Preparation tips for TNPSC | TNPSC Group 2 and Group 4

TNPSC Group Exam is one of Tamil Nadu’s most prestigious exams. To state the obvious, it is extremely competitive, and passing them needs real and dedicated preparation. The TNPSC Annual Calendar 2022 has been published, and notifications will be sent out in the months shown on the calendar. The secret to acing the exam is to begin studying as soon as possible. We will provide you with a complete Preparation tips for TNPSC Exam in this blog.

How Do I Prepare For TNPSC? – Preparation tips for TNPSC Exam

The vast syllabus of TNPSC Group Exams makes it difficult to know where to start. Check some important pointers to know how to begin your preparation.

Preparation tips for TNPSC Exam

1. Understanding the Exam Pattern + Syllabus

• The most common mistake made by students is to delve right into their studies without first learning the exam pattern and syllabus. You should be well-versed in the exam format and syllabus.
• Knowing the syllabus thoroughly allows you to connect whatever topic you’re reading or listening to directly to the syllabus’s contents.
• Never begin your preparations without first learning everything there is to know about the test structure and syllabus.

2. Analyse Previous Years Questions

Benefits of Analysing Past Years’ Questions

• Provide an understanding of the TNPSC Exam pattern
• Determine the difficulty level of questions.
• Understand the topic-wise distribution of the questions.
• Understand the distribution of questions by section.
• Helps you plan how to use the time during the main exam.
• Helps you allocate your time according to the time required for each section

Gather and analyze Previous Year TNPSC Papers

3. Create a Timetable

Examine the TNPSC exam syllabus. Set sub-goals to help you reach the overall aim of covering the course. Divide the syllabus into parts and allot time to each topic (consider them as sub-goals) based on the amount of time you have to prepare. Make sure the schedule covers the full curriculum and includes time for revision.

4. Go Through Online Resources and Competitive Books

Exam syllabus will provide you a general sense of the types of resources and study materials you’ll need for your preparation. Keep your sources to a minimum and just use the best ones.

Follow Government websites like, Income Tax Department, Ministry of Home Affairs, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare department (TN), Finance department (TN) etc. for authentic information. These websites are periodically updated with the latest information and annual reports.

Here’s a comprehensive list of resources you can use for your preparation: Books for Group 2 Exam, Books for Group 4 Exam

5. Revision is Key

The entire study effort is in useless without a proper and efficient revision strategy, as many students are unable to recall what they studied earlier in the examination. The inability to recall even a minor information in an examination can sometimes cost you dearly. Enough time must be set aside for revision of previously learnt areas in order to remain stress-free during the exam. Revise what you study everyday. Weekly, monthly revisions are also advised.

6. Keep Track of Time and Master the Methods and Tricks

The ability to manage your time is essential to passing any government exam. You must speed up in order to answer as many questions as possible in the shortest amount of time. Keep a stopwatch by your side when working on papers. You’ll be able to see exactly how long it takes you to answer each question this way. This will aid you in improving your speed and boost your confidence over time.

You will be able improve  your scores by learning shortcuts and methods for tackling questions, especially in the aptitude section of the exam. There are some aptitude formulas that will save you time and prevent you from having to conduct difficult calculations. You should memorise the formulas and put in as much practise time as possible.

7. Avoid too many distractions

Reduce your distractions to the point where you can devote more than 80% of your concentration to your preparation. While social outings and hobbies are important, you must focus the majority of your concentration on the exam. The TNPSC Group syllabus is extensive, and you must devote yourself to it.

8. Talk to your peers

When you study for the exam on your own, there’s a chance you’ll overlook something crucial. It is critical that you network with your peers on a frequent basis to avoid this. Networking allows you to share ideas, insights, and preparation tips with your peers; it also allows you to reach out to people when you have questions and makes you feel less lonely, which will help you prepare. It allows you to share your successes, hardships, and common problems, as well as find motivational phrases.

9. Take Full Length Mock Tests

Giving mock tests allows you to solve problems in a timed environment, which will put you ahead of the game because it will show you where you stand in comparison to other aspirants.

Do not forget to analyse the mocks after taking them. It will help you understand your weak and strong areas as well as enhance your knowledge with respect to different questions.

10. Don’t forget to relax!

While it is important to study at least for 6-8 hours every day, it is equally important that you make sure you are getting sufficient sleep and are well-rested. TNPSC exam preparation can take months, so it’s very important that you don’t over exhaust yourself and neglect your physical and mental well-being.

11. Divide your preparation into components

The TNPSC Exam Syllabus can be divided into various components – Static GK, Aptitude and Current Affairs

Current Affairs and Reports

For this Dynamic portion of the syllabus, test series can help a lot where a candidate understands the importance of a topic after he faces a question. Only reading may not help last a memory but attempting questions does.

Subject	Source	Strategy
Current affairs	Get Daily Current Affairs, Weekly compilation, Monthly compilation of at least 8-10 months	Mark important topics and revise weekly subject wise
Important Reports	GOI or TN Government Website	Before going through Summaries of coaching Institute give a complete reading. Make notes in the second reading only.
India Year book	Hard Copy will be released	Selective reading with emphasis on newly added topics. Note down statistics.
Govt Schemes	Any coaching material Check selective list here	Study department and ministry wise and identify the similarities and differences in target areas of the schemes.

Static GK

The static syllabus contains General Awareness. Be well versed with Geography, History, Polity and Economy with special focus on Tamil Nadu. Revision and note making is very important for Static GK. Check how make effective notes here. Revision is key for you to clear the exam. Revise and Revise regularly. Give as many mock tests as possible to know where you stand and which areas ou can improve upon.

Check here for detailed resources for TNPSC.

Aptitude and Mental Ability

• TNPSC preparation for Quant section should be based on practice, practice and practice.
• Master the basic formulas of Maths in your TNPSC preparation
• Once Basics are good, then practice the Shortcut tricks for Maths
• Identify your weak zones as quickly as possible and work extra hard on them during your TNPSC Preparation.

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