How to Pass in BCS Preliminary Exam

B.C.S is one of the most difficult exams you face in search of a career in Bangladesh. As you all know, B.C.S start with a Preliminary exam. This exam is considered to be the toughest of all the exams a candidate face in the entire process. You got just 60 minutes to answer 100 questions and the syllabus could be regarded as an Ocean! These two things combined - make the Preliminary most challenging. Ironically though, scores of preliminary exam are not added in the selection process. So, all you need to do is pass. Here are a few tips for success in BCS exam:

Step 1: As the first step every B.C.S candidate should take, you should collect the question paper of B.C.S preliminary exam from 10-29th and solve them thoroughly. Little booklets containing general information can be found in almost every library of Dhaka. 

Before you start preparing for your BCS preliminary, buy it and solve all questions. There are 5 section from where the questions are generally made: General knowledge, English, Bengali, Science, Maths. Every subject is equally important for a candidate.

Step 2: Building General knowledge for BCS Preliminary Exam: It does not have any syllabus and no matter how much you study, it is sure that you will never be able to answer full questions. There are a lot of books in the market containing all the information about General Knowledge. Besides you can read Processors Current World and Current Affairs.

Step 3: Bengali preparation for BCS Preliminary Exam: Bengali is much easier for most of the candidates. Being a successful B.C.S Cadre, I came to know that you practice 3 Bengali books for preliminary exam

a) A good preliminary Bangla Guide Professors/oracle

b) Soumita Shekhar's BCS preliminary Bangla and

c) Bangla Sahittyer Itihas (Mahbubul Alam).

You do not need to memorize anything - just read them over and over so that you can recognize the correct answer from the given choices. Do not bother about Bengali Grammar. Questions related with Bengali Grammar hardly comes in the exam. Remember 80% of the questions in Bengali are taken from Literature.

Step 3: English Preparation for BCS Preliminary Exam: Nowadays English has 2 phases:

a) Grammer

b) Literature.

Question mostly come from Grammar. If you read the previous preliminary question thoroughly you can understand the topics that are covered eg: voice, narration, subject-verb agreement, phrasal verbs, idiom-phrases are the most hot topics. Study these topics from class 9-10,11-12 text books . Internet also can take a great part in your road to success.

Step 4: Science Preparation for BCS Preliminary Exam: For science you need a good BCS preliminary science guide (Oracle/mp3 S.S.C General Science books and question papers from exams of previous years. Like all other subject preliminary question will show you what to study.

Step 5: Maths Preparation for BCS Preliminary Exam: In BCS preliminary exam math is the easiest of all the subject. You can use Saifur's Math / Class 8 math book for more practice. You should try to get full marks in math because it will help you to pass the exam than uncertain General Knowledge question. Instead of studying General Knowledge hours after hours study maths.

Tips for BCS Preliminary Exam: The question that makes you confused should be avoided. For every wrong answer they penalize you with 1.5 marks.1 mark for wrong answer and 0.5 marks for what you got correct. But if you see that you are not being able to ensure 40-50 marks it would be better to take a risk and answer questions that you are 50% sure. The night before the exam is very important for all the students and the candidates. You should take a sound sleep. It will enable your brain to work more effectively. In conclusion, I can tell you one thing that nothing is impossible in the world. Do not be worried or afraid by seeing that vast syllabus - just start reading. Give your best, you'll certainly do good in your exam. Good luck.