GK preparation for Karnataka exams
A plain guide for FDA, SDA, PDO, Constable and VAO aspirants: how the questions are framed, where the marks come from, how much current affairs to read and which books are enough.
These figures are approximate. They follow the usual Karnataka pattern and our reading of recent papers, not an official syllabus count. Check the latest notification of the exam you are applying for.
How questions are framed
- Most questions are direct, one-line MCQs: who, which, where, when, plus match the following.
- Statement-based questions ("which of the following is correct") are increasing, especially in FDA, SDA and PDO.
- Constable and VAO papers are easier and more static-fact based. FDA, SDA and PDO use more statement and elimination questions.
- Karnataka-specific questions take a large share in every one of these exams.
Approximate subject weightage in a 100-mark GK paper
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Current affairs | 15 to 25 |
| Karnataka (history, culture, geography, economy, schemes, people) | 20 to 25 |
| Indian history and freedom struggle | 10 to 15 |
| Polity and Constitution | 10 to 12 |
| Indian geography | 8 to 10 |
| Economy | 6 to 10 |
| General science | 10 to 15 |
| Static GK (awards, books, sports, days, places) | 5 to 8 |
How much current affairs
- Cover the last 12 months, with the most detail on the last 6.
- In the papers we read, direct current affairs came to roughly 12 to 20 percent. Karnataka schemes, budget items and local events that sit under other subjects push the real share to about 20 to 25 percent.
- Give more time to Karnataka news, the state budget and schemes than to international news.
- Schemes, appointments, awards, sports events, summits and agreements are the usual question areas.
Where current affairs questions come from
- Union Budget and Economic Survey, for national schemes and programmes.
- Karnataka Budget and Karnataka Economic Survey, for state schemes and figures.
- PIB and ministry press releases, for missions, satellites, bills and health or science announcements.
- Newspapers and monthly magazines, for sports, awards, agreements and events.
- This is our inference from what the questions cover. Question setters do not state their sources.
Books to refer
- Karnataka State Board social science textbooks, classes 8 to 10, for Karnataka and Indian history, geography and civics.
- NCERT classes 6 to 10 for basic history, geography, polity and science.
- Laxmikanth for polity, selectively. For these exams the Karnataka board books plus a good guide are enough.
- A Karnataka-specific GK guide (Spardha Vani, Sunstar or Chetana) and a monthly magazine for current affairs.
- Solved previous-year papers from the last 8 to 10 years.
Common questions
Which exams does this guide cover?
FDA, SDA, PDO, Constable and VAO, the Karnataka state recruitment exams for which Brainiac has practice quizzes.
Is the weightage official?
No. It is an approximate pattern from recent papers. Always read the latest notification.
Where can I practise?
Use the free quizzes on this site, or the Brainiac app for full practice sets.
Practise what you read
Take the free quizzes here, or install the Brainiac app for full GK practice sets for these exams.