Allahabad High Court RO/ARO Preparation Guide

The Allahabad High Court recruits Review Officers and Assistant Review Officers through three stages: a Preliminary Examination, a Mains Examination, and a Computer Knowledge Test. Both posts share the same syllabus, so preparation does not need to differ by role.

Exam Pattern

Preliminary Examination: 200 objective questions, 200 marks, 3 hours — General Knowledge, Hindi, English and Computer Knowledge. No negative marking.

Mains Examination: minimum 50 marks required to qualify.

Computer Knowledge Test: minimum 25 marks required to qualify, including a minimum English typing speed of 25 words per minute.

Preparation Strategy

Attempt everything in Prelims: With no negative marking and 200 questions in 3 hours (roughly 54 seconds each), there is no cost to attempting a question you are unsure of — leaving it blank guarantees zero, guessing gives you a chance.
Split study time across all four Prelims subjects evenly at first: General Knowledge, Hindi, English and Computer Knowledge each contribute meaningfully to 200 marks. Run a quick diagnostic mock early to find your weakest of the four and rebalance from there.
Start typing practice on day one, not after Prelims: The Computer Knowledge Test's 25 WPM requirement is a hard qualifying bar. Ten to fifteen minutes of daily typing practice from the start of your preparation removes this as a late risk.
Treat the 50-mark Mains threshold as a target, not a stretch: Because Mains only needs to clear 50 marks to qualify — not top a merit list — a candidate who has genuinely covered the Prelims syllabus already has most of what they need; targeted revision closes the rest.
Practise Hindi and English symmetrically: Both languages are tested to a similar standard (grammar, comprehension, vocabulary). Candidates often over-invest in English and under-revise Hindi grammar rules — treat them as equal-weight sections.
Build computer fundamentals, not just typing speed: The Computer Knowledge Test covers fundamentals and MS Office alongside typing. Basic familiarity with common office software is worth confirming well before the test date.

Sectional Notes

General Knowledge — Current affairs, Indian history, geography, polity and economy.

Hindi — Grammar, comprehension and vocabulary.

English — Grammar, comprehension and vocabulary.

Computer Knowledge — Fundamentals, MS Office and internet basics, plus the practical typing test.

Exam Pattern

Preliminary Examination: 200 objective questions, 200 marks, 3 hours — General Knowledge, Hindi, English and Computer Knowledge. No negative marking.

Mains Examination: minimum 50 marks required to qualify.

Computer Knowledge Test: minimum 25 marks required to qualify, including a minimum English typing speed of 25 words per minute.

Preparation Strategy

Attempt everything in Prelims: With no negative marking and 200 questions in 3 hours (roughly 54 seconds each), there is no cost to attempting a question you are unsure of — leaving it blank guarantees zero, guessing gives you a chance.

Split study time across all four Prelims subjects evenly at first: General Knowledge, Hindi, English and Computer Knowledge each contribute meaningfully to 200 marks. Run a quick diagnostic mock early to find your weakest of the four and rebalance from there.

Start typing practice on day one, not after Prelims: The Computer Knowledge Test's 25 WPM requirement is a hard qualifying bar. Ten to fifteen minutes of daily typing practice from the start of your preparation removes this as a late risk.

Treat the 50-mark Mains threshold as a target, not a stretch: Because Mains only needs to clear 50 marks to qualify — not top a merit list — a candidate who has genuinely covered the Prelims syllabus already has most of what they need; targeted revision closes the rest.

Practise Hindi and English symmetrically: Both languages are tested to a similar standard (grammar, comprehension, vocabulary). Candidates often over-invest in English and under-revise Hindi grammar rules — treat them as equal-weight sections.

Build computer fundamentals, not just typing speed: The Computer Knowledge Test covers fundamentals and MS Office alongside typing. Basic familiarity with common office software is worth confirming well before the test date.

Allahabad High Court RO/ARO Preparation Guide