All you need to know to prepare General Studies for MPPSC Exams

MPPSC changed the exam pattern for Madhya Pradesh State Services Exam in 2015 making General Studies an important element of the State Services Exams. The exam pattern was modified on the lines of changes made in the Civil Services exams by the UPSC. 

General Studies now is a crucial part of the MPPSC Prelims and Mains exams. Prelims Paper-I is a General Studies paper with 100 questions including those from History, Geography, Economy, Polity, Science and Technology, Sports, Current Affairs, and region-specific questions on Madhya Pradesh. The questions cover both the static and dynamic parts. 

The MPPSC Mains exam has four General Studies carrying 300 marks each.  General Studies papers in MPPSC Mains exam are-

Paper – I 

Part A – History & Culture

Part B – Geography & Disaster Management

Paper – II

Part A – Polity

Part B – Social Sector

Paper – III

Part A – Science, Maths & Reasoning, IT & Environment

Part B – Economy

Paper – IV

Ethics & Case Studies

So now after having an idea about the fundamentals of General Studies paper, let’s delve into the strategy and tips for preparation.

First and foremost, General Studies preparation for MPPSC Prelims and Mains go hand-in-hand. 

Shortlist the subjects which coincide for both Prelims and Mains for example History and Geography. Focus more on these subjects.

Yet another thing to be taken care of is time management. It is the key while preparing for any competitive exams. It becomes even more relevant in case of the MP State Services Exam requiring a range of subjects to be studied.

Compiling the best reference material for General Studies is another major task for MPPSC aspirants. Given the variety of subjects to be studied, it is a good idea to source material from different sources as one single source be it books, notes or print media do not suffice to provide all the necessary information.

The next step in the go is to analyze previous year question papers, both Prelims, and Mains. This would help you in getting a clear idea of the type of questions asked and therefore prepare accordingly focusing attention only on the relevant sections of a particular subject.

Further, preparation for General Studies is never complete without reading newspapers regularly. The Hindu and The Indian Express providing updates on the national and international events along with reading state-specific editions of other newspapers is a good way of building one’s fundamentals. 

Newspaper reading could be substantiated with watching debates, news bulletins on TV along with subscribing to some digital media platforms.  This leads to having a better grasp of the ongoing stories along with enhanced understanding and better clarity about the opinions of various stakeholders on a particular ongoing news story.

In case you find it inconvenient to read newspapers regularly, you can alternatively download some apps on your cellphone. Don’t forget to make time to browse through the app daily.

Stay connected to your peers. Peer discussion is one of the most important sources of getting updates on the issues in limelight, be it in the domestic or international arena. One can learn about the various platforms too from where one can source the best reference material.

Note-making is a central task when it comes to GS preparation. As the information is sourced from different platforms, taking notes and assembling them all at one place as per the topic is a good idea to avoid confusion. This makes it easy to understand and remember.

With GS, it is really important that you do not pile up the material to be read later. Not only is it tedious, but it is impossible to study, understand and remember all facts and stories at once. 

Taking mock tests and online quizzes and making time for revision or revisiting self-made notes a few days before the exam are a must for anyone looking forward to cracking the exam.

Prepare well for your exams. Stay tuned for more information.

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