Looking to crack a government exam? If you already know that, then you know it's not easy. Lakh numbers of students apply annually. Only a few are chosen. Not every student selected is the smartest. They are the most disciplined of all.
One of the most effective tools you can have is a good daily timetable. It aids you to study daily on all subjects. It prevents you from wasting time. It helps you stay focused even if you're feeling lazy.
We will provide you with a simple daily schedule in this blog. We will also provide you with details on the best books for government competitive exams, so you know what to study.
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How Many Hours Should You Study?
An aspirant who wants to crack the government exam should study 8-10 hours daily. This may seem like a lot, but if it's broken down into small sessions, it's easy to handle.
It's not only about the hours. It's more important that the study is of good quality. One hour of concentration is better than three hours with a phone. When you sit to study, study attentively.
The Perfect Daily Timetable
This is a basic and easy-to-use timetable. The timings can be altered slightly according to the need, but it is advisable to stick as close as possible to the structure.
|
Time |
Activity |
Subject/Task |
|
5:00 AM – 5:30 AM |
Wake Up & Freshen Up |
Morning routine |
|
5:30 AM – 6:00 AM |
Light Exercise / Walk |
Physical fitness |
|
6:00 AM – 8:00 AM |
Study Session 1 |
Quantitative Aptitude |
|
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM |
Breakfast Break |
Rest & eat |
|
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM |
Study Session 2 |
Reasoning |
|
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM |
Short Break |
Relax |
|
10:45 AM – 12:45 PM |
Study Session 3 |
General Knowledge / GS |
|
12:45 PM – 1:30 PM |
Lunch & Rest |
Meals & relaxation |
|
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
Study Session 4 |
English / SSC topics |
|
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM |
Short Break |
Relax |
|
3:45 PM – 5:30 PM |
Study Session 5 |
Previous Year Papers |
|
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM |
Evening Walk / Break |
Fresh air & rest |
|
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM |
Study Session 6 |
Revision & Notes |
|
8:30 PM – 9:00 PM |
Dinner |
Meals |
|
9:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
Mock Test / Current Affairs |
Daily practice |
|
10:00 PM – 10:30 PM |
Reading / Relaxation |
Wind down |
|
10:30 PM |
Sleep |
Rest (7 hours minimum) |
Note: Take a 5-10 minute break after each 90 minutes of study. This assists your brain to absorb information more effectively.
Section-Wise Study Plan
Morning – Quantitative Aptitude
Your brain is at its best in the morning. Use this time for the toughest subject – Maths or Quantitative aptitude. Do 20-30 questions each morning. Solve percentage, ratio, time and work and number series problems.
Mid-Morning – Reasoning
Once students have mastered maths, proceed to reasoning. Another thinking subject which fits nicely in the late morning. Solve puzzles, seating arrangement, coding decoding and syllogisms on a daily basis.
Late Morning – General Knowledge
General knowledge is broad-based. Refer to a good general knowledge book for competitive exams. Chapterwise cover History, Geography, Polity, Economy and Science. Try not to read all at once.
Afternoon – English and SSC Topics
English is best learned in the afternoon as it is not as heavy on the brain. Work on grammar, reading comprehension and vocabulary.
Evening – Previous Year Papers
One of the smartest things you can do is to solve previous year question papers. It gives you an idea of what types of questions are on the test. It also aids in enhancing your speed and accuracy.
Night – Revision and Mock Test
Make a few changes to what you learned during the day before you go to bed. Write short notes. This helps to strengthen memory. Try to take a mock test 1 every 2-3 days to monitor progress.
Best Books for Government Competitive Exams
Selection of competitive exam books for government jobs is very important. Bad books are a time-waster. This is a basic guide:
|
Subject |
Best Book |
Why It Helps |
|
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations |
Easy language, lots of practice questions, covers all government exam topics |
|
|
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning |
Best reasoning book for competitive exam with step-by-step solutions |
|
|
General Knowledge |
Best general knowledge book for competitive exams; covers history, geography, science |
|
|
Objective General English |
Simple grammar rules with practice sets for SSC and other exams |
|
|
SSC CGL / CHSL Practice Sets |
Best book for SSC exam preparation; contains topic-wise and full mock tests |
Tips to Follow Your Timetable Every Day
A lot of pupils create a timetable but then don't stick to it after 2 or 3 days. Here are some easy ways to remain consistent:
-
Get up at the same time each day. The whole day is determined by the fixed wake-up time.
-
Avoid using your mobile phone during study time. Notifications take you out of the flow.
-
Use a checklist. Mark off each study session as it is completed. This will make you feel good about yourself.
-
Don't miss breaks. Sleeping is as essential as studying.
-
Get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep. The tired brain has no memory.
Conclusion
Passing a government exam requires effort, strategy and the proper books. A daily timetable helps to keep you organised and ensures that you are covering all subjects regularly.
Keep in mind that the exam is not just a test of knowledge. It challenges your discipline as well. Develop a daily study routine and success will come.
FAQ
A serious aspirant should study at least 8-10 hours daily. Quality is more important than quantity; take breaks to refresh your mind.
Schedule a time to get up, limit the use of social media while studying, and give yourself a treat when you reach your daily goals. Have a straightforward tracking sheet.
Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by “ ”is regarded as the best book for reasoning for competitive exams in India.