BPSC Prelims — Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Free PYQ Tests
The Preliminary exam is the first stage of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) Combined Competitive Examination — a single objective General Studies paper. Below is the full pattern, a preparation strategy, and free mock tests to practise with.
BPSC Prelims Exam Pattern
| Paper | General Studies (single paper) |
| Total questions | 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQ) |
| Total marks | 150 marks |
| Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Negative marking | None (in BPSC Prelims) |
| Nature | Qualifying (marks not added to final merit) |
| Language | Hindi & English |
A Pattern-Based Preparation Strategy
- Analyse previous-year papers (PYQs) to spot the topics that repeat every year.
- Prioritise Bihar-specific history, geography, polity and economy.
- Track daily current affairs, especially events related to Bihar.
- Take regular timed mock tests and review your weak subjects.
Start with our free 66th BPSC PYQ tests, review the full syllabus, and revise Bihar GK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there negative marking in BPSC Prelims?
No. The BPSC Combined Preliminary exam does not deduct marks for wrong answers. To discourage blind guessing, each question instead carries a 5th option ('more than one / none of the above').
How many questions are there in BPSC Prelims?
The single General Studies paper has 150 multiple-choice questions for 150 marks, to be completed in 2 hours.
Do Prelims marks count towards the final merit?
No. The Preliminary exam is only qualifying; final selection is based on the Mains exam and interview.
How should I prepare for BPSC Prelims?
Study previous-year-question (PYQ) trends, focus on Bihar-specific topics, and take regular timed mock tests. MissionBPSC's free PYQ tests are built for exactly this.
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