HOW TO PREPARE FOR COMBINED COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION OF

APSC

This article has been written by Jharna Patgiri, ACS

The article is available in various forms in print as well as online. The article is republished by Xomidhan with permission from the author.

ABOUT THE EXAMINATIONAssam Public Service Commission commences Combined Competitive Examination to select public servants for Assam Civil Service and allied services. The Commission publishes notification of the detailed advertisement in different newspaper to invite applications from graduates in any discipline. The minimum age limit of the applicants is 21 years and the maximum age limit varies according to the categories with provision of age relaxation. The aspirants must visit the Commission’s website www.apsc.nic.in to obtain the details and to download the syllabus for various subjects of their choices.

BE POSITIVEMany aspirants plan to sit for APSC after some unsuccessful attempts for selection in UPSC. There is nothing wrong in this attitude. But appearing for state public service commission exams should never be the last hope of the civil service aspirants. In fact, one must prepare for both the exams with equal zeal and ambition. After all both union and state public service commissions select public servants for the prosperity and development of the society.

• Combined Competitive Examination commenced by the APSC is a three layered testing. The preliminary exam is a screening test for the main exam. This test consists of two papers carrying total 400 marks (200 in each paper).

• The General Studies paper is compulsory for all candidates and one must opt for an optional subject of his/her choice to appear in the preliminary exam. The score of this preliminary exam is just qualifying and is not carried forward to the further stages of the examination. The preliminary exam is held at centers of all the district headquarters across the state.

• The main exam consists of four papers, viz, General Studies, General English, Optional 1 and Optional 2.

• The optional subjects can be chosen by the candidate but there are certain combinations which are restricted by the exam pattern of the commission.

• The detail of the optional restriction is

available in the commission’s website; and also, it would be given in the detailed advertisement by the commission.

• The main exam consists of 1400 marks. The main exam is generally commenced in different centers in Guwahati.

• The medium of the preliminary and main exam is English. The last and final stage of the CCE is the viva-voce which consists of 200 marks. The selected candidates through the main exam are called for the personal interview at the APSC office, Khanapara, Guwahati.

• Candidates are called at 1:2 ratio for the viva-voce. Therefore, the final competition is out of 1600 marks.

• The cut off for the final selection list is varied batch by batch. Cut off marks for selection of the candidates is calculated on the basis of various categories (reserved and unreserved posts) as per vacancy notified in the advertisement and government rules.

EXAMINATION PATTERN

Preliminary ExamSubject MarksGeneral Studies 200Optional 200Total 400

Main ExamSubjects MarksGeneral Studies 300General English 300Optional 1: Paper-1 200Optional 1: Paper-2 200Optional 2: Paper-1 200Optional 2: Paper 2 200Total 1400

Examination Centres

Preliminary Examination Centres in all district headquaters

Main Examination Various centres in Guwahati

Viva Voce APSC Office, Khanapara, Guhawati

Final CompetitionMain Exam 1400Viva-voce 200Total 1600

• The preliminary exam is the screening test for qualifying the candidates for the main exam on the basis of their aptitude for civil service. Generally, within three months from the date of advertisement for CCE, the preliminary exam is commenced.

• So the preparation plan is to be done for two and a half month for this screening test. For the General Studies paper, one must acquire comprehensive knowledge on general awareness, current regional, national and international affairs, Assam and Indian history and geography, basics of Indian polity and economy. Moreover, aspirants should also be equipped in quantitative aptitude, reasoning tests, English language and computer knowledge and simple mathematics.

• Recent developments in science and technology should also be studied to adapt oneself fully for the preliminary screening test. Often aspirants query whether taking a coaching is mandatory for cracking civil service exam or not! Here, I must say that only hard work is mandatory for cracking civil service exam. But choosing a good coaching institute can be very helpful for the preliminary stage. But coaching should be taken before the preparation months.

• Again guidebooks for competitive exams are sometimes being criticized; but guidebooks from good publication houses are helpful in outlining the syllabus. Tata McGraw-Hill, Arihantare trustworthy publications in this regard. Moreover, for APSC exam, guidebooks published by Chandraprakash can be referred.

PREPARATION FOR THE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION

• A comprehensive and inclusive schedule should be prepared separately for GS and optional subject. One must follow one’s study routine strictly on regular basis.

• Being thorough in one’s own optional subject is the key to score high in the optional subject which can pave the path towards success.

• It is better to opt for one’s graduation subject as the optional to make the preparation easier and devote more time to the GS paper.

• One must solve as many objective type questions as possible for

both the papers from different guidebooks and question banks available in the book shops.

• Aspirants should grow a habit of reading national as well as regional leading newspapers to get updated with the recent happenings around the globe. Various competitive magazines are also helpful in updating the news of current affairs in a nutshell.

• Today, the role of internet is also very positive in updating oneself with the recent news. Through such preparation, a candidate becomes smarter and grows an aptitude for civil service.

METHOD FOR PREPARATION

• The main exam is the most crucial part of the Assam Civil Service exam. The competition for 1400 marks is very tough to chase and hence the aspirants need to prepare more systematically and meticulously.

• The choice for optional subjects for the main exam is very significant. From the declaration of the preliminary exam result, hardly three months period is given to the main exam candidates (CCE 2015 Candidates have been given only two months and a week for the main exam preparation from the date of preliminary exam results declaration).

• So, the preparation should be started beforehand. A good and crisp study plan should be prepared and one must follow the study routine religiously. Proficiency in the English language is very important

in this phase. • The medium of examination is English till

date. • The General English paper carries 300

marks which include English grammar and two essays for which good command over the language is essential.

• Many vernacular medium aspirants qualm whether they are competent enough to contend when the medium of the entire examination is only English! But one must remember English or any other language can be learnt easily if the grammar is acquired correctly.

• Being a successful candidate in many competitive exams in English medium, I can say that my vernacular medium schooling background never hampered me. Practice makes a man perfect.

PREPARATION FOR THE MAIN EXAMINATION

• Aspirants must prepare a study schedule dividing time between the papers.

• One must know one’s strength and weakness while preparing the study plan.

• Try to prepare notes for the optional subjects so that word limits can be maintained fully.

• Aspirants should go

through the previous years’ question papers to get the idea about the question patterns.

• Try to solve as many question papers as possible in a pressure situation similar to an exam hall to eliminate exam phobia and to increase the velocity of the writing speed.

METHOD FOR PREPARATION

The main exam is the most crucial part of the Assam Civil Service exam. The competition for 1400 marks is very tough to chase and hence the aspirants need to prepare more systematically and meticulously. The choice for optional subjects for the main exam is very significant. From the declaration of the preliminary exam result, hardly three months period is given to the main exam candidates (CCE 2015 Candidates have been given only two months and a week for the main exam preparation from the date of preliminary exam results declaration). So, the preparation should be started beforehand. A good and crisp study plan should be prepared and one must follow the study routine religiously. Proficiency in the English language is very important in this phase. The medium of examination is English till date. The General English paper carries 300 marks which include English grammar and two essays for which good command over the language is essential. Many vernacular medium aspirants qualm whether they are competent enough to contend when the medium of the entire examination is only English! But one must remember English or any other language can be learnt easily if the grammar is acquired correctly. Being a successful candidate in many competitive exams in English medium, I can say that my vernacular medium schooling background never hampered me. Practice makes a man perfect.

Preparation for the Main Examination

SELECTION OF OPTIONAL SUBJECTS

• As stated previously, one optional subject for preliminary exam two optional subjects for main exam are to be opted for. Selection of optional subjects should be strategic plus premeditated.

• Preferably the preliminary optional subject should not be eliminated to opt new optional for main exam. One optional should be maintained as half work is already accomplished during the preliminary exam.

• Even if not during the preliminary exam, one must opt for his graduation subject as one of the optional subject, so that less time is consumed during the civil service preparation.

• One must give preference to his interest field in opting for optional subject.• The syllabus of the optional subjects should be reviewed carefully. Long syllabus should be avoided at least for

one optional subject to make up the preparation time and plan.• Be very clever in opting for optional subjects.

PREPARE YOURSELF CONFIDENTLY FOR THE PERSONAL INTERVIEW

• The selected candidates through the main exam of CCE are called for the viva-voce. The preparation time is not more than a month’s time. Within this short span, one must craft his way to success neatly.

• This viva-voce is nothing but to test the personality of the selected candidates and to judge how suitable he is to be a civil servant! A pleasant, optimistic, honest and truthful personality definitely attracts the members of the interview board. So, one must groom himself/herself with positive personality traits since his preparation days.

• Decency and trustworthiness are the preconditions for building impression on others. A thorough command over one’s optional subjects is very important to face the interview board, as it is completely unpredictable what types of questions are to be asked.

• One must acquire good communicative skill to impress the Interview board. The language of the conversation during the interview session varies, and both Assamese and English languages are used as well as sometimes the conversation becomes bi-lingual. Here, again I have to mention that vernacular medium candidates should not hesitate to face such interview. One must be well versed in his background subjects, like graduation, post graduation etc also.

• One must try to acquire information about one’s district, constituency and state thoroughly, because it is important to serve as a perfect public servant.

TIPS FOR AN IMPRESSIVE INTERVIEW

• Rather than being pretentious or conscious while facing the interview board, it’s better if one behaves the way he/she is.• Try to showcase your strong personality traits.• Along with a positive body language, decent and elegant dress-up is imperative.• Answer confidently and promptly after listening to them carefully.• Honesty and sincerity should be highlighted.

TIPS FOR A DEFINITE SUCCESS

Optimism is the best policy to chase any challenging competition. Have faith in your capability. Never step behind, and work harder to realize your dream. It is rightly said, dream is not what you see in your sleep; dream is that where you lost your sleep.

Jharna Patgiri, ACSAssistant Commissioner, Margherita