The UPSC EPFO APFC exam begins with a written test, officially called the Recruitment Test (RT). This is an offline, pen-and-paper exam. You'll be marking your answers on an OMR sheet.

The test is composed entirely of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), where each question has four possible answers. The duration for the entire test is two hours (120 minutes).

All questions in the Recruitment Test carry equal marks. The total score for the paper is 300 marks. This score plays a significant role in the final selection.

However, you need to be careful with your guesses. There is a penalty for incorrect answers. For every wrong answer you mark, one-third (1/3) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted from your total score.

Getting the job involves more than just the written exam. The selection is a two-stage process. Your performance in the Recruitment Test is the first step.

Candidates who score above a certain cutoff in the Recruitment Test are then shortlisted for the second stage: the Interview. The interview is designed to assess your personality, suitability for the role, and general knowledge.

Your final selection depends on the combined marks from both stages. The marks from the Recruitment Test and the Interview are considered in a ratio of 75:25 to prepare the final merit list. This means the written test holds three times the weight of the interview, making it a critical component of your preparation.

Now that you understand the structure, let's test your knowledge.

Knowing the exam's structure is the first step in building a solid preparation strategy.