APSC Prelims Question Paper (2001-2024): Download CCE Previous Year PDF
If you are preparing for the prestigious Assam Public Service Commission Combined Competitive Examination (APSC CCE), your first and most crucial step is understanding the battleground. And there is no better way to understand the APSC Prelims than by thoroughly analyzing the APSC Prelims Question Papers from previous years.
Solving past year papers gives you a crystal-clear idea of the exam difficulty, the weightage of different subjects (like Assam History vs. Indian Polity), and the changing trends set by the commission. On this page, we provide you with the direct, one-click PDF download links for the last two decades of APSC Prelims question papers.
📌 Essential APSC Study Resources
APSC Prelims Exam Pattern (Revised)
Before you dive into downloading the papers, it is extremely important to understand the current examination scheme. Starting from the 2020 examination cycle, APSC completely overhauled the CCE Preliminary exam pattern.
Previously, candidates had to choose an Optional Subject for the Prelims. Now, the Preliminary exam consists strictly of Two Objective-Type General Studies Papers. Both papers are compulsory.
| Paper Name | Total Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies I (GS-1) (History, Polity, Assam GK, Current Affairs) |
200 Marks | 2 Hours | Yes (1/4th mark deducted) |
| General Studies II (GS-2) (CSAT: Aptitude, Reasoning, Comprehension) |
200 Marks | 2 Hours | Yes (1/4th mark deducted) |
*Note: General Studies II is a qualifying paper. Candidates must secure a minimum of 33% marks in GS-2 to have their GS-1 paper evaluated.
Download APSC Prelims Question Paper PDF (Year-Wise)
Below are the direct Google Drive links to download the APSC CCE Prelims Previous Year Question Papers. Because of the pattern change mentioned above, you will notice that "Paper II" is marked as "N/A" for years before 2020, as the second paper used to be a subjective optional paper which is no longer relevant for your preparation.
| Exam Year | General Studies (Paper I) | CSAT / GS (Paper II) |
|---|---|---|
| APSC Prelims 2024 | 📥 Download GS I | 📥 Download GS II |
| APSC Prelims 2023 | 📥 Download GS I | 📥 Download GS II |
| APSC Prelims 2022 | 📥 Download GS I | 📥 Download GS II |
| APSC Prelims 2020 | 📥 Download GS I | 📥 Download GS II |
| APSC Prelims 2018 | 📥 Download GS I | Not Applicable |
| APSC Prelims 2016 | 📥 Download GS I | Not Applicable |
| APSC Prelims 2015 | 📥 Download GS I | Not Applicable |
| APSC Prelims 2014 | 📥 Download GS I | Not Applicable |
| APSC Prelims 2013 | 📥 Download GS I | Not Applicable |
| APSC Prelims 2011 | 📥 Download GS I | Not Applicable |
| APSC Prelims 2006 | 📥 Download GS I | Not Applicable |
| APSC Prelims 2001 | 📥 Download GS I | Not Applicable |
How to effectively use APSC Previous Year Papers?
Don't just read the questions like a textbook. Follow this method:
- Reverse Engineering: Look at the 2024 and 2023 papers. Note down which topics APSC favors (e.g., Ahom History, Geography of Assam, Recent State Schemes). Focus your reading there.
- Simulate Exam Conditions: Print out the PDF. Set a timer for exactly 2 hours. Attempt the paper in complete silence. This builds exam temperament.
- Analyze Mistakes: Finding out why an answer is wrong is more important than knowing the right answer. Analyze the options APSC uses to trick candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, the APSC CCE Preliminary question paper is printed in both English and Assamese languages to accommodate all candidates.
Yes, there is a penalty for wrong answers. One-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to that specific question will be deducted for every incorrect answer in both GS Paper I and GS Paper II.
While previous year papers are crucial for understanding the exam pattern and identifying important topics, they must be supplemented with standard reference books (like Laxmikanth for Polity, Priyam Goswami for Assam History) and daily current affairs reading.