Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPCS) FAQs

Question 1: How many questions are asked in the preliminary examination of CGPSC with reference to ‘Chhattisgarh State Special’? How to prepare for it?

Answer: In the first paper of CGPSC Preliminary Examination, 50 questions are asked with reference to ‘Chhattisgarh State Special’. In this question paper, out of 100 questions, 50 questions are asked only in the context of the particular state of Chhattisgarh, the importance of this subject itself is clear.

In the context of ‘Chhattisgarh State Special’, questions related to history, art, culture, literature, tradition, geography, economy, administrative structure, industry, and contemporary events of Chhattisgarh are asked.

Similarly, it is beneficial to study the entire syllabus of the preliminary examination in the context of the state of Chhattisgarh. Any Standard book available in the market can be studied with reference to the particular state of Chhattisgarh.

Question 2: What is the ‘minimum qualifying marks’ (qualifying marks)? CGPSC How is it determined in the preliminary examination?

Answer: ‘Minimum qualifying marks’ means the minimum marks without which a candidate cannot be successful in the examination. CGPSC In this examination, it will be mandatory for unreserved category candidates to get a minimum of 33% qualifying marks and reserved category and disabled category candidates to get a minimum of 23% qualifying marks in each paper. The cut-off is determined for the candidates who obtain the ‘minimum qualifying marks. The candidates who obtain the cut-off marks or more are declared successful and the remaining unsuccessful.

Question 3: In what sequence should the questions be solved during the CGPSC Preliminary Examination? Does a particular sequence benefit?

Answer: The answer cannot be one for everyone. If you are comfortable with all the topics of the General Studies and Aptitude Test (CSAT) and your speed is also satisfactory then you can be successful by solving questions in any order. In such a situation, it is better to increase the order in which the questions come up, solving them in the same order. But if your position is not so secure then you should consider the sequence of questions. In such a situation, first of all, solve those questions which take the least time.

If you have a good grip with the context of a particular state of Chhattisgarh, then you should solve 50 questions related to it first because they will take less time and the chances of getting the answers right will be more. After solving these 50 questions, your position will be very strong. Thereafter, you go on solving the questions that you are comfortable with and skip the ones which are beyond your comprehension. Leave a mark for the questions in respect of which you feel that they can be done if you get enough time.

The same procedure can be followed in the question paper of CSAT also. That is, those questions should be solved first in which time is less and the chances of getting the answer correct are more.

One suggestion can also be to avoid doing the same type of questions continuously. If you feel like this, then solve some questions of ‘logical reasoning’ and maths in the middle, after that solve other questions. Due to equal marks for all questions and the provision of negative marking for wrong answers (1/3 of the marks assigned for the correct answers will be deducted for each wrong answer). Avoid solving the questions continuously.

Question 4: Time management becomes the biggest challenge in the CGPSC Prelims exam. What should be done about that?

Answer: Follow the suggestions given in the answer to the previous question. Apart from that, attend mock test series before the exam and test in each paper how much time one gets to cover which section of the question. If you identify the more time-consuming questions in advance, then the time will not be wasted in the exam. With repeated practice, the speed can be increased.

Question 5: What is the meaning of a provision of negative marks in this preliminary exam of CGPSC? How is this implemented?

Answer: The provision of negative marks means that some marks are to be reduced as a penalty for wrong answers to the questions. There is a provision of negative marking for wrong answers in this exam conducted by CGPSC. That is, for each wrong answer, 1/3rd of the marks assigned for the correct answer will be deducted.

Question 6: What is the ‘cut-off’? How is it determined?

Answer: ‘Cut-off’ means the minimum marks obtained by the candidate to get successful in the examination. Every year in the CGPSC examination, the ‘cut-off’ is determined by the result of the preliminary examination, main examination and interview. The candidates who score the ‘cut-off’ or more are declared successful and the rest are unsuccessful. Under the reservation system, this cut-off is different for different categories of candidates.

The cut-off in the Preliminary Examination is determined on the basis of the sum of the marks obtained in the first paper General Studies.

The nature of the cut-off is not fixed, it fluctuates every year. Its determination depends on factors such as the number of seats, the difficulty level of the question papers and the number and quality of candidates. If the papers will be easy or if the number and quality of candidates are high, the cut-off will increase and will automatically decrease in adverse situations.

Question 7: How many questions from Mathematics are asked in the preliminary exam of CGPSC? I was weak in maths from the beginning, can I crack this exam?

Answer: Yes, you can definitely succeed. In the second paper (aptitude test) of CGPSC Preliminary Examination, about 15-20 questions are asked from ‘General Mathematical Skills and General Mental Ability’ which are mainly of matriculation level. These questions are simple in nature, so they are solved with little effort. If possible, prepare some such topics in logical reasoning which you understand and from which questions are often asked. For example, if you practice tabulation and pie diagrams, you will be able to solve 5-8 questions easily. So, you can easily attempt more than half the questions by practicing them even if you are weak in maths.

Question 8: Should the answers to all the questions be filled together on the OMR sheet or should the answers be filled along with the selection?

Answer: It is better to take out answers of 4-5 questions and fill them on the sheet. With each question, more time is spent filling it on the OMR sheet. On the other hand, sometimes it happens that many candidates want to fill the OMR sheet in one go at the end but due to paucity of time they are not able to fill the same.

The right way to avoid such a mistake is to keep filling the answers of 4-5 questions together. The questions in CSAT usually consist of 5-6 questions based on a single paragraph or information. In such a situation, all those questions should be done together as well as OMR. They should also be filled on the sheet. Since the circles have to be filled with a black or blue ballpoint pen, take special care while filling them. Never use whitener.

Question 9: Is there any advantage in Preliminary Examination by giving ‘Mock Test’? If yes, then what?

Answer: Giving mock tests is very beneficial for preliminary examinations. The first advantage of this is that you learn to control the stress in the exam. Secondly, the ability to manage time gets better. Third, you can experiment with different tests to see which order of the questions gives you the best results. On the basis of these experiments, you can decide your exam strategy. The fourth advantage is that you get an idea of ​​what your level is compared to your competitors. Keep in mind that all these benefits are available only if you have chosen the mock test series carefully.

Question 10: I feel uncomfortable with Hindi grammar from the very beginning, will I be able to clear the CGPSC mains exam?

Answer: Yes, you can definitely succeed. In the main examination of CGPSC, the first question paper is related to linguistic knowledge, in which a total of 100 marks questions are asked in relation to ‘General Hindi’, whose answer is to be written in the answer-book given by the commission. Its curriculum mainly includes comprehension, concise writing and grammar (synonyms, idioms, sandhi, samas, tatsam etc.) etc. The truth is that these questions of Hindi grammar are very easy and even a normal student can get average marks by practicing it regularly. For this, any standard book of Hindi grammar available in the market can be studied.

Question 11: I am weak in English from the beginning, will I be able to crack the CGPSC mains exam?

Answer: Yes, you can definitely succeed. In the main examination, the first paper is related to linguistic knowledge, in which a total of 50 marks questions are asked in relation to ‘General English’, whose answer is to be written in the answer-book given by the commission. Its syllabus mainly includes English Grammar, Comprehension, Translation, Precise Writing, Letter Writing, etc. The truth is that these questions are given in very easy language and even a normal student can practice it regularly and get good marks. For this, any level book of ‘English grammar’ available in the market can be studied.

Question 12: I am not a resident of Chhattisgarh state nor do I know Chhattisgarhi language, will I be able to clear CGPSC main exam?

Answer: Yes, you can definitely succeed. In the main examination, the first question paper is related to linguistic knowledge, in which a total of 50 marks questions are asked in relation to ‘Chhattisgarhi language’, whose answer is to be written in the answer-book given by the commission. Its curriculum mainly includes the development of the Chhattisgarhi language, grammar, administrative dictionaries and literature etc. The first paper is of a total of 200 marks, in that even if a little fewer marks are obtained in Chhattisgarhi language (50 marks) and comparatively good marks are obtained in the remaining part, then success in this examination can be ensured easily. The truth is that these questions of Chhattisgarhi language are given in very easy language and even a normal student can practice it regularly and get good marks. For this, any standard book of Chhattisgarhi language available in the market can be studied.

Question 13: What is the role of essay paper in CGPSC main exam? What strategy should be adopted to get good marks in it?

Answer: The second paper in the main examination of CGPSC is related to ‘Essay writing’. It consists of two parts (national level problems and Chhattisgarh state problems). Four questions are given from each part. In this, the candidate has to write an essay (reasons, current status with data and solutions) in the answer-book given by the commission, in a maximum time duration of 3 hours, on a total of four questions (two questions from each part). About 750 words limit and maximum 50 marks have been fixed for each essay. In the main examination of CGPSC, 200 marks for Hindi essay out of total 1400 marks shows the importance of this subject and its role in the final selection is self-evident.

The originality and personality of a person is tested through essay writing. In fact, essay writing is an art, which can be developed by continuous practice under a skilled guidance. In the past, there was a lack of study material for the essay as there was no standard book available in the market. But recently the book ‘Essay-Drishti’ published by Drishti Publications has removed this shortcoming. The essays written in this book are not only divided according to the category from the point of view of the examination, but the language-style and approach level of each essay is different. Apart from this, to get good marks in it, you can appear in any mock test series related to it before the exam. If possible, one can attend the essay class conducted in ‘Drishti the Vision Institute’.

Click on this link for essay writing strategy.

Question 14: What is the role of interview in this exam conducted by CGPSC? How to prepare for it?

Answer: A total of 150 marks have been fixed for interview in this CGPSC exam. Since the final merit list is prepared on the basis of the sum of the marks obtained in the main examination and interview, therefore the interview plays an important role in the final selection and post determination in this examination.

The personality of the candidates is tested during the interview, in which oral questions are asked by the members of the commission at the designated place in the commission, to which the candidate has to answer orally. You can easily score 40-70% marks in CGPSC interview under normal circumstances. Although the interview is the last stage of this exam, it is beneficial to start preparing for it from the very beginning. In fact, the personality development of any candidate is a continuous process.