How to prepare: a complete guide

Before you start

1. Read your exam's official notification: eligibility, syllabus, number of papers, marks, time and negative marking.
2. Make a timetable you can keep: two to four hours a day, every day, is better than long hours now and then.
3. Collect basic books for each subject and one source for current affairs; avoid too many books.
4. Take one test on this site to find your starting level.

The five levels

Your level is the share of marks you earn across your recent tests, negative marking included.

1. 1.Foundation

   0–35% of marks

   You are building the basics. Learn the syllabus one subject at a time.

   1. Get the official syllabus and exam pattern of your exam, and list the subjects with their marks.
   2. Study one subject at a time from basic books (NCERT Class 6 to 10 for general studies; Assam's history and geography).
   3. Take short subject tests of 10 to 25 questions and read the explanation of every answer, right or wrong.
   4. Take the daily current affairs quiz every day; it builds the habit and the general knowledge.

2. 2.Developing

   35–50% of marks

   Your basics are taking shape. Steady work on weak subjects will move you up.

   1. Work on your weakest subject first: give it at least two study sessions every week.
   2. Keep a notebook of every question you get wrong, with the right answer, and revise it every week.
   3. Take one full timed mock test every week, in one sitting.
   4. Cover the topics most exams ask often: Assam GK, Indian polity, history, reasoning and arithmetic.

3. 3.Competent

   50–65% of marks

   You handle most standard questions. Speed and accuracy under time come next.

   1. Take two full timed mock tests a week, in exam conditions: no phone, no breaks.
   2. After each test, sort every wrong answer: didn't know it, misread it, or guessed. Fix the first by study, the others by care.
   3. Work on speed: aim to finish every paper with ten minutes to spare for checking.
   4. Solve the previous years' papers of your own exam to learn its style.

4. 4.Proficient

   65–80% of marks

   You are scoring well. Sharpen weak areas and your exam strategy.

   1. Take a full mock test every two or three days and revise from your mistakes notebook in between.
   2. Where there is negative marking, answer only when you can rule out at least two options.
   3. Revise the current affairs of the last six months, Assam first.
   4. Bring every subject above 65% while keeping your strong subjects where they are.

5. 5.Exam-ready

   80–100% of marks

   You are scoring at the level competitive exams need. Hold it with regular full tests.

   1. Hold your level: a full timed mock test every few days is enough.
   2. In the last two weeks revise; don't start new topics.
   3. Revise the last twelve months of current affairs and Assam-specific facts.
   4. Plan the exam day: admit card, ID, route, and a time limit for each section of the paper.

A weekly routine

1. Six days of study, one day of revision.
2. Every day: the daily current affairs quiz and one hour on your weakest subject.
3. Mock tests as your level suggests, always timed, in one sitting.
4. After every test: go through every wrong answer and add it to your mistakes notebook.
5. At the end of the week: check your preparation level and move to the next level's plan when you reach it.

In the exam hall

1. Read the instructions and check the number of questions and the marking before you begin.
2. Go through the paper once and answer the questions you are sure of first.
3. Don't spend too long on one question: mark it and come back to it.
4. With negative marking, guess only when you can rule out at least two options.
5. Keep the last ten minutes to check your answers and the answer sheet.