How to Score High in General Studies for AE and JE Exams?

Working as a Junior Engineer (JE) or Assistant Engineer (AE) in a central government or state government organization or in PSUs is the dream of many engineering graduates/diploma holders. However, it is not easy to fulfill this dream, as the syllabus of the AE and JE exams is very vast. Besides the technical portion, AE and JE aspirants should also have a good command over the general studies portion. Exams like SSC JE, RRB JE, UPPSC AE, GPSC AE, MPTRANSCO AE, and others have a significant portion of general studies, and they can be the deciding factor in the final selection. In this blog we would see how AE and JE aspirants can score high in general studies for AE and JE exams. We would also look at the syllabus, importance, and preparation strategy of general studies.

Importance of General Studies for AE and JE exams

• Why GS can be a game changer in selection

General studies (GS) is a deciding factor in the final merit list of AE and JE exams. Candidates who score good marks in the general studies portion along with the technical portion in AE and JE exams have higher chances of final selection or an interview. Also, a good score in general studies indicates that the aspirant has wide knowledge of surroundings and multiple subjects. It shows that the aspirant has good grasping power and is well aware of the events happening in the surroundings.

In state PSC exams, a good score in general studies indicates that the aspirant has good knowledge about the state. General studies is also important in AE and JE exams because in many exams it becomes a deciding factor for final selection, as many candidates often score good marks in the technical portion. In exams like RRB JE, the allocation of department depends significantly upon the score in general studies as well as upon the technical portion. This shows the importance of general studies for AE and JE exams.

• Weightage of GS in different AE and JE exams

If we talk about the weightage of GS in AE and JE exams, it varies as per the exam. For example, in SSC JE CBT 1, general studies comprises 25% of the marks (50 marks out of 200 marks); in RRB JE CBT 1, general studies comprises 15 marks and general science comprises 30 marks out of a total of 100 marks. In other state engineering services exams, the weightage of the general studies section can vary from 25% to 50% depending upon the scheme of examination.

Syllabus overview-General studies for AE and JE exams

To clear AE and JE exams, it is important that aspirants should have an overview of the syllabus of the respective exam. Generally, GS is a part of every AE and JE exam. However, the syllabus might vary depending upon the exam.

In general, the syllabus of GS consists of subjects like Indian polity, general science, history & geography, current affairs, environment, economics, static GK, and state GK (in the case of the state engineering services exam).

Depending upon the level of exam, GA questions are asked from these subjects. The level of questions asked is such that it doesn’t require any special degree or studies. The questions in subjects like polity, science, history, geography, environment, and economics are generally up to class 12th level. However, it might vary depending upon the exam. The questions are designed to assess the candidate’s awareness of the world and India as well as basic knowledge outside the engineering stream.

Candidates are requested to read the detailed syllabus of any exam before starting their preparation.

How to Prepare General Studies – High-Scoring Strategy

As said above, high score in general studies section increases the chances of getting final selection/interview call for AE and JE exams. Let us have a look at some tips which can help aspirants to prepare general studies for AE and JE exams.

• Understand the syllabus: Before starting preparation for AE and JE exams, it is important that aspirants understand the syllabus and exam pattern. If classified in the notification, then aspirants should prioritize high scoring areas of general studies first. Aspirants can also check previous year paper to have an idea of level of questions asked in general studies section and their weightage. Candidates should try to focus more on factual subjects like polity, geography, general science, current affairs etc.
• Select the right study material: Selecting the right study material is very important so that aspirants can devote their time to other sections as well. Aspirants should avoid going into too much depth in general studies topics. Candidates can refer to the MADE EASY GS book for preparation of general studies for AE and JE exams. Other than this, candidates can also check out MADE EASY books from here. Students who are doing self-study for AE and JE exams can refer to NCERT books of classes 6 to 12 for the preparation of general studies for AE and JE exams.
• Make own notes: Preparing hand notes help in retaining the concepts and facts for longer period, it also helps the aspirants preparing for AE and JE exams in revision.
• Don’t forget PYQs: Previous year questions (PYQs) are a great source of the level of examination. Solving PYQs of AE and JE exams helps candidates to understand the level of questions that are being asked in the exams. Also, many times questions of general studies get repeated; therefore, aspirants should attempt PYQs multiple times.
• Attempt mock test: Attempting mock tests helps aspirants to check their knowledge. It also helps to understand the weak areas.
• Current affairs: Current affairs are a very important segment in general studies for AE and JE exams. However, most of the candidates avoid current affairs. Aspirants who want to secure good marks in AE and JE exams should prepare current affairs of at least the last 6 months. Students can follow monthly magazines to prepare current affairs for AE and JE exams.

These are some tips which can help aspirants to prepare and score good marks in general studies in AE and JE exams.

Subject-Wise Tips to Score High

Till now readers would have got some ideas about how to prepare general studies for AE and JE exams. Now let us look at some subject wise tips which would be helpful in scoring good marks in AE and JE exams.

• Polity: Candidates preparing for AE and JE exams should focus on areas like the basics of the constitution and preamble, fundamental rights and duties, amendments, parliament and state legislature, and the appointment, duties, and resignation of presidents, prime ministers, chief ministers, chief justices, governors, etc. Candidates should also focus on important articles as well. To remember various fundamental duties, amendments, and other important topics, candidates can use mnemonics and other tricks.
• History: History has a very huge syllabus; candidates preparing for AE and JE exams should focus on ancient, medieval, and modern history. In ancient history, topics like the Indus Valley civilization; in medieval history, different empires; and in modern history, topics like the INC, the Gandhian era, national movements, etc. are some of the important topics. Candidates should prepare the history along with the date of the event.
• Geography: Topics like physical geography, agriculture, rivers, resources, Indian states, population, etc. are some of the important topics. To prepare for geography, candidates can use mind maps. Also, aspirants should try to do map-based study.
• Current affairs: Candidates should prepare current affairs of at least the last 6 months. Some of the important focus areas in current affairs are new discoveries, awards, government schemes, sports, appointments, science and tech news, national and international events, budgets and economic surveys, etc.

These are some tips which can help aspirants to increase their score in AE and JE exams. These tips are general tips and candidates are requested to follow the official syllabus.

Revision & Practice Strategy

Good practice and revision are the difference between good preparation and great results. Without proper revision and practice, it is very difficult to score good marks in general studies in AE and JE exams. Candidates can follow some of the below-mentioned tips for the revision of general studies for AE and JE exams:

• Structured revision plan: Aspirants should make a structured revision plan. This includes periodic revision at short intervals.
• Follow multiple revision techniques: Candidates can use multiple revision techniques like short notes, mind maps, mnemonics, charts, etc.
• Master PYQs: Solving PYQs during revision helps to focus on important areas. Candidates should mark the topics repeatedly asked in the examination and prepare them well.
• Attempt regular mock tests: Attempting regular mock tests helps in finding the weak areas. Candidates preparing for AE and JE exams should attempt mock tests at regular intervals so that they can strengthen their weak areas. Merely attempting a mock test is not enough; candidates should also analyze their mistakes after attempting the test.
• Make short notes: Candidates should prepare short notes of each subject after attempting multiple tests and previous year questions. These short notes should have crisp summaries and important facts/data/points of different subjects. Candidates should also include their weak points of general studies in these short notes.

These are some tips which can help AE and JE aspirants to revise general studies portion efficiently.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in GS Preparation

Some common mistakes which AE and JE aspirants should avoid in GS preparation are:

• Studying without official syllabus
• Avoiding PYQs
• Not revising consistently
• Following multiple sources
• Skipping current affairs
• Avoiding static GK
• Avoiding mock test
• Blind guess
• Ignoring time management
• Not tracking mistakes and weak areas

These are some mistakes which AE and JE aspirants should avoid.

Those students who are preparing for AE and JE exams and are worried about the GS section can enrol in MADE EASY’s AE/JE Live Online Course. This course is a one-stop solution for all AE and JE exams. In this course, expert faculties of MADE EASY would teach both technical and non-technical subjects. The curriculum of these batches is aligned with the latest AE and JE exam patterns. For more details about these courses, students are requested to visit here.

FAQs

How many questions come from General Studies in SSC JE?

Answer: In SSC JE, there are 50 questions from general studies.

Is GS important for technical students?

Answer: Yes, GS is an important subject for the students preparing for AE and JE exams.

Can GS preparation help in other competitive exams?

Answer: Yes, GS preparation can help in other competitive exams as well.