Cracking LIC AAO is not just about hard work. It is about clarity, consistency, and learning from mistakes. Sarakam Tuneer’s journey reflects exactly that. Coming from a computer science background, he navigated multiple exams, faced setbacks, and eventually cracked LIC AAO with a much sharper strategy.
His story stands out because he did not simply increase effort after failure. He changed how he prepared.
A Shift in Focus
Tuneer, a Computer Science graduate from Visakhapatnam, initially aimed for defense exams, inspired by his father in the Navy. He began preparing in 2022, balancing CDS and banking exams before shifting his full focus to banking and insurance.
“I started preparing in 2022. Initially, I was preparing for both CDS and banking, but later I focused completely on banking.”
In 2023, he saw partial success. He cleared a banking-related exam and joined LIC as an Apprentice Development Officer. However, his first LIC AAO attempt did not go as planned, pushing him to rethink his approach instead of just working harder.
The Turning Point: Fixing What Went Wrong
Tuneer narrowly missed selection due to the sectional cutoff in the insurance section. Despite a good overall score, this one gap cost him the result. Instead of ignoring it, he made a decisive move. He resigned from his job and focused fully on preparation.
This phase was less about studying more and more about studying right. He identified General Awareness as his weak area and rebuilt his preparation around it.
Preparation Strategy: Revision Over Everything
Tuneer’s strategy was simple but powerful. He focused on repeated revision instead of constantly adding new material. His preparation followed a layered cycle where daily learning was reinforced through weekly and monthly revisions.
“Every day I made notes and revised them weekly. Then the next week, I revised both weeks again.”
Using structured content made this process easier. Instead of juggling multiple sources, he relied on concise and exam-focused material. This helped him retain information better, especially in current affairs, and reduced last-minute pressure.
Section-Wise Strategy That Worked
Tuneer’s success came from knowing where to invest time. He focused on maximizing returns from strong areas while managing weaker ones smartly.
General Awareness
This became his strongest section after his earlier setback. He relied on structured current affairs sources from Oliveboard’s courses, which helped him cover relevant topics without confusion.
He made short notes, revised them multiple times, and attempted quizzes regularly. This consistent cycle of learning and testing turned GA into his highest scoring section.
Quant and Reasoning
For Quant and Reasoning, he focused on daily practice, especially Data Interpretation and puzzles. Instead of trying to master everything, he built familiarity through repetition.
This helped him improve accuracy and maintain stability in these sections without overcomplicating his preparation.
English
Tuneer treated English as a qualifying section. Instead of spending excessive time on it, he focused on reaching a safe score. This allowed him to allocate more time to GA, which had a higher scoring impact.
Role of Mock Tests
Mock tests played a crucial role in Tuneer’s preparation. By attempting multiple mains-level exams before LIC AAO, he became comfortable with the exam pattern and pressure.
“After attempting multiple mains exams, I gained confidence that I can clear this exam.”
He used Oliveboard mock tests to simulate real exam conditions and analyze his performance. This helped him improve time management, identify weak areas, and refine his overall strategy.
Interview Experience
Tuneer described his interview as challenging, especially due to technical questions from his academic background. He could not answer a few questions perfectly, but he remained calm and honest.
The panel included multiple members, including a psychologist observing behavior and responses. Questions ranged from academics and current affairs to personal background. His composure and clarity helped him handle the situation effectively.
Final Takeaways for Aspirants
Tuneer’s journey highlights what truly works in competitive exams. Revision matters more than covering too many sources, and strong sections can significantly boost your overall score. Structured preparation saves time, while mock tests build real exam readiness.
“This exam is not very difficult. You can definitely crack it. The key is having the right strategy.”
If you want to follow a similar approach, focus on consistency and the right resources. Start with mock tests, track your performance, and build strong revision habits.
I started my journey with storytelling and journalism, and somewhere along the way, I discovered how much I truly love writing. Words have always been my way of connecting with people.
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