Preparation tips for SSC MTS exam

 

Exam Preparation tips for SSC MTS

As you all must already be aware that SSC has already started the process of the online application for the SSC Multi-Tasking Staff examination for 2017. The exam which is proposed to happen on 16^th April, 2017, 30^th April, 2017 and 7^th May, 2017, requires the candidate to have matriculation or equivalent degree for its educational qualification criteria.
The recruitment for the posts for the staff will be done through an offline  based objective examination only. The examination will have two papers, one, which will be common for everyone. The second one will be conducted only for those who meet the cut-off prescribed by the Commission in Paper-I for different categories. This will be a descriptive paper, which will be only qualifying in nature and will need to be written in the language as specified by the candidate, in his/her application.
We first discuss the topics being covered by the first paper.

• General Intelligence and Reasoning
• English Language
• Numerical Aptitude
• General Awareness

Note: In the syllabus of SSC MTS Exam, The first paper will be held for a duration of 2 hours with a total of 150 questions, and a penalty of .25 as negative marking.
While the major outlines for this exam remain the same as other examinations conducted by the commission, we now delve into their further subtopics, briefly, for an in-depth assessment and how to tackle the sections.
General Intelligence and Reasoning:

• It would include questions of non-verbal type. The test will include questions on similarities and differences, space visualization, problem solving, analysis, judgment, decision making, visual memory, discriminating observation, relationship concepts, figure classification, arithmetical number series, non-verbal series etc. The test will also include questions designed to test the candidate’s abilities to deal with abstract ideas and symbols and their relationship, arithmetical computation, and other analytical functions.
• Covering the general problem solving skills, one should focus on the topics in logical deductions and general logic application.
• While this topic remains on the simpler side of the scale, candidates must read the questions properly and then apply themselves to the problem, to avoid those silly mistakes.
• The topics of space visualization along with number series would be easily tackled by many, as would the relationship concepts.
• A few subtopics do require effort and time for solving them correctly and quickly in the examination. Candidates, should strive right from the beginning to practice enough questions, so as to quickly recognize the patterns present in the problem.
• In case, a problem ends up taking too much of your precious examination time, its better if you would switch to the next question and then come back to the problem if time permits.
• 25 questions will be posed from this section, which effectively candidates should try to tackle within 25 to 30 minutes.

English Language:

• Though this topic remains Achilles’ heel for many a candidate, aspirants can work on their weaker aspects for this section and tackle this section successfully.
• Candidates’ understanding of the Basics of English Language, its vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms and its correct usage, etc. his/her writing ability would be tested.
• The simpler topics of reading comprehension is something which can be improved based on one’s continual practice. Also, imperative is the need to focus on improving your vocabulary. While this does not mean that you should solely focus on rote learning new words/phrases, you can try to improve your skills by learning how to apply those newly learnt phrases.
• With 50 questions being asked from this section, candidates must apply themselves and try to complete it within a generous time limit of 25 minutes.

Numerical Aptitude:

• This paper will include questions on problems relating to Number Systems, Computation of Whole Numbers, Decimals and Fractions and relationship between Numbers, Fundamental arithmetical operations, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Averages, Interest, Profit and Loss, Discount, use of Tables and Graphs, Mensuration, Time and Distance, Ratio and Time, Time and Work, etc.
• The topics of averages and percentages along with Data interpretation, tend to remain simple. Candidates are suggested to try to attempt such simpler questions quickly after reading the instructions properly and then move to the relatively harder topic.
• Developing the use of short tricks in the topics of algebra and other miscellaneous topics would help many of you develop the much-needed time management skills and also help in quickly solving the problems.
• A total of 25 questions will be asked from this topic. The candidates should try to tackle this in a time limit of nearly 35 to 40 minutes.

General Awareness:

• Questions will be designed to test the ability of the candidate’s general awareness of the environment around him and its application to society. Questions will also be designed to test knowledge of current events and of such matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspects as may be expected of an educated person. The test will also include questions relating to India and its neighbouring countries especially pertaining to Sports, History, Culture, Geography, Economic scene, General Polity including Indian Constitution, and Scientific Research etc. These questions will be such that they do not require a special study of any discipline.
• Since all the subtopics will be covered in this subsection of the paper, the candidates are requested to focus on all the subtopics equally to completely ace this section.
• While it might seem that the section is really vast, candidates should cover the basic and popular knowledge of the subtopics. Start with the topics you are most comfortable with. Practice regularly to remember the even most obscure of the facts and then move to those fewer difficult subtopics.
• If reading a newspaper is not your cup of tea, then fret not, go through the various GK tornados and capsule.
• With a total of 50 questions which will be asked, candidates should try to attempt this section within the time limit of nearly 30 minutes

Remember hard work always pays, but so does smart work. Know your limits and work within those, while trying to continually expand those limits. Keep practicing and strive for improvement. Analyze and self-assess yourself. The best preparation inspiration will come from your own self. You just need to find that spark!