General Studies FAQ

How to prepare for general studies in Prelims?
First go through the tips given on our Book. That will give you an idea. The General studies is nothing but whatever we have studied in school. Here the questions are somewhat basic and little applied. The questions are mixed with all aspects. 'One should understand the concept well first when the applied questions are asked, one should be in a position to answer them.
The General Studies comprises History, Geography, Science, Polity, Economics, general mental ability and current Affairs, one should read NCERT books to get the base idea.
After reading the NCERT books, you have to go through some standard guide, which is available in the market. If you read it, it will reinforce your knowledge.
Whenever you study some standard book, you should think that you are going to write the board exam next day. For prelims, one should refer to questions from the book.
One can frame one or more multiple choice questions from one sentence. So, one should read the sentence that may be asked as a question. Soon we will provide tips for "how to study for Prelims" on the website.
Subscribe to one or two competitive magazines meant for civil services. Work out the model questions given in it. If you score well, it will boost your confidence. If you score low, don't worry about it. Wherever you feel, & need attention do it / study the subject again.

I am facing problems in studying current affairs topics. Though I read Manorama Year Book, magazines like India Today, Times Of India newspaper and I follow Star News regularly. I find it difficult to remember all the details.
For current affairs, you can follow one national daily, one weekly/Fortnightly, one or two Competitive magazines exclusively published for Civil Services Exam and in Electronic Media you should follow All India Radio for one news and one TV channel for one news. Radio news can be heard while you are having food. So, some time is saved. In our opinion, selective study is needed in current affairs part. Don't waste too much time on Current Affairs. These stuffs will be readily available in the market books, which are normally released just before the exams. One has to be very careful in time management. In our opinion, you should not give more than one hour for the Current Affairs on daily basis.
The question of memory is concerned, it is more of personal and psychology oriented. One has to sharpen his/her memory by practice only. First, you should have a confidence in you, that you can memorize any subject. Have more concentration while preparing/studying the subject. More and more continuous practice will make you perfect.
As far as Science is concerned, read the NCERT books and understand the concept. If you are a arts student, you have to understand the scientific basics and concepts. Nowadays the questions are asked in the applied aspect of Science. Prepare accordingly.

What is the cut- off for the General Studies Prelims Exam?
There is no cut off for the Prelims General Studies. It is the total marks of the Optional and the General studies. Only the optional goes for some normalistion/ Standardisation. Then the General Studies is added with the optional.


Do I've to study all the NCERT books up to 12th std for General Studies or study only some selected books?? I've completed my schooling in Oriya medium. Though in college we study in English medium ,we don't follow the NCERT books.
Normally the questions are based on NCERT books because this is common to all. Every state has its own syllabus. But the question is not NCERT or STATE board, one should understand the concepts.

If you are from the Science background, it will be very easy to follow the NCERT also. But you have to concentrate on arts subject in a detailed manner. If you are from arts background, the Science subjects will be really tough. You have to read and understand it thoroughly. Usually, Science students don't find it difficult to study the Arts subjects. But at the same time, Arts background student find it difficult to study Science subjects.

Science books upto 10th standard is enough. For other subjects you have to read upto 12th standard. Nowadays the questions are in the applied aspect based on the concepts. So one should understand the concept well. The concept may be from Science or Arts.
There are some NCERT books may not be useful. So read the books of Science, History, Geography, Civics/Polity and Economics. 
Ccortesy:threeeauthers.com