A few tit-bit about this Exam and how to ace it with maximum efficiency:

· As I have seen in the many mocks, many candidates score 45+ average in Maths and 42+
average in Reasoning. Aspirants don’t have much problem in these sections as there are a
number of guides/teachers for these subjects. As a matter of fact, most candidates opt for
SSC exams due to these sections only because they feel confident in this sections. So I will
not emphasis much on Maths and Reasoning. Read further only when you have command on
Maths and Reasoning otherwise first focus on them and get 45+ in both first.

· Now, let’s focus on GS (General Studies) in this article, this is the section that has
become a nightmare for aspirants especially after latest pattern change. There is an ocean
of information to grab but how to grasp this plethora of knowledge still remains mystery.
Most of the times aspirants focus on trivial topics that are hard to remember and at the
same time have less value in the exam. In this article I will share my bit to ease some nerves
of fellow aspirants.

· Let’s first break GENERAL SCIENCE into small fragments :

· Now, we know the break ups of subjects. Let’s dive further into each subjects, starting
with History, which has sure shot 4 question out of 25, carrying 16% weightage. History
comes in three parts, Ancient, Medieval and Modern History. Interestingly in SSC there is no
favourite part, they ask questions from all these parts. So, we have to read all these sections
thoroughly. Now comes the question, from where do we study, how much in depth do we
have to study? Most people recommend Lucent book for this section, but I differ from this
viewpoint as Lucent provides no context to matter, and History without context is a boring
subject and will start looking tough. I will suggest two approach here, you may choose
depending upon your suitability.

1. Start with Modern History first (1857-1947) and read from Spectrum: Rajiv Ahir, a famous
book for UPSC preparation. And after one reading, go back to Lucent and read it. You will
start getting context and understanding of it. Similarly for Ancient and Medieval History,
Tamil Nadu NCERT textbooks are concise and holistic book for giving a context. After one
reading go back to Lucent for revision. Remember you have to give Spectrum and Tamil
Nadu textbooks only one reading and focus on revising from Lucent only.

2. If you are not so much of a reader type and reading these voluminous books is not your
cup of tea. Then first watch You Tube lecture on the topic and then read Lucent. For Lectures
I will recommend Arti Chhawari maam marathons on You Tube. But you can watch any video
depending upon your taste.

· Our Next Topic is Geography. From this topic also 3 questions (12%) weightage come
every year. Geography can be divided into three sub topics: 1. Physical Geography 2. Indian
Geography 3. Human Geography. Here focus more on Indian Geography, like a) Mountains
and passes, b) Rivers and their tributaries c) National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, d)Lakes
and wetlands. Most of the questions come from these topics only. Now to remember these
Use ATLAS extensively. I used to buy India political and physical maps (small ones) and used
to demarcate rivers, and above topics on them and remember. Sudarshan Gurjar Sir
Lectures (Unacademy) also helped a lot in remembering all these data. After Indian
Geography, Focus on Human Geography: Census data, Industries location, Minerals location
need to be prepared. This needs to be prepared from internet only.

· So now we have 7 marks in bucket. Let’s dive in Polity which has also 3
questions (12%) weightage in the exams. In Polity Remember Articles of Constitution and
you are done with majority of the weightage. Start with 1. Fundamental Rights, Fundamental
Duties, and Directive Principle of State Policy. After mugging them, focus on 2. Schedules
and Parts of the constitution. Your 50% task is over. Now prepare miscellaneous topics like 3.
Sources of Constitution, Making of Constitution, committee members and their role. You can
further prepare Articles related to 4. President, Prime Minister, Governor, Money bill,
Emergency Provisions. This much would be sufficient for Polity. Mind You in Polity there is lot
to mug up, so either make mnemonics or mug up and write on blank sheet to revise. And
keep revising it.

· Congrats! You got 10 marks in your bucket now. Let’s see our new topic Science carrying 4
marks (16%) weightage. Science also comprises of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. You can
expect minimum one question from each of them. I hope you would have all studied basic
science in class 6 to 10th. For sake of revision, complete Class 9th and Class 10th NCERT
once more thoroughly. Biology is the tougher one among these as some times questions
comes from graduation level too. But we don’t need to go extra miles there just focus on
stock topics like for Chemistry: Minerals and their ore, periodic table, chemical formula, Use
of chemicals in every day phenomena. Physics: Important laws and formulae, important
personality and their discovery or inventions. Biology: Human body, Cells, Plants,
Classification of Living Organisms, soil, Tissues, Organs, Hormones. Focus on NCERT and
Lucent for this.

· These 15/25 marks are static and you can get 15 of them easily if you read extensively with
complete sincerity. But next 10 marks are tricky and you will have to toil hard for these.
Nevertheless these are the marks that can put you in toppers category.

· Let’s come to CURRENT AFFAIRS having 5 marks (20%) weightage. In Current Affairs too,
Focus on Awards and Honours, Person In News, Appointments, Latest Elections and its
results including Bi-elections, Governors appointed, State policies and initiatives, Sports ( all
type of sports national , international, leagues) , Defence Exercise. I had referred GK TODAY
current affairs. It posts daily current affairs at 7 AM except Sunday and Monthly
compilation. For topic wise compilation of previous 1 year Watch Parcham Classes You
Tube Videos is also good. Make short notes and revise on weekly basis. 1 year prior Current
Affairs would be sufficient.
· To be frank. Current Affairs is one section where you will prepare diligently and may be
don’t get any marks. But one need to have faith in themselves that material that they are
covering is sufficient. Luck also matters in Current Affairs to be honest.

· Last topic to be covered is ART & CULTURE. This topic has become favourite to SSC, they
are asking 2-3 question in every shift from this topic. To cover this extensively, start with 1.
Classical Dances (8) remember important personality related to each one of them.

2. Folk Dances and associated States 3. Music Awards and Recipient of Awards 4. Festival
and associated States, 5. Musical Instruments and associated important personalities,
[Link] and their Gharanas [Link] Awards given to personality related to music, 8.
Dance.

· After covering these many topics, your confidence will boost up and you will look to score
maximum in mocks and in real test also you will be feeling more confident. Remember one
thing always supplement learning new topic with revision of previous topic and complete
Previous Year Question of the topic covered extensively. SSC has a tendency to ask question
from previous year only especially static parts.

· That’s it!! Thanks for Reading! I hope this article would be beneficial for you in the SSC
journey.