-by It’s not about how badly you desire it, it’s about how hard you are willing to work for it. More than thousand students appear in APSC exams to fill the 200+ seats bringing neck-to-neck competition between the aspirants. To get the best out of our capability and crack this exam we need guidance driving us to be strategic in our exam preparations. This article “How to prepare for APSC exam” will let you explore how to prepare for the APSC Exam and how to crack the APSC without coaching. It will bring you the best strategies and ideas to crack the APSC in a single attempt.
What is the APSC EXAM?
Before exploring how to prepare for the APSC exam let’s explore what it is. The Assam Public Service Commission exam is a state initiative that recruits class “A” and “B” officers for state autonomous bodies, public sector units, and government offices in Assam. APSC conducts a combined competitive annual examination to select deserving candidates with bachelor’s degrees from reputed educational institutes for various posts in state government offices and public sector units across Assam. Some of the positions aspiring candidates appearing or preparing for the APSC exam are Assam Civil Service(ACS), Assam Police Service(APS), Sub Registrar, Tax Inspector, Labour Inspector, District Transport Officer, Superintendent of Taxes, and stenographer grade II and many more.
Let’s now discover the syllabus and exam pattern before getting the pro tips on how to prepare for the APSC Exam
APSC Exam Syllabus and Pattern
Preliminary Examination Syllabus
| Paper | Topic |
| General Studies-I
(200 marks) |
1.Current Events-National and international importance 2.History of India and Indian National Movement-Major events and figures 3.Indian and World Geography-Physical, social, economic geography of India and the World 4.Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, rights issues 5.Economic and Social Development-Sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives 6. Environment and Ecology-Biodiversity, climate change, general issues etc. 7.General Science-Basic concepts and everyday science Note-30%-35% questions related to Assam |
| General Studies-II
(200 marks) |
1.Comprehension-Understanding and interpreting written passages 2. Interpersonal Skills-Communication and interpersonal skills 3. Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability-Problem-solving and reasoning skills 4. Decision Making and Problem Solving-Decision-making strategies and problem-solving approaches 5. General Mental Ability-Cognitive skills and mental reasoning 6. Basic Numeracy- Numbers, relations, magnitudes, data interpretation (Class X level) |
Mains Examination Syllabus
| Paper | Topic |
| Paper 1 (Essay) (250 marks) |
1. Indian Culture-Art forms, literature, architecture from ancient to modern times 2. Modern Indian History-Middle of the 18th century to present 3. The Freedom Struggle-Stages and contributors 4. Post-independence Consolidation-Reorganization and consolidation of India 5. Indian Society and Diversity-Societal structures and diversity 6. Role of Women and Women’s Organizations-Impact and contributions 7. Population and Development Issues-Urbanization, poverty, developmental issues 8. Globalization and Social Empowerment-Effects and issues 9. Geography-Salient features, natural resources, geophysical phenomena |
| Paper-II (General Studies-I) (250 marks) |
1. Indian Culture-Art forms, literature, architecture 2. Modern Indian History-Significant events, personalities 3. Freedom Struggle-Contributions from various regions 4. Post-independence Consolidation-Reorganization of the country 5. Indian Society-Diversity, social issues, role of women 6. Effects of Globalization-On Indian society 7. Social Empowerment-Communalism, regionalism, secularism 8. Physical Geography-Key natural resources, geophysical phenomena |
| Paper-III (General Studies-II) (250 marks) |
1. Indian Constitution-Evolution, features, amendments 2. Federal Structure-Union and state functions, devolution of powers 3. Separation of Powers-Various organs and dispute redressal 4. Comparison of Constitutions-Indian vs. other countries 5. Parliament and State Legislatures-Structure, powers, and issues 6. Executive and Judiciary-Structure, functioning, and pressure groups 7. Representation of People’s Act-Salient features 8. Constitutional Bodies- Appointments, powers, functions 9. Statutory and Regulatory Bodies-Various quasi-judicial bodies 10. Government Policies and Development-Policies, interventions, development processes 11. Welfare Schemes-For vulnerable sections, performance 12. Social Sector Issues-Health, education, human resources 13. Governance and Accountability-Transparency, e-governance, citizens’ charters 14. Role of Civil Services-In a democracy 15. India and its Neighborhood Relations-Bilateral, regional, and global agreements 16. International Institutions-Structure, mandate, and role |
| Paper-IV (General Studies-III) (250 marks) |
1. Indian Economy-Planning, resource mobilization, growth 2. Inclusive Growth-Issues and constraints 3. Government Budgeting-Budgetary processes and issues 4. Agricultural Issues-Cropping patterns, irrigation, subsidies, PDS 5. Food Processing and Industries-Scope, significance, and supply chain management 6. Land Reforms-Historical and current issues 7. Effects of Liberalization-On industrial policy and growth 8. Infrastructure-Energy, transport, and major projects 9. Science and Technology-Developments, applications, achievements 10. Environmental Issues-Pollution, conservation, impact assessments 11. Disaster Management-Emphasis on Assam 12. Extremism and Security-Internal security challenges |
| Paper-V (General Studies-IV) (250 marks)
|
1. Ethics and Human Interface-Essence and dimensions of ethics 2. Human Values-Teachings of leaders, societal roles 3. Attitude-Content, structure, and impact 4. Aptitude for Civil Service-Integrity, impartiality, empathy 5. Emotional Intelligence-Concepts and applications 6. Moral Thinkers-Contributions from India and the world 7. Public Service Values-Ethical concerns, governance issues 8. Probity in Governance-Transparency, accountability, RTI 9. Case Studies-On ethics and governance issues |
| Paper-VI (General Subject Paper on Assam) (250 marks) |
1. History and Culture-Major dynasties, socio-cultural issues, literature, festivals 2. Geography-Physical features, resources, industries 3. Political and Administrative System-Governance structure, key institutions 4. Economy-Agricultural and industrial issues 5. Bio-diversity and Environment-Environmental issues, security, disaster management |
APSC Exam Pattern
| Examination Stage | Paper | Marks | Duration | Type | Additional Details |
| Preliminary Examination | General Studies-I | 200 | 2 Hours | Objective | 30%-35% of questions related to Assam |
| General Studies-II | 200 | 2 Hours | Objective | Qualifying paper, minimum 33% required | |
| Main Examination | Paper 1 | 250 | 3 Hours | Essay | |
| Paper 2 | 250 | 3 Hours | General Sstudies | ||
| Paper 3 | 250 | 3 Hours | General Studies | ||
| Paper 4 | 250 | 3 Hours | General Studies | ||
| Paper 5 | 250 | 3 Hours | General Studies | ||
| Paper 6 | 250 | 3 Hours | General Studies | ||
| Interview | 275 | Personal Interview | After qualifying in the Written Examination | ||
| Total Marks | 2000 | (1500 for Written + 275 for Interview) |
APSC Exam Cut-off
Here are the predicted and previous APSC cutoffs to help you develop the benchmark before you plan about how to prepare for the APSC Exam:
| Category | 2022-23 Cut Off | 2023-24 Expected Cut Off | 2024-25 Predicted Cut Off |
| Open Category | Male: 74.5 Female: 71.0 | 70-75 | 72-77 |
| OBC/MOBC | 54.5 (Male and Female) | 53-57 | 55-60 |
| SC | 50.5 (Male and Female) | 49-54 | 51-56 |
| STEP | 49.5 (Male and Female) | 48-53 | 50-55 |
So!! How to prepare for APSC Exam?
Answering How to prepare for APSC Exam, I must suggest candidates should be cautious as there are limited attempts(General:38yrs;OBC:41yrs;ST/SC:43yrs,) available to an individual to appear in this competitive exam. The candidates should be confident about whether their interests and capabilities align with the efforts required to crack the UPSC exam. They should be aware of all the challenges with no excuse accepted and yet be confident and determined towards their aim. Here are a few how-to APSC Exam steps to builda strong strategy to crack your APSC exam in one go:
- Understand the Exam Structure:Before developing a plan on how to prepare for the APSC Exam, we need to understand the syllabus and exam pattern.
- Prelims: General Studies-I, General Studies-II (focus on Current Affairs, General Science, and English).
- Mains: Essay, General Studies (5 papers), Assam-specific General Studies.
- Interview: Personality test.
- Review the Syllabus:
- Prelims: Current Affairs, Indian History, General Science.
- Mains: Indian History, Culture, Geography, Economy, Governance, Assam issues.
- Create a Study Plan:
- Allocate daily study time and prioritize based on syllabus and comfort.
- Select Quality Study Material:
- Use recommended books and stay updated with current affairs.
- Practice and Revise:
- Solve previous papers and take mock tests; schedule regular revisions.
- Prepare for the Interview:
- Develop communication skills and stay informed about current events.
- Maintain Health and Motivation:
- Ensure a balanced routine with adequate rest, exercise, and stress management.
How to crack APSC without coaching?
In the era of fierce competition to crack APSC exams which is increasing every year so as the coaching centres and their fee structure. In this rapidly transforming situation, the candidates are lost with the question of how to crack APSC without coaching. Not every candidate comes from a financially stable background that allows him/her to join a coaching. With the best solution for how to crack APSC without coaching, we offer the following pro tips:
Master the Syllabus:To crack APSC without coaching start with carrying out a critical review of the entire APSC syllabuses for both APSC Prelims and APSC Mains. Burst each paper into specific topicsthat are covered and know the distribution of the topics. It assists in something like prioritizing subjects and concentrating on areas of higher yields.
Develop a Targeted Study Plan:To prepare for the APSC Exam candidates should formulate a daily and weekly timetable so that you can assign time for studying. Dedicate particular times to particular subjects so that there is coverage for all the section’s needs. Schedule extra added time for practice and revision. You also have to be very open to that plan since you have to adjust it depending as well on what you achieved and what you encountered.
Choose the Right Study Resources:Providing suggestions on how to prepare for the APSC Exam I always suggest choosing right the materials. There is no need to waste time on unhelpful materials, choosing the best, which will fit the goals and requirements of the learning process. They should use the standard textbooks, government publications, and other credible websites on the internet. It is better to focus on the revision of last year’s question papers and sample papers so that the student gets the flavor of the type of exam being conducted.
Utilize Online Resources and Forums: Use cam/slate and other study forums on the Internet. There are ample resources available for free on the World Wide Web which covers study notes, video lectures, and discussion forums where one can seek clarification and information from the other competitors who are also in the same race. Use blogs and social media platforms to read more updates and get more tips on what to do.
Implement Effective Time Management: Timed practice must be done during the study sessions as well as while doing the mock exams. It is advised to solve questions within a given periodto improve the speed as well as the accuracy as well. Effective time management during the exam is very important; therefore, this skill should be practiced.
Regularly Solve Mock Tests and Previous Papers: This is a good strategy for organizing your learning regimen and bringing mock tests into your preparation. Take practice exams with the feel of the actual exam to gauge your readiness and draw out weaknesses. To make use of previous years’ papers, one needs to ensure that he or she is familiar with the questions frequently asked on the exam.
Stay Informed with Current Affairs: Current Affairs is one of the broader sections, so, do not lag behind the current national and international happening. Read newspapers, watch the news, watch quizzes and current affairs-related apps to educate yourself.
Maintain Discipline and Motivation:Self-coaching is attainable and possible to prepare for the APSC Exam without coaching, which requires a lot of discipline to pull through. Ensure that you have statements of specific objectives, and monitor the results frequently. Set achievable targets and motivate yourself to achieve every target that you set to avoid getting discouraged. More often than not, breaks and management of their time are critical since burnout is quite common.
How to crack APSC in a single attempt?
Let consistency be your superpower as said by a wise man and followed by our APSC exam aspirants. A consistent effort towards what is right can be an answer to your question of How to crack APSC in a single attempt. The best-fit tips and strategies to be adopted to crack APSC in a single attempt are:
Master the Basics: Academic Skills should be laid right and that should include the core subjects. When learning use a firm grip of elementary concepts before trying to learn more compounded concepts to gain mastery.
Current Affairs Focus: Living in sync with present-day development in Assam as well as that of the rest of the North Eastern region. Read newspapers, watch news try to use proper and adequate websites, and get updated about the things happening around the globe.
Previous Year Papers: This can be done through taking mock exams, and previous years’ question papers so that you can have an understanding of the type of exams that await you. This is of great assistance in defining important sections and trends.
Regular Mock Tests: You should take as many mock tests as possible to understand your progress concerning time management. You should also review your performance to modify your studying strategies.
Consistent Revision: One of the strategies that you should incorporate in your study schedule is to make frequent revisions to reinforce the learned information.
Positive Mindset: Help to stay positive and to keep the work focused and organized.
Last but not least in the list of expert suggestions on how to prepare for the APSC exam and crack APSC in a single attempt here are some additional tips:
Additional Tips to Crack APSC in a single attempt?
Enhance Problem-Solving Skills:To crack APSC in a single attempt reduce your skills in handling simple questions on arithmetic and reasoning. The other thing that one has to do in preparation for any test is to acquaint himself or herself with the types of problems that are usually most likely to be given.
Avoid Overconfidence: Let it be understood at the start that passing the Prelims is only the first step in the whole system. To understand how to prepare for APSC exam pay equal attention to both the main and interview stages possibly under the best assistance available.
Read Widely: Skim through national and regional newspapers to get general as well as specific content that might show up in the exam.
Start Early: To prepare for the APSC Exam, start preparing at least three months before any exam is given to avoid cramming since it is counterproductive.
Summarising this article on How to prepare for the APSC Exam, we would like to state that for a candidate to perform well in APSC, he/she must be abreast with the examination format, and content and develop a viable study plan. It presents the best guidance for those who want to know how to crack the APSC without coaching not to concentrate on a strong footing, keep themselves updated and revised from time to time, and focus on regular practice to crack the APSC in a single attempt. That is why getting acquainted with the previous years’ papers, taking mock tests, and following a strict daily routine can increase your chances. Therefore it is said that the right attitude and preparation can go a long way to crack the APSC in a single attempt.