APSC Preparation Strategy

General Tips for APSC CC (Preliminary) Examination

• Time Management: Practice mock tests regularly to improve your time management skills for quick problem-solving and comprehension.
• Regular Revision: Allocate time weekly for revision, especially for numerical and logical reasoning sections.
• Practice Papers: Solve previous years’ question papers to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and types of questions.
• Daily Practice for English: Read editorials, and work on vocabulary and comprehension daily to enhance your English language skills.
• Mock Tests and Online Resources: Use online platforms for additional mock tests, and quizzes for daily practice to track your progress and improve your weaker areas.

• Topics:
• Comprehension of Given Passages
• Precis Writing
• Usage and Vocabulary
• Short Essay
• Translation from English to the Indian Language and Vice-versa
• Preparation Tips:
• Practice comprehension and précis writing regularly.
• Focus on expanding your vocabulary in the respective language.
• Work on translation exercises from English to Assamese/Bengali/Bodo and vice-versa.
• Write short essays on current affairs, socio-economic issues, or cultural topics.
• Recommended Resources:
• Standard grammar books for the respective language.
• Previous years' question papers for practice.

• Topics:
• Comprehension of Given Passages
• Precis Writing
• Usage and Vocabulary
• Short Essay
• Preparation Tips:
• Regularly practice comprehension passages to improve speed and accuracy.
• Work on précis writing to summarize content effectively.
• Expand your vocabulary through reading and by using apps like "Word Power Made Easy."
• Practice writing essays on various social, political, and economic topics.
• Recommended Resources:
• "High School English Grammar & Composition" by Wren & Martin
• "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis

• Topics:
• Write an essay on a specific topic of your choice.
• Topics will be given from diverse areas such as social, political, and economic issues.
• Preparation Tips:
• Practice writing essays on a wide range of topics.
• Focus on clarity, structure, and coherence in your writing.
• Read newspapers and editorials to understand different viewpoints on current issues.
• Organize your essay with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Review previous year’s essay topics to understand the pattern.

• Recommended Resources:
• "151 Essays for Competitive Exams"
• Newspapers (for current affairs) and Editorials

• Topics:
• Indian History, Heritage, Culture, and Society
• Indian Culture: Art forms, Literature, Architecture from ancient to modern times.
• Modern Indian history: From the middle of the 18th century to the present.
• Freedom Struggle and its key events and leaders.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization of the country.
• Indian society, its diversity, role of women, population issues, poverty, and developmental issues.
• Globalization, social empowerment, regionalism, and secularism.
• Geography of India and the World
• Distribution of key natural resources, geophysical phenomena, and physical features of India and the world.
• Preparation Tips:
• Review Indian history with a focus on culture, heritage, and the freedom struggle.
• Study the key themes in social issues like women empowerment, poverty, and urbanization.
• Prepare Indian and World geography with emphasis on resources, physical features, and natural phenomena.
• Use NCERT textbooks for history and geography to build strong foundational knowledge.

• Recommended Resources:
• "India's Struggle for Independence" by Bipan Chandra
• "Geography of India" by Majid Husain
• NCERT books (Class 6-12) for both history and geography

• Topics:
• Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations
• Constitution of India and its provisions.
• Structure and functioning of the government, judicial system, and legislature.
• Government policies and their implementation for development in various sectors.
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable populations, health, education, and HR development.
• International relations, including India’s neighborhood relations and global issues.
• Preparation Tips:
• Study the Constitution of India and its provisions in-depth.
• Focus on the working of Indian polity, judicial system, and the legislature.
• Review government schemes, policies, and international relations with an emphasis on India’s role.
• Stay updated with current affairs related to governance and international relations.

• Recommended Resources:
• "Indian Polity" by M. Laxmikanth
• "Introduction to the Constitution of India" by D.D. Basu
• Newspapers and Current Affairs magazines

• Topics:
• Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management
• Indian Economy, inclusive growth, major economic reforms, and budgeting.
• Agricultural issues, crop patterns, irrigation, and farming methods.
• Environmental issues, biodiversity, and disaster management.
• Security challenges, including internal security and the role of security forces.
• Preparation Tips:
• Review Indian economic policies, budgeting, and inclusive growth strategies.
• Study environmental issues and related government policies.
• Focus on technological advancements and their impact on the economy and security.
• Understand disaster management strategies and environmental concerns, especially in the context of Assam.

• Recommended Resources:
• "Indian Economy" by Ramesh Singh
• NCERT books (Science, Economy)
• "Environmental Studies" by Erach Bharucha

• Topics:
• Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
• Ethics and human values, moral attitudes, and political influences.
• Aptitude and foundational values for civil services, integrity, and impartiality.
• Emotional intelligence and its role in governance.
• Probity in governance, work culture, and quality of service delivery.
• Case studies on ethical dilemmas in public administration.
• Preparation Tips:
• Study ethics and integrity with a focus on practical application in governance.
• Read case studies related to ethics and governance.
• Focus on values like empathy, tolerance, and emotional intelligence, especially in public service.

• Recommended Resources:
• "Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude"
• "Ethics in Governance" (ARC Report)
• Previous case studies on public administration

• Topics:
• History, Culture, and Heritage of Assam
• History of Assam, major dynasties, socio-cultural issues, and the freedom movement.
• Arts, literature, handicrafts, and folk traditions of Assam.
• Geography of Assam
• Physical features, natural resources, and climate of Assam.
• Major industries, agriculture, and biodiversity.
• Political and Administrative System of Assam
• Governance structure, state administrative bodies, and legal rights.
• Economy of Assam
• Overview of Assam’s economy, agricultural and industrial sectors, welfare schemes, and development projects.
• Environment and Security in Assam
• Environmental issues, biodiversity, security challenges, and disaster management specific to Assam.
• Preparation Tips:
• Focus on Assam's history, culture, and socio-political landscape.
• Study the geography and economy of Assam in-depth, with emphasis on current issues.
• Stay updated with government schemes and initiatives for Assam’s development.
• Review Assam's administrative system and political framework.

• Recommended Resources:
• "History of Assam" by Sir Edward Gait
• "Assam Geography" by Dr. P. Saikia
• Government reports and current news sources related to Assam

1. Choosing the Right Optional Subject
Understand Your Strengths and Interests:
• Choose a subject you are genuinely interested in or have prior knowledge about. Studying becomes much easier if you enjoy the subject.
• Consider subjects that align with your educational background, as familiarity can give you a head start.
• Pick a subject that has a manageable syllabus and is scoring in nature, with well-defined concepts and theories.
Syllabus and Overlap with General Studies:
• Evaluate the syllabus of the optional subject in relation to the General Studies (GS) papers. Opting for a subject that has overlap with the GS syllabus can save time and effort in preparation.
• Look for subjects that have a connection to current affairs and developments to make answer writing more dynamic.
Availability of Resources:
• Ensure there are enough quality resources available for the subject, such as books, study materials, and online content.
• Consider whether coaching or online platforms offer guidance and tutorials for the subject you choose.
Time and Effort Commitment:
• Some subjects, like Geography and Political Science, may have a vast syllabus, whereas others, like Sociology, may be relatively concise.
• Estimate the time you can dedicate to each subject. Choose accordingly based on your study schedule.
2. Finding Resources
Standard Books and NCERTs:
• Begin with NCERT books (Class 6-12) for fundamental concepts, especially for subjects like Geography, History, and Sociology.
• Use standard textbooks and reference books written by established authors for the subject you choose (e.g., M. Laxmikanth for Polity, Majid Husain for Geography, G.C. Leong for Physical Geography).
Online Resources:
• Supplement your study with online resources, such as government websites, e-books, and PDFs from reputable institutions like the Public Administration or Geography websites.
• Use platforms like Chahal Academy, InsightsIAS, Vision IAS, or Unacademy for video lectures, current affairs analysis, and test series.
Current Affairs:
• Stay updated with daily news from newspapers like The Hindu, The Indian Express, and Assam Tribune to cover both General Studies and subject-related content.
• Regularly refer to current affairs magazines like Yojana, Kurukshetra, and Frontline to enhance your knowledge, you can also choose to read the summary of these magazines available on the website of “Chahal Academy” for covering contemporary issues.
Previous Year Papers:
• Study previous year’s question papers to understand the pattern, important topics, and frequently asked questions.
• Analyze the answer keys or model answers to understand how answers should be framed for the best presentation.
3. Writing Answers
Understand the Question:
• Read the question carefully and make sure you understand what is being asked before writing your answer.
• Identify key components of the question such as “discuss,” “analyze,” “evaluate,” or “explain,” and structure your answer accordingly.
Structure of the Answer:
• Introduction: Briefly introduce the topic with key definitions, historical context, or recent developments.
• Body: Present arguments or explanations logically, divided into sub-sections if necessary.
• Conclusion: Summarize the main points and give a clear, concise conclusion. If relevant, provide suggestions or solutions.
Answer Writing Practice:
• Regularly practice writing answers, focusing on both quality and time management. Aim for clarity, coherence, and logical flow.
• Stick to word limits and ensure you write neatly and legibly, especially for subjects that require diagrams or maps (e.g., Geography, Economics).
Use of Diagrams and Flowcharts:
• For subjects like Geography, Polity, and Economics, include relevant diagrams, flowcharts, or maps to make your answers more impactful and structured.
• Practice drawing maps, mind maps, and charts that can help illustrate key points in your answers.
Stay Relevant and Concise:
• Stick to the point and avoid irrelevant information. Quality over quantity is crucial in the exam.
• Avoid over-explaining or deviating from the topic. Use bullet points or numbered lists where applicable for clarity.
Time Management:
• Practice writing answers within the allocated time frame. This helps you improve your writing speed while maintaining quality.
• Prioritize answers based on marks. Allocate sufficient time to the more important or higher-mark questions, but don’t neglect smaller questions.
4. Revision and Regular Mock Tests
Revision:
• Regularly revise the topics you’ve studied to ensure they are fresh in your mind for the exam.
• Prepare concise notes or flashcards for quick revision, especially for factual subjects or current affairs.
Mock Tests and Answer Writing Practice:
• Take regular mock tests for both General Studies and Optional subjects. This helps you assess your preparation and improve time management.
• Write mock answers to get feedback on structure, content, and presentation.
Focus on Presentation:
• Develop a clean and organized approach to writing answers. Focus on improving the presentation of your answers, including clarity, structure, and readability.
5. Mental and Physical Well-Being
Stay Balanced:
• Follow a balanced study schedule that includes breaks, physical exercise, and relaxation techniques.
• Maintain a positive mindset, and avoid stress by taking time for activities that refresh you mentally.
Mock Interview Preparation:
• As you progress in your studies, begin preparing for the interview stage by focusing on personality development, current affairs, and confidence building.

1. General Awareness and Current Affairs
• Stay Updated: Read newspapers (The Hindu, The Indian Express, Assam Tribune) daily.
• Focus on Key Areas: Political issues, economic policies, social issues, environmental concerns, government schemes.
• Regional Affairs: Focus on Assam's development, socio-economic issues, politics, governance, and current affairs.
• Review Important Reports: Refer to reports by NITI Aayog, World Bank, RBI, and UN for development insights.
2. Personal Background and Career Record
• Review Personal History: Know your academic background, career choices, achievements, and challenges.
• Prepare for Personal Questions: Why civil services? How does your background suit the role? Be ready to discuss lessons learned from past experiences.
3. Mental Alertness and Critical Thinking
• Practice Quick Thinking: Engage in mock interviews to develop quick thinking and response time.
• Discuss Current Issues: Participate in debates or discussions on contemporary topics to build analytical thinking.
• Structure Answers Clearly: Ensure your responses are concise, clear, and logical.
4. Social Traits and Leadership Qualities
• Leadership Experiences: Share examples where you demonstrated leadership, initiative, and problem-solving skills.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Show your ability to work in teams and resolve conflicts effectively.
• Social Sensitivity: Be aware of social issues such as poverty, gender equality, and inclusive development.
5. Intellectual Integrity and Moral Values
• Prepare for Ethical Questions: Reflect on your ethical beliefs and moral dilemmas in decision-making.
• Read Ethics Syllabus: Understand issues related to governance ethics, corruption, transparency, and public service values.
• Show Integrity: Demonstrate fairness, honesty, and integrity through examples from your personal and professional life.
6. Communication Skills
• Articulate Clearly: Ensure your answers are logical, well-structured, and coherent.
• Listen Actively: Pay attention to the interviewer's questions, and respond accordingly without deviating from the topic.
• Engage in Practice: Practice answering questions out loud, focusing on clear and concise articulation.
7. Confidence and Personality
• Maintain Poise: Stay calm and composed during the interview.
• Good Body Language: Sit straight, maintain eye contact, and show respect through gestures.
• Respect for Diversity: Be open and respectful toward the board members, regardless of their background.
8. Time Management for Interview Preparation
• Start Early: Begin preparing for the interview as soon as possible after the written exam.
• Allocate Time for Mock Interviews: Practice mock interviews regularly to build confidence and improve response time.