multiple choices. Out of the five answers to a question only one
will be the correct answer. You have to select the most appropriate answer and ‘mouse click’ that alternative
which you feel is appropriate/ correct. The alternative/ option that you have clicked on will be treated as your
answer to that question. There will be penalty for wrong answers marked by you. For every wrong answer
marked by you, 1/4th of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.
The Scores of Online Examination will be obtained by adopting the following procedure :
(i) Number of questions answered correctly by a candidate in each objective test is considered for arriving at the
Corrected Score after applying penalty for wrong answers.
(ii) The Corrected Scores so obtained by a candidate are made equivalent to take care of the minor difference in
difficulty level, if any, in each of the objective tests held in different sessions to arrive at the Equated Scores*

*Scores obtained by candidates on any test are equated to the base form by considering the distribution of scores of
all the forms.
(iii) Testwise scores and scores on total is reported with decimal points upto two digits.
There shall be a minimum cut-off of 30% for Paper 1 (There will be no Sectional cut-offs). For Paper-2,
minimum cut-off will be 40%. Aggregate cut-off will be 40%. Candidates who secure minimum cut-off in Paper
I and Paper II as well as aggregate cut-off will be shortlisted for Phase II.

Please note that the types of questions in this handout are only illustrative and not exhaustive. In the actual
examination you will find questions of a higher difficulty level on some or all of these types and also
questions on the types not mentioned here.

Some sample questions are given below.

PAPER 1

GENERAL AWARENESS (FINANCIAL SECTOR)

This test is designed to measure your awareness about the past and present events.
Q.1. Which of the following sectors contributes maximum in deciding the growth in income of the states in India ?
(1) Energy (2) Tourism (3) Service (4) Transport (5) Agriculture
Q.2. In which of the following states is the number of people living below poverty line the maximum ?
(1) Bihar (2) Andhra Pradesh (3) Uttar Pradesh (4) Rajasthan (5) Orissa
Q.3. OSCAR awards are given for best performance in which of the following field ?
(1) Films (2) Literature (3) Sports (4) Science (5) Social Service
Q.4. R. K. Laxman is famous for _____
(1) Painting (2) Cartoons (3) Screenplay Writing
(4) Film Direction (5) Other than those given as options
Q.5. Which of the following stands for I in IRDA ?
(1) Indian (2) International (3) Insurance (4) Income (5) Institute

ENGLISH LANGUAGE
This is a test to see how well you know English. Your English language ability would be tested through questions on
grammar & vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, sentence completion, comprehension of a passage etc.
Q.1-2. Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will
be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is ‘No
error’. (Ignore the errors of punctuation, if any).
Q.1. Most of the third world / country are experiencing / the ethnic or communal problem/
(1) (2) (3)
in varying degrees. No error.
(4) (5)

2
Q.2. The regaining of freedom / as we well know has given rise for / many dormant issues /
(1) (2) (3)
and conflicts in our society. No error.
(4) (5)
Q.3-4. Pick out from the words given below each sentence the word which would complete the sentence correctly and
meaningfully.
Q.3. Continuous unemployment has induced in the people a kind of _____ which is most depressing.
(1) laziness (2) encouragement (3) satisfaction (4) anger (5) awakening
Q.4. He wants me to look ____ his garden during his absence.
(1) at (2) over (3) after (4) into (5) from
Q.5-10. In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed
below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find
out the appropriate word in each case.
The true (5) of rights is duty. If we all (6) our duties, rights will not be (7) to seek. If leaving duties unperformed
we run (8) rights, they will (9) us like an elusive person. The more we pursue them, the farther (10) they fly.
Q.5. (1) end (2) source (3) joy (4) purpose (5) power
Q.6. (1) deny (2) devote (3) discharge (4) imagine (5) fulfill
Q.7. (1) far (2) close (3) easy (4) against (5) common
Q.8. (1) as (2) after (3) at (4) from (5) for
Q.9. (1) hold (2) grab (3) fight (4) escape (5) chase
Q.10. (1) off (2) can (3) did (4) could (5) towards

QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE
This test is designed to measure how fast and accurate you are in dealing with numbers, viz. computation, quantitative
reasoning, interpretation of tables and graphs.
Directions : In each of the following questions one number is missing. The place where the number is missing is
shown by a question mark (?). You have to find out which one of the answers shown against 1, 2, 3 and 4 can replace
the question mark. If none of these four can replace the question mark, you will indicate (5) i.e. ‘Other than those
given as options’ as your answer.

24 13 5
Q.1. × × = ?
65 56 7
3 15 3 15
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Other than those given as options
49 245 77 56

Q.2. (27 + 498) ÷ 25 = ?

(1) 17 (2) 25 (3) 21 (4) 12 (5) Other than those given as options

Q.3. If the profit made by selling a pen for Rs.10 is as much as its cost, what is the cost price of the pen ?
(1) Rs.3/- (2) Rs.5/- (3) Rs.10/- (4) Rs.20/- (5) Other than those given as options

3
Also, there may be some questions based on graphs and tables.

Q.4-6. Directions: Given below is a table showing percentages out of a total of 700 employees ranking six attributes
that help promotion. Rank I is the highest. Study the table carefully and answer questions that follow:

% of Employees Giving Different Ranks

Attribute
I II III IV V VI
Seniority 32 17 22 19 5 5
Perseverance 14 19 17 9 27 14
Efficiency 15 19 21 14 14 17
Intelligence 10 14 10 14 17 35
Honesty 24 17 7 9 27 16
Sociability 5 14 23 35 10 13

Q.4. Which attribute for promotion has received the highest rank ?
(1) Perseverance (2) Seniority (3) Honesty (4) Sociability (5) Efficiency
Q.5. How many employees gave rank III to intelligence ?
(1) 119 (2) 98 (3) 77 (4) 70 (5) 10
Q.6. Which attribute is considered the least important for promotion ?
(1) Honesty (2) Intelligence (3) Perseverance (4) Efficiency (5) Sociability

REASONING
This is a test to see how well you can think. It contains questions of various kinds. Here are some sample questions.
Q.1. If the letters in the word TOPS can be rearranged to form a meaningful word beginning with O, the last letter of
that word is your answer. If more than one such word can be formed, M is the answer and if no such word can
be formed, X is the answer.
(1) T (2) P (3) M (4) S (5) X
Q.2. Some leaders are dishonest. Satyapriya is a leader. Which of the following inferences definitely follows from
these two statements ?
(1) Satyapriya is honest (2) Satyapriya is dishonest
(3) Some leaders are honest (4) Leaders are generally dishonest
(5) Satyapriya is sometimes dishonest
Q.3. If the letters of the following alphabet interchange positions, so that A takes the place of Z and Z takes the
place of A; B takes the place of Y and Y takes the place of B and so on, what will be the 13th letter from the
right ?
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
(1) M (2) N (3) O (4) L (5) Other than those given as options
Q.4. If the first and the second letters in the word ‘DEPRESSION’ were interchanged, also the third and the fourth
letters, the fifth and sixth letters and so on, which of the following would be the seventh letter from the right ?
(1) R (2) O (3) S (4) I (5) Other than those given as options
Q.5. In a row of girls, if Seeta who is 10th from the left and Lina who is 9th from the right interchange their seats,
Seeta becomes 15th from the left. How many girls are there in the row ?
(1) 16 (2) 18 (3) 19 (4) 22 (5) Other than those given as options

4
Q.6-10. Read the information given below and answer the questions.
Six plays A, B, C, D, E and F of a famous playwright are to be staged one on each day from
Monday to Saturday. The schedule of the plays is to be in accordance with the following.
(1) A must be on the immediately previous day of the on which E is staged.
(2) C must not be staged on Tuesday.
(3) B must be on a day which immediately follows the day on which F is staged.
(4) D must be staged on Friday only and should not be immediately preceded by B.
(5) E must not be staged on the last day of the schedule.
Q.6. Which of the following is the schedule of plays, with the order of their staging from Monday ?
(1) E A B F D C (2) A F B E D C (3) A F B C D E
(4) F A B E D C (5) Other than those given as options
Q.7. Play C cannot definitely be staged on which of the following days in addition to Tuesday ?
(1) Monday (2) Wednesday (3) Thursday (4) Friday (5) Saturday
Q.8. Play D is between which of the following pairs of plays ?
(1) C and E (2) E and F (3) A and E (4) B and E (5) C and F
Q.9. Which of the following plays is on Monday ?
(1) E (2) A (3) F (4) B (5) C
Q.10. Which of the following plays immediately follows B ?
(1) F (2) E (3) D (4) C (5) A

PAPER 2
Questions in this section will be based on the following topics:

General knowledge, Current events of national and international importance, Economic and social development
(sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, and demographics), Indian Economy, Global Economy, Five-year plans,
Central Government’s initiatives/ Schemes in the financial sector.

Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance and costing

(A) Details of the On-line Examination Pattern (Objective)

(1) The examination would be conducted on-line i.e. on a computer.

(2) All tests except English Language will be in English and Hindi.
(3) All the questions will have multiple choices. Out of the five answers to a question only one will be the correct
answer. The candidate has to select the most appropriate answer and ‘mouse click’ that alternative
which he/ she feels is appropriate/ correct. The alternative/ option that is clicked on will be treated as
the answer to that question. Answer to any question will be considered for final evaluation, only when
candidates have submitted the answers by clicking on “Save & Next” or “Mark for Review & Next”.
(4) The clock has been set at the server and the countdown timer at the top right corner of your screen will display
the time remaining for you to complete the exam. When the clock runs out the exam ends by default - you are
not required to end or submit your exam.

5
(5) The Question Palette displayed on the right side of screen will show the status of each question using one of
the following symbols :

The Marked for Review status for a question simply indicates that you would like to look at that question again.
If a question is answered and Marked for Review, your answer for that question will be considered in the
evaluation.
(6) To select a question to answer, you can do one of the following :
(a) Click on the question number on the question palette at the right of your screen to go to that numbered
question directly. Note that using this option does NOT save your answer to the current question.
(b) Click on ‘Save & Next’ to save answer to current question and to go to the next question in sequence.
(c) Click on ‘Mark for Review and Next’ to save answer to current question, mark it for review, and to go to
the next question in sequence.
(7) To select your answer, click on one of the option buttons.
(8) To change your answer, click another desired option button.
(9) To save your answer, you MUST click on Save & Next.
(10) To deselect a chosen answer, click on the chosen option again or click on the Clear Response button.
(11) To mark a question for review click on Mark for Review & Next. If an answer is selected for a question that is
Marked for Review, the answer will be considered in the final evaluation.
(12) To change an answer to a question, first select the question and then click on the new answer option followed
by a click on the Save & Next button.
(13) Questions that are saved or marked for review after answering will ONLY be considered for evaluation.
(14) The candidates are requested to follow the instructions of the “Test Administrator” carefully. If any candidate
does not follow the instructions / rules, it would be treated as a case of misconduct/ adoption of unfair means
and such a candidate would be liable for debarment from appearing for examinations for a period as decided by
IFSCA.
(15) The candidates may ask the Test Administrator about their doubts or questions only before the commencement
of the test. No query shall be entertained after the commencement of the examination.
(16) After the expiry of 120 minutes, the candidates will not be able to attempt any question or check their answers.
The answers of the candidate would be saved automatically by the computer system even if he/ she has not
clicked the “Submit” button.
(17) Please note:
(a) Candidates will not be allowed to “finally submit” unless they have exhausted the actual test time.
(b) Under no circumstances should a candidate click on any of the ‘keyboard keys’ once the exam
starts as this will lock the exam.

6
[B] General Instructions:

(1) Please note Date, Reporting time and Venue address of the examination given in the call letter.
(2) You may visit the venue one day before the Online Examination to confirm the location so that you are able to
report on time (as printed on the call letter) on the day of the examination. Late comers will not be allowed.
(3) The call letter should be brought with you to the examination venue along with your recent passport size
photograph duly pasted on it. (Preferably the same photograph as was as uploaded).
(4) You must scrupulously follow the instructions of the Test Administrator and IFSCA Representative at the
examination venue. If you violate the instructions, you will be disqualified and will be asked to leave the
examination venue.
(5) No use of calculators (separate or with watch), books, note books or written notes, cell phones (with or without
camera facility), smart watches or any other electronic device will be allowed during the examination.
(6) Please bring the call letter with your photograph affixed thereon, currently valid Photo identity proof in original
and a photocopy of the same ID proof which you bring in original - THIS IS ESSENTIAL. The call-letter along
with photocopy of photo identity proof duly stapled together are to be submitted to the Invigilator.
Currently valid photo identity proof may be PAN Card/Passport/Driving Licence/Voter’s Card with
photograph/Bank Passbook with photograph/Photo Identity proof issued by a Gazetted Officer on official
letterhead/Photo Identity proof issued by a People’s Representative on official letterhead/Valid recent Identity
Card issued by a recognised College/University/ Aadhar/E-Aadhar Card with a photograph/Employee ID in
original/Bar Council Identity Card with photograph. Please Note - Ration Card will NOT be accepted as valid
ID proof for this project. Please note that your name as appearing on the call letter (provided by you during
the process of registration) should exactly match the name as appearing on the photo identity proof. Female
candidates who have changed first/last/middle name post marriage must take special note of this. If there is any
mismatch between the name indicated in the Call Letter and Photo Identity Proof you will not be allowed to
appear for the exam. In case of candidates who have changed their name will be allowed only if they
produce original Gazette notification/their original marriage certificate/ affidavit in original.
(7) Your responses (answers) will be analysed with other candidates to detect patterns of similarity of right and
wrong answers. If in the analytical procedure adopted in this regard, it is inferred/concluded that the responses
have been shared and scores obtained are not genuine/valid, your candidature may be cancelled. Any
candidate who is found copying or receiving or giving assistance or engaging in any behaviour unbecoming of a
candidate will not be considered for assessment. The IFSCA may take further action against such candidates as
deemed fit by it.
(8) You should bring with you a ball-point pen. You are allowed to bring your own ink stamp pad (blue/black). A
sheet of paper will be provided which can be used for rough work or taking down the question number you
would like to review at the end of the test before submitting your answers. After the test is over you MUST
submit this sheet of paper along with the Call Letter to the Invigilator.
(9) The possibility for occurrences of some problem in the administration of the examination cannot be ruled out
completely which may impact test delivery and/or result from being generated. In that event, every effort will be
made to rectify such problem, which may include the conduct of another examination if considered necessary.
Decision of the test conducting body in this regard shall be final. Candidates not willing to accept such change
shall loose his/her candidature for this exam.
(10) If the examination is held in more than one session, the scores across various sessions will be equated to adjust
for slight differences in difficulty level of different test batteries used across sessions. More than one session are
required if the nodes capacity is less or some technical disruption takes place at any centre or for any candidate.
(11) Anyone found to be disclosing, publishing, reproducing, transmitting, storing or facilitating transmission and
storage of test contents in any form or any information therein in whole or part thereof or by any means verbal or
written, electronic or mechanical or taking away the papers supplied in the examination hall or found to be in
unauthorised possession of test content is likely to be prosecuted.
(12) Instances for providing incorrect information and/or process violation by a candidate detected at any stage of the
selection, process will lead to disqualification of the candidate from the selection process and he/she will not be
allowed to appear in any IFSCA's recruitment process in the future. If such instances go undetected during the
current selection process but are detected subsequently, such disqualification will take place with retrospective
effect.
(13) Please read instructions related to Social Distancing given on the next page.

7
 INSTRUCTIONS WITH REGARD TO SOCIAL DISTANCING

1 Candidate is required to report at the exam venue strictly as per the time slot mentioned in the Call Letter.
Latecomers will not be allowed to take the test.

2 Mapping of ‘Candidate Roll Number and the Lab Number’ will NOT be displayed outside the exam venue,
but the same will be intimated to the candidates individually at the time of entry of the candidate to the
exam venue.

3 Items permitted into the venue for Candidates

Candidates will be permitted to carry only certain items with them into the venue.
a. Mask
b. Personal hand sanitizer (50 ml)
c. A simple pen and ink stamp pad (blue/black)
d. Exam related documents (Call Letter and ID Card in Original)
e. In the case of Scribe Candidates - Scribe form duly filled and signed with Photograph affixed.
No other Items are permitted inside the venue.

4 Candidate should not share any of their personal belonging/material with anyone

5 Candidate should maintain safe social distance with one another.

6 Candidate should stand in the row as per the instructions provided at venue.

7 If a candidate is availing services of a scribe, then scribe also should bring their own Mask.

8 On completion of examination, the candidates should move out in an orderly manner without crowding as
instructed by the venue staff.

WISH YOU GOOD LUCK