Hello Aspirants. Finally, UPSC is going to release the notification for the CAPF AC exam 2020 on 18th August. In this article, we will see how to prepare for CAPF AC 2020. For those who are preparing, I am sharing my strategy and booklist for written exam paper 1.
On above date, you can check for notification at UPSC’s official website.
CAPF AC Exam pattern
This exam has 3 stages.
- Written test (450 marks)
- Physical efficiency test/ medical test (Qualifying)
- Interview (150 marks)
The written exam consists of 2 papers. Paper 1 is an objective type and has 250 marks. Paper 2 is subjective (descriptive) and carries 200 marks.
How to prepare for CAPF AC 2020: Paper 1 (General Ability & Intelligence)
You can consider the following strategy.
- Syllabus
First please go through the syllabus. This will help you in understanding the demand of the exam. You will become aware about how many and which subjects you have to read.
(It’s there in exam notification)
- Previous year question papers
Go through them and understand which type of questions are asked. It’s absolutely fine if you don’t know the answers to most of them. So don’t get panicked. Just figure out the nature of questions and the weightage of various subjects.
- Reading of standard books-
This is the most crucial stage. You are expected to allot most of your time and efforts here. So read them carefully. Understand the concept well. Underline wherever necessary. Then take notes in 2nd or 3rd reading. (Just be careful that notes are crisp and short. Don’t just reproduce the books. Don’t let this waste your precious time and efforts.)
List of references books is given below.
- Revision (s)
Revision is the key. It’s very important to remember what you have studied at the time of the exam. For this one has to do multiple revisions. Arrange your schedule in a way that you will have done at least 2 revisions before the exam.
- Test solving
Similarly, you have to focus on test solving. “Practice makes a man perfect”. This applies to exams very well. Test solving will make you understand what mistakes you make while solving MCQs. It will help in time management in the exam hall.
So once you have finished a basic reading of sources, you can start solving tests along with revisions. Many tests are available in the market. You can also solve previous year question papers.
Booklist for Paper 1
So let’s go through the booklist.
- General mental ability
It consists of maths and reasoning
Pathfinder for CDS. (Or any other standard book for maths and reasoning)
- General science
NCERT- 8th to 10th standard
Lucent’s GK (science part)
- Current affairs
Any monthly magazine. Preferably GK Today. (Insights is also good.)
Daily newspaper reading is also important.
Also many questions on static subjects are linked to current affairs.
- Polity
NCERT- 11th standard
M Laxmikanth
- History
NCERT- (old) -Ancient India by R.S. Sharma and mediaeval India by Satish Chandra. They are also available as books.
Modern India- spectrum publication. (this is important)
- Geography
NCERT- 11th and 12th (2 books each)
Certificate physical and human geography by GC Leong
Also Atlas for mapping
Economy and Environment have very less weightage. So you can cover them through current affairs. Go through their standard books ONLY if you have time after reading the above material.
Thus this was my strategy and booklist for paper 1. I am not claiming that it is a full proof strategy. It depends from person to person. So examine yourself, understand your strengths and weaknesses, and work according to it. There are strategies by other toppers on how to prepare for CAPF AC 2020. Therefore please go through them as well.
Also Read, CDS(II) 2020 notification is out. Check out about it.
All the Best
