The Assam Public Service Commission hosts its entrance exam every year and every year aspirants from different academic backgrounds and professions crack this test and some are left for another try. It is a dream for many young brains since it brings prestige, recognition, power, and the opportunity to serve the people. 

The syllabus is vast and the time one gets is short. It is regarded as one of the toughest exams the Assam Government holds. Many aspirants become demotivated while preparing and eventually give up due to the broadness of the syllabus. However, for some, it becomes a battle, and through their determination, they achieve their goal. Although there are numerous resources and coaching centres to assist in the process of preparing for APSC, there are some factors that everyone should keep in mind when preparing. All they need is a proper strategic plan to assist them to accomplish their dream.

Today, in this blog, we have curated some points one should follow while preparing or beginning to prepare for the APSC examination.

Starting Early

It will be a great advantage if one starts their APSC preparation early. Starting early will provide aspirants with an advantage in their preparation and a sense of accomplishment as they will cover more topics. It will develop a more positive attitude toward the exam, and candidates will be less anxious. Those who want to start early should opt for a simple UG course with relevant subjects that will enable them to dedicate time and resources to crack the exams. Those who are already under their respective UG courses should begin their studies 12 months prior to the exam. This will be beneficial because it will provide more time to study the syllabus in a more orderly manner.

Know the Exam Pattern

Knowing the exam pattern before you begin gathering resources will assist you in acquiring helpful resources rather than unnecessary and irrelevant resources. The APSC exam pattern requires a strategic method of preparation. The APSC examination is categorised into three subcategories -

A. Preliminary Examination - The preliminary examination is the first step toward fulfilling one's dream of becoming an APSC officer. After qualifying for the prelims, one can appear for the Mains. The preliminary exam consists of two papers -

> Paper I (General Studies) for 200 marks in 2 hrs (Multiple Choice Question)

> Paper II (Optional Subject) for 200 marks in 2 hrs (Multiple Choice Question)

 

B. Mains Examination - After passing the preliminary, one can prepare for the mains which consist of two steps - Written test & Viva.

 

For the written exam, there are 6 papers, each worth 200 marks, for 3 hrs each. The papers are -

            > General Studies

            > General English
            > Optional (Paper I & Paper II)

            > Optional (Paper I & Paper II)

 

C. Viva or Interview - Before attending a viva or interview, one should prepare with confidence and boldness. Maintaining a positive attitude toward the board will be easier to speak confidently. The interviewer will be asking you many questions, most of which will be based on your bio-data. Every person is unique in their own way, and biodata is the only process to uncover that uniqueness. Read your bio-data numerous times to have a deeper understanding of yourself. One of the things that make candidates lose their dreams is false statements or lying. To impress the board, avoid lying or faking. They will most likely catch you.

Reading Newspapers

 

Often in our childhood, we have heard that reading the newspaper daily is a good habit and every student should read the newspaper on a daily basis. It helps to be up to date with current happenings. One of the most crucial APSC exam preparation procedures is to read as many national and regional newspapers as possible so that you do not miss any current events, or economic, or state-related news.

 

Some of the newspapers that will help you in collecting resources - The Assam Tribune, The Sentinel, and other Assamese newspapers.

Practice Mock Papers or Previous Year's Question papers

 

We all have seen aspirants who are extremely talented and knowledgeable yet failed to clear the civil services exam. The reason is primarily due to a lack of practice. Mock tests are an excellent way to begin your preparation. Mock papers resemble exam papers, making students more confident and prepared for the exam. Performing well on a practice test offers you a sense of accomplishment, which boosts your confidence. Your ideas will be clearer, and you will have more faith in yourself. Mock tests can greatly assist you in developing your scoring abilities.

Manage Stress

 

This is an important point to consider while preparing for civil service exams such as the APSC. Because the exam is difficult and many young brains prepare for it, it can put a great deal of pressure on the mind, which we consider stress. Stress is the ultimate battle that every aspirant must win or give up on their dream. Because of the enormous volume of syllabi that must be learned, memorised, and remembered in such a short period of time, aspirants may experience anxiety from the start. There will be many topics that one must learn yet finds challenging to comprehend. As a result, in order to score well in both the prep and the exam, aspirants must take care of their mental well-being. Mindfulness practises, meditation, and yoga can all help to alleviate stress.

 

Practice and Revision

 

A lot of practice is required, including mock papers, previous year question papers, daily newspaper reading, and absorbing all recent news in a limited amount of time. When one reaches an advanced level of preparation, memorizing earlier topics becomes challenging. To overcome this, one must revise from the beginning by creating an appropriate routine to be on the track. There are numerous revision strategies available on the internet. Aspirants will be more prepared and confident for the exam if they consistently revise and practise.

 

The Bottom Line

 

Though the points mentioned above are some approaches for preparing for the APSC exam, there are many more strategies and planning that go behind becoming a civil servant. The APSC exam is regarded as one of the most difficult exams in the state, and becoming an APSC officer requires intense focus and commitment. The most stressful phase is the preparation process, which includes a vast syllabus, numerous materials, and a huge amount of hard work to qualify.

 

Our young minds in Assam are committed and hardworking, and we see many youngsters from financially underprivileged backgrounds pass the exam with perfect grades every year. They all have one distinctive feature: consistency or dedication. Consistency is the only thing that stands between a person preparing for and getting a job.   Consistency is the key to achieving all of your dreams and ambitions.

 

Being dedicated to a goal and having a positive attitude can make you successful. What if somebody reading the blog cleared APSC in one go? Well, that’s a story for another blog.