Thousands of job aspirants are giving a shot at the popular Lower-Divsion Clerk (LDC) examination to be held by the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) next year. The nature of this examination has completely changed and the standard set is higher. So how should you prepare for it?

At present, the LDC examination is conducted in two phases: Preliminary and Mains. The PSC is considering conducting the exam in one phase, though no decision has been taken yet. So, it is better to continue preparing for it expecting a two-phase examination.

Earlier, the candidates could write the exam after studying the main topics and practising the previous question papers.

Let us also look at the changes needed in the study pattern for those who continue to prepare for the exam like in earlier times.

Confidence is vital

Never prepare by doubting yourself, thinking whether you would be able to clear the exam after listening to the opinions of those who have been preparing for the PSC exams for many years. A PSC exam is no big deal for applicants who are fully confident of fetching good marks.

Know the syllabus

The first step in preparation is to understand the syllabus prescribed for the particular examination fully. The syllabus should be followed correctly during exam preparation.

Do not skip tough subjects

You cannot score high marks if you skip tough portions and only focus on the easier ones. All candidates must set aside at least 15 minutes every day for English, Malayalam, Maths and Mental Ability. Scoring good marks is difficult If you have no proper foundation in these subjects.

Back to the textbooks

The influence of NCERT textbooks is evident when we analyse the trend for the PSC examinations from 2017. Questions from topics not mentioned in the syllabus have also been asked from the NCERT textbooks.

For example, the preliminary examination syllabus for the 10th-level exam did not mention the topic ‘Revolutions that influenced the World’. However, the question paper had questions related to the American Revolution. Another question was about the English king who signed the agreement on the Charter of Rights.

‘The Revolutions that influenced the World’ was the very next chapter after the one on ‘World wars’ in the NCERT textbook. The latter topic, though, was mentioned in the Kerala PSC syllabus for the 10th-level exam.