With the 50th BCS preliminary exam scheduled for January 30, over 2.9 lakh candidates are preparing for the competition. As the exam date approaches, the focus should shift from new learning to revision and mental preparedness. Masfika Rahman, who secured the first position in the 44th BCS in the Education cadre (History), offers specific advice for candidates.
Key Preparation Tips:
- Revise what you have studied rather than starting new topics. - Rotate subjects every 2-3 hours to avoid monotony and enhance retention. - Focus on Bengali, especially ancient and medieval syllabus, and key modern literary figures. - Review English grammar rules and important literary periods. For math, focus on formulas and past tricky questions. - Integrate Bangladesh's national issues like agriculture, economy, industry, constitution, political, and governance systems. - Quickly revise general knowledge, international organizations, recent global events, and science basics. - Look at past questions for ethics, values, and good governance.
Mental and Physical Well-being:
- Ensure at least 7-8 hours of sleep the night before the exam. - Maintain health; do not neglect physical well-being under preparation stress. - Control nerves; it's common to feel overwhelmed initially but calm down as you start answering questions. - Begin with easier subjects to reduce mental pressure. - Avoid negative marking by skipping uncertain questions. - Prepare necessary documents and stationery the night before to avoid last-minute stress.
