GCE A/L Common General Test study plan
GCE A/L Common General Test · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Verbal Reasoning and Language Ability & Numerical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude
Diagnose baseline ability by completing one timed 25-question verbal set and one timed 25-question numerical set, then tabulate accuracy by question subtype
Build a personal vocabulary log of 60 high-frequency exam words with Sinhala/Tamil or plain-English glosses and one original example sentence each
Master ratio, percentage and average conversions by solving 40 mixed drill items without a calculator under a 45-minute limit
Establish a fixed weekly study timetable of three 2-hour blocks and log actual minutes studied each day
Your checkpoint
A one-page baseline score sheet listing accuracy per subtype for domains 1 and 2, plus the first 60 entries of the vocabulary log
Verbal Reasoning and Language Ability & Numerical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude
Apply a three-step method (identify conclusion, test each option, eliminate extremes) to 30 paragraph-completion and inference items
Solve 30 word-problem items on speed, time, distance and work by writing the formula before computing each answer
Reduce average time per verbal item to 60 seconds by reworking every previously missed question untimed, then retimed
Reduce average time per numerical item to 75 seconds using estimation and answer-option elimination on at least half the items
Your checkpoint
A timed 50-question mixed set (verbal plus numerical) scored at 70% or above, with a written error log of every wrong answer and its cause
Verbal Reasoning and Language Ability & Numerical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude
Interpret data tables, bar charts and pie charts by extracting 20 required values from unseen data sets in under 20 minutes total
Solve 25 number-series and odd-one-out items and articulate the rule used for each in one line
Complete 20 reading-comprehension passages with main-idea and tone questions answered before detail questions
Consolidate the 30 most frequent personal error patterns into a single revision checklist
Your checkpoint
A completed error-pattern checklist with each pattern, an example question, and the corrected approach written beside it
Logical and Analytical Reasoning & Verbal Reasoning and Language Ability
Diagram 25 syllogisms using circles or Venn notation before selecting an answer, and verify validity of each conclusion
Solve 20 seating-arrangement and ordering puzzles using a fixed notation system for positions and constraints
Complete 15 assumption, strengthening and weakening items and justify each rejection in one sentence
Sit a full-length 50-question mock covering domains 1 to 3 under strict timing
Your checkpoint
Mock test report showing section-wise scores, time per section, and a ranked list of the three weakest question types to target next
Logical and Analytical Reasoning & Spatial and Visual Reasoning
Solve 30 logical-deduction grid puzzles by building a constraint table and marking eliminations explicitly
Practice 25 figure-series and rotation items by describing each transformation in words before choosing the next figure
Complete 20 paper-folding, mirror-image and embedded-figure items and record the visual rule that decided each answer
Analyse 15 logical puzzles involving blood relations and direction sense using quick sketch diagrams
Your checkpoint
A sketch workbook of 40 solved spatial and analytical puzzles, each with the reasoning steps written beside the diagram
General Knowledge and Current Affairs & Practical Intelligence and Problem Solving
Compile a dated current-affairs digest of 40 items covering national, international, scientific and sporting events from the past 12 months
Memorise 30 key facts on Sri Lankan and world geography, constitution, and major institutions by self-quizzing twice
Solve 20 practical problem-solving scenarios such as scheduling, budgeting and travel planning, showing all working
Answer 40 general-knowledge rapid-fire questions in 20 minutes and log every gap for follow-up
Your checkpoint
A two-page current-affairs and static-facts digest with 40 dated entries, self-tested to 80% recall
Verbal Reasoning and Language Ability & Numerical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude & Logical and Analytical Reasoning
Sit two full-length timed mock papers under exam conditions and record raw scores and timing per section
Rework every incorrect answer from both mocks until each can be explained aloud without notes
Drill the three weakest question types identified in week 4 with 20 targeted items each
Practise an exam-day time-allocation strategy by assigning fixed minutes per section and adhering to it in both mocks
Your checkpoint
Two completed mock papers with corrected answer scripts and a comparison table showing improvement from mock one to mock two
General Knowledge and Current Affairs & Practical Intelligence and Problem Solving & Spatial and Visual Reasoning
Review the current-affairs digest and error checklists daily, covering one third of the material per sitting
Sit one final full-length mock and complete it with at least five minutes remaining for review
Rehearse 20 spatial items and 20 practical scenarios at exam pace to confirm retention of techniques
Finalise a one-page exam-day sheet covering timing rules, common traps, and last-minute facts
Your checkpoint
A final mock score at or above the target pass mark plus a completed one-page exam-day strategy sheet