Welcome to the highly competitive world of government jobs in Bangladesh! While any job in such a category is a hard nut to crack, the BCS (Bangladesh Civil Service) examination carries even greater challenges. If you have already passed the preliminary exam and sat for the written test, I have no advice for enhancing your theoretical knowledge, as I believe you already excel in that sector. Today's topic is related to your upcoming viva and is a lot more pragmatic in nature. 

The viva voce section of this strenuous and prolonged process of selection can be a particularly nerve-racking experience. Anxiety and nervousness originating from such a high-stakes exam may lead to some last-minute mistakes that can be avoided with ease. So, we have compiled a list of 7 things that you must not forget to check before you leave to attend your BCS viva. 

Check your documents 

The very first task you should complete on the morning of your viva voce is to check and recheck if you have gathered all sets of documents required by the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) for appearing in the exam. The requirements for mandatory documents may slightly vary from year to year.

Therefore, you should get rid of any checklist for documents collected from social media platforms, as they might be outdated, and instead, follow the list found on the official website of BPSC under the 'Notice' section. Additionally, remember to carry at least one set of extra documents, as you would be hard-pressed to find any printing or photocopying facilities in the vicinity of your exam centre if the need arises.  

Plan your travel 

Before you leave your house for one of the most prestigious government job exams that an entry-level candidate may dream of, remember that you will be doing so in Dhaka city. The traffic in this beloved city of ours is clumsy at best and deadlocked at worst. So, carefully plan your travel and try to designate the best possible route beforehand. On this note, I will also make suggestions against relying on public transportation on this special day. 

Be mindful of your attire 

Your attire for the exam must be moderate in nature and conform to the formal dress code. However, if you have purchased a completely new outfit for this special occasion, make sure that the morning of the exam is not the very first time you are wearing it. Go through trials with your designated clothing, looking for any flaws, dust, or dirt, and ensure that you feel comfortable in it.

Check the daily newspaper 

Do not forget to check at least one daily newspaper on the morning of your interview. If you are too busy to go through the complete newspaper, check the important headlines at the very least and skim through these articles. Pay attention to the details that seem important to you. 

Check out recent Government projects 

It is important to keep in mind that similar to any other job interview, the interviewers of the BCS viva tend to favour candidates with a comprehensive understanding of the affairs related to the government. Thus, it would be an excellent idea to check basic information like budget, the start of construction, expected date of completion, etc. on significant projects recently announced by the government. 

Take the recent update on politics 

As a candidate aspiring for a position in government administration, you should be well-versed in local and international politics. On this note, check for any ongoing summits or conferences and recent developments in any political issue. At the bare minimum, be prepared to encounter a question regarding the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Check your cadre choice again

In your BCS viva, you should expect at least one question related to the list of your preferred cadres. Imagine the amount of embarrassment if you mess up the sequence of choices that you made yourself. To avoid such awkwardness, which may turn into humiliation pretty soon, you should check your choice of cadres again. 

At the very least, check the first and last five entries in your choice list and prepare a speech on your reasons for putting them in there. Be mindful of what you say and abstain from mentioning anything that can be considered offensive to any particular cadre. Focusing on your future career plan, such a speech should reflect your enthusiasm and earnestness.