The PPSC written test pattern
For most posts, PPSC conducts a one-paper MCQ-type written test of 100 marks with 90 minutes to complete it. The paper tests General Ability, which typically covers:
- General Knowledge
- Pakistan Studies
- Current Affairs
- Islamic Studies (Ethics for non-Muslim candidates)
- Geography
- Basic Mathematics
- English
- Urdu
- Everyday Science
- Basic Computer Studies
Some posts (for example teaching posts) split the paper between qualification-related questions and general ability. The exact split is always printed in the official advertisement — read it before you start preparing.
How to prepare smartly
- Cover the high-weight areas first. English, General Knowledge, Current Affairs and Pakistan Studies appear in almost every PPSC paper.
- Stay current. A large share of every paper comes from recent events — read the news daily and revise monthly current affairs.
- Practice under time pressure. 100 questions in 90 minutes means less than a minute per question. Timed practice is what separates qualifiers from the rest.
- Attempt everything. There is no negative marking in the typical PPSC one-paper test, so never leave a question blank.
Free PPSC practice tests
We have built a free preparation course with 10 full practice tests plus a 300-question bank covering General Knowledge, English, Islamiat, Pakistan Studies and Current Affairs — the core of the PPSC syllabus:
Start with a practice test to find your weak areas, then drill the question bank. Good luck — and keep an eye on the official PPSC advertisement for your post’s exact syllabus.