There is no doubt that BCS is a very competitive examination. It requires very painstaking long-term preparation. Only reading guidebooks and some selected general knowledge books will not be enough for excelling in the examination. The preliminary test must be taken seriously as this is the first stage and gateway to appear at the next stage of the written examination. Generally, a preliminary test is designed to include the following subjects: Having acquainted with the paraphernalia of BCS, one might get startled. So let’s now make out how we can successfully get ready for the BCS and do away with the BCS phobia:
Preparation for BCS Exam in Bangladesh (Foreign affairs Cadre) | preliminary test
For Bangla, the candidates should have a vast knowledge of literature, poetry, dramas, novels, short stories, the history of Bangla literature, grammar, etc. To be well-prepared in all these, one should study the guidebooks, Bangla books of Class X, and Bangla Grammar of S.S.C. level. It is worth mentioning that Bangla Grammar is very important for the preliminary Bangla objective questions because many questions are set on this subject.
For English, in-depth knowledge of English literature including, poets, novelists, dramatists, grammar, synonyms and antonyms, sentence completion, and analogy is required to do well in the English examination.
For Mathematics, by far the easiest part of the BCS examination, candidates should practice Mathematics at the secondary level of the old syllabus and also the new syllabus. For better preparation, English medium secondary level mathematics books can also be very helpful.
The suggestion about the general knowledge examination is that the candidates have to go through the newspapers regularly. Besides, they have to read a book fully from the available books on general knowledge to prepare them well for the examination.
Ways to do Away with BCS Written Test Phobia
This stage is for those who are selected for the preliminary examination. The written test comprises six subjects including Bangla, English, Mathematical Reasoning and Mental Ability, General Science and Technology, Bangladesh Affairs, and International Affairs that carry nine hundred marks. The candidates of the general cadre have to take all these subjects as compulsory. On the other side, the professional cadres have to take all of the subjects except the Bangla II paper and General Science and Technology. Instead of these two papers, they have to take their own subjects from B.A and M.A level carrying two hundred marks.
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For Bangla, candidates have to go through the history of Bangla literature from the ancient period up to the present. Another thing that is very important for this subject is Bangla Grammar. Here they can take help from the H. S. C level grammar books. Besides, a reliable BCS guidebook will be of great use to them.
English is dreaded by many. But it poses no problem for those who study the subject again and again according to the guidelines. For English, candidates need to read the history of English literature, names of authors and their writings, literary terms, a pair of words, corrections, phrases and idioms, different rules of English Grammar, structure and use, important essays, précis, and amplification. Besides, they must have a good command of the English language to do well in the written test of the BCS.
For Mathematics, candidates should practice S.S.C. level Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry of both the old and new syllabus. The subject has to be taken seriously because it makes a huge difference in the overall marks scored.
For General Science, the H.S.C. level science books will be of great help. Besides, there are everyday science books written by assorted writers. These books can also be studied to do better. In the BCS guidebooks also many questions and answers have been given. They can be gone through. Candidates should have adequate knowledge of national and international issues.
For this purpose, they have to study the daily newspapers minutely. The H.S.C. level books on Geography, History, Agriculture, and Civics may be of great help for the improvement of general knowledge. Moreover, books on current affairs have to be studied regularly.
One thing which is very important to know is that in some BCS guide books there are questions with answers to many BCS examinations of the previous years. They are of great help to the candidates. There goes a proverb that practice makes a man perfect and this can ensure a good result for the candidates. So, those who desire to sit for the BCS examination must practice all the subjects from the very beginning following a regular routine and without wasting time.
Preparation for the Viva-Voce
The final stage of the BCS examination is the viva voce examination carrying two hundred marks. For the viva voce, candidates must have a vast knowledge of almost “everything.” They have to be very tactful and smart in their answers because it is the final stage for the BCS cadre. Every question should be answered very technically. The viva board may ask questions on any contemporary issues including the subjects she/he has studied at B.A. and M.A. levels. Some candidates become unnecessarily nervous. This causes a negative impact on the viva board. Candidates must feel comfortable and should take the oral examination lightly. A positive mood of the candidates is essential for a successful result in the viva voce. In addition, the candidates must put on clean and formal clothes for the purpose.
Which cadre category a candidate will be provided is decided mainly after the Viva-Voce. The preparation of any other cadres (General Cadre) and a Foreign affairs Cadre are the same till the written exams. It only differs when the Viva-Voce occurs. A Foreign Affairs Cadre should possess several special qualities and broad knowledge relating to foreign affairs to confirm his selection in the foreign affairs category.
Contributor: Sabbir Ahmed | From Mawlana Bhashani Science & Technology University
