Preparing for Sarkari (government) jobs in India can be a bit challenging, as these exams are highly competitive and taken by millions of students every year. Before you begin your preparations, it’s important that you understand the exam pattern. So in this article we will be breaking down exam patterns for popular sarkari exams, including those conducted by UPSC, SSC, and IBPS, among others that will help you make a better decision.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Sarkari (or Government) exams offers various government positions in different sectors such as administration, banking, teaching, defence, and engineering.
Millions on Indians eye to get their hands on one of the positions. But before anyone can get anything they have to go through an exam that is designed specifically for that position. This is what we are going to cover in this article and help you understand different exam pattern’s and how to allocate preparation time effectively.
Why Understanding of Exam Patterns is Crucial
Each sarkari exam has its unique pattern in terms of the sections, types of questions, negative marking, and duration of the exam. Familiarising yourself with these can significantly boost your score, as it helps streamline your study strategy.
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Exams
1) UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)
The exam by UPSC is conducted in three phases as listed below:
- Preliminary
- Mains
- Personality Test (Interview)
Preliminary Exam Pattern:
- Two papers: General Studies (GS) and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)
- Both papers are objective, each carrying 200 marks.
Main Exam Pattern:
- Nine papers, including essay writing, GS papers, and optional subjects.
- Each paper is descriptive and tests in-depth knowledge and analytical skills.
Personality Test:
- An interview round evaluating candidates’ suitability for administrative roles.
2) UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE)
The exam is conducted in three phases as listed below
- Preliminary
- Mains
- Personality Test
Preliminary:
- Objective questions
Main:
- Descriptive questions
Interview:
- Personality and knowledge assessment
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Exams
1) SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Exam
The exam is conducted in 4 tiers:
- Tier I – General Intelligence, Reasoning, English, Quantitative Aptitude (objective)
- Tier II – Advanced English, Mathematics, Statistics (objective)
- Tier III – Descriptive paper (essay/letter writing)
- Tier IV – Skill Test or Computer Proficiency
2) SSC CHSL Exam
The exam is conducted in multiple rounds:
- Objective type exam
- Skill test
- Interview
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) Exams
1) BPS PO Exam Pattern
The BPS PO exam is conducted in three stages as listed below:
- Prelims – English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability
- Mains – General Awareness, Data Analysis, English, Reasoning
- Interview – Conducted for shortlisted candidates
2) IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern
It is similar to IBPS PO but focuses more on aptitude and general knowledge.
Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Exams
1) RRB NTPC Exam
The exam is based on 4 rounds as listed below:
- Computer based test
- Skill Test
- Interview
- Document Verification
2) RRB Group D Exam
- Computer based test (includes Math, General Intelligence, General Science, and Awareness)
- Physical efficiency
State Public Service Commission (PSC) Exams
State Public Service Commission exams follow a structure akin to UPSC but tailored to state-level administration. There exams follows three steps:
- Prelims
- Mains
- Interviews
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Exams
RBI Grade B Officer Exam
RBI Grade B officer exam follows through three stages:
- Preliminary Exam – Tests general aptitude
- Mains Exam – Descriptive test on finance and management
- Interview
- Documents Verification
Defence Exams
1) National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam
NDA conducts exam in two phases
- Written exam – Tests mathematics and general ability
- Services Selection Board (SSB) interview
2) Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam
Similar structure to NDA, but for graduates aiming for officer roles in the armed forces.
Teacher Eligibility Tests (TET)
Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET)
Consists of two papers for Primary and Elementary Teaching levels, assessing knowledge in subjects like Child Development, Pedagogy, and language proficiency.
General Tips for Sarkari Exam Preparation
- Start Early: Begin by understanding the syllabus and the exam pattern well in advance.
- Section-wise Preparation: Divide your study time according to sections.
- Practice Mock Tests: Familiarise yourself with the question format and time management.
- Stay Updated: For exams involving current affairs, regularly read the news and follow reputed sources. You can bookmark our website “The Results Hive” for latest updates.
Common Challenges in Understanding Exam Patterns
- Complexity of Syllabus: Many exams cover a wide range of topics, creating a vast syllabus.
- Changing Patterns: Some exams frequently update their formats, requiring candidates to stay alert to new announcements.
