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The Kerala PSC Departmental Test is passed by employees who prepare on a fixed schedule, not by those who read whenever time allows. If you are working full time, 120 days (about four months) is a comfortable window to cover every paper, practise with the permitted books, and take enough mock tests. This guide gives you a 120-day Kerala PSC Departmental Test study plan 2026 that you can adapt to any test: Account Test, Manual of Office Procedure, Revenue, Panchayat, Judicial, Excise, Forest and others.
Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026: Key Facts Before You Plan
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online or OMR (objective). Language tests are descriptive. Practical and viva voce where specified |
| Marks | 100 per paper |
| Minimum pass mark | 40% in each paper |
| Marking | 1 mark for each correct answer, 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer |
| Duration | 1.5 hours for most tests, 2 hours for Account Test (Lower), Account Test (Higher), Account Test for Executive Officers Paper II (KSR) and Excise Test (Part A and B) |
| Books | “With books” or “Without books” as specified for each paper |
| Part passing | All tests can be passed in parts, and you may apply for individual papers |
Kerala PSC Departmental Test 120-Day Detailed Study Plan 2026
1: Which Year First Assembly Election was held in Kerala?
The plan has five phases. The first month builds your foundation, the middle months cover the papers in depth, and the last month is all about practice and revision.
| Phase | Days | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Setup and Orientation | Days 1 to 10 | Know your test, arrange permitted books, learn each book’s structure |
| Phase 2: First Reading | Days 11 to 50 | Read every paper once and make notes |
| Phase 3: Deep Study and Practice | Days 51 to 85 | Topic-wise practice, look-up speed, memorisation |
| Phase 4: Mock Tests and Analysis | Days 86 to 110 | Full-length mocks and error correction |
| Phase 5: Final Revision | Days 111 to 120 | Revise notes and wrong-answer lists, no new topics |
Phase 1: Setup and Orientation (Days 1 to 10)
Do not start reading yet. First, set up your preparation properly.
| Days | Task |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Download the Time Table and Syllabus PDF for your test from www.keralapsc.gov.in. Note the number of papers, books, excluded chapters and with/without-books status |
| Day 2 | Make your master checklist: paper, books, with/without books, duration, pass mark |
| Day 3 | Arrange the permitted government publications with the latest amendments. Private guides are not allowed unless the notification permits them |
| Days 4 to 6 | Read the table of contents of each book. Learn the layout: parts, chapters, appendices |
| Day 7 | List the 20 to 30 most important topics for each paper (for example leave, increment, probation, advances, bills, custody of money) |
| Days 8 to 9 | Download the Entri app, check the available practice material and mock tests, and attempt one short diagnostic test to see where you stand |
| Day 10 | Finalise your day-wise timetable and weekly targets |
Phase 2: First Reading (Days 11 to 50)
In these 40 days, read each paper once from start to finish. Do not try to memorise everything. Understand the structure, key rules and exceptions.
How to divide the 40 days
Split the days among your papers according to their size. For example:
| If your test has | Suggested split of 40 days |
|---|---|
| 2 papers | About 20 days per paper |
| 3 papers | About 13 days per paper |
| 4 papers | About 10 days per paper |
| 5 papers | About 8 days per paper |
For a without-books paper, give a few extra days, because you will need to memorise more.
Sample weekly routine for Phase 2
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | Read 1 to 2 chapters or rule groups per day. Mark key rules and exceptions |
| Friday | Make one-page notes for the week (mandatory for without-books papers) |
| Saturday | Revise the week and solve 20 to 30 topic-wise questions |
| Sunday | Weekly test on the Entri app and review of wrong answers |
Sample Phase 2 allocation for the Account Test (Lower)
The Account Test (Lower) has four papers. Here is one way to use the 40 days:
| Days | Paper |
|---|---|
| Days 11 to 20 | Paper 1: Kerala Service Rules |
| Days 21 to 30 | Paper 2: Kerala Financial Code Volumes I and II and Kerala Budget Manual |
| Days 31 to 40 | Paper 3: Kerala Account Code Volume I, and Introduction to Indian Government Accounts and Audit (without books, except Chapters 12, 26, 27, 28 and 29) |
| Days 41 to 50 | Paper 4: Kerala Treasury Code Volumes I and II and Kerala Account Code Volume II |
The same method works for other tests. Replace the papers with those in your own syllabus.
Phase 3: Deep Study and Practice (Days 51 to 85)
Now that you have read everything once, move from reading to practice. This phase builds your speed and memory.
For with-books papers
- Practise finding provisions quickly. Take a topic, find it in the book, and note the time taken.
- Solve topic-wise questions. After each one, write the rule or section number and its location.
- Aim to reach any provision in under 30 seconds to one minute.
For without-books papers
- Revise your one-page notes every day.
- Make flashcards for definitions, time limits, powers of authorities and rule numbers.
- Test yourself without looking at the book.
For judicial and law-based papers
- Use bare Acts only.
- Revise the new criminal laws: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023. Do not use old IPC, CrPC or Evidence Act section numbers.
Weekly routine for Phase 3
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Monday to Wednesday | Deep study of the most important topics of one paper, plus 30 questions per day |
| Thursday | Look-up practice for with-books papers or flashcard revision for without-books papers |
| Friday | Solve previous questions of one paper. See Departmental Test previous question papers |
| Saturday | Paper-wise mock test (about half the real duration) |
| Sunday | Review mistakes and update your wrong-answer notebook |
Phase 4: Mock Tests and Analysis (Days 86 to 110)
This is the most important phase. Take full-length mock tests in real exam conditions: the same duration (1.5 or 2 hours), the same book rules and the same negative marking.
| Days | Activity |
|---|---|
| Days 86 to 90 | Take one full-length mock test per paper. Identify weak areas |
| Days 91 to 95 | Revise the weak Codes, Acts and Manuals. Practise look-ups |
| Days 96 to 100 | Take two to three more full-length mocks |
| Days 101 to 105 | Revise wrong-answer notes. Reduce negative marks by working on doubtful questions |
| Days 106 to 110 | Take final full-length mocks and aim to stay above 40 net marks consistently |
How to attempt each mock test
- Round 1: Answer questions you know without searching.
- Round 2: For with-books papers, look up the questions that need a quick check.
- Round 3: Revisit doubtful questions. Guess only when you can eliminate at least two options.
- Keep a few minutes at the end for review.
How to analyse each mock test
- Check your net score after negative marking.
- Count wrong and skipped questions.
- Note the correct rule and its location for every mistake.
- Group mistakes by Code, Act or Manual and revise those first.
Phase 5: Final Revision (Days 111 to 120)
The last ten days are for revision only. Do not start new topics.
| Days | Activity |
|---|---|
| Days 111 to 113 | Revise one-page notes and flashcards for without-books papers |
| Days 114 to 115 | Revise the structure and look-up index of each with-books paper |
| Days 116 to 117 | Revise your wrong-answer notebook and the new criminal laws |
| Day 118 | One last full-length mock test |
| Day 119 | Light revision. Check the hall ticket, ID proof, exam centre and permitted books |
| Day 120 | Rest. Revise only a few notes. Sleep well |
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Join Now!How to Adjust the Departmental Test Study Plan for Your Situation
- If your test has only one or two papers: Shorten Phase 2 and spend more days on Phases 3 and 4.
- If your test has five or more papers: Consider passing in parts. All tests can be passed in parts, and you may apply for individual papers.
- If you have less than 120 days: Compress Phase 2 and keep at least 20 days for mock tests and revision.
- If you have more than 120 days: Add more mock tests and a second reading of the without-books papers.
- If your test includes descriptive, practical or viva papers: Add daily writing practice (language tests), drill practice (Jail tests) or scenario practice (Divisional Accountants viva). Online mocks do not cover these.
Do’s and Don’ts – Kerala PSC Departmental Test Study Plan 2026
Do:
- Use only government publications and permitted material.
- Use the latest edition with amendments.
- Keep a wrong-answer notebook.
- Study at the same time each day.
- Practise under negative marking, 1/3 mark for each wrong answer.
Don’t:
- Study from old IPC, CrPC or Evidence Act material for criminal law papers.
- Carry mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, calculators or smart watches into the exam campus.
- Guess every doubtful question.
- Leave the without-books papers for the last week.
- Skip the Time Table and Syllabus PDF.
Prepare with the Entri App
Use the Entri app to follow this plan with practice questions, mock tests and updates on Kerala PSC Departmental Test notifications.
