GPSC Class 1 & 2 exam-day guide
GPSC Class 1 & 2 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Download and read the current official instruction booklet for your stage
The Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) publishes stage-specific instructions covering reporting time, permitted items, and paper structure. Requirements differ between the preliminary and main examinations, so read the booklet for the exact stage you are appearing in. If any detail is unclear, confirm with the provider rather than relying on second-hand accounts.
Printed admit card plus one photo ID
Carry a clean printout of the admit card and the photo identification specified in the commission's instructions. Some venues require the ID to match the admit card photograph; keep a second copy of the admit card in your bag. The exact list of accepted ID documents and whether photocopies are allowed must be confirmed with the provider.
Passport-size photographs matching the one pasted on the admit card
Keep two or three spare copies in case a venue asks for one for attendance records. Use the same photograph as on the admit card to avoid mismatch queries. Confirm with the provider whether photographs are mandatory at your stage.
Black or blue ballpoint pens, more than one
Objective papers are typically OMR-based and may specify the ink colour for darkening bubbles. Take three working pens of the permitted colour and test them beforehand. Confirm the permitted ink colour in the current instructions.
Transparent water bottle and a light snack for after the paper
Water is usually allowed in a transparent container; snacks generally cannot be taken to the desk. Eat a proper meal before reporting, since the paper is long and breaks may not be permitted inside the hall.
Simple analogue wristwatch
Many halls do not have a visible clock, and invigilators announce time at intervals only. Smart watches and any device with communication or storage capability are almost always prohibited. Confirm which timepieces are permitted with the provider.
Plan the route and reporting time in advance
Locate the centre on a map, estimate travel time with morning traffic, and add a buffer. Reporting gates typically close well before the paper begins; late entry is commonly refused. Note the exact reporting time printed on your admit card.
Revise only short, high-yield notes in the last day
Use condensed revision material: constitutional articles and amendments, state economy and geography facts, current affairs of the past year, and formula sheets. Avoid starting new topics or attempting full-length mocks in the final 24 hours.
Sleep and meal routine
Shift your sleep schedule a few days before the exam so you are alert during paper hours. Avoid heavy, oily food on the morning of the exam and keep caffeine intake moderate.
Leave prohibited items at home
Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, calculators, study material, and loose paper are generally barred from the hall. There may be no secure storage at the venue, so do not depend on leaving valuables outside. Confirm the venue's policy with the provider.
Check the paper pattern and marking scheme for your stage
Know the number of papers, question count, duration, and negative marking before you enter, so you can pace yourself. Marking schemes have changed across years; rely on the current official notification.
Emergency contact and backup transport
Save the centre address and a local contact on paper in case your phone must be left behind. Identify a backup route or transport option in case of a delay.
Plan the day
Confirm your centre address and reporting time from the admit card, and do a dry run of the route if the centre is unfamiliar. Download and read the instruction booklet. Assemble the admit card, ID, photographs, and pens in one pouch. Stop studying new topics; switch to revision of short notes and previous mistakes.
Do a light revision of high-yield lists only: constitutional provisions, major state schemes and economy indicators, geography basics, and recent current affairs. Pack the bag and place it near the door. Check the weather forecast and any local transport disruptions. Set two alarms. Aim for a full night's sleep rather than last-minute cramming.
Eat a normal breakfast, dress in comfortable layers, and leave with a generous buffer. Recheck that the admit card, ID, photographs, and pens are in the bag. Reach the centre early and locate the entry gate and, if permitted, the notice board for seating. Keep the phone switched off and stored as instructed, or leave it at home.
Fill in roll number and booklet details carefully before starting, and verify them once more before handing over. Read the instructions on the question booklet and OMR sheet. Work in passes: answer confident questions first, mark uncertain ones for a second pass, and reserve the final minutes for transferring answers and checking alignment. Watch the clock at fixed intervals rather than continuously.
Do not discuss question-by-question answers at the gate, since it raises anxiety without changing the result. Note down anything you found unclear about the process and check the commission's website for the answer key, objection window, and next-stage schedule. Begin planning the next stage only after confirming dates with the provider.
Rules to check
Carry only the documents and items permitted in the current official instructions. If an item is not explicitly allowed, treat it as prohibited and confirm with the provider before the exam day.
Entry after the gate closing time is generally refused, and the reporting time is usually earlier than the paper's start time. Plan to arrive well before the printed reporting time.
Keep the admit card and photo ID on the desk throughout the paper, since invigilators may verify them during the session. Do not hand these documents to anyone other than authorised staff.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on question booklet handling, OMR sheet filling, and rough work. Rough work is normally allowed only in the space provided in the booklet, not on loose sheets.
Do not engage in any unfair means: no communication with other candidates, no concealed material, and no electronic devices. Unfair practices typically lead to cancellation of candidature and possible debarment; the exact penalty is set out in the commission's rules.
Breaks and restroom visits may be restricted during the paper. Confirm the venue's policy with the provider and plan fluid intake accordingly.
Scoring usually involves negative marking for wrong answers in objective papers. Confirm the exact penalty and any sectional qualifying requirements in the current notification before deciding how to guess.
If you find an error in the question booklet or a printing defect, raise it with the invigilator immediately and follow the documented procedure rather than waiting until the end.