Assam PSC Combined Competitive Examination - Pattern

• 19 Dec 2025

Table Of Contents

1. Assam PSC Combined Competitive Examination - Pattern
2. APSC CCE Selection Process
3. APSC CCE Exam Pattern Overview
4. APSC CCE Preliminary Examination Pattern
5. APSC CCE Main Examination Pattern
6. APSC Interview / Personality Test
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) conducts the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) to recruit candidates for various Group A and Group B services under the Assam state administration. Commonly known as the Assam PCS Exam, the APSC CCE is conducted annually or as per notified vacancies. 

Understanding the latest APSC CCE exam pattern is essential for building a focused preparation strategy, as the examination follows a multi-stage selection process with a strong emphasis on General Studies and Assam-specific topics. 

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APSC CCE Selection Process 

The APSC Combined Competitive Examination is conducted in three stages: 

1. Preliminary Examination (Objective Type – Qualifying) 
2. Main Examination (Descriptive Type – Merit Based) 
3. Interview / Personality Test 

Only candidates who qualify each stage are allowed to appear for the subsequent stage. 

APSC CCE Exam Pattern Overview

Stage of Exam	Type of Exam	Total Marks
Prelims	Objective  Paper-I  Paper-II (Qualifying)	200 Marks each
Mains	Descriptive	1500 Marks
Interview	Personality Test	180 Marks

APSC CCE Preliminary Examination Pattern  

• Preliminary examination consists of two papers: 

Paper	Subject	Marks	Number of Questions	Duration	Nature
Paper I	General Studies I	200	100	2 Hours	Merit-based
Paper II	General Studies II	200	80	2 Hours	Qualifying (33%)

• Each Paper will be of 2 hours. Negative marking is 1/4th of the total mark assigned to a question. Paper II is qualifying only and the merit for Prelims is determined only by Paper-I (General Studies).  
• General Studies Paper I will have around 30–35% questions compulsorily related to Assam. 

APSC CCE Main Examination Pattern  

• For candidates who successfully qualify for the preliminary examination, the main examination is conducted at various centers designated by the APSC. The main examination will have a total of 1500 marks. 
• Mains includes 6 papers of 250 marks each, making a total of 1500 marks.  

Paper	Subject	Marks	Duration
Paper-I	Essay	250	3 Hours
Paper-II	General Studies I (History, Culture, Geography, Society)	250	3 Hours
Paper-III	General Studies II (Governance, Polity, Social Justice, IR)	250	3 Hours
Paper-IV	General Studies III (Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Disaster Management)	250	3 Hours
Paper-V	General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)	250	3 Hours
Paper-VI	General Subject Paper on Assam	250	3 Hours

• Language Rule: Candidates may write answers in English or Assamese.  
• Optional Subjects: Not applicable — there are no optional papers in APSC CCE. 

APSC Interview / Personality Test 

• The Interview assesses your personal suitability for a career in public service. The board will judge your mental alertness, critical assimilation powers, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, and intellectual/moral integrity.  
• Candidates who qualify for the main examination must appear for an interview before the commission. 
• The personality test carries a weightage of 180 marks. 
• The final merit list is prepared based on the cumulative marks obtained in the main examination and the interview. 

Total Marks (Mains + Interview)- 1500+180= 1680 

Understanding the APSC CCE exam pattern is essential for effective preparation, as the Main Examination and Interview together determine the final merit. Aspirants should focus on strong General Studies fundamentals, consistent answer writing, and Assam-specific topics to align with the demands of the exam. Referring to the detailed APSC syllabus, preparation strategy, and previous year question papers will help candidates plan their studies in a focused and result-oriented manner. 

Related Resources
APSC CCE Exam Syllabus	Click Here
APSC CCE Previous Year Papers	Click Here
APSC Exam Strategy	Click Here
Assam State GK	Click Here
Monthly CA Consolidations	Click Here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – APSC CCE Exam Pattern

1. What is the selection process of the APSC CCE examination? +

The APSC CCE is conducted in three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview (Personality Test). Candidates must qualify each stage to move to the next. 

2. Is the APSC Preliminary Examination qualifying in nature? +

Yes. The Preliminary Examination is only a screening test. Only General Studies Paper I is considered for merit, while Paper II is qualifying with a minimum of 33%. 

3. How many papers are there in the APSC Main Examination? +

The APSC Main Examination consists of six descriptive papers, each carrying 250 marks, making a total of 1500 marks.

4. Are there optional subjects in the APSC CCE exam? +

No. The APSC CCE does not have any optional subjects. All candidates appear for the same set of papers.

5. How much weightage is given to Assam-specific topics in the exam? +

In the Preliminary Examination, around 30–35% of questions in General Studies Paper I are compulsorily related to Assam. The Main Examination also includes a dedicated paper on Assam. 

6. What are the total marks for the APSC CCE examination? +

The total marks for final selection are 1680, which includes 1500 marks from the Main Examination and 180 marks from the Interview. 

7. Is there negative marking in the APSC Prelims? +

Yes. One-fourth (1/4th) of the marks allotted to a question are deducted for each incorrect answer in the Preliminary Examination. 

8. In which language can candidates write the APSC Main Examination? +

Candidates can write the Main Examination answers in either English or Assamese. 

9. What is the duration of APSC Mains papers? +

Each paper in the APSC Main Examination is of 3 hours duration. 

10. How is the final merit list prepared in APSC CCE? +

The final merit list is prepared based on the combined marks obtained in the Main Examination and the Interview.