Tag: apsc preparation strategy

APSC Prelims Exam – Last minute Tips & Suggestions (Before and During Exam)

Posted on by admin

APSC Prelims Exam – Last minute Tips & Suggestions (Before and During Exam)

The first battle of the APSC CC Exam War is about to begin. Your tireless efforts for the APSC CC(Prelims) Exam is to be tested on 30 December, 2018. We recommend following last minute Tips & Suggestions before & during exam:

Believe in your preparation & Stay Positive

You have given enough time and energy to your preparation, now stop worrying and trust yourself. Don’t worry about what you have not studied; as now is not the time go back in time and study more.

Revise & revise

Last-minute revision will help you remember all the important points that you have studies earlier. Try to Revise all your self-made notes as they are well researched by you and contains your understanding about the topic.

Don’t read new topics

Now is not the time to study anything new as it will be tough to give enough quality time to thoroughly understand the topics. It may also add to your anxiousness and confusion regarding the topics.

Relax from evening preceding the exam day

Your all the preparations will work if you are calm and relaxed. Try to avoid last minute panic. This will avoid you making any silly mistakes in the exam. Eat right, Take adequate rest and sleep early.

Exam Checklist

# Print out of e-Admission Certificate (with a passport size color photo pastes in the space provided)
# A valid photo identity proof (we recommend you to have a photocopy too)
# Ball Point Pen with blue/blank ink

Reach the centre in advance, enter Exam Hall 30 minutes before the start date

 

Strategy during the Exam

# Read the instructions carefully
# Read the question carefully, before attempting it, especially check for ‘NOT’ in the Question statement.
# Do not panic if you do not know any question.
# Manage Time efficiently & Don’t get stuck on a question
# Leave no question unread & un-attempted.

# First, finish all Questions you are absolutely sure.

# Mark ‘X’ (or anything else) for doubtful Qs on the Question Paper only by pencil, which can be attempted only after you are done with all the Questions you are absolutely sure.

# Mark ‘Y’ (or anything else) for Qs you have no idea on the Question Paper only by pencil, which can be attempted only after you are done with all the Questions you are absolutely sure and Qs Marked ‘X’.

# Guesswork, if you don’t know answer to any Q, i.e. Marked it ‘X’ or ‘Y’, Don’t leave it un-attempted, as there is no negative marking in APSC Prelims

  • Intelligent Guessing – Try to remember anything you know about the topic of the Qs, then try to eliminate the most unlikely options and then select the most appropriate options among the remain options.
  • Do not make wild guess

APSC Prelims 2018 examination is not a hard nut to crack, given that you have put in a good amount of time and right strategy during during preparation and exam. Give the exam with Self-believe and confidence, Victory will be yours.

All the Best.. Good Luck..👍👍

(And See you enrolling for our APSC Mains Test Series) 😀😄

Disclaimer: The strategy mentioned above is the preferable approach of Adhikary Education team and can’t be claimed as best method or fit-for-all method. Aspirants may have different/ individual suitable approached also, if you have one that works for you, then stick to it.

APSC Main 2020 Test Series - assamexam

APSC Toppers’ Interview & Preparation Strategy – Maria Tanim ( APSC 2016 – ACS Rank 1)

Posted on by admin 
APSC Toppers' Interview & Preparation Strategy

APSC 2016 Toppers Interview - Maria Tanim ACS Rank 1

Telephonic interview with Maria Tanim, APSC 2016 – Rank 1 (ACS Jr. Grade)

Adhikary Education: Many congratulations on your grand success in APSC 2016 on securing Rank 1 in Assam Civil Service. You were associated with us in APSC Prelims Test Series 2017 – GS Paper and APSC Mains Test Series -Political Science.

INTERVIEW Qs & As

 

Adhikary Education: Tell us something about your Academic Background?

Maria Tanim: I did my Schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Silchar.

Higher Secondary from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Silchar.

Graduation-B. Tech in Biotechnology from Amity University, Noida.

 

Adhikary Education: When did you decided to appear for APSC?

Maria Tanim: It was in 2014 when I decided to quit my job and prepare wholeheartedly for APSC CCE. While working in Accenture, somewhere I was not satisfied and realised the fact that it is better to serve the people of my state rather than serving foreign clients. Gradually it became a dream for me. From then on, I made up my mind that I should go for civil service as this would give me the best platform to serve the society.

 

Adhikary Education: Why did you enter in this field of APSC, Assam Civil Service?

Maria Tanim: As already mentioned cracking state civil service was my dream. Further, I always had a keen desire to work in such a field where I would get an opportunity to be in direct touch with the common masses. Above all, my parents, mentors and friends were my strongest influences and inspirations.

 

Adhikary Education: What was your optional subject in APSC Prelims and Mains?

Maria Tanim: For Prelims, my optional was Political Science.

And for Mains, my optionals were Education and Political Science.

 

Adhikary Education: Why did you choose those subjects for APSC?

Maria Tanim: I Chose Political Science because when I started preparing for prelims i started first with Indian Polity and found it very interesting. I was confused between Education and History and as per my brother’s advice I opted for Education.

 

Adhikary Education: What was your style of Preparation and Making Notes?

Maria Tanim: Notes making are very much essential I believe.

For Indian Constitution ,I did not prepare any but for political theory I made notes from various sources, not from a particular book. I followed online materials as well.

For Education, I followed Sunita Agarwal, Marami Goswami, Jatin Boruah and Lakshya Hira Das.

For General Studies, I was associated with FACC, Bhetapara (ERDF) Under the guidance of Mr Sailen Baishya Sir.

 

Adhikary Education: What were the Study Materials you used for GS & Optional papers for Prelims and Mains?

Maria Tanim:

General Studies – NCERTs, Laxmikanth (Indian Polity), Ramesh Singh (Indian Economy), Majid Hussein (India and World Geography) KL Khurana and Spectrum (Indian History), Assam Year Book, Priyam Goswami (Assam History), Arihant GK , for current affairs – online apps and sites- gktoday, jagranjosh, civilsdaily,and clearias etc.

Newspaper – I have religiously followed The Assam Tribune which I feel is very informative, up to date and unique. I have read The Hindu as well.

Political Science – Political Theory- K K Ghai, OP Gauba, RC Agarwal, Heywood, JC Johari, Narayan Chandra Mazumdar. Indian Constitution – Laxmikanth and DD Basu.

Education – Sunita Agarwal, Moromi Goswami, Lakhya Hira Das, and Jatin Baruah.

 

Adhikary Education: What was writing Strategy in Mains Exam exam?

Maria Tanim: For General Studies I have written most of the answers point-wise depending on the question.

For Optional I have written in both paragraph-wise and also point wise where ever it is necessary. Used the format of Introduction-body-conclusion.

However, In GS it is not always possible because of time constraint.

 

Adhikary Education: Apart from books/study materials, what other Internet resources, website, youtube videos you used?

Maria Tanim: I have followed Gktoaday, jagranjosh, clearias, mrunal, civilsdaily etc and Assam Tribune too.

Adhikary Education: Many aspirants are confused about the extent of Current Affairs needed to prepare. Current Affairs for recent how many months is sufficient?

Maria Tanim: I feel Current Affairs for last 1 year is a must.

Adhikary Education: Tell us something about your interview (Last Battle of the War)?

Maria Tanim: Interview was pretty good..it was overall a nice experience. The panel was cordial. They asked me questions regarding my educational background, work experience, Assam economy, few current affairs etc.

Preparation – I appeared for mock interviews in various institutes. I also practiced with my peers.
It was very much beneficial for me .It helped me a lot in identifying my flaws, and thereby improving the same.

Adhikary Education: What is your advice for all the new and old aspirants who are going to write APSC CCE 2018?

Maria Tanim: Do remember there is NO SHORTCUT TO SUCCESS. Hard Work, patience, courage, faith, and determination are the pillars to be successful. Because I feel it is with all these any obstacles could be overcome and one could achieve one’s dream.

Adhikary Education: You have taken our Test Series for Prelims and Mains. How was our Test Series? How useful it was?

Maria Tanim: The Questions are very much balanced, in line with APSC syllabus and are useful for the aspirants.

Adhikary Education: How is the website www.Assamexam.com, any advice for betterment of our website?

Maria Tanim: I think the website (www.Assamexam.com) is fine. You are providing FREE Mock Tests also. This is a very good initiative indeed. It would definitely benefit the aspirants.

I don’t think any improvement needed as of now, I will go through the website again, and if any, I would suggest for sure.

InformationForAspirants: This year also we are providing FREE APSC Prelims Mock Test for GS, Polity and History.

 

Adhikary Education: Thank you very much for your time and congratulation again for clearing the most coveted exam in Assam.

Wish you a successful civil service career and may you serve well the people of Assam.

Thank you very much.

 

APSC mains 2018 test series GS & Optional Paper

APSC Toppers’ Interview & Preparation Strategy – Raja Baishya ( APSC 2016 – ACS Rank 44)

Posted on by admin

APSC 2016 Toppers Interview - Raja Baishya ACS Rank 44 

APSC Toppers' Interview & Preparation Strategy

Telephonic interview with Mr. Raja Baishya, APSC 2016 – Rank 44 (ACS Jr. Grade)

Adhikary Education: Many congratulations on your grand success in APSC 2016 on securing 44 Ranks in Assam Civil Service. You were associated with us in APSC Prelims FREE GS Mock Tests (Ranked 2nd and 5th in two FREE Tests) and APSC Prelims Test Series 2017 – GS Paper.

INTERVIEW Qs & As

Adhikary Education: Tell us something about your Academic Background?

Raja Baishya: I did my HSLC from Don Bosco High School, Tezpur in 2004.

Highest Secondary from Darang College, Tezpur in 2006.

Graduation in Botany from Cotton College in 2010.

Post-Graduation from Guwahati University in Botany.

 

Adhikary Education: When and How decided to appear for APSC?

Raja Baishya: After my Post Graduation, I was working as JRF till 2015 and then joined as Asst. Professor. That was the time when I realized that I need to appear for APSC.

 

Adhikary Education: Number of Attempt in APSC CCE?

Raja Baishya: This is my third Attempt. In my earlier attempt I had taken botany as optional but this time I changed it to History.

 

Adhikary Education: Tell us something about your work experience?

Raja Baishya: I was JRF, Biotechnology at Guwahati University till 2015, after that I joined as Assistant Professor.

 

Adhikary Education: What was your optional subjects in APSC Prelims and Mains?

Raja Baishya: For Prelims, my optional was Indian History.

And for Mains, my optionals were Education and Political Science.

(Not taken History as an optional in APSC Mains because I didn’t prepare well the World History part)

 

Adhikary Education: What was your style Preparation and Making Notes?

Raja Baishya: I made notes for everything. For History, I prepared notes for Ancient, Medieval and Modern History.

Note made mostly point-wise, so that revision becomes easy.

 

Adhikary Education: What do you think are the most important/necessary Books for APSC Prelims, mainly GS Paper?

Raja Baishya:

  1. Indian Polity for Civil Services Examination Kindle Edition by M. Laxmikanth
  2. Indian History by Krishna Reddy
  3. Economics note made from ias100.in and Mrunal
  4. Geography of India by Majid Husain
  5. Certificate Physics and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong

 

Adhikary Education: What were Coaching & Test Series you joined with GS paper of Prelims and Mains?

Raja Baishya: I took only one Test Series, that is yours (Adhikary Education’s APSC Prelims Test Series 2017 – GS Paper).

And for APSC Prelims and Mains, I took Govt of Assam’s State Level Advisory Committee for Students and Youth Welfare (SLAC) coaching for 1 month.

ForYourInformation: Govt of Assam SLAC provide Free Coaching for APSC Prelims and Mains Exam. They conduct coaching for APSC Prelims in various districts of Assam but for APSC Mains, they conduct coaching only in Guwahati.

 

Adhikary Education: What were the Study Materials you used for History optional for APSC Prelims Exam?

Raja Baishya:

  1. Indian History by Krishna Reddy
  2. Various Magazines – Civil Service Chronicles, etc.

Adhikary Education: What were the Study Materials you used for Education optional for APSC Mains Exam?

Raja Baishya: I read only one book. i.e. A textbook of Education by Lakshya Hira Das, This book is enough.

 

Adhikary Education: What were the Study Materials you used for Political Science optional for APSC Mains Exam?

Raja Baishya: For First Paper, I used book by Dipti Sharma and Chandra Prakash and for Second Paper, I used Indian Polity for Civil Services Examination Kindle Edition by M. Laxmikanth

For International Organization I used book by Chandra Prakash.

I have also used Internet and YouTube materials for many topics preparation.

 

Adhikary Education: What was writing Strategy in Mains Exam exam?

Raja Baishya: I have written most of the answers point-wise.

Used the format of Introduction-body-conclusion

Underlined important points with pen.

 

Adhikary Education: Apart from books/study materials, what other Internet resources, website, youtube videos you used?

Raja Baishya: I have mostly used Unacademy, Mrunal and Kalyan sir.

 

Adhikary Education: Many aspirants are confused about the extent of Current Affairs needed to prepare. Current Affairs for recent how many months is sufficient?

Raja Baishya: I think Current Affairs for 10 to 12 months should be sufficient. But this time NOT many Questions came from Current Affairs.

I have prepared from various sources including videos.

 

Adhikary Education: Tell us something about your interview (Last Battle of the APSC CCE war)?

Raja Baishya: My interview lasted for about 30 minutes.

Total 3 members in the Board, Chairman Shri Dipak Kr. Sarma was there.

I have given some mock interview.

 

Adhikary Education: What is your ADVICE for all the new and old aspirants who are going to write APSC CCE 2018?

Raja Baishya: “You should prepare well, hard working. It is not that you just once go and sit for the exam. I think they have to prepare well as the competition is very tough these days. It is not comparable to earlier years. So many aspirants are preparing. Hard working, perseverance and patience is required and continues efforts is must for clearing this exam. This time I think students are really preparing very well. No. of aspirants are also going up every years.”

 

Adhikary Education: How was our Test Series? How useful it was?

Raja Baishya: It was very useful. I also prepared note from these Tests and written down important points, and it was very helpful. (I took only this Test Series).

 

Adhikary Education: How is the website www.Assamexam.com, any advice for betterment of our website?

Raja Baishya:www.Assamexam.com Website is very very good and I think you have taken a lot of efforts. Your website is helping the students in the preparation, very very useful.

 

Adhikary Education: Any expected date of joining training?

Raja Baishya: Till now, no information and hopefully it will come soon.

 

Adhikary Education: Thank you very much for your time and congratulation again for clearing the most coveted exam in Assam. Wish you a successful civil service career and may you serve well the people of Assam.

(Raja Baishya -> Thank you <- Adhikary Education) ∞

 

Thank you very much.

 

APSC mains 2018 test series GS & Optional Paper

 

APSC CCE Prelims & Mains Exam 2022 Preparation Strategy – Study Plan, Recommended Books for APSC Prelims & Mains Exam

Posted on by admin

APSC CCE Prelims & Mains Exam 2022 Preparation Strategy

Study Plan, Recommended Books for APSC Prelims & Mains Exam

You are happy/unhappy in your ongoing life, be you are a student/ professional/ unemployed, life was going somehow, suddenly you stumble upon or set your focus on the ‘APSC Combined Competitive Exam’ or you are a person always have the ‘APSC Combined Competitive Exam’ in your eyes. Considering all other aspects of life, if you have sincerely set APSC Combined Competitive Examination as your goal, then WELCOME ABOARD!!.

“Without strategy, execution is aimless. Without execution, strategy is useless.” – Morris Chang

STEP 1 –  The Earlier the Better

STEP 2 – Exam Pattern

STEP 3 – APSC Prelims Preparation

STEP 4 –  APSC Mains Preparation

STEP 5 –  Viva-voce (Interview) Preparation

STEP 6 – Relax (Not exactly!) Public Servant Life Starts Here

STEP 1 –  The Earlier the Better

 

Important Books for Assam General Knowledge 
  Economy of Assam
  Environment & Ecology
  Geography of Assam
  History of Britain
  Assam – Art & Culture
  History of Assam – Ahom and British Period
  History of Assam – Ancient Period


Starting preparation for anything (including APSC CC Exam) as early as possible will always give you a great advantage as you can build your general awareness and basics really strong over a longer period of time. And once the Notification is out, you will not waste time in collecting necessary information about the exam, what to study and from where to study.

Find out everything about the APSC CC Exam.

  • If possible choose your Bachelor/Master degree/electives in subject(s) you would like to take as optional papers in the APSC CC Exam (see Step 2).
  • If academic career is over, Don’t worry. Choose any subject from List of optional subjects  and collect materials and start preparing slowly but steadily.
  • Follow Current Affairs, News, Governance Issues, Social Issues regularly

We recommend that First-timer should ideally start preparation at least 9 to 12 months before the APSC CC (Prelim) Exam.

NOTE: Timeline may vary as all human beings are not the same in remembering, understanding and learning.

 

STEP 2 – Exam Pattern

First and foremost, you should know what you are up against? In this case, it’s ‘APSC Assam Civil Service Exam’. Then know what are the battles we have to pass through to win over the battle.

Detailed Analysis of the various stages and phases of the APSC Assam Civil Service Exam, that we must have to go through, are

  1. Written examination – consists of two stages
    a. Preliminary Examination
    b. Main Examination (written)

1. a. Preliminary Examination

The examination consists of two papers of two hours duration each. The questions are of multiple choice objective (MCQ) types:

Paper-I – General Studies – 200 Marks.

Paper-II – GS Paper II (CSAT) – 200 Marks. It is of Qualifying Nature.

NOTE: This examination is meant to serve as a screening test for qualifying for Mains Exam only. The marks obtained in this exam not counted for determining the final selection.

1. b. Main Examination

The written examination consists of the following papers of 3 hours duration each. The questions of the Main Examination will be conventional essay type (Descriptive):

Paper 1 – Essay – 250 Marks

Paper 2 – General Studies I – covers Indian History, Heritage, Culture and Society and Geography of the India and World (250 Marks)

Click to see Full Syllabus & more details

Paper 3 – General Studies II – covers Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and international relations (250 Marks)

Click to see Full Syllabus & more details

Paper 4 – General Studies III – covers Technology; Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management (250 Marks)

Click to see Full Syllabus & more details

Paper 5 – General Studies IV – covers Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude (250 Marks)

Click to see Full Syllabus & more details

Paper 6 – General Studies V – covers History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment of Assam
Click to see Full Syllabus & more details

Total – 1500 Marks

NOTE: The Commission has the discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all the subjects of the Examination.

  2. Viva-voce (Interview)  – 275 marks.

The candidates are interviewed by a Board. Interview Marks are added to the marks scored in the written examination (Main) to arrive at the Total Marks scored, which determine the rankings of the victories soldiers in the ‘War of APSC Combined Competitive Exam’

Go To APSC Interview – Tips, Question & Guidance (All you need to know)

 

STEP 3 –  Prelims Preparation

If Preparation started 9 – 12 months before expected APSC CC (Prelim) Exam

Start with the General Studies (GS) paper and CSAT paper for Prelim Exam. Initially, read thoroughly standard books (like NCERT books, Laxmikant etc.) and other details study materials so that it helps in both Prelims and Mains Exam, and try to finish the entire syllabus. Read and revise; read and revise as many times as time permits.

By this, before the Prelims Exam, you should have completed at least 40-50% of your Mains GS syllabus (It will be of immense help if the time gap between Prelims and Mains Exam is less).

CSAT paper is of qualifying nature and thus you should focus only enough to comfortably fetch you qualifying marks. Click to see APSC Prelims CSAT Preparation Strategy

If started 3-4 months before expected APSC CC (Prelim) Exam

  • Start your exclusively Prelim preparation for GS paper and CSAT paper.
  • Focus on either your notes or readymade materials which are very concise.
  • Try to cover the whole Prelims syllabus through must-read books and readymade concise materials.
  • Do NOT try to read all standard books available in the markets.
  • Read and revise as many times as time permits.

Join Adhikary Education’s APSC Prelims Test Series, if possible (highly recommended), as these will help in assessing your preparation level.

“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining” – John F. Kennedy

For beginners, recommended basic Books for GS Paper I

Additional standard Books for GS Paper

  • Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
  • Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
  • India’s Struggle For Independence by Bipan Chandra

Books List for GS Paper II (CSAT)

  • Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R. S. Aggarwal
  • CSAT Paper – 2 Manual by TMH
  • Analytical Reasoning – M. K. Pandey

STEP 4 – Mains Preparation

Based on your attempts in Prelim, you think there is even a slight chance of clearing the Prelim, Immediately start Mains Exam Preparation.

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson


If you have started preparation 9 – 12 months before Prelim Exam, it’s very safe to assume that you should have completed at least 30-40% of your Mains GS syllabus. And now, you are left with 60% of GS paper and the optional of Mains Exam.

Normally, Time gap between APSC Prelims and Mains Exam is of 5-6 months, and the new GS section is very vast, no accordingly allocation more time for GS Papers and the optional subject of the Mains.


If you have started preparation only 3-5 months before Prelim Exam, then it can be assumed that you would have completed around 30-35% of your Mains GS syllabus.

Immediately after APSC Prelims Exam, start right there, don’t waste any time. Normally, Time gap between APSC Prelims and Mains Exam is of 5-6 months, and the new GS section is very vast, no accordingly allocation more time for GS Papers and the optional subject of the Mains.

Join some APSC Mains Test Series, if possible (highly recommended), online or offline, as these will improve your answer writing practice and helps in time management.


After APSC Mains Exam Schedule is out

Mains Exam schedule is released approximately one month before the start of the exam and afterward, you should make study plan and time allotment among the GS, English and the optional subjects, based on the exam date of each paper and how much to be covered.

STEP 5 –  Viva-voce (Interview) Preparation

Go to APSC Interview – Tips, Question & Guidance (All you need to know)

Interview is the phase where questions are asked without any syllabus and also it’s the place where you can show your specific skills and justify why you are best suited for the post.

Anyway, for an non-extra-ordinary interview session, try prepare answers for the following questions (remember, there is no syllabus and questions can come from anywhere, about anything)

  1. Know who you are? Including all you have done and gone through after you were born.
  2. Know Assam and it’s main problems, prospects (Political, Socio-economical, Geographic etc.)?
  3. Why you fought the ‘War of APSC Combined Competitive Exam’?
  4. Why want to join Assam Civil Service (or any specific service) and justify your suitability for the posts?

STEP 6 – Relax (Not exactly!)

See yourself achieving the cherished dream.

Let the Game begins….

Disclaimer: This is a plan best only by our perspective; it may NOT be suitable to many aspirants. Best plan is what you develop by having SWOT analysis of yourself.

 

“A deliberate plan is not always necessary for the highest art; it emerges.” ― Paul Johnson

Recommended Books List for Political Science Optional Paper

Recommended Books List for Education Optional Paper

Recommended Books List for History Optional Paper

Recommended Books List for Sociology Optional Paper